Loyal Shadow, who lives up to his name because he rarely leaves the side of his owner, Helen Bryce (75), was first diagnosed three-years-ago.

Update: Following the incredible number of hits to this page and enquiries from people seeking information on diabetes in dogs, we are working with a publishing partner to produce a ‘Diabetes in Dogs: Guide to Canine Diabetes’ information product. Please keep your eye on this page where we will release more info about the diabetes in dogs eBook and audio.

Unable to afford the ongoing, life-saving treatment Shadow required, Helen contacted PDSA and was able to register Shadow for treatment at the charity’s Glasgow East PetAid hospital. Shadow was put on insulin to control his blood sugar levels, which Helen now gives him twice a day. She also brings him into PDSA every month to collect his medication and for blood tests and general check-ups.

Canine Diabetes Can't Halt Shadow

Sadly, in September 2008, Shadow developed complications and his blood sugar levels caused cataracts to develop in his eyes. Over the next five months he slowly lost his sight and is now blind in both eyes.

Canine Diabetes

Helen from Croftfoot, Glasgow, was initially devastated at the diagnosis. “I thought that was the end. But the vet explained he would be fine with the right treatment.

“Shadow and I have been together for over 12 years. He was still just a puppy when we brought him home from a local rescue centre. He was quite timid and scared of men at first – even my late husband. The rescue centre told us he’d probably been mistreated. But he eventually learned to trust us both and we soon became inseparable, that’s why my husband named him Shadow, because that’s exactly what he acts like – my shadow.”

Diabetes in Dogs: No Reason for Dispair

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Dermot Mullen, says: “There is no reason why diabetic pets can’t live full, long and happy lives. Looking after a diabetic pet takes a lot of commitment from an owner as they play a vital role in their ongoing treatment at home as well as bringing them in for regular checks.”

Canine Diabetes Side Effects

Dermot continues: “Blindness is a common side-affect of diabetes. But most pets cope incredibly well with losing their sight and continue their life as they did before; Shadow is no exception.”

Helen adds: “Shadow has adapted very well since losing his sight. We still enjoy our daily walks together and he loves playing with his toys. Sometimes, when I talk to him, he leans his head to the side and looks straight at me, as though he can really see me.

“He loves visiting PDSA and especially looks forward to seeing Dermot, who has been great and taught me how to inject Shadow’s insulin. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without PDSA’s help and support.”

PDSA provides free veterinary treatment for the pets of eligible owners in need. For further information about PDSA PetAid services please call 0800 731 2502 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk

Treatment For Diabetes in Dogs

Diabetes – Treatment Options For Your Diabetic Dog

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, early treatment by your veterinarian will help prevent further complications from this disease. Your pet may be saved from the painful experience of nerve damage as well as avoiding blindness. Conventional treatments will go a long way to keeping your dog healthy.

Insulin Injections

Depending upon your dog’s needs, insulin injections will be given one to two times daily.  The amount of insulin used for each dose and how often these doses are given will depend upon your veterinarian. Some dogs will be able to take tablets instead of being given shots.

Insulin doses are typically given in smaller amounts at the start of treatment so that the blood sugar levels can slowly stabilize. Under extreme circumstances this may require your dog to be treated in the hospital for a few days. If his diabetes is more stable, then your dog may receive outpatient treatment.

During this period, your dog’s blood sugar will be monitored every hour in order to determine the exact dose of insulin he will need on a regular basis.  Once the correct  measurement of insulin has been reached, your veterinarian will instruct you to monitor your dog by testing his urine and/or blood.

Proper Diet and Diabetes in Dogs

With diabetes, there is nothing more important to increase your dog’s life expectancy than with a strict diet. In fact, it is so important to your dog to eat accordingly when he has this disease, that there is a chance that his diabetes can go into full remission just from the change of diet alone.

You should be feeding your diabetic dog meals that are high in fiber and low to moderate and carbohydrates. Now is the time to start cooking your dog’s meals from the home with meats and other raw ingredients.

Before you decide what to feed him, it would be wise to consult with a holistic veterinarian who has education on nutrition.  Your goal should be to utilize food as “medication” so that hopefully one day your dog can stop taking “official” medication.

Mrs Sinclair said: “It has been a great privilege to hold this office in The Blue Cross, which I can honestly describe as a unique animal welfare charity. I know that with Zair Berry at the helm it will be in very good hands and I look forward to see it continuing to flourish.”

Mr Berry, a keen animal lover, is a long-term supporter of The Blue Cross, having served on the board of trustees since 2003. He grew up with dogs, coming from a family of highly successful miniature bull terrier breeders who produced several Crufts winners over the years. A chartered accountant, he formerly ran international training centres for Arthur Andersen and Accenture across the world, and brings nearly 40 years of financial and organisational experience to the charity.

Zair Berry said: “After serving as a Blue Cross trustee for several years now, I’m honoured to step into the shoes of past chairmen who have shown outstanding dedication to one of Britain’s leading animal charities. In the current climate of austerity I hope to build on the firm foundations that have already been laid to ensure we come out of the recession even stronger, and to continue providing the highest quality care to even more animals in need and their owners.”

As chairman, a voluntary position, Mr Berry will lead a 14-strong board of trustees in support of chief executive Kim Hamilton and her team as they implement the charitable objectives of The Blue Cross and strive to maintain a strong financial position for the future.

The appointment comes at an important time for The Blue Cross, which is developing plans to expand its animal welfare services to meet an increasing demand from sick and homeless animals across the UK. In 2009, the charity took in 6,508 dogs, cats and small pets at its adoption centres across the UK, including a 65% rise in animals being given up for financial reasons. 142 horses and ponies were cared for at the charity’s dedicated equine centres and 73,213 veterinary consultations were carried out at its animal hospitals and clinics.

The Blue Cross annual review 2009 is now published and will be available to download shortly at www.bluecross.org.uk.

The Blue Cross senior management today embarked on a rigorous review of all feedback about the recent proposals to close the charity’s animal adoption centres in Felixstowe and Northiam (East Sussex), after the official staff consultation period closed on Friday (5 March).

Over the last six weeks, chief executive Kim Hamilton and her executive team have met with all staff members and groups of volunteers at both centres to discuss their thoughts on the proposal, which aims to focus The Blue Cross’s efforts in areas where it could have a greater impact for vulnerable animals and their owners.

Local people have made their views known through phone calls, emails, letters and donations, many praising the work of The Blue Cross. Petitions have also been received at both centres, calling for the centres to stay open.

The Blue Cross chief executive Kim Hamilton said: “It has been heartwarming to see the overwhelming response of our local supporters for the centres and we thank them for all their emails, letters, donations and feedback that we have received. Over the next few weeks we will explore the alternative suggestions in line with our original proposals to ensure that we make the right decision and use every pound of our supporter’s money responsibly to help as many animals as possible.”

She added: “We’ve heard the feedback from the local staff, volunteers and communities and their view that there is a need for us to remain in these areas. During this evaluation period we will assess if and how we might maintain a presence in the local areas to address the animal welfare need while we continue to develop our strategic plans.”

It is hoped that a final decision on the future of the Felixstowe and Northiam centres will be made by the end of April. Anyone with a query about the proposed closures should contact The Blue Cross supporter care team on 0300 790 9903.

A report published today by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson of the Zoological Society of London addresses the need to crack down on irresponsible dog breeding practices and tighten breeding standards and health checks in dogs.

The Blue Cross welcomes Professor Sir Patrick Bateson’s ‘Independent Inquiry into Dog Breeding’, which sets out firm recommendations for improving standards for dog breeding in the UK.

Bateson’s recommendation to introduce an Advisory Council on Dog Breeding to develop evidence-based breeding strategies would provide a clear pathway for breeders to improve the health and welfare of all dogs.

The Blue Cross welcomes the Inquiry’s emphasis on the role that animal welfare experts can play in educating the wider public about what to look for when buying a dog. As a charity, The Blue Cross continues to play an active part in providing this guidance to dog owners.

The Blue Cross particularly welcomes the proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which include a statutory Code of Practice on the Breeding of Dogs, a call for all puppies to be microchipped prior to sale and for dog breeders and breed clubs to pay particular regard to avoiding breed specific health problems.

The Blue Cross is pleased that Bateson’s Inquiry acknowledges the need to crack down on irresponsible breeders who pay little or no regard to the health and welfare of dogs used for breeding.

Bateson’s Inquiry rightly highlights a need for The Dangerous Dogs Act to be amended to apply to all dogs that have been shown to be dangerous rather than to specific breeds. The proposed focus on legislating against dog breeders who deliberately breed dogs as weapons or for fighting is a much welcomed move.

The BBC’s ‘Pedigree Dogs Exposed’ documentary into dog breeding in the UK highlighted an urgent need to tackle the health welfare concerns associated with particular breeding practices.

Steve Goody, director of external affairs for The Blue Cross said: “This report is a really positive step towards tackling irresponsible breeding practices and safeguarding the health and welfare of dogs. While any recommendations may take time to implement, the public can play a vital and important role now by making responsible choices when taking on a dog. The Blue Cross is committed to improving public awareness and guiding prospective owners on what to consider when choosing a dog or puppy.”

