Guide
Cooper's first check-up: what I asked his vet, and what he said
A few weeks after Cooper's diabetes diagnosis I went to see his vet on my own, with a lot of questions about his food, insulin pens and his sugar checks. This is what he told me.
Sunny, owner“I wish my dog lived as long as I do.”Updated
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
Key facts
- Write your questions down before you see the vet. I had a lot of them.
- Cooper's vet wants his sugar levels checked every 15 days. That's Cooper's plan. Ask your own vet what suits your dog.
- Cooper's vet wouldn't advise an insulin pen for him, because a dog's skin has hair. Your vet can tell you what suits your dog.
- The vet said I can change Cooper's food if I want to. Talk any change through with your own vet first.
- I told the vet I feel very protective of Cooper now. He said don't worry, Cooper will do fine.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
Going to see his vet with a list of questions
Cooper was diagnosed with diabetes this autumn. A few weeks in, I went to see his vet on my own. We talked about Cooper's food, and I asked a lot of questions.
If you have questions piling up too, questions for the vet is the list I'd print, and getting your questions ready for the vet has more on making the most of the time.
His food: I can change it if I want to
Cooper's food hasn't changed since the diagnosis. I asked the vet whether I could change it, and he said I can if I want to.
If you're wondering about the same thing, should I keep my diabetic dog on the same food? and feeding a diabetic dog: food and routine are where I'd start, and talk any change through with your own vet first.
Insulin pen: he wouldn't advise it for Cooper
I asked about switching to an insulin pen. The vet said a dog's skin has hair, and he wouldn't advise it for Cooper.
That matches how I felt in the first weeks, when I chose syringes because I wasn't sure a pen would get through his skin properly. It's one vet's view for one dog, though. Are insulin pens an option for dogs? explains what to ask your own vet.
Sugar checks every 15 days
The plan for Cooper is to get his sugar levels checked every 15 days. That's what his vet asked for. It's Cooper's plan, not a rule for every dog, so ask your own vet what schedule suits yours. How often does a diabetic dog need vet check-ups? has more.
Writing things down between checks helps the next one start from notes, not memory. A home curve sheet is one way to keep them, and check-up or blood test day: do I still feed him and give insulin? covers the morning of a check.
"Don't worry. Cooper will do fine."
Before I left, I told the vet how I feel now: very protective of Cooper. He said don't worry, Cooper will do fine.
Cooper has been with me since he was a puppy. If you missed the start of our story, it's in Cooper's first two weeks, and how long diabetic dogs live is the page I wrote when I needed facts instead of fears.
Write your questions down before you see the vet, and ask your own vet what check-up schedule suits your dog. You're welcome to write to me.
Sources
- Questions for the vetThe list I'd print before a visit
- How often does a diabetic dog need vet check-ups?Why your vet sets the schedule
- Are insulin pens an option for dogs?What to ask your own vet about pens
- Should I keep my diabetic dog on the same food?Before you change his food
- Cooper's first two weeksThe start of our story
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
How often does a diabetic dog need vet check-ups?
Your vet should set how often your diabetic dog is seen, with more visits when things are new or unsettled.
Q&A
Are insulin pens an option for dogs?
Pens work with some insulins but not all, so ask your vet before you switch from a syringe.
Q&A
Should I keep my diabetic dog on the same food?
If he's steady, most vets say stick with it. Another illness can still mean a change.
Guide
Cooper's first two weeks with diabetes
What I noticed, the vet visit, the first shots and how we're doing two weeks in.