Can diabetes mellitus be treated?
Diabetes mellitus cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed. When the diagnosis is first made, it may be necessary for your dog to be hospitalized for a few days to get his/her blood glucose under control. If there are any related health problems, they must also be treated before your dog goes home. Long-term management involves the following: • Dietary changes • Daily insulin injections • Periodic monitoring Regardless of the details of your dog’s diabetes management program, consistency is essential. You must be consistent with diet, feeding times, insulin injections, and your dog’s routine. Also, try to keep disruptions and stress to a minimum. You may find that it is easier to regulate your dog’s routine if you keep it indoors. What dietary changes do I need to make? The dietary changes we recommend are: • Switch to a high-fiber diet: Diets that are high in fiber tend to be lower in sugar and are digested more slowly, so there is less of an increase in blood glucose after
