Care Of The Diabetic Pet

Diabetes in pets is a condition in which the glucose (sugar) in the pet's blood is not being adequately moved out of the blood and into the diabetic_pets.birdneck_animal_hospital cells of the body. This creates a condition in which the cells are starving for glucose, and the blood glucose is too high. Most case of diabetes can be controlled by the administration if insulin. Insulin helps move the glucose from the blood to the inside of the cells. Diabetic pets do better (are better stabilized) if they receive the same amount of the same food and the same amount of exercise each day. Some owners can monitor their pet's blood glucose daily. This can also help to maintain the proper dose of insulin and better regulate diabetes.

Your pet's blood glucose can get higher due to any of the following: less insulin, more food or treats, less exercise, stress.

Your pet's blood glucose can get lower due to any of the following: more insulin, less food or treats, less exercise, the vomiting of a meal (less food).

Diabetic pets on insulin must be monitored closely:

1. An increase in thirst and urine production is usually an indication that the blood sugar is too high: CALL OUR ANIMAL HOSPITAL FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

2. Staggering, stumbling, glassy-eyed appearance, abnormal behaviors are usually indications that the blood sugar is too low. This can occur if a diabetic on insulin: doesn't eat enough, vomits after eating and receiving insulin, gets too much insulin, or has a sudden decrease of insulin needed. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY CONDITION. If any of these behaviors is noted, give your pet some sugar solution (such as KARO syrup) by mouth. A very small pet would need a small amount (1/2 tsp). A very large pet may require several tablespoons. CALL US (757) 425 - 9426 AND THEN BRING YOUR PET RIGHT INTO THE BIRDNECK ANIMAL HOSPITAL TO HAVE THE BLOOD GLUCOSE CHECKED AND TO BE STABILIZED. IF WE ARE CLOSED CALL ONE OF THE EMERGENCY CLINICS AND BRING YOUR PET THERE.

Bay Beach's Emergency Number is: (757) 340 - 3913.

You can decrease the likelihood of an abnormal blood sugar by the following: If your pet does not eat or is vomiting, do not give insulin. If there is more than one person that may give the insulin, keep a check- off sheet and pen with the insulin in the refrigerator. This can prevent an extra dose being given. If you are unsure if the insulin dose went under the skin or not, do not give another dose. Keep the insulin refrigerated. Mix it by gently rolling between your palms before measuring each dose.

Please call us if you have any questions. As your veterinarian in Virginia Beach, we are here to assist you in all aspects of your pet's health care including care of diabetic pets. We care about the welfare of your pets as if he/she was our own!


Virginia Beach Veterinarian | Birdneck Animal Hospital
508 North Birdneck Rd Suite C
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 355-5694

Location

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Monday:

8:30 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-1:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:45 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Feedback from our clients

  • "Words can not begin to express our gratitude for the care you had given Hunter over the years. When his time came, he watched for you to come through the door and his tail showed his affection towards you. That was most comforting having you there. Thank you.""
    ~R.H
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Maggie over the years. Y'all are the best and Dr. Johnson, you are the best vet in the world! God bless you all.""
    ~ J.D.
  • ""Your care for my beloved Mattie these last 10n years made her life, and mine much better….God bless each of you for all you did for us and I'm sure for all your other two and four legged patients.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""Thank you for saving my life." ~T.C."
    ~T.C.
  • ""I can not express how grateful I am for you and your staff… I appreciate everything you did in Beckham's treatment. He was so lucky to have such a wonderful doctor on his side. Thank you for all you do for the benefit of all our beloved pets.""
    ~L.B.
  • ""Dr. Johnson - There are no words that can truly capture your kindness.""
    ~G.B.
  • ""Thank you for the great care you took of Taco and the rest of our family. He is doing great now! He is enjoying running and playing with all four legs again.""
    ~W.C
  • ""People who avail themselves of your services at the clinic certainly are blessed to have such a caring staff....bless you and your devoted staff.""
    ~E.D.
  • ""A sincere thank you for taking such good care of Dulce. We are so thrilled that she is back to her normal self. You gave her the support and care she needed in her darkest hours and kept us confident in her recovery.""
  • ""Just to say how much we appreciate all of you. You all are wonderful people. We feel blessed to have our beloved furry children in your care when they need it. Your professional knowledge and your acts of kindness have a beautiful act all it's own. You are a great vet, compassionate and everything good all in one. You are in our daily prayers.""
    ~T.F.
  • ""Thank you and all of your staff for the excellent care you gave to my wonderful Abbey, who was so much a part of the family. Thank you for all the advice and support you gave to me these last few months. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without your constant support. I will, and I have highly recommended you to family and friends, as I feel you are the best!""
    ~P.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking care of my kitty, Slingshot. He is feeling better and better. My Paw-Paw said that you took extra special care of him and I really appreciate it. So, thank you again for taking care of my cat.""
    ~T.B. (age 6)
  • ""Dr. Johnson, I don't know why you decided to move here from your home in New Jersey, but I absolutely believe it was so you could help me and Mickey. I know coming to someone's home is not what a typical veterinarian would do, but you are obviously an extraordinary man in a world filled with ordinary men….On top of that, your sensitive and wonderful handwritten note arrived and touched my heart…You are one of those quiet, unheralded champions who make life easier for everyone you touch.""
    ~C.W.
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Lola when she had her reaction, and your office was already closed. I know you took time away from yourself and your family and I really appreciate it.""
    ~R.M.
  • ""Thank you for giving me more time with my best friend. We are all so grateful.""
    ~A.M.
  • ""Thank you for all of your support for Maxine during her illness. All was very much appreciated and will always be remembered. I have related to all my friends of what a great doctor and staff at Birdneck Animal Hospital.""
    ~O.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking such good care of me over the last 4 years. I am doing well and both legs and feet feel great. You sis an awesome job on me Dr. Johnson, and I'm gonna have a great year this year and I hope to see you only for my check up. You guys are the best!""
    ~Budkus
  • "We can't thank you enough for the wonderful and loving care you gave to"Budkus" while he was in your care. He was so little and so sick and we were so scared for him. Each and every one of the staff members made us feel like we had the only dog in the world. Like nothing else mattered except getting "Budkus" well again. Our deepest gratitude to all of you for the excellent care and attention we received, for your encouragement, comfort, and understanding, and most importantly for saving his life! Thank you so much.""
    ~ J.,B.,C.