If your pet has just been diagnosed with canine diabetes, you’re probably feeling shocked and overwhelmed right now. But don’t despair. Managing diabetes in dogs can be challenging at first, but after a few months, you and your pet will be old hands at it. Here are some answers to questions you probably have. 

1. Why Are Blood Sugar Levels Important?

Your pet’s body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose during the digestion process. Glucose is what fuels the body. It’s transported by the blood to all parts of your pet’s body.  

Blood glucose levels go up after a meal. That’s when insulin, produced in the pancreas, is released into your pet’s system to keep the blood sugar levels from becoming too high.  

If not enough insulin is being produced, blood sugar levels will get too high, which causes damage over time to your pet’s organ systems. If your pet isn’t fed at the right time, or he receives too much insulin, blood sugar levels can plummet to dangerously low levels, which can quickly cause death.

Blood sugar is measured by how many mg of glucose are present in a deciliter of blood. Normal blood sugar levels in dogs range between 75 and 120 millegrams per deciliter (mg/dL). It’s normal for the blood sugar levels to rise after a meal. But if they stay above 180 for a long time, the body will try to get rid of excess sugar by excreting it in the urine. This is known as “sugar spilling.”  

Blood sugar levels below 80 are too low, and if the level drops below 60, this is a crisis situation. You need to get your pet’s blood sugar levels higher right away. 

2. What Does “Regulation” Mean For Diabetes In Dogs?

Your pet is considered “regulated” when the supplies of food and insulin are balanced, which results in blood sugar levels staying within normal levels all day. 

If your pet is left alone all day, it can be challenge to keep her blood sugar levels from gettng too low or too high. You don’t want her blood sugar levels to get too low, because this can be fatal quickly. If levels are too high for long periods of time, ketoacidosis can result, which is a different crisis. Until she’s well-regulated, you may need to have someone come home mid-day to check her blood sugar level.  

3. Regulating Canine Diabetes Takes Time

You’ll need to establish a routine of feeding your pet at the same time every day. Two meals a day, twelve hours apart, is usually recommended. You’ll also need to check her blood sugar levels and give her an insulin injection twice a day, usually at mealtimes.

It’s best to give her the insulin shot after she eats. If you give it to her before you feed her, and then she doesn’t eat, her blood sugar levels will drop dangerously low, which means an emergency trip to the vet.

Always warm insulin in your hand before you give it to your dog, as injecting it while it’s cold is painful for your pet.

Is There A Cure For Diabetes In Dogs?

Unfortunately, no. The best cure is prevention. Since the biggest risk factor for dogs with diabetes is being overweight, putting her on a diet is the best thing you can do for your pet. Plenty of exercise is essential, too. Exercise is a great way to control blood sugar levels naturally.  

Natural remedies for dogs contain herbs and dietary supplements which have been proven to control blood sugar levels naturally. Many pet owners have successfully used a combination of diet, exercise, and herbs to prevent diabetes in dogs.

Don’t wait for your pet to develop canine diabetes. While it’s still fresh in your mind, you’ll want to start learning now how you can prevent your pet from becoming a diabetic.