Living with a Diabetic Dog

By: Jamie Klinger-Krebs

“Diabetes … in a dog, really?” That’s the usual response I receive when I tell people my dog is diabetic.  And yes, canine diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a real and serious disease.  But, if treated properly diabetic dogs can live a happy, normal life.

Prior to my border collie Dale’s diagnosis last winter, my best friend’s miniature pinscher, Bodie, passed away from complications of diabetes the year before.  Though Bodie’s case was much different than Dale’s, when I heard the word diabetes spill from the mouth of our veterinarian, my heart skipped a beat.  For three years prior to her dog’s death I listened to my friend tell me the ups and downs of diabetes.  The insulin, the special diet, exercise routines and the constant fluxuation of glucose and blood sugar, it all seemed so overwhelming … and expensive.

What lead to my dog’s diagnosis was a series of signs that I didn’t immediately recognize.  Though many diabetic dogs lose a dramatic amount of weight prior to a diagnosis, Dale became more bloated.  This sign wasn’t obvious to me right away because he’d been on the chubby side for a number of years.  Then came the fatigue.  As any border collie owner knows, this breed is high-energy and Dale had always been an active dog.  Instead of wanting to play, he’d curl up in a corner and take long naps.  Next he started stopping on our daily walks, sitting down in the snow and refusing to get up until he was ready.  And then came the thirst and constant urinating.  Dale would finish an entire bowl of water in minutes and whine at the bottom of the stairs in the dead of night begging for us to let him outside.

Though at the time I attributed much of these issues to his age, it was when Dale started shaking and refusing to eat that I knew something was definitely not right.  After talking to us about Dale’s recent habits and conducting a urine and blood test, our veterinarian determined that Dale was indeed diabetic.  He explained that diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas, a small but vital organ located near the stomach that has two populations of cells.  One group of cells produces the enzymes necessary for proper digestion.  The other group, called beta-cells, produces the hormone insulin. Diabetes mellitus, the doctor explained, is the failure of the pancreatic beta cells to regulate blood sugar.

He further explained that with the proper diet and the administration of insulin that Dale would soon feel better and get back to his active self. Insulin, he said, acts as a gatekeeper by standing at the surface of the body cells and opening the door, allowing glucose to leave the blood stream and pass inside the cells.  Glucose is a vital substance that provides energy and must work inside the cells.  Without an adequate amount of insulin, glucose is unable to penetrate the cells.  Therefore, left untreated diabetes causes glucose to accumulate in the blood, which can be fatal.

Dale now takes shots of insulin twice a day and is on a special diet of Hill’s Science Diet W/D.  Though there are many prescription diets available for diabetic dogs, W/D has proven effective in Dale’s case.  Routine has also become a priority in keeping his diabetes in check since eating and administering insulin must be done every 12 hours.  Administering those first shots was nerve-wracking and getting him to eat the new food was a challenge.  But, nine months after his diagnosis Dale is doing great. His weight is down and under control, his eyesight is good (sight loss is a normal side effect of canine diabetes) and his last glucose curve (an hourly test administered by the veterinarian to determine the level of glucose in the blood throughout the day) was picture perfect.  Though living with a diabetic dog certainly has its challenges, we’ve been lucky. I admit, the food and insulin aren’t exactly cheap, but once I consider the alternative the cost becomes a non-issue. With his special diet and medication, Dale’s monthly expense reaches close to $100.

Many signs of diabetes can be easily mistaken or overlooked.  If you feel your dog may be showing signs of the disease check with your veterinarian right away.  The earlier diabetes is identified, the faster you may be able to bring it under control.

For more information on canine diabetes visit http://www.caninediabetes.org/.

Jamie Klinger-Krebs is a freelance writer living in Jefferson County.   She shares her home with a husband, daughter, two cats and one crazy border collie.  Jamie can be reached at jklingerkrebs@yahoo.com.