Insulin & getting settled
How insulin treatment works, giving injections, and questions to ask your vet.
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
- We are switching insulin types. What should we expect?3 minGet the new plan in writing before the first injection of the new insulin.
- Glucose stays high even on insulin. Why?3 minHigh readings on insulin are common, and your vet can help find out why.
- How long does it take to get a dog regulated?3 minIt often takes several weeks or more, and there's no deadline you've missed.
- Our insulin is recalled or out of stock. What now?3 minCall your vet or pharmacy as soon as you hear there's a problem with your dog's insulin.
- Which insulins are used for dogs, and how do they differ?3 minInsulins mainly differ in how they're made, how you handle them and how long they work.
- Which syringes and needle size should I buy?3 minSyringe boxes can look confusingly alike, so buy only the syringe and needle your vet or pharmacist says is right for your dog's insulin.
- Can a dog use human or pharmacy insulin?4 minNot every insulin on the chemist's shelf can replace your dog's prescription.
- Why do my dog's numbers swing so much from day to day?3 minReadings often change from day to day, even when nothing seems different.
- Are insulin pens an option for dogs?3 minPens work with some insulins but not all, so ask your vet before you switch from a syringe.
- How do I confirm a safe source for prescribed supplies?4 minOrdering your dog's supplies online can feel risky, so it's sensible to check before you buy.
- What is the Somogyi rebound, and could my dog have it?3 minOne high reading can't tell you that your dog had a rebound after a low.
- The insulin seems to have stopped working. Could the vial be bad?3 minA weaker effect doesn't automatically mean a bad vial. Storage, handling, the injection and your dog's health all need a look.
- Does insulin have to be twice a day, or can it be once?3 minTwice-a-day injections can be tough to fit around work and family. Many diabetic dogs need insulin more than once a day, but how often is your vet's call, based on your dog and the exact product.
- What glucose range means my dog is well controlled?3 minYour vet's goals are about avoiding lows, easing symptoms and keeping weight and daily life steady. A target chart from the internet can't tell you what good control looks like for your dog.
- When does insulin peak, and what is the lowest point of the day?3 minThe lowest point on a glucose curve is called the nadir. When it happens varies from dog to dog and product to product.
- Do I shake or roll the insulin, and how do I draw it up?3 minDrawing up insulin feels fiddly at first. There's no single shake-or-roll rule, because it depends on the exact insulin and some have their own mixing instructions.