Diabetic Essentials Shopping List

When our dogs are first diagnosed with diabetes, we are usually a bit shocked. Most of us have never had a diabetic pet, and many of us have never had to deal with diabetes. I know when Lucy was diagnosed with diabetes, I got the bare minimums, prescription food, insulin, syringes, and a blood glucose meter. My shopping list grew over time with the knowledge I had gained and being in a group helped me to see that we need for a “newbie shopping list”. Below is a list and breakdown of what I suggest new sugar parents get, this is an essentials list, and everything listed is a necessity.

Syringes – we cannot give insulin without syringes! AAHA recommends 12.7 mm (1/2”) length syringes, but we have found that smaller dogs do fine with the 8 mm (5/16”) syringes. Remember with U100 insulin like Novolin N, Humulin NPH you must use U100 syringes. And for Vetsulin/Caninsulin you must use a U40 syringe since these are U40 insulins. 100 syringes are in a box of syringes, so you are good for about 50 days.

Vial protector – Insulin is like liquid gold, dropping a vial of lifesaving insulin can be frustrating and expensive. Vial protectors make a vial of insulin virtually unbreakable if it is dropped!

Blood glucose meter and test strips – It is imperative to be able to test your dog’s blood glucose. You need to be able to test blood glucose in case your dog is acting off, if you want to run a curve, and before giving insulin to ensure blood glucose levels are in a safe range. (To read a blog about the importance of home testing, click here).

Lancets – we cannot get a blood sample unless we have lancets. A 21-gauge lancet is a thicker lancet and makes it easier to get a good blood sample from capillaries.

Ketone strips – Ketones are an acid that builds up when blood glucose levels are uncontrolled and can cause diabetic ketoacidosis. AAHA recommends regular testing of ketones to make sure that your dog is always negative for ketones.

Glucose SOS for Pets, honey, or syrup – These products are used to bring blood glucose levels up quickly when our dogs are suffering from hypoglycemia.

Whole wheat crackers or bread - is a complex carb and is released in the blood stream over a longer period. We want to give complex carbs to treat a hypoglycemic episode to keep blood glucose elevated longer.

Meat baby food, natural peanut butter (NO XYLITOL) or canned lean meat - proteins are also released into the blood stream over a long period and take the longest to digest. Protein is given along with a complex carb to treat a hypoglycemic episode.

I hope this shopping list helps you out! Most of these products can be found on PetTest’s website! You can also purchase a PetTest Essentials Starter Kit , this kit is great! It includes the following:

• PetTest Meter Kit
• 35 Extra PetTest Test Strips
• COOLshot Dermal Numbing Device for Pets
• PetTest Ketone Urinalysis Test Strips
• PetTest D-Mannose with Cranberry Supplement
• 10 pack of either U-100 or U-40 .5cc 31G Syringes
• Glucose SOS for Pets
• PetTest Twist Top Lancets
• PetTest Safety Lancets

If you are looking for a community to join for support, Diabetic Dog Owners and Canine Diabetes Support and Information can be found on Facebook as well.

For more conversations, photos, and giveaways check out PetTest on Facebook and Instagram.