An important part of this is the 'blood glucose curve'.  Patients are admitted for the day with their own food.  We aim to replicate their feeding and exercise habits as they do at home - including feeding them at their usual meal times.  Using a special glucometer which was designed originally for cats, we are able to take a minute amount of blood  (pin prick) from the pet's ear and check their glucose levels.  This is read and charted every 2 hours and the resulting 'curve' on the chart will help us form a stabilisation plan. 

Diabetic dogs (and cats) will need twice daily insulin injections which is given within 10 minutes of eating their meal.  This generally continues as a life-long need for many pets alongside a veterinary examination twice a year to review their health and prescribed insulin dose.  Further blood testing is usually only necessary if there is a change in the pet's clinical signs.

Early detection, diagnosis and treatment will help improve the quality of life of diabetic pets and in many cases increase life expectancy.

Deputy Head Nurse, Kayleigh Buchele RVN works closely with our vets to support clients when their pet is ready to go home.  'Finding out that your pet has diabetes is daunting news for many of our clients and given they are the main care givers for their pet at home, owner support at this stage couldn't be more important.  I run diabetic clinics and my role is to explain the condition in detail, discuss their individual treatment plan and importantly teach the owner how to draw up and inject their pet.  Patients such as Kizzi are proof that we are able to help our patients lead a normal and happy life after a diagnosis of diabetes has been made.'
 
Kizzi, was awarded a MVP Pet Bravery Award for being such as good girl through-out her treatment.  Kizzi's owner was really pleased to get her back home and be reunited with her brother Buster!  The ongoing care provided by her owner is keeping Kizzi fit and well and life can continue as normal, be it with two injections a day.   Her owner wanted to say a few words to!  

'Kizzi has been very brave throughout her treatment for Diabetes, no matter what she is always happy, she loves going to the vets as she always gets a fuss from the staff and they really look after her well, she can't wait to get home after spending the day at the vets to see her little Yorkshire Terrier brother Buster who always bosses her around even though she is so much bigger than him.  She has so much love for us, all you have to do is ask her for a kiss and she always has lots for us, she is a very loving dog.'

Well done Kizzi!