When did your journey with diabetes first begin?
30th December 2023
What were the first signs that something was wrong?
Drinking copious amounts of water, runny stools, and total lethargy.
How did you feel when you first received the diagnosis?
Absolutely heartbroken.
What thoughts were running through your mind?
Guilt – how did we not pick up on it sooner? But then we realised how quickly it all happened.
What did you already know about diabetes at the time?
Absolutely nothing, did not know dogs could be diabetic.
What kind of information and support was offered to you in making decisions around diabetes management?
We initially had a [Continuous Glucose Monitor], but that only stayed on for about three days. We were then told about blood tests at home with a glucometer for monitoring purposes and getting the right amount of insulin.
How did you make the decision to pursue treating Dexter’s diabetes versus euthanising?
When Dexter was at the vet clinic and we were leaving him for the night, as we were walking out, we were torn because we wanted to ensure there wasn’t going to be any long term suffering. We walked back in and had this conversation with the vet who gave us all the information that we needed to make our decision to treat.
What were your main motivations for treating?
That he could live a full life with diabetes, we would just have to be tough.
What were your main concerns?
That he could relapse, get worse.
What has it been like settling into a routine?
Not hard at all. The alarm goes off in the morning for me to get up to work, feeding and insulin is all part of my morning routine. At night, as we’re getting our dinner ready, the dogs are also fed.
How long did it take to get settled?
For us, it was instant.
How does life with your dog now compare to pre-diagnosis?
There’s not a lot of difference for us. Like with a baby, you can still do what you need to but you just ensure all is done before you go out!
How well did the reality of managing diabetes align with what you were expecting at the start?
We, as a choice, have decided not to do blood glucose tests. It was so uncomfortable for the poor little guy, and it made us so nervous and upset us that we were causing more discomfort than what was needed. We know our little guy so well now that if there were any major changes, we would act on it immediately.
What was easier than you expected?
Maintaining his sugar levels, once you’ve got the right ‘balance’, it’s ok.
What was more challenging than you expected?
Blood glucose tests, hated doing them.
What have you learned that you would most like to share with other owners of newly diagnosed animals?
That your little fur baby could possibly go blind, but this is not a bad thing. As long as you leave everything as it was, they are so remarkable and can navigate anywhere. You would never think our little man was blind seeing him walking around the park.
Dexters ‘sister’ Pacey walks alongside him and guides him around rubbish bins on collection day. I’ve put a bell on her collar so he can follow her. They play normally, although she’s a little bit rough at times, he lets her know.
Any other tips, advice, or suggestions for diabetic dog owners?
Giving insulin isn’t hard, once you get past the fact that you’re not hurting your fur baby. We give Dexter his shots across his rump as we tended to find the scruff of the neck was a bit tender.
We also give Dexter his shot when he’s nearly finished his meals, as of course he’s keen to finish and distracts from the injection.
Also, because it’s such a ‘ritual’ now, he knows to expect it and he’s not anxious or upset by it.
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