Insulin For Dogs – Dogster

If your dog needs insulin, it most likely already has Type 1 diabetes. Managing a dog with diabetes comes with a steep learning curve that includes monitoring their blood sugar and injections. insulin saves them. In most cases, once your dog needs insulin, he will need it daily for life. This can be overwhelming for many dog ​​parents.

With the right knowledge, a little practice, and a good veterinarian, you can manage your dog’s diabetes like a pro! Your vet may recommend changes to diet, exercise, and the environment, but insulin is important for dogs with diabetes. Feeling confident with insulin – including how and when to give it – as well as the type of insulin you can use, is the first place to start.

Why does your dog need insulin and how does it work?

Insulin is a hormone produced by a dog’s pancreas. This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels. Without insulin, your dog’s blood sugar will rise to dangerously high levels. This can lead to a life-threatening electrolyte imbalance and a very sick dog.

Dogs with diabetes often develop Type 1 diabetes. This means that the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin have stopped working. Type 1 diabetes can be caused by many factors, including:

• chronic pancreatitis
• certain autoimmune disorders
• fat
• cushing’s disease

Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes in dogs cannot be cured and its treatment requires daily insulin for life.

How do I get started with insulin for my dog?

The most labor-intensive part of your dog’s diabetes journey is the early stages. Your dog may be recovering from a recent high blood sugar crisis and determining the ideal type and dose of insulin for your dog takes some time of trial and error.

Here are the steps to take to properly regulate your dog’s blood sugar.

1. Learn how to inject your dog with insulin. Your veterinarian will send you home with a vial of insulin and a special insulin syringe for insulin injections. The insulin needle is very small and the insulin is injected just under the dog’s skin. Use the area between your dog’s shoulder blades to give these shots. Pick up skins to create a tent. Place the needle in your dog by pushing through the tented skin. Push the plunger of the syringe to inject the insulin. This can feel intimidating at first. With a little practice and once you realize that the needles are quite small and rarely cause discomfort to the puppy, the injection will be much easier.
2. Check your dog’s blood sugar. You may be asked to bring your dog in to have your blood sugar checked, or you may be sent home with a blood glucose meter. The ability to test your dog’s blood sugar at home with a monitor like alphabet will save you money and visits to the veterinary hospital.

Initially, your veterinarian may need to perform a blood glucose curve asking for blood glucose values ​​every two hours. This provides your veterinarian with information about your dog’s blood sugar levels for the day and in relation to insulin use. This can be done in a clinic or at home. The benefits of doing these curves at home include a more comfortable day for your dog and more accurate readings, as the stress of a vet visit can alter blood sugar levels.

1. Learn when to give your dog insulin. Most insulins need to be given every 12 hours and are usually counted towards breakfast and dinner. Insulin injections should only be given if your dog has eaten a previous meal. If your dog wakes up and decides not to eat, that insulin dose should be skipped. You can also use a home blood glucose meter to decide whether to give your dog the next dose of insulin. If glucose values ​​are already normal or low, consider skipping this dose. When in doubt, call your veterinarian for further instructions.
2. Keep one dog health magazine. This is helpful for all parties involved in your dog’s care. Here are important data points to watch for during your dog’s initial management of diabetes.
   1. Weight. Checking this out weekly or every other week can be helpful. This can be done at your vet’s office or using a household scale or a baby scale if your dog is small enough.
   2. appetite. Recording your dog’s appetite can be useful information for your veterinarian. This only needs to be done during the early stages of your dog’s blood sugar control.
   3. Thirst/Urinating. Increased blood sugar causes the dog to drink and urinate more than usual. Once your dog returns to normal drinking and urinating habits, their blood sugar will most likely be better regulated.
   4. Blood sugar. If you’re monitoring your dog’s blood sugar at home, record the time and date.
   5. Manage insulin and food. Record when and how much insulin you feed your dog. Monitoring your dog’s eating habits, including snacks, is also important.

Types of insulin and syringes

Several types of insulin can be given to your dog, and your veterinarian may start with one and switch to another. They vary in cost and duration of action. They also have different types of syringes that they are compatible with.

Insulin syringes are U-100 or U-40. The insulin compatible U-100 syringe has 100 units per ml of insulin. The insulin compatible U-40 syringe has 40 units per ml of insulin. Mixing syringes can cause your dog to receive too little or too much insulin.

Here are the common types of insulin used in dogs and their associated syringes:

1. Vetsulin. This type is compatible with U-40 needles and needs to be injected once to twice daily depending on the dog. However, this brand of insulin usually comes in a dosing pen that is easy to use. Be sure to hold the pen under the skin during injection for 5 to 7 seconds to ensure all insulin is distributed.
2. ProZinc (PZI). This is also compatible with U-40 needles and requires twice daily dosing.
3. Lantus (glargin). This long-acting insulin is compatible with the U-100 needle and is given twice daily.
4. Women’s Humulin (NPH). This type of insulin is a popular choice and is compatible with the U-100 needle.

Ultimately, the type of insulin you choose will depend on your veterinarian’s preferences, what insulin is available, cost, and how your dog responds.

Dangerous side effects of insulin in dogs

The most dangerous effect of insulin is low blood sugar. When your dog is injected with insulin, their cells are more able to use the body’s glucose. If blood sugar is too low, your dog will get sick and possibly die if left untreated. If your dog skips a meal, don’t give him a dose of insulin.

Always mix insulin properly before use. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• convulsions
• listless
• tremble
• faint
• vomiting

If you suspect your dog has low blood sugar, give corn syrup (ask your vet about dosages to give) and seek emergency veterinary care.

Managing Type 1 diabetes can feel intimidating at first. You and your dog will soon be accumulating new confidence in your daily routine. Surround yourself with a support group that includes a veterinarian you like and trust, a pet sitter or neighbor who can help with your dog’s insulin injections if you’re away from home, and an online community of leaders. Other dog parents are also taking care of dogs with diabetes. You are your dog’s best medical advocate and your fluffy friend is lucky to have your love and support.