1. Understanding Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It moves sugar (glucose) from the food your pet eats into the body’s cells for energy.

• Dogs usually have Type 1 diabetes – they need insulin every day, twice a day, for life. Dogs do not go into remission.

• Cats usually have Type 2 diabetes – their body’s cells become resistant to insulin, and over time the pancreas can’t keep up. Some cats can use oral medication, but if you’re receiving this information, your cat needs insulin. Cats can sometimes go into remission.

2. Insulin Plan

• Your pet will receive insulin twice daily, as close to 12 hours apart as possible.

• We need to start as soon as possible. Let us know which pharmacy you’d like us to contact for the prescription - ideally one you can visit in person.

3. Insulin Training Appointment

• Once you have the insulin, call us to schedule a teaching session with a veterinary technician.

• Bring your pet, but not your insulin — we will practice using saline.

4. Blood Glucose Monitoring

• We’ll monitor your pet’s glucose more often at first, then periodically to keep their insulin dose correct.

• The first test, a blood glucose curve, is usually 7–10 days after starting insulin. (Their glucose will be checked every 2 hours through most of the day).

Three ways to do this:

1. In-hospital curve: Feed and give insulin at home, then bring your pet to stay with us for the day for testing every 2 hours. You will drop off at 7am.

2. Freestyle Libre : A sensor we apply that you scan with your phone.

3. At-home ear-prick testing : Using an AlphaTrak monitor every 2 hours, then sending us the results.

We may need to adjust insulin and repeat curves after dose changes.

5. Diet

Prescription diet to regulate their glucose after eating : Hill’s m/d, Purina DM, Royal Canin Glycobalance.

Transition diet gradually over 7 days to avoid digestive upset.

6. Signs to Watch For at Home

High blood sugar: drinking more, urinating more, big appetite, weight loss.

Well-controlled blood sugar: normal drinking/urination, normal appetite, weight stabilizes or increases.

Report any return of excessive drinking, urination, appetite, or weight loss to us.

Phone: 818-848-5007

Email: info@mediacityvets.com

7. Preventing Emergencies

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is life-threatening.

Have corn syrup at home

Signs: extreme sleepiness, hard to wake, wobbly walk, seizures

Action: Rub corn syrup on gums and get vet care immediately

High blood sugar for too long can cause DKA.

Signs: not eating, vomiting, lethargy

Action: Get vet care immediately

8. Long-Term Considerations

• Perfect control like in humans isn’t possible in pets.

• Most diabetic pets will develop cataracts.

• Diabetes can increase risk for urinary tract infections (UTI).

  • UTI signs in Dogs: accidents indoors, small/frequent urination, blood in urine, straining, excessive licking

  • UTI signs in Cats: frequent litter box trips, urinating outside box, small volumes, blood, straining, licking. If you see these signs in your pet, contact us.

9. Adjusting Insulin Timing

Change dosing time by no more than 1 hour per day until at the desired schedule.

10. Emergency / After-Hours Care

VCA Animal Specialty Group: Glendale

Blue Pearl Emergency: Studio City

Summary:

Managing diabetes in pets requires lifelong insulin, diet control, and regular glucose monitoring. Watch for signs of high or low blood sugar and act quickly in emergencies. Stay consistent with dosing, monitor long-term risks like cataracts and UTIs, and contact us if concerns arise. Your next step is acquiring and learning how to administer your pet's insulin. Make an appointment with a technician now: