Diet for diabetic Great Dane

RE: Diet for diabetic Great Dane

Rob Davis — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 09:01:24 GMT

[quote user="David Mills"]Cat food.[/quote]

A great dane would need a lot of cat food! I suspect this would not be a cheap option...

RE: Diet for diabetic Great Dane

David Mills — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 07:53:28 GMT

Cat food.

Decent quality stuff has higher protein/carb ratio which is what you want ultimately. Kitten food is ideal.

I'm stealing Atko's thunder with this one, but since I've seen it recommended on here it's my go-to for diabetic diet. Whether clients actually do it is another matter.

RE: Diet for diabetic Great Dane

Lara Brunori — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 07:49:06 GMT

Thank you very much for your replies!! I think the owner will be very happy to put him back to the food the dog likes. I think he mentioned he was on Purina Adult before (I only saw him for the first time the day before yesterday) so should also be a good quality diet.

Thanks so much again for all your help!

All the best,

Lara

RE: Diet for diabetic Great Dane

John Flynn — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 22:18:18 GMT

I would agree with Kate.

Diabetes mellitus in dogs is principally a lack of insulin. I would treat with insulin and simply try to keep the diet consistent (and appropriate portions for the size of dog). As the insulin requirement may vary dependent on the diet, I'd concentrate my efforts on having the patient stable on an affordable ongoing routine before you run out of funds so that the treatment is sustainable in the longer term. So that may mean choosing the cheapest food (that the dog is keen on and agrees with its digestive system) and cheapest insulin I can find in a patient of this size.

I'm no expert though, just what I would do - and I have never seen a Great Dane with diabetes myself.

RE: Diet for diabetic Great Dane

Kate Richardson — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 21:39:31 GMT

Welcome Lara

in this situation I would just use a diet the dog likes and the owner can afford and just make sure it stays constant time and amounts. And adjust insulin dose accordingly. Accept that control might (and I emphasise might) not be as good as with a prescription diet but as long as the dog is happy that's what matters.

good luck

Kate