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**amydunn19** · 09-03-2018, 05:40 AM

Re: Questions about Humalog

Lantus has not proven to be a good fit for dogs. I would recommend starting with a NPH insulin. Many of us used the Novolin N from WalMart here in the states as it is about $24 a bottle. I don�t know if that is an option. Keep in mind dogs process insulin differently than humans. Carbs are necessary in dog food to lengthen the action of insulin and keeping numbers steady.

If you like I can start you a thread for your dog. That way, you have a place to post without old unrelated posts appear.

How much does your dog weigh? Any history of pancreatitis or other medical issues? What are you feeding and how often?

**jesse girl** · 09-03-2018, 10:24 AM

Re: Questions about Humalog

Maybe amy can start your own thread to keep all your info in one place . You might want to throw away what you know as a human diabetic because the approach is very different for dogs . They dont digest food the way we do so counting carbs and those kind of thing are usually not necessary

Most dogs do not need a fast or short acting insulin as a bolus routine . Most dogs do not attain what looks like normal sugar for most of the day . My jesse regulation is between 100 and 250 for the day divide by 18 to see what that would be in your measurements . !2 hour curves are important some do 24 hours

Post the weight of your dog as amy suggested and complete curves when you have them a test or two doesnt tell us much

**amydunn19** · 09-03-2018, 11:26 AM

Levi - new thread

Levi�s info moved here.

**gudgirlgonebiker** · 09-03-2018, 01:59 PM

Re: Levi - new thread

We cant afford the cost of dog insulin and the vet suggested Lantus. They didnt seem to know too much about any other insulin. I have no idea how to post his curve here. He weighs 71 pounds. He will be 13 in april /19. Hes a smooth coated border/retriever cross. It wont let me upload a photo.

**MikeMurphy** · 09-03-2018, 03:59 PM

Re: Levi - new thread

Originally posted by gudgirlgonebiker View Post

We cant afford the cost of dog insulin and the vet suggested Lantus. They didnt seem to know too much about any other insulin. I have no idea how to post his curve here. He weighs 71 pounds. He will be 13 in april /19. Hes a smooth coated border/retriever cross. It wont let me upload a photo.

Hi and welcome to you and Levi.

Don’t worry about uploading his 12 hour curve. You can just key it in. Starting at fasting, with a BG reading every 2 hours, it would look something like this:

7am - BG Reading
9am -
11am -
1pm -
3pm -
5pm -
7pm -

With cost being an issue and considering that you are diabetic and already using Lantus, I would think it’s ok to give ite a try. A couple of our members have given it to their dogs with mixed results. It’s mainly used for cats. However, the AAHA considers it an option for dogs, with a starting dose of .3 units per kg.

With Levi weighing 71lbs or 32kg, his starting dose should have been around 9 units of Lantus every 12 hours.

Not sure if Canadian Wal Marts sell Novolin N, an NPH insulin, but in the USA it’s $25 per vial.

Keep in mind that diabetic dogs are type 1 diabetics. Their pancreas no longer produces insulin. It’s best to feed them a low fat, moderate protein, moderate fiber diet every 12 hours, followed by their insulin.

**gudgirlgonebiker** · 09-04-2018, 12:24 AM

Re: Levi - new thread

i am lucky if i get 2- readings a day. i didnt get one at all today. cant use his ear and have to get the edge of his lip or underside of it. the vet gets it with a syringe. im planning on putting him back on raw again. kibble is hell on him. Dj

**jesse girl** · 09-04-2018, 05:55 AM

Re: Levi - new thread

I never had much luck from jesses ear and have used her inner lip above her canine tooth for the 8.5 years shes been diabetic . We may have tested there 10,000 times or more . Now once a dog is regulated most times you dont need to test as much . We haven't done a curve in years but i do test her before giving a dose of insulin or if things get a bit out of whack .

Complete curves are the only way to know what blood sugar is doing and raising or lowering the dose is based on the lowest number within that complete curve

**MikeMurphy** · 09-04-2018, 06:50 AM

Re: Levi - new thread

With a big dog like Levi, you should be able to get a good sample from the inside of his upper lip. There is a lot of blood available there and it will not hurt him at all.

