Question
Can I judge control by thirst and energy?
Sunny, owner notes“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.
Short answer
If you can't test at home, how he's acting still tells you a lot. Most vets say things are probably under control when the heavy drinking, peeing and hunger have settled and his weight is steady. Keep an eye on his water bowl. If his thirst gets worse, he loses weight or he seems unwell, call your vet. Never change his insulin on signs alone.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What you might see at home
He drinks less. He sleeps through the night again. His weight at the clinic stops dropping. Those are the good signs.
Some owners are told to watch for signs and aren't given a meter. Some feel relieved, some feel lost. Ask your vet which signs to watch, and which ones mean you should call.
What to write down for the vet
- Water: how often you fill the bowl, compared with last month.
- Peeing: accidents, roughly how much, and night trips out.
- His appetite, and his weight with the date.
- His energy on a usual walk.
What to take with you
Take that list, even if you have no glucose numbers. If you have numbers, bring them too. There's more on thirst on the drinking page.
Sources
- Why is my diabetic dog drinking so much?Thirst as a sign
- What should I write in a notebook for my diabetic dog?What to write in a notebook
- Is one glucose number enough?Why one number is not enough
- What is a fructosamine test?A clinic test of the last few weeks
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
Why is my diabetic dog drinking so much?
Note how much he's drinking compared with a normal week. Your vet will work out why.
Q&A
How often should I test my diabetic dog?
There's no fixed number of tests. Ask your vet how often they want readings.
Q&A
My diabetic dog is losing weight
Write down his weight and what he eats. If he keeps losing, see your vet before you feed him more.
Q&A
Is one glucose number enough?
One reading only shows that moment. Write it down with the time and how he seemed, and let your vet look at it.