Caring for Your Diabetic Dog

When your dog gets diagnosed with canine diabetes, it is important you understand that he needs you now more than ever. Although the condition can be stressful, and even painful for you to accept, it is not the end of the world and you can still do something to help.

First of all, you need to keep track of his daily activities, and this includes a record as to when insulin was administered. This is especially helpful if there is more than one person in the household. Record-keeping can prevent confusion, under-dosage and over-dosage can take place if you are not too careful.

Second, you should make sure you give your dog something to drink at all times. You should have bowls of water available in many parts of the house including the outdoor areas, as diabetic dogs are very prone to thirst.

Third, keep sweets out of reach from your dog. Remember, we want to lower down his glucose level. If you have children in the house, you need to educate them regarding the dog’s condition as they might just leave candies and cookies around, or might even give your dog some of their food as a treat.

Fourth, you should have a list of phone numbers of the vet and animal clinics or hospitals, should emergency arise. Take note that your dog’s condition is delicate and emergencies might just happen, so you want to be ready for that.

Fifth, you should also have a readily available bottle of honey because your dog might become hypoglycemic. Now you might wonder how a dog who is supposed to have too much sugar in the body become hypoglycemic – which is brought about by too little sugar or glucose? This is tip number 6.

If your dog gets an overdose of insulin, or if his exercise activities become too strenuous, his glucose in the body would go down altogether. Too much or too little of glucose is never good, so make sure that everybody is careful when it comes to diet plans, dosage and exercise activities for your dog.

Seventh, it is important that your dog gets regular visits to his vet so his condition can be assessed and monitored. Additionally, many diabetic dogs get urinary tract infections so the vet can also check if your dog has one.

And lastly, give your dog the love and attention he needs. You need to spend more time with him, in the same way you would for a sick person. Spending time with your pet would put more enthusiasm and strength, which will surely be very instrumental for him to live normally.