The Blue Cross offers a guide to choosing a pedigree dog. Click here to read this advice:

The charity is also highlighting the role of pet owners in the safeguarding the future health of our dogs. Guidance for pet owners on making an informed choice before taking on a pet is available at www.bluecross.org.uk

Steve Goody, director of external affairs at The Blue Cross, said: “The serious problems facing dogs with inherited conditions need to be stamped out for good and this can only be achieved by this kind of joint working between the animal welfare industry and pet owning community.

As this report identifies, laws to enforce responsible breeding will help protect pets and their owners from unnecessary suffering. But we shouldn’t overlook the important voice of individuals in this debate.

It is already within the power of prospective dog owners to choose a responsible breeder and insist on rigorous health checks before taking on a puppy. We can all make a difference.”

Felicity Kendal, a strong supporter of The Blue Cross, said: “I’m delighted to be able to help publicise the work of this wonderful charity. The Blue Cross does so much to help animals in need and they rely almost entirely on public donations. I hope lots of people watch the BBC appeal to see just where the money goes and why this is a charity worthy of their support.”

The BBC Lifeline appeal featuring The Blue Cross will be broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday 28th October at 2pm. The film will also be available to view on the BBC website until the end of November at www.bbc.co.uk/lifeline. Thereafter it can be viewed on The Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.org.uk.

Viewers are introduced to three animal lovers who have been helped by The Blue Cross.

Peter Brennan is a retired IT consultant who owns a five-year-old Great Dane called Carlos, and they both suffer from heart problems. With Peter’s own condition, he simply couldn’t afford the private veterinary fees required to investigate and treat Carlos so he turned to The Blue Cross for help. Carlos has since received treatment at the charity’s animal hospital in Merton, south London, and with the correct medication is back to being like a puppy again.

Gaye Robinson is a life-long dog lover whose severe arthritis has left her confined to a wheelchair. She lives alone and used to feel lonely and isolated, but then she went to The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Burford and asked them to find her a dog for companionship who would be suitable for someone in her condition. Since taking home sprightly Yorkshire terrier Mac, her life has been transformed.

Pensioners Mr and Mrs Paulley have lived in their terraced house in Tooting for over 40 years and have always had cats. Annie is their longest surviving feline at 23 years old, but she has renal failure so needs regular check ups to monitor her weight and blood pressure. But the Paulleys both suffer from health problems which mean that regular trips to the vet would be impossible. Luckily for them, Blue Cross community vet nurse Laura Liversedge comes to visit every three weeks. The Paulleys enjoy these visits as much as Annie, describing Laura as their ‘adopted daughter’.

The Blue Cross receives no government funding so it relies on fundraising initiatives like this to continue its vital work. To find out how you can help, visit www.bluecross.org.uk. or phone 0300 790 9903.

The Government has rejected a 6,000-strong petition to bring the pair back from Iraq to live with the soldiers who adopted them as camp mascots two years ago.

The Blue Cross responded to a call from Emma Simpson of associated charity, the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP), to help raise the funds needed to transport Sandbag and Hesco back to the UK and pay for quarantine costs.

Steve Goody, Blue Cross director of companion animal welfare said: “We want to help bring Sandbag and Hesco back to the UK where they will have a secure future as cherished pets. They have obviously developed a close bond with our soldiers and played an important role during their time in Iraq so it is only right that they should be able to stay together.”

Sandbag, described as a ‘hero dog’ by the soldiers who adopted him, and his fellow mascot Hesco were said to bring the troops luck on patrols. Both animals were being cared for by British soldiers at the base who desperately wanted to keep them, but they had to leave them behind when troops pulled out in July. US forces have now taken over the base but are expected to withdraw by the end of 2011, leaving the future of the animals unknown.

The Blue Cross has a long history of helping animals in both world wars, from providing veterinary hospitals for dogs and horses on the front line to running quarantine kennels for the dogs of returning soldiers. The charity took its name from the ‘Blue Cross Fund’ that it set up to help animals in wartime, although it no longer has a dedicated fund for this purpose. Today, it focuses on caring for sick and homeless animals across the UK.

To make a donation towards the appeal to bring Sandbag and Hesco to the UK please telephone 0800 408 1831 or donate online at www.bluecross.org.uk. Any surplus funds raised will be used to support the welfare plight of dogs and cats cared for by The Blue Cross.

A dog warden from Southwark council found Honey, a distinctive looking Saluki cross-breed, last month after a member of the public reported seeing her in Bermondsey. She was very weak with filthy, matted fur so she rushed her to The Blue Cross pet charity’s hospital in Victoria, which provides a 24-hour emergency service for injured pets.