As jesse girl says, insulin increases should only be done after analyzing the results of a 12 hour curve and they should be based on the lowest number in the curve. This prevents you from going past the proper dose, which can cause Somogyi Rebound and the resulting big swings in BG.

**amydunn19** · 09-05-2018, 09:05 PM

Re: Levi - new thread

Many vets aren�t very experienced with diabetes - unfortunately that is pretty common, but you can read some of the general information in the first sections of the forum. NPH is an intermediate acting insulin and dogs seem to do better on it.
These two sections have some informational threads that discuss various topics that might be helpful:

http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=18

http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=19

Does Levi have any skin tags or wart like bumps? These usually give great blood and no nerve endings. Your lancet may not be thick enough - dog skin is tougher.

Also, a raw diet can be tricky. The fat level can be too high if the meat is not lean enough. And there needs to be a carb component. If the protein is too high, the insulin is too active and gets used up too fast, leaving the blood sugar high for most of the day. You don�t have to do kibble at all - just make sure the diet is lower fat, moderate protein and moderate fiber. Pancreatitis also can be a problem for diabetic dogs so low fat is important.

I would encourage you to investigate and learn as much as you can to manage his diabetes at home. When it comes down to it, you know your dog best and you are fully capable of learning all you need to know to manage your dog day to day. I had to do this because my original vet was not knowledgeable or experienced with diabetes. I almost lost Maggie because of it. I just decided I would learn all I could and I had no experience with diabetes or medical issues to speak of. We are always here to help with questions or concerns too, so please post any questions or comments. We can help you with most any situation.

**Raysaint** · 09-06-2018, 11:10 AM

Re: Levi - new thread

gudgirl, I live in the Toronto area, and I buy Humulin N insulin for $30 a vial at Shoppers. It's an NPH insulin.

My dog has been diabetic since Feb. 2017. I researched dog food to death, and I found many raw diets to be too high in fat. Fat is risky for diabetics, can cause pancreatitis, which you don't want. Dog needs to be hospitalized usually, at about $1200 a day at a good hospital.

Food needs to be somewhat low fat, but needs good carbs to balance the insulin and give him fibre. Fibre is important for a bunch of reasons. And you can add things to his food. I feed my dog can food and I add a bit of pinto bean/oatmeal puree, pure cooked pumpkin, sweet potato puree, green beans/spinach puree. Not all of those every meal, but usually 2 choices per meal. Oh, and wild blueberries.

Just stay methodical with meals and insulin and curves. Little by little, it takes time. Patience is the biggest thing you can have.
And as others have said, many vets are not experienced, so question anything you want. For a vet to recommend Lantus right out of the gate, not a good sign.

**gudgirlgonebiker** · 09-14-2018, 11:08 PM

Re: Levi - new thread

This is totally overwhelming.

**gudgirlgonebiker** · 09-14-2018, 11:11 PM

Re: Levi - new thread

Canned food has more carbs than kibble usually. I have no idea what to do next and we arent getting anywhere

**MikeMurphy** · 09-15-2018, 09:08 AM

Re: Levi - new thread

It can be overwhelming, especially early on.

Maybe it�s time to do a reset and learn the basics on managing Levi�s diabetes.

A good place to start is to read this article on the main k9diabetes web site...
http://www.k9diabetes.com/

Like the article says...

Take a deep breath. Diabetes in dogs is almost always manageable and, with good care and monitoring, your diabetic dog can live a normal, healthy lifespan.

If you have any questions, just ask. We are here to help.

**amydunn19** · 09-15-2018, 10:17 AM

Re: Levi - new thread

I know it is hard in the beginning but you really can get this figured out.

First, are you still using lantus? How much and how often? Have you checked on the prospect of finding some lower cost NPH? It really should be the first choice. Lantus is just not that effective because of the way dogs use insulin.

Have you been able to blood test? Does Levi have any bumps or warty like skin tags? Those generally give good blood and have no nerve endings. Also, consider using a bigger thicker lancet. You can test at the base of the tail, the elbow callous, anywhere you can get some blood.

What are you feeding again? Is there a carb component? Diabetic dogs need a carb component to help even out the action of insulin.

We can help. Just let us know what you are struggling with.

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Levi - new thread

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