Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine disease in dogs where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly (insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Without enough insulin, blood sugar levels become dangerously high, leading to a condition called hyperglycemia. This can cause increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, cataracts and weakness.
Injectable insulin is the main treatment for diabetic dogs. Insulin helps lower blood glucose to normal levels so the body’s cells can use it for energy. Getting insulin levels regulated is key for diabetic dogs to stabilize and start feeling better.
How Insulin Works
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. In dogs with diabetes, their bodies either don’t produce enough insulin or they are resistant to the effects of insulin. This results in high blood glucose levels in the bloodstream (vcahospitals.com).
When insulin is injected, it allows sugar (glucose) to be transported from the blood into cells of the body where it can be used for energy. This brings blood glucose levels down into the normal range (vcahospitals.com).
Insulin injections essentially replace or supplement the insulin a diabetic dog’s body cannot produce on its own. Giving insulin helps regulate blood sugar so it doesn’t remain dangerously high, which can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and other symptoms.
When to Expect Improvement
When a dog first starts taking insulin injections, it may take some time to see an improvement in symptoms. Insulin helps lower blood sugar, but finding the right dosage is an important part of managing diabetes. According to VCA Hospitals, the first glucose curve is typically performed 7-14 days after beginning insulin therapy to assess how the dog is responding and determine if any adjustments need to be made (source).
During the initial adjustment period, the insulin dosage may be gradually increased until glucose curves show adequate control of blood sugar. It takes time for the dog’s body to regulate and reach consistent therapeutic levels of insulin. Consistency is also key – giving insulin at the same times every day helps maintain steady blood sugar. While some effects may be noticed right away, it takes 2-4 weeks on average to see significant improvement in symptoms once the proper insulin dosage is established.
Having realistic expectations will help during this initial period when the dog’s glucose levels are stabilizing. Patience and working closely with the veterinarian is key to getting the insulin regimen right for your dog. Though it takes some time, ongoing insulin therapy helps diabetic dogs manage their condition and minimizes symptoms over the long-term.
Appetite and Energy Levels
One of the most noticeable improvements after starting insulin is your dog’s appetite and energy levels. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, increased appetite is one of the main symptoms of uncomplicated diabetes in dogs. So it makes sense that appetite often improves within the first couple weeks after starting insulin therapy.
Most dogs will regain their normal appetite within the first 1-2 weeks of insulin treatment. As their blood sugar levels start to stabilize, the excessive hunger caused by diabetes begins to subside. Their energy levels also tend to increase during this time, as their body is better able to process and utilize glucose for energy.
According to the AVMA, it’s important your dog maintains a normal appetite while on insulin so you can avoid complications like hypoglycemia. That’s why monitoring their food intake and energy levels is key in the first weeks of treatment. But in most cases, you can expect to see noticeable improvements in their appetite and energy as insulin starts working.
Other Symptoms
In addition to appetite and energy levels, other common symptoms of diabetes like excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss may take longer to improve, usually around 3-4 weeks after starting insulin therapy.[1][2] This is because these symptoms are the result of prolonged high blood sugar levels over time. It takes consistency with insulin treatment to regulate blood glucose and reverse these changes.
Frequent urination is caused by excess glucose spilling over into the urine, which pulls water out of the body with it. As blood glucose levels lower, urination frequency should gradually decrease as well. However, owners may need to continue providing ample fresh water as the pet’s thirst remains increased initially. Weight loss from uncontrolled diabetes is due to the breakdown of fat and muscle stores to fuel the body’s metabolism in the absence of glucose utilization. With consistent insulin, energy balance improves enabling pets to utilize nutrients again and regain lost weight.
Consistency is Key
Keeping your dog on a consistent schedule of insulin administration and feeding is critical for managing diabetes. Insulin lowers blood sugar by allowing sugar to move from the blood into cells. It typically starts working within 1-2 hours and lasts for 6-10 hours in dogs. This means insulin levels need to be steady throughout the day.
Giving insulin at the same times every day helps maintain a constant level. Similarly, feeding approximately every 12 hours prevents blood sugar spikes. Dramatic changes in either insulin or food can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Symptoms like increased thirst, appetite changes, vomiting, weakness, and fatigue could indicate inconsistent management.
