HOW TO GIVE YOUR DOG INSULIN 

A diabetic dog is incapable of producing sufficient insulin hormone on its own. This condition has fatal consequences if the dog is not taken care of on time. Diabetic dogs are usually treated with insulin once or twice a day.

Since insulin is a frail substance, it should be handled with a lot of care avoid exposing it to extreme temperature conditions and a lot of movement. Unopened bottles of insulin should be stored in the refrigerator. Insulin can only tolerate a very short period of room temperature conditions in a place away from direct sunlight.

It is important to practice on how to load the syringe with appropriate amounts of insulin by use of saline or sterile water. One can also practice giving the injection using an orange or apple. There are many types of insulin syringes for dogs and it’s, therefore, important to follow the recommendation of the veterinarian.

Steps on how to give your dog insulin

In order to ensure the supplies are sterile and to minimize the risk of new infections, a new syringe and needle should be used every time one gives

their dog an insulin injection.

Unwrap the syringe but leave the needle cap intact until when you are ready to load the syringe

Do not shake the insulin bottle but roll it gently in your hands to ensure the insulin content is well mixed

Remove the cap of the needle and then use your pointer and thumb fingers to hold the syringe while drawing back the plunger using the other hand until when it reaches the mark for the appropriate amount of insulin that the dog requires

Hold the insulin bottle in an upside –down position then insert the needle through the rubber cap. Press the plunger forcing the air into the bottle to avoid forming a vacuum when filling the syringe.

While still holding the bottle in an upside down position, push the needle as much as possible into the bottle and ensure the tip of the needle is covered by insulin. Pull back the plunger until you draw the correct amount of insulin.

You can draw a little extra insulin inside the syringe if you notice an air bubble inside the syringe. Carefully remove the needle from the bottle with the needle pointing upwards. Tap the syringe gently until the air bubble rises then push it out and get rid of the excess insulin

Pinch the loose skin on the dog’s neck in a folding manner with the less dominant hand and then insert the needle into the skin in a direction that is parallel to the fold

Slightly draw back on the plunger, If the syringe fills with blood or air then remove the needle and syringe and discard them. Get another pair of syringe and needle and repeat the process as before. If you do not get air or blood, press the plunger to inject the dog with insulin. Avoid repeating injection on the same spot when giving the dog subsequent injections.

If the dog manages to get away and you are not sure if it has received sufficient amount of insulin, just wait until the next time for another insulin dose.

Always discard the needle and syringe as advised by the veterinarian.

Injecting a dog with insulin can be a frightening task, in the beginning, however, creating a positive association with the dog and staying calm can help ease the difficulty of the process. You can try teaching your dog basic commands that can help him or her to stay calm during the process. Always consult the veterinarian on routines that can help minimize the discomfort.

Here is a blog I wrote on how to tell if your dog is diabetic .. click here to read

Get Started

admin