As a veterinarian, I have a strong preference for my clients with diabetic pets to run their blood glucose curves at home. It is less stressful for the pet at home than to be kenneled in a vet clinic for the day. Anxiety in the clinic can falsely elevate the blood glucose, a phenomenon known as "stress hyperglycemia".
I bet if one person has this question and takes the time to write me, there are likely lots of folks with a similar question. Today's question involved partially eaten food when you have a diabetic sweetie.
I recently was asked a fantastic question about how exercise lowers blood glucose levels. Exercise lowering the blood glucose is independent of insulin levels. I hadn't really thought to explain it previously to our ADW clients.
I bet if one person has this question and takes the time to write me, there are likely lots of folks with a similar question. Today's question we're asked if its okay to have a dental cleaning for a diabetic senior.
I have not pushed the influenza (dog flu) vaccine to my patients in the nearly 4 years since I opened my own veterinary clinic. I strongly believe in vaccinating to a pet’s lifestyle and had not seen much of a risk for my clients’ dogs for influenza here in my small Florida town. This may now […]
I sometimes get emails questioning the accuracy of home glucose meters. Some folks get upset if their meter is 20 points off from what their vet's lab work reveals.
I get some great questions from clients. They inspire me with article ideas and keep me in tune with diabetic pet owners. I enjoy interacting with our readers, and sometimes the questions are worthy of a newsletter. I bet if one person has this question and takes the time to write me, there are likely lots of folks with a similar question. Today's question talks about pet arthritis specifically regarding diabetic pets!
Every profession comes with special joys. Although I've worn numerous hats as a veterinarian, my favorite role of all is being the family vet. Sometimes it involves the worst kind of heartache, such as when we say goodbye to an old friend who can't get around anymore or has more bad days than good days.
This morning when I got up and wandered toward the coffee pot my cats made a beeline toward the kitchen, meowing like they hadn't eaten in days. This, of course, is not true, no matter what they might tell you. I have a skinny male cat who refuses to eat more than a few bites at a time. And I have a voluptuous female cat that has been on a diet for the last 11 years.
Recently a new test for pet diabetes became available. It is the hemoglobin A1C for dogs and cats. I think there are definitely some situations where this test will be good for veterinary patients, but please don’t throw out your glucose meters just yet. A blood glucose curve is still my preferred test to evaluate glucose […]