Stabilising Diabetic dogs

Re: Stabilising Diabetic dogs

jules007 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:52:47 GMT

Thanks for that info Steph and Caroline. I think we can probably afford to a bit more flexible by the sounds of it

Re: Stabilising Diabetic dogs

jules007 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:58:40 GMT

We use caninsulin BID if the owner can manage twice daily dosing

Re: Stabilising Diabetic dogs

Caroline Galdas — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:27 GMT

I run diabetic clinics at my practice and have been on a lot of CPD about it. Everyone will tell you different and every one has different ideas.The best one I have been on is Ian Ramsey (Endocrine Specilist @ Glasgow Vet School).

He doesn't take BGCs unless the animals is ill, the rest of the time he stablises the animal in their home. Measuring their water intake, food, urine, demenour and urine dipsticks. If the dog isn't PUPD, happy, urine glucose levels normal, and eating he doesn't do anything more. He did say about taking nadir readings also and fructosamine. But it is useful to know especially if you have a client with resricted costs that they don't always need to have expensive tests.

We have a few clients that have viscious dogs that can't be handled and can not be blood sampled without sedation. For these we give clients urine stick to take home and measure. Its obviously not the gold standard but it is better than having to put the pet down due to costs.

Re: Stabilising Diabetic dogs

Steph Worsley — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:25:08 GMT

Hi There

We usually go on a case by case basis. For example if there are money concerns/very stressy animal etc then we would just do a nadir +/- fructosamine unless clinical signs weren't resolving, But gold standard would be to perform a full glucose curve every week to 2 weeks until stable then once a month for a few months to check.

One way to keep costs down for owners once the patient is stable is to teach them how to perform glucose curves at home, usually using an alphatrak (as these are calibrated to animals) and, depending on the animal, with ear stab, lip stab or paw stab. this is usually great for the stressy animals as well as they are less stressed at home than in the hospital so you can get a better idea of what the curve is doing.

Re: Stabilising Diabetic dogs

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:03:30 GMT

What kind of insulin are you using initially?