Insulin Injections for Dogs

Insulin is a crucial part of providing fuel for the dog's body. It is produced by the pancreas normally and regulates blood sugar. The amount of insulin needed can be determined by blood tests that should be performed regularly. If a dog's insulin levels are low, insulin injections may be required. The timing of the shot affects the blood sugar, so it should be given in a routine way. Giving the shot is simple can be done at home with a little training from your vet. However, if you have any questions about insulin administration, you should contact your veterinarian. Giving an incorrect dose of insulin can have serious consequences.

Diabetes

Dogs with Diabetes need to be injected with compounded insulin once or twice a day to replace the insulin the dog's body is not making. Insulin binds with glucose in the blood and facilitates the body's use of the glucose. If the dog's pancreas stops making the insulin, blood sugar levels will rise. If this happens, your dog will start to feel ill, lose its appetite, have vision problems, and possibly develop kidney problems. Administering insulin daily can alleviate these symptoms and help regulate the dog's blood sugar.

Dosage

Determining the dosage of insulin to be administered to your dog should be done by your veterinarian. There are different types of insulin that have different effects on the dog's body. These different types of insulin also come with their own size of syringe. It is imperative to use the correct size syringe with the corresponding insulin. Failure to do so could lead to an overdose of insulin which will dramatically drop the dogs blood sugar. When blood sugar drops to dangerously low levels, it can prove to be fatal.

Giving the Shot

Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator and gently warmed to room temperature before administering. Double check the amount drawn into the syringe. The correct technique is to tent the skin by pulling it up, away from the dog, then poking the needle through the skin and administering the insulin under the skin. Petting the area will allow you to check for wetness that could indicate the insulin didn't make it into the dog. If this happens, contact your vet instead of giving another dose.

Checking Blood Sugar

The other side of giving insulin is checking the blood sugar of the dog. The pancreas will not stay at its current defective level forever; it will begin to function better or begin to function worse. This will affect the amount of insulin you will need to administer. Check blood sugar daily with a blood sugar meter, or have your vet perform the test.

Compliance

Insulin works best when the dog is fed at the same times everyday. This allows a predictable curve and keeps the blood sugar levels somewhat stable. Feeding the dog before giving the insulin ensures that there will be sugar present when the insulin is administered. If the dog stops eating for any reason, contact your vet.

References

• Small Animal Internal Medicine, Richard W. Nelson DVM, Mosby, 2008
• Diabetes in Dogs

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