Treatments for Diabetic Dogs

Insulin

• Daily injections of insulin are the requirement for a diagnosis of diabetes. Oral medication is not available to animals. Injections are given between the shoulder blades, abdomen or chest. It is recommended to rotate the injection site. Distract the dog by giving him a treat or scratching his belly. Always throw the syringe away in an approved container.

Urine Testing

• Collect the dog's urine to test for sugar. Take the dog on a walk and bring an empty container. Gather the urine in the container. A veterinarian will have supplied urine sticks to test the glucose, or sugar. Dip the stick into the urine as directed and compare to the color chart. Record measurements daily with the amount of insulin given. Adjustments to the insulin given may be necessary based on the urine glucose tests.

Strict Diet

• Monitor a dog's diet carefully. Diets should be high in fiber and protein and low in fats and carbohydrates. Record what and when the dog eats daily. The dog should eat at the same time daily. Feedings should be scheduled around injection times. It is recommended that one-third of the daily amount of food be given half an hour before an insulin injection.

Excercise

• Exercise the dog on a regular schedule. Playing catch, going on a walk or other activities will help keep a dog active. Sticking to a regimen in exercise is critical. If a dog is taken on a walk randomly throughout the week, blood levels can rapidly fluctuate. Rather, it is recommended to have the same type and amount of exercise daily.

Spay Females

• Spay females to reduce hormones in the body. Keep hormone levels in balance by talking with a veterinarian about the influence of spaying a dog with diabetes. Insulin requirements will be more balanced and sugar levels will not fluctuate as much if a female is spayed.