Question
Check-up or blood test day: do I still feed him and give insulin?
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's easy to get mixed up on the morning of a vet visit. Some clinics want your dog fed and given insulin as normal, and some want something different. Ask the clinic a day or two ahead and write down exactly what they say. Don't guess. If your dog seems weak or shaky before the visit, call them straight away.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What to know at home
What the vet needs depends on the test. A glucose curve or check-up often goes best when the day looks like a normal one, but a fasting blood test or sedation can change things. Only your clinic can tell you which applies.
What to write down
- What the clinic said about food and insulin that morning
- The time of his last meal and injection
- Your meter, notes and the insulin box to take along
What to ask next
Take his usual food in case they want him to eat there. Tell the team at the desk if insulin has already been given. If he won't eat that morning, call the clinic before you inject.
Sources
- Do I feed my diabetic dog before the insulin?Food and insulin order on the day
- Questions for the vetQuestions to bring to the vet
- Notes and curves to show your vetNotes to show your vet
- What is a glucose curve, and can I do it at home?What a glucose curve involves
- How often does a diabetic dog need vet check-ups?What a check-up covers
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
What is a glucose curve, and can I do it at home?
A glucose curve is a set of readings across the day. Your vet will tell you when to do one.
Q&A
How do surgery, dental cleaning and anaesthesia work for a diabetic dog?
A diabetic dog needs his own plan for any operation, covering food, insulin, checks and recovery.
Urgent help
Emergency or low blood sugar
Call a vet now if your dog is weak, collapsed or having a seizure.