My dog, Boo Bear, is a diabetic. A diabetic dog is treated in some aspects like a human diabetic. Boo Bear takes the same type insulin as a human and also uses the same type of syringe.

Boo Bear was diagnosed as being a diabetic dog in August of 2000. Her symptoms were drinking excessive amounts of water, weight loss, and having accidents in the house.

Having a diabetic animal takes a lot of dedication from the owner. The vet told me that the majority of diabetic pets encounter euthanasia by the request of the owners. Most owners do not want to put in the time involved and the schedule you must keep, plus the cost of the tests at the beginning of diagnosis into the pet. Having a diabetic pet can change your focus on life at times.

In the mornings, I start off by getting up between 6:00 and 8:00. Boo Bear's insulin injection time window is between 5:00 and 8:00 in the morning and late evening every day. Boo Bear has to have prescription dog food from the vet, Science Diet W/D. I do some home cooking for her. I cook chicken strip tenders and green beans as advised by her vet.

Located on my counter is a two cup measuring cup. I walk over to the counter pick up the cup and go to the container that holds her dry food. I completely fill the cup with Boo Bear's prescription dog food. I walk over with the food in one hand and pick her bowl up with my free hand. I place the bowl on the counter and pour the dry food into the bowl. I open the refrigerator and pull out a plastic bowl that is labeled "B-Bear" that contains green beans and chicken. I then reach into the cabinet, get a bowl and pour the mixture of green beans and chicken into the bowl.

I walk over to the microwave and warm the mixture for fifty seconds. When the timer goes off on the microwave, I pour the mixture over the dry dog food. I reach in the refrigerator and get the bottle of insulin and set it on the counter.

I walk back over to the refrigerator and reach up on top to a big white cup where the syringes are stored. I pull out one syringe and bring it back to the counter. I pick up the bowl of food off the counter and place it on a raised dog dish platform.

A raised food bowl is helpful because the skin around a dog's shoulder blades is relaxed and not pulled tight.

As Boo Bear is eating her food, I walk back to the counter, pick up the insulin, and roll the bottle between the palms of my hands gently about ten times.

The insulin needs to mix until it is a milk white color. I open up the syringe and pull off the orange cap, turn the insulin bottle upside down and stick the needle in the top of the insulin bottle. I pull back the
plunger on the syringe and draw out the insulin to the number of units Boo Bear must take for her dosage. I then take my forefinger and give the syringe a little flick for any air bubbles.

I walk with the loaded syringe over to where Boo Bear is eating. I pick up the loose skin on her neck and shoulder area forming a tent. I then take the loaded syringe and stick it in where I have formed the tent on her skin. Smoothly and gradually I depress the plunger of insulin into her body.

I quickly remove the syringe and walk back over to the counter to put the orange top on the needle. I then dispose of the syringe in an empty milk jug we have set up for disposing the used syringes. I walk back over to Boo Bear and tell her what a good girl she has been for me.

Boo Bear is a good dog and has never offered to bite me as I have inserted the syringe.

She has let out a whimper, which breaks my heart to know I might have hurt her. In having a diabetic dog, your time is more on a schedule.

When we travel now, Boo Bear goes with us. We do a lot of camping so there is no problem with her traveling with us. Some people have asked me, "why did you not just have her put to sleep." I have learned several things in taking care of a diabetic dog including patience, self confidence, and how to slow down and enjoy the little things in life.

 Linda Owenby
July 8, 2003