Diabetes

[AmyLea]

Please help. My vet just told me that my precious boy Uther Pendragon has diabetes. I am only slightly familiar with this disease in adults and have never heard of a dog having it. I am concerned on many levels. We have to give him 2 shots of insulin a day for what I'm guessing is the rest of his life. We are to pull the skin on the back of his neck up and insert the needle there. I know that we are not putting it in the exact same spot each time but after awhile at 2 shots a day, isn't that going to be painful to him??? Also, if anyone has ever seen an insulin bottle, they are very small and very expensive (about $27 for a bottle about an inch tall!) And then you also have to buy the needles. I just don't know how long we can afford to buy bottles of insulin and needles for him. Does anyone know of any type of pet insurance or aide that would help offset the costs? Please Help. Thanks.

[spidey]

Sorry about your dog. There's lots of good information here .

Phone your local pharmacy and ask them what they charge for the type of insulin he is on. If it's less than what your vet charges, get your vet to write you a prescription and buy the insulin and your supplies from the pharmacy instead. You can also ask your vet if there's any way you can buy it in bulk (explain your financial situation, most vets will try and find a way to work with you). Also, call other vet clinics in your area and ask what they charge, and if it's less, ask if they will fill a prescription from your own vet. You can also check on-line vet pharmacies, but I don't know if they carry insulin.

Most pet insurance won't cover you for a pre-existing condition (incidentally, this is why it's important to get your dog insured as soon as you get him, before any problems arise).

Good luck. :)

[moondog]

As far as the injections go, on a Rottweiler there is plenty of scruff, so you can rotate your injection sites quite easily. Shouldn't bother him at all.

I have been giving my dog injections at the scruff once daily for the past 3 weeks now (for a different reason than yours). I don't even need to call her over for her shot. As soon as she hears me pop the top off the ampule, she comes over on her own to get her shot! :D It must be that big hug she gets when I've finished, plus the fact that it's totally painless. :)

Good luck and I hope you can find an affordable source for your insulin. :)

[gail pang]

Hi,

Just wanted to say I have an 11 year old rottie that is diabetic.
Coco has been a diabetic for the past 5 1/2 years. We had our up and downs getting her regulated. This past month she had her insulin changed to Novolin N, she was on Humulin N for four years. prior to that pork and beef insulin which they discontinued and decided to bring back for pets. To make a long story short she is doing good on the new insulin, I buy at Wal Marts for $16.00 per bottle. Co uses 2 and half bottles per month. Her other insulin cost $23.95 to 27.95 so this is a relief. Check Wal marts pricing, I don't promote Wal Mart but there prices on insulin
are pretty good plus the needles also.

They use less insulin if they are eating correctly and getting a good work out. Alot of Fiber in the food. Please read all you can find and prepare yourself. They can still live a good life with
being a diabetic. The food is the most important thing low protien and high fiber. Good Luck

[Sharon Marples]

You can also purchase the needles and syringes online from many pet catalogs (I use petedge.com) at a much reduced price because you purchase them in quantity.

And don't try to save $$$ by using needles more than one time each. Other than the risk of infection, the needles dull very quickly and it will be more painful for him to receive an injection with a used needle. Always use a new, sharp needle for every injection.

Good luck with his treatment,

Sharon Marples

[AmyLea]

I just wanted to say Thank you to all the people who replied to my post. Your personal stories and information were very helpful and also comforting. I feel alot more ready to handle the situation now. Thanks again!

[Apamaria]

Being diabetic myself, I thought I'd put in a word here:
The needles are so thin that they don't hurt. You also must rotate the places of injections! if you always inject in the same spot, it will become hardened and not only will injecting become more difficult, the insulin will not be ingested (?) as quickly.

For humans it's not a problem using the same needle for up to six times (although it does get a bit dull by the end!) but dog skin might be dirtier so it may be different for them.

I wish you a lot of luck in managing this, it can be done!

[Chaco]

We had a diabetic rottie for 3 years. At first the shots were a huge trial for all of us because she hated needles and was terrified of the shots. Our solution was to set a tiny bowl of cottage cheese on the floor and as she ate it up we would jab her in the rear. We couldn't do the shots on her scruff--she would have none of that. But as the other person advised, we tried to stick her in a different place----we were told the same thing--callouses build up, etc.

You may want to try Pet Health Pharmacy: 12012 N, 111th Ave. Youngtown, AZ

Their prices are wonderful. I have no idea if they ship out of state, but it is worth a try. Sorry I do not have the phone number.

Diabetes with dogs isn't as bad as it first sounds. Just keep up with their sugar levels, watch what they eat and enjoy them all you can. They don't know their diabetic---it doesn't depress them like it does us.
Our dog developed cataracts-that is the only way we knew she had diabetes. Even blind, she hid it from us. She was amazing. good luck.