What affects dog blood glucose?
I have a diabetic dog, and he's been given a raw food diet for the past montth or so because of his problem. His blood glucose readings (in U.S. standards) are anywhere from the 2 digits to 300, but usually not higher, and 300 being very rare. Generally, they are normal, but I've heard that glucose levels get higher with stress?
First of all, is this true?
He gets very stressed when he's hungry or bored, and sometimes his sugar is high, and sometimes normal.
We bought him a raw femur bone from a butcher, and I'm curious if that will keep his glucose readings at an average, high or low? We tested it to see once he finished some of the bone, and it was 120, which is what most diabetics shoot for. However, there is fat or cartilage on the bone. Is it possible that any of this will affect his diabetes?
Also, he eats his feces sometimes, is this a problem?

So really, I have 5 questions...
1. Is higher blood glucose readings affected by stress in any way?
2. Will the bone or any of the bone content (meat, fat, cartilage, etc.) affect his diabetes and blood sugar?
3. Will eating his feces affect sugar?
4. And finally, is there anything I need to know about his condition that I may not find other places besides a vet? Such as what raises blood glucose readings and what can lower than (besides insulin (lower), honey(raise), molasses(raise), etc.)

Thank you in advance.:-D

my dog was diagnosed with diabetes, and i have similar questions, just looking to see if you came up with any answers. Im very new to this nd trying to get as much info as possible. His glucose level is still not reulated, as high as 400. Looking for some advice!!!! Please help. thanks

mackie;48462]my dog was diagnosed with diabetes, and i have similar questions, just looking to see if you came up with any answers. Im very new to this nd trying to get as much info as possible. His glucose level is still not reulated, as high as 400. Looking for some advice!!!! Please help. thanks

400??? My dog was diagnosed with diabetes just a few weeks ago. Her first reading was 384. She had been eating Iams and some people food occasionally. My vet put her on Iams Veterinarian formula - fed twice a day ( with a snack around 2pm) and shots of insulin --- 4 lines on the needle _ I do not know how much that is.... but went and had her checked last week and it was down to 140. The vet says that is good. I also bought her some all natural dog bone treats ( chicken and some vegatables) which she seems to like.

I talked to a man about the raw food diet and a natural supplement he sells but I haven't really done too much research on the subject. He wants $140 for a 3 month supply of the suppliment and then he wants me to feed her only raw free range hamburger meat and raw vegtables. ...???? Don't know about that yet but would like to hear anyones experiances with this. He tells me that if I do this... she will be off insulin in 3 months and guarantees it.

I cook for all my dogs occasionally --- I have 13 --- Miniature Pinschers -- I use to raise them and that is what I have left. I normally cook Chicken and brown rice with vegtables in it -- like broccolii, green beens , potatoes, corn, carrots, etc. and put some chicken livers in there too. I don't know how healthy that is for a diabetic but, it sounds healthy to me!

I have been searching the net but it seems like everyone wants $39 --- $100. for any info.

Any advice would be apreciated. I would love to get her off insulin ... she hates the shots....

Gabby

Gabby; I learned a lot about this, and you should first check ingredients on Iams dog food. If it has CORN or CORN SYRUP or some idiotic filler in it, don't feed it to your dog. raw meat is the best, because, for the most part, you know what you're feeding your dog. It can be fairly expensive though. Don't give dogs chicken bones is rule #1. They're pretty brittle and break then get stuck in your dog, causing majoor to minor damage. Don't give 'em corn (turns to sugar in the body), carrots (turn into sugar in body, keep in minimal ammounts), or potatoes (starchy and not the best), either, the rest is good, though. Chicken livers are great, too, just mildly boiled or cooked, but still somewhat raw. The rice is fine, but don't give a lot to your diabetic dog because it rraises sugar to higher numbers.
Hope this kind of helps you with food.

I also have a diabetic dog, and I learned so much information from this website:

Pets With Diabetes - Message Board - Yuku

Yes, stress can raise blood glucose levels. Sometimes quite significantly. Stress increases production of adrenaline, which has the effect of preparing the body should it become necessary to run or fight for your life.

Infection will also raise glucose levels, as will some of the drugs used to treat an infection. Narcotics raise glucose levels, too.

Exercise will lower glucose levels. A regular exercise program will help stabilize blood sugar, which is really your goal. Spiking and bottoming out are dangerous.

Now, a word about diet. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about what a diabetic pet should or should not eat. It is best to stay away from high glycemic index foods, like white rice, white potatoes, pasta, any type of sugar. Low glycemic index foods are OK if portions are controlled. You really don't need to be concerned about what turns to sugar in the body. What you need to know is how fast it raises blood glucose levels.

Concentrated sugars cause a fast rise, which is why we use them when blood sugar levels drop dangerously low. Vegetables like green beans don't cause much of a rise in dogs because they don't contain much sugar, and because dog's don't digest them efficiently.

I would be cautious about feeding a diabetic dog raw meat. Diabetic dogs are more prone to infection, and have a harder time recovering from one. Raw meats are contaminated with a wide variety of bacteria that can make dogs ill. Especially campylobacter. While a non-diabetic dog might not become infected, or may have a mild case of diarrhea that clears up on it's own, a bacterial infection like campylobacter could very well kill a diabetic dog.

[mrandrei]

For diabetic dogs, low glucose foods, no treats or food with fructose, are advisable.