At Hollybank we have a number of diabetic patients, all of whom are very lucky to have dedicated owners who inject them twice daily with insulin. As part of ‘Pet Diabetes month’ we have asked some of our clients to tell you about their experience of having a pet with Diabetes.

Katie

“In March 2015, Katie, our normally very fit and active 8 year old working Collie, was diagnosed with diabetes. Having been told she would be insulin-dependent for the rest of her life, we were very concerned not only how we would cope with a diabetic dog but also whether it was in her best interest to go down this route. She has been a big part of our working team of dogs…how would this impact on the way of life she so enjoys?”

 

“After a lot of discussion and advice from Richard and the rest of the team, we decided to give it a try. It took us a couple of weeks to be fully confident injecting her with the VetPen, which is so easy when you get used to it. After a short time, her diabetes was stable, and both of us and Katie have settled into a routine. She is injected twice a day, before her food, morning and night. She rushes to the kitchen as soon as she hears us get the VetPen! She totally accepted it as part of her feeding routine within a week. We are so pleased we decided to treat her with insulin. We now have our very happy, loving dog enjoying life to the full and still a very big part of our lives.”

Katie is always a pleasure to have in the hospital, she is such a good natured and well behaved girl. We love that Katie is still keeping the chickens in order!

 

Leah

“On first hearing Leah was diabetic we were all devastated. She is such a loving cheeky dog, with a wonderful personality. There was fear as well, what do we have to do, how will we cope? The first time we injected her was awful, the worry of have we done it correctly, did we hurt her? It is amazing how quickly we settled into a routine.”

“We are now into the second year of her having diabetes. We have never hurt Leah injecting her, if we appear to have forgotten to give her injection she nudges us to remind us. We now even recognise when the glucose levels aren’t quite right. We have had some traumatic times, all part of the learning curve. Our advice, get the right food, pick a time for the injections that suit the family, don’t be afraid. Talk to the wonderful staff of Hollybank, ask them all the questions you have, they are wonderful and no question is a daft one. Our biggest problem now…the clocks changing spring and winter..nightmare!!”

Leah is a bouncy and very lovable Labrador. Leah first presented to us at Hollybank with some classical signs of diabetes. However, whilst waiting for some of her results she deteriorated and went into a diabetic crisis called Ketoacidosis. This occurs because an alternative energy source to Glucose is produced (Ketones) which are toxic at high levels. Leah had some intensive care initially and has become a very popular and much loved patient.

 

Minnie

Minnie is 13 years old and was a rescue cat. She was found at  Daves Gym with her litter of 6 kittens and she was under 1 year old herself.

Minnie is a family cat and likes to be with people and wear hats. About 3 years ago  she became lethargic, sleeping all the time and drinking lots of water. She was diagnosed with diabetes. Minnie is injected twice a day and since beginning her treatment is back to normal and lives a happy, lazy life.

Minnie is our only diabetic feline patient! She has stabilised really well with her diabetic treatment and we see her only for the occasional urinary tract infection (UTI). Animals with diabetes are at high risk for developing a UTI as the concentration of their urine can be affected and the urine may contain some glucose too which is a great environment for the growth of bacteria.

 

 

Taz

“Our Border Terrier Taz was diagnosed with diabetes almost 18 months ago. At first the family were a little daunted about how we could keep our beloved pet well and manage his condition.We were weary about trying not to adjust his routine too much, whilst keeping up with all the other usual family demands. It turns out, we need’nt worry as Taz and the family have now got used to the process, and he’s just as happy and unfazed as he’s ever been!”

Taz is a cheeky Border Terrier who initially was very worried coming to the vets. However, the more and more time Taz spent with us the more he loved having a fuss and now happily comes to spend the day with us for his repeat blood glucose curves.