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Ask the Veterinarian/diabectic dog getting too thin maybe?

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Expert: - 2/16/2011


Question
I have a 5,5 year shepard with diabetes. He was diagnosed by chance at the vets with another issue. He needs only 8mm twice a day and eat Royal Canin weight control diabetic. He was only a little bit overwieght (2 kilos)...the vet said it is a mystery why he is diabetic. He is now looking very trim and we get compliments by our neighbours. I am just a little worried he might be getting too thin. Otherwise he is healthy and happy. I will be going to the vet soon for his sugar check but I am just cruising the net here and thought I would ask.  ALso sometimes he is very hungry and needs to have a little something or he will vomit up bile. He was always like this since we had him. If he did not eat at night at 5 in the morning I had a 'squeaky' dog. Just curious. thank you
Celeste

Answer
If he seems to thin then you need to put him on a different diet or increase his food intake. I would feed him twice a day instead of one but just divide his food in half and feed morning and night. That will regulate his sugar better as well.

If your vet doesn't understand that there are many types of diabetes in dogs then you might want to find a new vet. :-)

Dogs get idiopathic diabetes, primary, like people get and even rarely, the kind that humans get called juvenile diabetes. Idiopathic means that there is no obvious cause, such as the pancreas not working.

So weigh him at the vets, adjust his insulin units accordingly and then feed him a cup more of food. Just divide it and feed twice a day as I mentioned.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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