Monitoring & Controlling
Read More About Monitoring & Controlling Canine Diabetes
Monitoring
After diagnosing a dog with diabetes mellitus and beginning insulin therapy, it is very important to continue to monitor the dog over the coming days, weeks, and months to ensure that regulation is achieved and maintained.
The primary objective of insulin therapy is to eliminate the clinical signs of diabetes and maintain good general health for the dog, while avoiding hypoglycemia.
Using a glucose curve, at home or in clinic, can be an effective means of monitoring the dog’s blood glucose concentration.
To assist with monitoring the pet, you may ask your client to perform routine urine checks and report any abnormalities.
Controlling
Additionally, you may need to impress upon the client the importance of consistency in managing their dog with diabetes. This includes diet and feeding schedules, injecting insulin and proper exercise.
Evaluation of Management
Monitoring blood glucose is a good way to evaluate regulation of a dog with diabetes. It is accurate, rapid, and requires only a drop of blood. However, in certain conditions (see below), it is not reliable because blood glucose concentration is influenced by many factors. Consequently, blood glucose curves may not show the actual result of the insulin treatment.
Various factors such as economics, logistics, and clinical situations can also force veterinarians to limit diagnostic procedures. When it is not possible to perform a complete glucose curve, spot glucose measurement combined with clinical signs, general observations, and evaluating glycosuria can provide an overview of the animal. Veterinarians can also rely on evaluation of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine in laboratory testing.
Available management tools:
Certain Conditions
Food intake, exercise, dog cooperation, use of a drug (e.g., xylazine, dexmedetomidine, prednisolone, progestogens, megestrol acetate), and other conditions (e.g., hyperadrenocorticism, acromegaly), or stress can affect blood glucose levels. In these cases, therefore, their presence should be considered when making treatment decisions.
Resources to Help Clients Monitor Care
Help Your Practice Manage Diabetes Mellitus
View and download resources and tools that will assist your hospital, inform your team, and help with clients.
Blood Glucose Curve Generator
Create a blood glucose curve to monitor and evaluate diabetes treatments.
Client Discharge Form
Create a customized, printable form for clients about their new diagnosis.
Diabetes Resources
Access online tools and more to support staff and pet parents.
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Read More About Monitoring &Controlling Canine Diabetes
Important Safety Information:
Vetsulin® should not be used in dogs known to have a systemic allergy to pork or pork products. Vetsulin is contraindicated during periods of hypoglycemia. Keep out of reach of children. As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia is essential to attain and maintain adequate glycemic control and prevent associated complications. Overdosage can result in profound hypoglycemia and death. The safety and effectiveness of Vetsulin in puppies, breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs has not been evaluated. See package insert for full information regarding contraindications, warnings, and precautions.
References:
1. Martin GJ, Rand JS. Pharmacology of a 40 IU/ml porcine lente insulin preparation in diabetic cats: findings during the first week and after 5 or 9 weeks of therapy. J Feline Med Surg. 2001;3(1):23–30. 2. Vetsulin® (porcine insulin zinc suspension) [Freedom of Information Summary]. Millsboro, DE: Intervet Inc.; 2008. 3. Data on file, Merck Animal Health. 4. Graham PA, Nash AS, McKellar QA. Pharmacokinetics of porcine insulin zinc suspension in diabetic dogs. J Small Anim Pract. 1997;38(10):434–438. 5. Martin GJ, Rand JS. Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of Caninsulin in Cats with Diabetes Mellitus. 2000: Internal Study Report. 6. Feldman EC, Nelson RW. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2004:539–579. 7. Tennant B, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. 4th ed. Gloucestershire, UK: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2002. 8. Feldman EC, Nelson RW. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2004:486–538. 9. Reusch C. Feline diabetes mellitus. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2010:1796–1816. 10. Nelson RW. Canine diabetes mellitus. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2010:1782–1796. 11. Burgaud S, Riant S, Piau N. Comparative laboratory evaluation of dose delivery using a veterinary insulin pen. In: Proceedings of the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA congress; 12–15 April 2012; Birmingham, UK. Abstract 121. 12. Burgaud S, Guillot R, Harnois-Milon G. Clinical evaluation of a veterinary insulin pen in diabetic dogs. In: Proceedings of the WSAVA/ FECAVA/BSAVA congress; 12–15 April 2012; Birmingham, UK. Abstract 122. 13. Burgaud S, Guillot R, Harnois-Milon G. Clinical evaluation of a veterinary insulin pen in diabetic cats. In: Proceedings of the WSAVA/FECAVA/BSAVA congress; 12–15 April 2012; Birmingham, UK. Abstract 45. 14. Davison LJ, Walding B, Herrtage ME, Catchpole B. Anti-insulin antibodies in diabetic dogs before and after treatment with different insulin preparations. J Vet Intern Med. 2008;22:1317-1325. 15. Banfield State of Pet Health 2016 Report. p 12-13. 16. Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA Diabetes management guidelines for dogs and cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018; 54:1–21.