Canine Diabetes Insulin Injection Techniques

Dogs and Diabetes

• Certain dogs are genetically predisposed to developing diabetes. However, pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, can also destroy islet cells and lead to the disease. All breeds are affected, but WebMD says canine diabetes occurs more often in golden retrievers, German shepherds, miniature schnauzers, keeshonds and poodles. Females are three times more likely than male dogs to develop diabetes. And, diabetes usually first appears in dogs when they are 6 to 9 years old.

The Importance of Insulin

• Insulin is a hormone that helps the body store energy from food and pass glucose into cells where it metabolizes to produce energy. Without adequate insulin production, a dog will develop hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar; and glycosuria, or high urine sugar. Symptoms of diabetes in dogs include excessive urinating, excessive thirst, and unexplained weight loss despite an increase in appetite. In more advanced stages, symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration and coma. Dogs with diabetes are more prone to cataracts, enlarged livers, infections and neurological problems. If lab testing of the blood and urine indicate your dog's glucose levels are too high, your veterinarian will prescribe daily insulin injections, which are given once or twice a day immediately after the dog eats.

Injection Technique

• The veterinarian or her assistant will teach you how to inject your dog with insulin, having you practice injecting sterile water or saline into an apple or orange until you are comfortable enough to try it on your dog. The veterinarian will tell you where to inject the insulin on your dog, but the usual injection sites are the thorax, flank, belly or scruff of the neck. Once you're ready to inject insulin into your dog, gather a new insulin syringe, an insulin vial at room temperature, a disposal container for the needle when you're done and a dog treat. If your dog is prone to biting, consider using a muzzle; or, if your dog is large and hard to control, have someone else hold the dog while you inject the insulin. After you have drawn the insulin from the vile per your veterinarian's instructions, squeeze an inch or two of the skin at the injection site using the thumb and first two fingers of your non-dominant hand. As you pull the skin and fat away from the dog's muscle, you'll create a triangle. With the needle in your dominant hand, insert it into the skin parallel to the fold of skin that you're holding. The needle should be at a 45-degree angle, according to BD Diabetes. Push the needle plunger down to inject the insulin, releasing the skin when you're done and then removing the needle. Rub the injection spot gently, and then give your dog a treat and praise it, so it will associate the injection as a positive experience.

Safety Precautions

• When dealing with a dog that needs insulin injections, it's important to take certain precautions to protect yourself, your dog and those around you. Insulin needs to be stored in the refrigerator, and after a month, any unused insulin needs to be thrown away. Cold insulin is painful when injected, so set the insulin out on a counter and let it get to room temperature before injecting it into your dog. Never shake the insulin vile, but instead roll it gently between your hands to ensure a proper mix. If the insulin is an odd color or has developed crystals, throw it away and get a new vile. It's important to follow the dosage directions set by your veterinarian and to not miss an injection. Use a new, sterile syringe for each injection and dispose of used syringes in sharp containers, which can be returned to your veterinarian for proper disposal when full. If your dog escapes while you're injecting the insulin, do not run after it with the syringe in hand. Instead wait until after the next feeding to begin the injection procedure anew with a fresh syringe and fresh insulin.