insulin dose?

[mrbill2508]

My dog is approx 10 years old and has been diabetic for over 3 years. It is very expensive to have him tested, so have used the same amount of insulin for most of the time. My question is he has lost about half his body weight over the 3 years from 60 to 30 pounds. Should he be taking less insulin because of his weight. Some days he seems fine and other days he seems to be less active. He will eat all the time if you would let him. Any suggestions or comments.

[k9diabetes]

Re: insulin dose?

Hi!

Since your dog has lost so much weight, either he's not getting enough insulin to maintain his weight or he's not getting enough food or both.

Was the weight loss a good thing?

Insulin doses do depend somewhat on weight and he may very well need less insulin.

And of course he may need to gain weight but I'm thinking from your post that his weight may be better now.

Would you be willing to learn to test his blood sugar at home?

You can get meters free or nearly free so the cost is just for the test strips.

Home testing would answer your question for you as you would know how his blood sugar is doing.

Natalie

[mrbill2508]

Re: insulin dose?

Toby would eat all the time. I let him eat all he really wants,, since I do leave down food 24/7 (dry). I do have a meter and strips, but felt like I was just making him go thru more and more. He is just skin and bones and that really bothers me probably more than it does him. I still get Vetsulin for him, but would be willing to try anything to get him back in to better shape. I might add that he is blind to some degree now. I feed him whatever he will eat and all he wants twice a day before his shots. When this all started about three years ago I followed the vets advice and really watched what and when he ate. I finally decided this was going to take his life anyway and he could eat whatever he wanted at this point in his life. Am I wrong to think this way?

[ozzi]

Re: insulin dose?

Hi,
Honestly, I find a 50% weight loss over 3 years to be VERY concerning. It probably is related to the diabetes/insulin, but could be for many other reasons as well. What does your vet think of this?? I'm worried for Toby. I do believe that his insulin needs would have changed over three years, and particularly due to such a drastic weight loss.

I can assure you that testing is much less hurtful to Toby, than not testing him. You really do need to know what his sugar is doing and how he processes insulin. I also used to free feed and leave food down 24/7 before I knew any better. I found it impossible to get control over Ozzi's diabetes by doing so. Now I feed him twice/day with insulin, and am finally on the road to regulation. The insulin works WITH the food, so it's important to feed with the insulin injections, rather than leave it up to the dog to eat when he's hungry. Since you mention that he "would eat all the time" I'm wondering how you can leave food out 24/7 anyways? Unless you are consistent with feedings, both the timing and the amount, I doubt you will achieve regulation.

I'm not so sure that diabetes will "take his life anyways" as you say. Many, many diabetic dogs here have died for several other reasons. It's my opinion that we need to do our best to get the diabetes regulated and give our dogs a fighting chance. I'm thinking you might actually feel the same way, which may be the reason you're here now.

We can help with any questions you have, but you really do need to know how Toby's glucose is doing, whether you test him yourself or have the vet do it.
Kevin

[eileen]

Re: insulin dose?

I too find this tremendous weight loss VERY concerning. Food and insulin must work TOGETHER. Consistency with the diet (fed at 12 hour intervals) along with a carefully selected insulin dose is the only way in which they can continue to live long and happy lives as a diabetic.

Not testing when you have the tools at hand is NOT doing him any favors, it is actually hurting him much, much more.

I can not see that the same insulin dose over a 3 year period has done him well.

When carefully monitored and cared for diabetes in itself most often does NOT take their lives. Many dogs can live for many, many years as a diabetic, it is usually other health issues that end their lives.