According to the veterinarians at VCA Hospitals, “Your dog needs consistent administration of insulin, consistent feeding, and a stable, stress-free lifestyle.” Consistency allows insulin to work optimally so your dog feels their best.
Individual Factors
The timeline for improvement after starting insulin therapy can vary significantly between individual dogs. Some key factors that affect how quickly a dog responds include:
- Severity of diabetes – Dogs with more severe diabetes and higher blood glucose levels tend to take longer to regulate. Milder cases may see improvement within days, while severe cases can take weeks or months (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24123967/).
- Age – Older dogs often have slower response times due to other age-related issues like decreased metabolism and other organ dysfunction (source: https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/20.-When-the-Insulin-Isnt-Working-II.pdf).
- Other health issues – Co-existing diseases like Cushing’s disease, pancreatitis, infections, or other conditions can interfere with insulin therapy and delay response (source: https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/managing-canine-diabetes).
Due to these individual factors, some dogs may show improvement within days, while others make take weeks or longer. Close monitoring and follow-up vet care is essential.
Monitoring Progress
It’s important to have regular vet checkups and bloodwork done to monitor your diabetic dog’s progress and ensure their insulin treatment is working effectively. Generally, vets recommend bringing diabetic dogs in for monitoring every 4-12 weeks, though some may need more frequent vet visits, especially when first starting insulin therapy (Cook 2012).
At these checkup appointments, the vet will draw blood to measure your dog’s blood glucose curve over the course of a day. They’ll also check for signs of other diabetes-related conditions and look for any complications. This helps determine if your dog’s insulin dosage needs to be adjusted or if any other treatments are required. Consistency is key when it comes to vet monitoring, as it provides crucial data to properly manage your dog’s diabetes long-term.
Some monitoring can also be done at home between vet visits. Urine glucose testing with strips allows you to check for excess glucose passing into the urine, which signals blood sugar levels are too high. There are also continuous glucose monitors that stick to your dog’s skin to track glucose 24/7, as well as flash glucose monitors like Freestyle Libre that take readings with a handheld scanner (Cornell University 2022). But veterinary expertise is still required to interpret home results and make appropriate treatment adjustments. Don’t change your dog’s insulin dosage without guidance from your vet.
When to Reach Out to the Vet
Even with insulin treatment, you may not see improvement in your diabetic dog right away. It can take 2-4 weeks for your dog’s blood glucose levels to stabilize and for you to notice positive changes in their appetite, energy, and other symptoms. According to the VCA Animal Hospitals, it takes this time for the damaged pancreatic cells to start functioning better again.
If after starting insulin you do not see any improvement in your dog’s symptoms after 2-4 weeks, it is important to reach out to your veterinarian. As the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine states, lack of improvement could mean the insulin dose needs to be adjusted so it is high enough to be effective but not so high it causes low blood sugar.
Contact your vet if your diabetic dog still has no appetite, seems sluggish, is drinking and urinating excessively, or has vomiting a few weeks after starting insulin therapy. Your vet can run tests to determine if the insulin dose needs to be changed. Ongoing communication with your vet is key to finding the optimal insulin regimen for your dog.
Outlook with Ongoing Insulin
With proper management and care, the prognosis for diabetic dogs on insulin is generally good. Studies show that with consistent treatment, most dogs go on to live happy, high-quality lives. One study found the median survival time for dogs after starting insulin was over 2 years (1). As long as treatment is maintained, diabetic dogs can continue living active lives with their families.
The key is consistency. Giving insulin as directed by your veterinarian, monitoring blood glucose levels, feeding the recommended diet, and providing adequate exercise will help keep your dog’s diabetes regulated. Work closely with your vet and notify them of any changes or concerns. With diligent care from pet owners, insulin therapy enables dogs with diabetes to thrive.
While diabetes cannot be cured, the condition can be managed for years. Dogs who receive their prescribed insulin doses and attentive care are expected to have a good long-term outcome. By partnering with your veterinarian and sticking to the treatment plan, you can help your diabetic dog live a happy, healthy life. Consistency and care are vital, but the prognosis with ongoing insulin treatment is positive.
(1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31582571/