Diabetes - Type 1

[AmyMay]

One of our clients dogs has been diagnosed with diabetes. I’m keen to know more about it. Obviously there’s info on line, but I’m keen to hear first hand experience.

Dog in question is 7, overweight (not obese).

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My 12 year old collie bitch developed diabetes. Hers was hormone related. We couldn't get it stabilised so she was spayed and that cured it.

 

[Max123]

My parents dog developed diabetes aged 7. He was from a rescue as a pup with his brother. Terrier cross. Litter syndrome is definitely a thing and they were happy together until his brother tragically died aged 6. He was a sensitive fella anyway and I honestly think he stressed himself diabetic. The only other health issue he had was that he got stung by wasps aged 2 and went into anaphylaxis shock and spent 2 nights in the vets. He returned to full health.
When he was diagnosed with diabetes no amount of money or effort was spared on him. He was injected twice daily with insulin but it was very difficult to get his levels right and he spent several nights at the vets. He only lasted 4 months before he got pancreatitis and he had to be put to sleep
Just to add. He was a healthy weight and active.

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks @Max123

This dog is 7 also.

 

[Aru]

One of mine has diabetes. She became diabetic secondary to acute pancreatitis a little over a year ago and it's been a roller-coaster. She stabilised better after desexing but it's going to be a lifelong condition for her.(it almost always is in dogs) We have had several ups and downs throughout the year that I won't get into mostly coming for her change of behaviour and habits secondary to this condition.

She was blind within 7 months or so despite pretty good control on insulin but had bilateral cataract removal and lens replacemnt surgery a few months ago. That was massively helpful for her as she was getting anxious and worried when blind and now her sights been restored is completely normal and back to her puppy like self. She's on twice daily insulin. Acular (for eye inflammation) and will hopefully managed for quite some time.

Diabetes is a tough illness in dogs, the average lifespan is around 12-18 months from diagnosis......but that's as many are diagnosed older in life, have other underlying conditions and many owners and dogs do not cope with the blindness that comes from the diabetic cataracts.
It's expensive and tricky to manage to be honest. It gets harder as they get older as other conditions appearing-dental disease, cushings, utis, skin infections etc will also destabilise the diabetes.

Without my industry discount, id suspect we would be 15 to 19k in at this point with the various issues we have had over the last 12 months on her health issues. (Thankfully my girls insured and where I work has better then average staff discounting)

The big things I tell and advise people are. Use Acular, it should reduce your eye issues even if you cannot do cataract removal.
Be strict on routines. It's easier to stabilise dog on a strict routine with know food intake times, known exercise times.
Do the curves or libre(electronic glucose sensor) and get a nadir/and dose that works well easy on and it gets much much easier.
Food matters. Only with insulin. Stop the random treats etc it's just making life harder for their body....but you can give some consistently at the insulin time as well rather then depriving them and giving them none.
Do the cataract surgery if you can. It is worth the complications risk due to the level it can improve the QOl especilly in a young dog.
Get used to not travelling with a dog. This one is life confining unless you have very good sitters.
Sometimes you may have to miss a dose. One in the broad scale of things will be fine. It's safer to give in timeframe then shift and change once you have established a suitable dose.

Lastly. Know the signs if DKA. Know the signs of a hypo.

Check issues early with these guys. It's worth intervening early and being paranoid rather then a wait and see if they are acting off. They spiral into dka and it's days of hospitalisation and grave illness not a simple visit. Get the sense something up go to the vet, catch problems before they spiral to avoid issues.

It's a terrible disease. One of the worse to manage longterm..but it can be managed. They can live very happily and well with this condition once you get them stabilised.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I was unaware dogs got diabetes

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks so much @Aru for such a detailed response xx

 

[Aru]

I was unaware dogs got diabetes

Animals have many of the same organs as humans, though there is obviously species variation. That means there tends to be a lot of overlap between conditions we can get and animals. Similar systems are at work internally so they get similar issues to us. Its pretty interesting to see the matchy matchy stuff...and the variations on each conditions between species.
Cats commonly get diabetes to. Its rare in the herbivores. some species like bears have adaptions that prevent against it....

Theres a rabbit hole of time to be lost when looking into species commonality and differences even for specific diseases