Blue Cross vet Nigel Griffiths said: ”When Honey arrived in the middle of the night she was severely dehydrated and could barely lift her head. We put her on a drip and made her comfortable then carried out some tests. She was suffering from severe gastroenteritis. Fortunately, after intensive treatment and special care she soon made a full recovery.”

Honey had been fitted with a microchip containing her owner’s contact details so The Blue Cross was able to contact them the next day. Nurses were amazed to find out that Honey had gone missing from her home in April 2007 after squeezing through a hole in the garden fence and had not been seen since. Owners Mr and Mrs Beckley suspect she may have been stolen.

Mrs Beckley said: “We were gobsmacked when we got the message from The Blue Cross, and we’re so grateful to them for bringing Honey back to us. We all loved Honey so much and were devastated when we couldn’t find her. We put up posters and called local vets and rescue centres then when we moved house we thought we might never see her again. Thank goodness we had her microchipped and kept the contact details up to date, just in case.”

Honey was reunited with her owners last week and appears to be recovering well from her ordeal. She is one of many stray dogs found in London every day, many of which are not microchipped and sadly will never find their way home.

Microchips are tiny electronic identification devices, each containing a unique serial number. A scanner run over a lost pet will reveal the special number which is stored in a central database alongside the owner’s contact details.

The Blue Cross recommends that all pets should be fitted with a microchip to ensure that they can be returned to their owners if they should become lost or stolen. Microchips can be fitted by most vets for a small one-off fee, and The Blue Cross offers a subsidised service to owners who can’t afford a private vet. For more information please phone 0300 123 9933.

The in-depth study of 234 care homes and sheltered housing units revealed that the vast majority of care facilities in the UK do not allow people to take pets, despite a growing body of evidence showing the importance of pets to older people1.

The number of elderly people in the UK is growing every year and many will eventually need residential care. Around a quarter of all people over retirement age are thought to own a pet, but the study shows that only 29% of care facilities routinely allow pets. Of these homes that do allow pets over half specifically exclude dogs and cats, despite these being the most commonly kept species of pet. The importance of pet ownership seems to be largely ignored with only 24% of facilities asking potential residents whether they have a pet and only 35% having any formal policy about pets.

67-year-old dog owner Brenda Eustace is just one of many thousands of people who are affected by this problem. She suffers from mobility problems, high blood pressure and depression which make life alone in her basement flat increasingly difficult. With no immediate family, Mrs Eustace relies on friends and invalidity support to get by and has applied to move into sheltered housing. But dogs are not allowed and moving home without her Yorkshire Terrier, Cassidy, is unthinkable – so her daily struggle will sadly continue.

Brenda Eustace said: “I’ve been through some very difficult times and Cassidy has been the one thing that gets me up in the morning. He’s always been there for me so I owe it to him to do the same. He’s such a friendly little dog and everybody loves him, I just can’t understand why he isn’t allowed into sheltered housing. As an older person of limited means, all I have left is freedom of speech and freedom of choice and I’m not giving Cassidy up.”

Older people who are forced to part with a pet to move into residential care can suffer feelings of bereavement that are similar to the loss of a family member2. Severe reactions can lead to depression, disturbed sleep or eating patterns, and even physical illness.

Elizabeth Ormerod, Chairman of the Society for Companion Animal Studies and a practising vet said: “The importance of pets to older people cannot be understated; for some they are their best friend, their family and their only lifeline to the outside world. When age or ill health forces someone to move into care, why should they be parted from a loyal companion who offers them unconditional love and support, comfort and constancy?”

She continued: “I believe that people of all ages should have the right to benefit from animal companionship, as long as this is managed responsibly. So we’re encouraging all housing and residential care providers to develop clear and carefully considered pet policies.”

As well as exploring the impact of pet policies on older people, the study contacted 23 animal shelters and 44 veterinary surgeries to find out what implications there are for animals. The results suggest that many thousands of healthy pets every year are tragically put to sleep on the request of their elderly owners or well-meaning family members who think they have no other choice. In fact, animal charities like The Blue Cross will often take in these pets and find them loving new homes.

The ‘Pets and Older People in Residential Care’ research findings are published in full on the SCAS website (www.scas.org.uk/petsforlife) which also offers essential information for care home providers and older people who are thinking about moving into care. This includes:

For older people:

· Information on finding care facilities that will allow pets

· Guidelines on producing a ‘case for support’ for taking your pet into care

· Contact details for charities who can help to find a new home for your pet

· Free phone and email support for coping with pet loss

· Interviews with people who are affected by this issue

For care facilities:

· Evidence of the benefits of pets to older people

· Information on the impact of pet loss on older people

· Guidelines for producing a formal pet policy

· Practical tips for managing pets in residential care

· Examples of care homes that successfully allow pets