Dogs at the tail end of life...

[msweatherwax]

Please help

 

My oldest dog is 12/13 and I love her to bits. She has been diabetic for about 8 - 12 months and been stable, however tonight she scared me being really confused and disorientated- I know she is getting older and the inevitable will happen, howeverI know the inevitable will happen and I am terrified about what to do and how to recognise it- I am a first aider and know what to do with humans but as far as dogs go I am terrified-please advise

[Ned Ludd]

There's only one thing to do. See a Vet you trust.

I lost my dog when he was only seven, 4 years later it still hurts but you have to grab the bull by the horns and do the best for your canine friend

Spire Vets at Chesterfield= brilliant (but no appointment system)

Think of your dog and not about yourself...that sounds harsh but I know how I felt myself and had to do the right thing. At this stage you need good advice

[Strix]

It's so much more distressing when it's a pet who's suffering - coz they can't tell you what is wrong

 

Get her to the vets as soon as you can. Make sure you know what medication she's on, and her full history (ask your vet for a printout if necessary) and check her out-of-hours vet service and contact details so you have it to hand if you need it in an emergency

 

and find your way to the pets group on here

there's usually somebody online who can at least give you support if they aren't in a position to offer medical advice

[phawley]

Hi

We also have a 12 year old dog with diabetes and this does sometimes happen, in our case only last week, we have to give him insulin injections every day as I suppose you also do, all we did was give him half his normal dose when this episode happened and he was ok and back to his usual mischevious self in no time.

 

Not saying that this is the way to go in your case but it worked for us, as said, best consult your vet.

[vivaoliva]

I also have a 12 year old diabetic Westie, she has been diabetic for 4 years now. Luckily during that time we have had very few incidents where her sugar level has dropped too low. The symptems you describe are similar to the way my dog Misty behaves if she is becoming hypoglycemic. She also staggers & her legs become weak, if she is asleep, she starts to twich & shudder. I have always been able to sort her out by feeding her normal food early and ten minutes after eating, she becomes fully responsive again. However I was advised at the outset always to carry some glucose powder wherever we go. This can be given even if the dog has become unconcious by pooring the powder under the dogs tounge, where it will be absorbed.I would still contact a vet for more advise though, even after the dog comes round.

 

Good luck & hopefully you will have a few more years ahead, & as you are a first aider, I would say just react as you would to a human & you wont go far wrong

[pet-walkiz]

Hi

We also have a 12 year old dog with diabetes and this does sometimes happen, in our case only last week, we have to give him insulin injections every day as I suppose you also do, all we did was give him half his normal dose when this episode happened and he was ok and back to his usual mischevious self in no time.

 

Not saying that this is the way to go in your case but it worked for us, as said, best consult your vet.

 

your dog maybe have been hypoglyceamic at that point and giving insulin is usually the last thing you should do as the dog /patient usually needs food:) do your dogs have blood sugar testing machines?

[vivaoliva]

I have a blood moniter, but it is very difficult to get blood from a dog, unless you are confident enough to take it from a vein, I have sucessfully controlled my dog for 4 years using a human diebetic Diasticks with a urine sample every morning. This is quite easy with a girl dog, not too sure about a boy, you could end up with a wet hand!! These can be bought over the counter at any chemist, at around £5/£6 for 50. (not too sure of the UK price as I now live in Spain) I adjust the amount of insulin I give depending on the colour of the result each morming.This is backed up from time to time with a blood test at the vets.

 

I do agree however, that a dog who is hypoglycemic should not be given any more insulin that day, but fed extra food to control the sugar level. My vet always said it was better to miss an injection than risk giving too much insulin.