An
Owners Guide to Proper Home Care of a Diabetic Pet DIABETES MELLITUS
Basically, the food an animal eats is converted into a sugar called glucose, which circulates in the animals' bloodstream. Although there is always a certain level of glucose in the blood, this level is highest after an animal eats. The hormone insulin is responsible for the absorption of glucose into the cells of the body, where the glucose is used as fuel to run all the normal bodily functions. There are several types of diabetes. Your pet has "insulin dependent" diabetes, which means that there is a lack of insulin produced in the body. The result of this lack of insulin is that the glucose in the blood rises to very high levels, for without insulin it cannot enter the cells to be used as food. The cells, and therefore the entire body then "starve," even though the pet is eating. Fortunately, with proper instruction it is relatively easy to supplement your pet with insulin by giving it as an injection one or two times daily. The insulin you inject will allow the glucose to be absorbed and used as fuel so that your pet can be healthy. Here are some important "rules" to follow in treating diabetes of this type: *Always give the insulin exactly as your veterinarian has prescribed, at the same times every day. *If you are concerned that you did not give the insulin properly, call BBVA 24 hours a day to receive instructions before deciding to skip or repeat the injection. In general it is safer to skip than repeat an injection. *Keep insulin refrigerated *Agitate vial well but do not shake it *Once a needle has been used on the pet, do not reuse it in the insulin vial, as it will contaminate the solution with bacteria. *It is crucial that your pet eat a full meal every time you give an insulin injection. If your pet does not eat, the insulin can lower the level of glucose in the blood to dangerously low levels. Signs that your pet's glucose level is too low include: weakness, staggering, lethargy, vomiting, and lack of appetite or seizures. This can be fatal if untreated. *Keep Karo syrup on hand at all times. If your pet shows the above signs, smear Karo syrup on the gums and call your veterinarian immediately. If the animal will eat, you may offer food. It is best to feed your pet before giving insulin so that you can be certain it will eat. If your pet will not eat, and it is time to give insulin, call us for instructions before giving the insulin. Schedule glucose checks regularly as recommended by your veterinarian so that you can be sure that your pet is receiving the proper dose of insulin. The dose will frequently need to be increased or decreased, especially during the first few months of treatment. Your veterinarian will adjust the insulin dosage based on the level of glucose in your pet's blood or urine. Signs that control of diabetes is inadequate include: weight loss, increased water consumption; increase urination and noticeable changes in appetite. In summary, it is important that you have a good understanding of diabetes and it's treatment if you wish to treat your pet successfully for this illness. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please contact us at 207-729-4164.
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As
your veterinarian has explained to you, diabetes mellitus, or "sugar
diabetes," is a disease in which carbohydrates (sugar) in an
animal's food are not properly absorbed after they are eaten. If
untreated, this disease will lead to severe illness and possibly
death.