I just found out my dog has diabetes. I just gave up a class to be able to support my dog and before we were hanging on a thread. Now I don’t think I can take care of him financially. I don’t have anyone who can help me. What do I do? Should I just give him up to a rescue?
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I had a diabetic cat. The costs would be about the same. Insulin costs less then $20 and lasted 2-3 months before we’d have to buy more. A box of syringes are less than $15 for a box of 100, that will last you 50 days. I found that it wasn’t that hard to care for him. I was very lucky that I had my cat for an additional 6 years after he was diagnosed with diabetes. If you gave your dog to a rescue, chances are he won’t be adopted and might be put down. Try taking care of him before you make any choices about getting rid of him. He will live a good, normal life. I never felt that it was an inconvenience and I am sure you won’t either. Talk to your vet about any questions you might have. Good luck!
insulin is fairly cheap, as are syringes. Monthly, about the cost of a daily cup of coffee.
It generally isn’t hard to deal with diabetes in dogs cuz it is far easier to limit what foods they get compared to ppl. The meds are not expensive & easy to give injections. I have many clients with dogs with diabetes that have no problems. If a lil old granny can learn quite easily how to test & give a dog a shot, so can you.
Once a diabetic dog is regulated it can be a very manageable disease. However, it can take months to get under control and during that time you will need to bring him in for weekly (or every other week) blood draws and he will need frequent bloodwork once the disease is controlled. Financially, this could be a problem. The dilemma here is that not many rescues are going to have the resources to devote to a diabetic dog who, in addition to being special needs is most likely also an older dog, is frankly not very adoptable. Discuss your options with your vet. If you can find a rescue who would be willing to rehome him then that is an option…but it’s going to be VERY difficult and his chances of finding a new home with this condition are not very good, especially in this economy. Your vet may be able to work out payment plans of some kind with you if you discuss your financial concerns with them regarding the regulation and treatment of his diabetes. Or you may have to consider making him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible and euthanizing him when his quality of life declines too far. It’s a tough situation to be in and I don’t envy the decisions you have to make now.
It will be very difficult to find a home for a diabetic dog, most people aren’t looking for a dog with a health condition. Diabetes is not difficult to manage though, as the other answers already said. The medication is not that expensive, giving the injections is easy. Talk to your vet, good luck.
It’s not hard to take care of a dog with diabetes once you fall into the routine of what needs to me done for him.
Testing his blood sugar, giving him insulin and monitoring his diet & exercise are the major tasks that you’ll need to undertake.
With discipline though, it will simply be a part of your normal schedule and won’t be a big deal at all.
Here’s a great article that talks a little bit more about taking care of a dog with diabetes:
http://www.dog-health-works.com/lp/dog-diabetes-symptoms.html
Good Luck!