Staff at DAV were amazed when Louise Ciddor rang up to discuss the purchase of a blood glucose meter for Derek. Not surprising in itself, you may think, until you learn that Derek is an 11-year-old border collie. Louise wanted to check that the capillary action of the Esprit machine would work with a small drop of blood fromDerek’s lip. 

Louise recognised the symptoms when Derek began to drink and urinate
excessively. When the vet did a test of Derek’s urinary glucose it registered a
massive 22.4 instead of the normal 3.5 to 7.5! 
After four days at the vet’s for treatment with Caninsulin to regulate his diabetes, Derek came home, but his vision had suddeny became so bad that once home, he kept crashing into furniture. He had developed cataracts. 

Fortunately, a veterinary ophthalmologist found Derek to be an ideal candidate for vision-saving surgery. After the operation, Louise swears that Derek was literally smiling when he bounded down the corridor to greet her. 

Blood testing became important when Louise found that even at a glucose of
about 14, Derek’s urine was registering negative. She found a canine diabetes
Website, with information on how to obtain a sample from a lancette prick to the lip. And that’s where this story began – with Louise testing a glucose meter.  Now, twice a day, Derek is given his glucose-stabilising doses of insulin by injection into the scruff of the neck. And two or three times a week he places his head on Louise’s lap for a cuddle and to give a blood sample.  According to Dr Alan Lowther, Director of the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, diabetes in dogs is still rare, although the hospital sees more cases now, at about two per month, than previously. Dr Lowther thinks it may be due in part to lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. There appears to be no relationship between the breed of dog and diabetes, however spayed females are more likely to put on weight and develop infection of the pancreas which can lead to diabetes.  On confirmed diagnosis, dogs are usually kept for a couple of days to receive insulin and stabilise the diabetes. Their owners are shown how to give the injection and given advice on how best to manage future diet and exercise programs. 

A message from DAV – Please... If you think your dog may
have symptoms of diabetes, visit your vet for a consultation.