Welcome back to Talking Tails!
I had quite a wake-up call at my annual vet visit a few weeks ago. I, along with my humans, were shocked to learn that I have diabetes. I know, can you believe it? I am still trying to get my head around this diagnosis.
For those of you who are not familiar with diabetes, it is an endocrine disease that causes high blood sugar levels. Type 1, or insulin-deficient, diabetes is the most common type in dogs. Our bodies are no longer producing insulin, which is needed to move sugar into our cells for energy. When sugar remains in the bloodstream it can cause all sorts of health issues.
Most dogs who develop diabetes have symptoms, such as excessive thirst, more frequent urination (obviously!), and weight loss. For whatever reason, I did not experience any of those symptoms. I cannot emphasize enough, therefore, the importance of keeping your annual exam and bloodwork with your vet. If it had not been for my regular bloodwork, we would never have known that I had developed diabetes. My blood glucose level was average a year ago and quadrupled this year. That is scary because
untreated diabetes can be deadly.
Unfortunately, the treatment for diabetes is insulin injections. So, twice a day, I have my meal, followed by an injection in the back of my neck. This is a bit of a problem for me, since I am used to being free-fed and have an issue with someone, even my mom, touching me with a needle. So, mom and I have been working through this. With a muzzle, treat, and lots of praise, we are making progress. This is tough on both of us!
It does take a bit of trial and error to determine the correct insulin dosage. I have glucose blood curves every two weeks, until we are sure of the proper dosage for me. So, I get to spend the day with all my human friends at the vet, along with meeting lots of new dogs! My blood is drawn every two hours to help the vet determine how long it takes the insulin to peak and how long it takes to wear off. This helps in making sure I am taking the correct insulin dosage to regulate my blood sugar.
I am ending on a happy note…diabetes does not have to impact quality of life. When treated with proper insulin dosages, we do not feel sick and can continue to do everything we love!
Wish us luck as we continue on the injection journey!
Talk to you soon!
Joey
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