Hi my elderly (nearly 13 average lifespan average for breed is 10-12) but previously very healthy and he still pretty active dog has been diagnosed with diabetes. He has developed a cataracts in both eyes which have developed pretty suddenly I understand, a side effect of the diabetes so his sight is poor, he is drinking lots, peeing all over the kitchen floor; we are getting up once in the night to let him out into the garden but it’s not enough. He is also I think quieter than normal (although I may just be being over anxious) still trying to jump around before a walk and can easily walk for 1 1/2 hours.
Has anyone else had a diabetic dog?
I’ve talked a couple of owners whove had a diabetic dog, one said it was very difficult, it became 4 injections a day and visits to the vet every other day for blood tests I can’t do this because he can’t go in my car, and that no kennels will take them when you go away, another said it was fine.
Giving the twice daily injections is not an issue for us, (all the family are on board, even my non doggy DH), he doesn’t seem to notice, he happily eats the diabetic dog food, but I worry that he doesn’t feel well, I can’t put my finger on it but he’s aged massively in the last weeks, he’s even greyed more, I was shocked when I found a picture of him just before Xmas how different he looks, he seems more clingy. It would break my heart in fact everyone would be devastated he is the best dog we’ve ever owned but for us it’s quality not quantity of life and I wonder if it’s kinder to just quietly put him down.
My DC’s come home from University at the end of March, they were both crying when we first took him to the vets because initially we were told it didn’t look like diabetes but a tumour. I’ve thought about letting us all have a few weeks with him and then putting him down quietly at home before they go back.