What is diabetes mellitus and what causes it?
Diabetes mellitus is caused by an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. Animals with an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin are called diabetics.

Insulin deficiency can develop for different reasons:

 

 

I have heard about diabetes insipidus, is that the same as diabetes mellitus?
No. Diabetes insipidus, also known as “water diabetes” is caused when large amounts of dilute urine are produced. It is a far less common condition than diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus is caused by problems in part of the brain or in the kidneys. There is no glucose present in the urine of animals with diabetes insipidus.

 

 

What signs do dogs with diabetes typically show?
The most common symptoms of diabetes mellitus are:

 

 

 

What do the terms polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia mean?



 

How is diabetes diagnosed?
Your veterinary surgeon will measure your dog’s blood glucose and test your dog’s urine for the presence of glucose and ketones.

Persistently high blood glucose levels along with glucose in the urine usually mean that your dog has diabetes mellitus.

 

 

 

 

Are all dogs susceptible to diabetes?
Dogs and of all ages can get diabetes. Diabetes most typically occurs in older dogs. Intact (unspayed) female dogs are affected most commonly.

 

 

 

 


What other problems can be associated with diabetes?
 Problems associated with diabetes are generally seen in long standing cases, they include cataracts in dogs.


 

 

 

What other diseases have the same signs as diabetes?
Dogs with diabetes mellitus drink and urinate a lot. They may also have a good or increased appetite but usually lose rather than gain weight. Other common diseases where some or all or some of these are also seen include:

To reach a definitive diagnosis of diabetes mellitus your veterinary surgeon will test your dog’s blood glucose levels and for the presence of urine glucose and ketones.


 

 

 

What is the expected life span of a diabetic dog?
With dedication, the correct treatment, lifestyle and adequate monitoring a diabetic dog should have the same expected life span as a non-diabetic dog.

 

 

 

Can I still use a vial of Caninsulin if it freezes?
 No. freezing will damage the insulin molecules and reduce the efficacy of the product. If a vial of insulin accidentally freezes in the fridge, it should be discarded and a new vial should be used.

 

 

 

 

Can I still use a vial of Caninsulin if it was forgotten outside the refrigerator between doses?
Caninsulin should be stored upright, protected from light, between 2 and 8°C. If the Caninsulin vial has been accidentally stored outside the refrigerator consult your veterinary surgeon for advice on whether the Caninsulin can still be used or not.

 

 

 

What should Caninsulin look like?
Caninsulin is a mixture of two different types of insulin. Normally, after gentle mixing (invert (upend) the bottle several times), Caninsulin will appear uniformly clear to slightly cloudy and should not have lumps or flakes floating in it. If you see clumps or flakes floating in the vial after you have resuspended the product, do not use it.

A small white ring of sediment may be seen in the neck of some vials of Caninsulin. The ring of sediment forms when the product has not been kept stored continuously in an upright position. A small ring of dried out insulin does not affect the quality of the product. Caninsulin should be stored refrigerated and in an upright position.

Always check on the appearance of the Caninsulin before using it!

 

 

 

How long can I keep and use a bottle of Caninsulin after the first dose has been withdrawn?
Following withdrawal of the first dose the Caninsulin should be used within 28 days.

 

 

 

I have heard about needleless injectors or insulin pens for administering insulin. Can these devices be used to administer Caninsulin to my dog?
Caninsulin is currently only approved for administration via syringes. For the following reasons it is not advisable to use insulin pens intended for human use:

  1. Caninsulin is the only 40 IU/ml insulin on the market meaning that all the other injection systems are not correctly calibrated to administer it.
  2. We have no experience injecting Caninsulin using needleless injectors and have some concerns that the techniques used may in fact damage the insulin crystals and alter the pharmacokinetics of the insulin.
  3. Caninsulin is not currently available in a vial that is compatible with the insulin pens that are on the market.
  4. These devices have been designed to deliver insulin through human skin. There is no evidence that insulin can effectively be injected through dog or cat skin. The presence of hair might make the injection even more difficult.

 

 

 

 

What must I do if I know that I missed part of an injection?
Do not try to top up the insulin dose. It is best to leave your pet until the next insulin dose is required and then continue as normal. A brief period of high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) due to too low an insulin dose is not as serious or as dangerous as the possibility of causing low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) by topping up with too much insulin.

 

 

 

What should I do if I have or think I have given too much insulin?
Contact your veterinary surgeon and explain the situation.

Monitor your dog carefully for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia):

If you see any of these signs try to encourage your dog to eat a small meal or if this fails rub some glucose solution or honey on your pet’s gums.

 

 

 

 

What should I do if I think that my pet has very low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)?
The following signs may indicate hypoglycaemia:

What to do if you see these signs

  1. Provide food immediately.
  2. If your pet refuses to eat or cannot eat, administer glucose as quickly as possible. Always keep a source of glucose ready to make a solution when needed, for example glucose powder which can be mixed with tap water. Give one teaspoon of glucose per 5kg (11lb) bodyweight. Administer the solution very carefully, particularly if your pet is unable to swallow properly or is unconscious. Make sure the solution does not go down the wrong way. If your pet is unconscious or unable to swallow, rub the glucose powder into the gums and especially under the tongue. Watch your fingers to avoid an accidental bite.
  3. As soon as your pet shows signs of recovery, feed it a small amount of its normal food. Watch your pet closely for several hours to make sure that the signs do not return and feed small amounts of food regularly.
  4. If your pet’s condition worsens or you are unsure, telephone your veterinary surgeon immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

Should my diabetic dog still receive annual vaccinations?
It is perfectly safe for your diabetic pet to receive their annual vaccinations. In fact, this annual check up also gives your veterinary surgeon a good opportunity to give your pet a complete check up. By keeping your diabetic pet healthy, there will be fewer fluctuations in its insulin requirements.

 

 

 

 

Is it safe for a dog with diabetes mellitus to receive a general anaesthetic?
Normally animals need to have an empty stomach before they are anaesthetized. A diabetic pet that has not been fed needs far less insulin. Your veterinary surgeon will advise you how much insulin to give your pet before it is admitted or may wish to administer a reduced dose of insulin for you. Usually a diabetic pet is administered intravenous fluid therapy during an anaesthesia. This is a means of giving fluid to the animal when it cannot drink itself. Apart from needing a reduced amount of insulin and fluid therapy (which is also given to some non-diabetic animals undergoing anesthesia), your diabetic dog is not at any additional risk from anaesthesia than a normal dog of the same age.