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Comment by Cheryl Lyons on March 7, 2011 at 7:52pm

He suggestion Hills Prescription WD, but small bag, $20, otherwise he said Purina fit and trim would be next, she needs more fiber.  Based on my pocketbook, it will be the purina for right now. 

Comment by Molly & Linda on March 7, 2011 at 7:39pm

Do check her food.  My sister said the first "diabetic" dog food her vet recommended was full of corn (sugar).  Good luck.  My sisters Aussie has actually had diabetes five years and will be 16 this year. 

Comment by Cheryl Lyons on March 7, 2011 at 6:55pm

No, I LOVE Izzies vet and the proof was on the paper....she is classic case.  Insulin shots start tonight!

Comment by Nancy, Jeff and Anya Lyons on March 7, 2011 at 6:44pm

I'm so sorry to hear about Izzy. Have you considered taking her to another vet for a second opinion?

Comment by Molly & Linda on March 6, 2011 at 10:03am

Since our pets our dependent on our care, my sister does plan her life around the twice a day regimen.  She gives herself an hour range either way.  On vacations she has a family member care for her but kenneling at the vet (where she is seen) is also a possibility.  Diabetes is more and more prevalent in both humans and pets so there's plenty of assistance available.  Do continue to forum this with pet owners and read human diabetes forums, also; Doctors and Vets have the by the book approach and, as far as I can tell, regular people live (well) quite differently.

Comment by Cheryl Lyons on March 5, 2011 at 10:32pm

Everyone is so helpful...more questions...Is it imperative to give at the same time everyday...what happens when you miss an hour or so?  What about when you need to leave your pets, say vacations, etc? What do you do?

Comment by Molly & Linda on March 5, 2011 at 9:10pm

My sister's dog has diabetes (since she was 12 -- she is 15 now -- an Australian Terrier).  The first few years were heartwrenching.  It was expensive and is still not an exact science.  Last year, the dog went on human insulin and is now much better (figuring in her advanced age).  Apparently, human insulin is also much cheaper than pet insulin (and, I think my sister said they're taking it off the market) but insulin is expensive (I'm insulin dependent and my insulin runs $140 a vial).  You can test them with human equipment and, while the test strips are expensive, the testing equipment can be had quite cheaply -- they make the money on the test strips).

They don't require the same standards A1cs (80-100) as humans -- more like the 200s since a dog's general lifespan is different.   While the vet will probably want to give tests to determine a range -- also check it yourself.  My sister does it in her dog's ear. 

And Ashley is correct.  I've been taking insulin 23 years and I've NEVER discarded a vial until its empty.  And I've always reused needles -- the problem with dogs is that they can't tell you when it's dull.   On twice a day injections I'd go only as long as a week at most.

Good luck!  Diabetes is such a racket (for both humans and pets) but you can live well with it. 

Comment by Melissa and Franklin! on March 5, 2011 at 5:31pm

here's a good discussion I found

http://www.mycorgi.com/group/diabeticcorgis/forum/topics/helpful-we...

your vet can answer any questions you have, diabetes is very common in dogs and cats, and is a bit different in animals than in people. Be sure to ask questions! Lots and lots of questions. That's what the vets and technicians are for, they will have seen it all so they are a great resource

Comment by Ashley R on March 5, 2011 at 5:01pm

Cheryl, we do NOT toss our insulin after 28 days.  That is another one of those "rules" that you have to take with a grain of salt.  True, we are testing multiple times a day and can get feedback rather quickly if it appears the insulin is no longer working effectively.  Also, we definitely reuse needles (nearly every diabetic I know does) and definitely something the medical folks frown upon - but again, the advice and living it are not one and the same.  And for any medical folks peeping at this, my husband and daughter always have A1c's in the normal range!  It sounds as though you are jumping in and doing what you've gotta do!

Comment by Heather and Ella on March 5, 2011 at 4:52pm

 

As a teenager, we had a beagle with who was diagnosed w/ diabetes when he was 8yr.  His vet told us that he had thyrod issues and gave us pill for that (at 7).  After a year with no improvement and eye issues, we took him to another vet.  This new vet gave us the diabetes news, so for over a year he was incorrectly treated and now had kidney issues and was now going blind.  He required insulin twice a day, once in morning and once at evening. The vet also put him on a low sugar/low carb diet.  He was allowed one can of "diet" food per day (1/2 at a time), and insulin was given after the feeding. 

The insulin was human insulin, and needs to be kept in the frig.  The shot is given in that fat bit at the back of the neck.  I'm sure your vet will show you the proper procedure. Just grab that flab, pull it up a bit and in goes the needle.  Our beagle really didn't seem to care. They said we could use a single needle more than once, because dogs skin is tougher than a humans.

He ended up living another 2 yrs, but his kidneys ended up giving out. 

The key we found out is early detection.

Not sure of the cost, this was like 20 yrs ago.

Good luck!!!  Izzy is young, so that's a major plus!!! It really will become routine. 

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