Question
How long does it take to get a dog regulated?
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
It often takes several weeks or more, and there's no deadline you've missed. Your vet looks at appetite, thirst, weight and glucose readings over several check-ups, and some dogs take longer than others. Stick to the routine your vet set and tell them what's hard. If your dog gets worse, call your vet rather than waiting for the next check-up.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What to know at home
It's common to see things get better and then have another rough week. One day doesn't tell you how it's going overall. Ask the vet what improvement they expect next, and what you should note down if things slip back.
What to write down
- Thirst, appetite, weight and energy
- Food and treatment times
- Monitoring results the clinic requested
What to ask next
Ask for the next check-up date and who to call in between. Nobody can promise how soon your dog will settle, and if he's unwell you don't have to wait for that date to call.
Sources
- Glucose stays high even on insulin. Why?When glucose stays high
- Why do my dog's numbers swing so much from day to day?Why numbers swing day to day
- What is a glucose curve, and can I do it at home?What a glucose curve shows
- How often does a diabetic dog need vet check-ups?How often to see the vet
- What should I write in a notebook for my diabetic dog?What to write down
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
We are switching insulin types. What should we expect?
Get the new plan in writing before the first injection of the new insulin.
Q&A
My meter shows a number. What should I do?
Write down the number, the time and how he seems. Your vet is the one to say if it's good or bad.
Q&A
How should insulin be kept at home?
Follow what it says on the box. Keep it in the fridge, never frozen, and never in a hot car.
Urgent help
Emergency or low blood sugar
Call a vet now if your dog is weak, collapsed or having a seizure.