Diabetic! what to feed???

[Parker's Mum]

We just found out last night that my boyfriend's 8yr old mini schauzer has diabetes Our vet has put her on the Royal Canin prescription diet (bleh). Since joining YorkieTalk when I got my morkie, I have been obsessed with providing super-premium foods to both of our dogs. Does anyone have any suggestions of a better quality food I can give her? I'm just in the initial stages of my new "diabetic research" and will have a long list of questions to go back to our vet with, but a high-quality diet is one of my priorities. Any suggestions would be much-appreciated

[Ladymom]

My 14 year old Lady has been diabetic since she was six years old. I felt exactly the same way you do about the prescription food. I came home with Hills W/D and never even finished it. The kibble is made of peanuts hulls and the canned is so full of corn it's yellow.

I had really good luck with Natures Variety Prairie. I read a study done by Waltham University that said that they had great success with higher protein foods in diabetics instead of the traditional high fiber diets. They mentioned Prairie as one of the foods they used.

I now homecook for Lady, but she has other health issues since she's older.

How is he doing? Schnauzers are prone to diabetes, unfortunately. They tend to have high blood lipids.

This website is a wonderful resource.

Pets with Diabetes: Home Page

[Parker's Mum]

Thanks so much for the feedback It doesn't look like too many have had experience with diabetic dogs. I will start looking at some of the higher protein foods and suggest it to our vet. I've never seen the Nature's Variety around, so I will have to do some checking to see if anyone carries it in my area.
She has just started insulin shots, we go back next week to see how she's responding & if we need to adjust the dosage. I feel horrible that we didn't know sooner, she'd been having accidents (pee) and she was put on meds for urinary infection but she continued to have more accidents, in her sleep, on car rides, even in the middle of her bathtime!!! And she's lost some weight. Hopefully the shots get her back to feeling (somewhat) like herself again

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Parker's Mum

Thanks so much for the feedback It doesn't look like too many have had experience with diabetic dogs. I will start looking at some of the higher protein foods and suggest it to our vet. I've never seen the Nature's Variety around, so I will have to do some checking to see if anyone carries it in my area.
She has just started insulin shots, we go back next week to see how she's responding & if we need to adjust the dosage. I feel horrible that we didn't know sooner, she'd been having accidents (pee) and she was put on meds for urinary infection but she continued to have more accidents, in her sleep, on car rides, even in the middle of her bathtime!!! And she's lost some weight. Hopefully the shots get her back to feeling (somewhat) like herself again

Once her body starts getting insulin, she should feel much, much better.

How is her eyesight? Many diabetics lose their eyesight before they are even diagnosed.

[Sandysbabies]

It takes a special person to care for a special needs dog. We lost our little Max, (schnauzer) 2 yrs. ago from diabetes. He was on Humin N insulin, which is a human insulin, 2 shots a day of 17 units each. We did everything we could. Its important too for the shots to be given at the sametime each day and I'm sure your vet told you to make sure she eats something before giving the insulin. Alot of people would have them put down and I think its wonderful to see someone care enough to love them and take care of them to the end. Little females are more suseptable to diabetes than males. Hope your little girl does well. Its a job, but they are worth it.

[Parker's Mum]

I haven't noticed anything with her eyesight yet Ladymom, but to be honest I didn't know to watch for that. I will be sure to ask the vet this week and keep an eye on her for anything strange! That's scary. But, we had her at MY house lastnight and not my boyfriend's, we are rarely ever here and she managed to get around, digging in the toybox etc lol. I would think if she had trouble seeing, she would have found it difficult being at my place, as she's not used to it ??? I will definately be inquiring. Does your Lady still have her eyesight?
Awwww Thank You Sandysbabies, I'm so sorry to hear about your Max How old was he? Had he had the diabetes long? WOW 17units, they've just started Charlie on 4units and we'll see this week if they need to increase. She is sooo worth it, she's such a good natured dog, we just love her so much, and so does my Morkie Parker. They're little snuggle-buddies

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Parker's Mum

I haven't noticed anything with her eyesight yet Ladymom, but to be honest I didn't know to watch for that. I will be sure to ask the vet this week and keep an eye on her for anything strange! That's scary. But, we had her at MY house lastnight and not my boyfriend's, we are rarely ever here and she managed to get around, digging in the toybox etc lol. I would think if she had trouble seeing, she would have found it difficult being at my place, as she's not used to it ??? I will definately be inquiring. Does your Lady still have her eyesight?
Awwww Thank You Sandysbabies, I'm so sorry to hear about your Max How old was he? Had he had the diabetes long? WOW 17units, they've just started Charlie on 4units and we'll see this week if they need to increase. She is sooo worth it, she's such a good natured dog, we just love her so much, and so does my Morkie Parker. They're little snuggle-buddies

The majority of diabetic dogs lose their eyesight within the first nine months due to diabetic cataracts. It can happen almost overnight. Often that is the first symptom owners notice.

Pets with Diabetes - Petdiabetes.org: Cataracts and Dry Eye

Lady is one of the rare few who still has her eyesight. She has eye issues due to her diabetes like dry eye. The key is getting them regulated as soon as possible. My vets hospitalize new diabetics so they can safely determine what their insulin requirements are. Lady was there for 3 or 4 days, but she came home on 3 units of insulin. Eight years later is is still the dose she gets.

Like with human diabetics, eye problems and chronic infections are the most common complications of diabetes.