Tips for Multiple Caregivers
I was the primary caregiver when it came to Lucy and diabetes management but we do have members in our Facebook group that have multiple caregivers in their household. And while this is great, it is extremely important to ensure that insulin isn’t double dosed due to miscommunication. I am going to go over several tips for managing canine diabetes when there are multiple caregivers. Grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and let’s jump right in!
Journals are great ways to keep a record of your dog’s blood glucose levels, food intake and insulin dose. By having a journal to keep notes everybody can see what is going on, this includes knowing if food and insulin was given.
There is a great journal offered by Shanilee Fields that tracks virtually everything, here is the link to the Diabetic Doggo Informational Tracker and Daily Logbook: https://www.thediabeticdoggo.com/
You can also use this printable Fasting BG Journal to keep record, click on the photo to take you to a printable PDF.
There are several food/medication reminders that you can use as well, there are a large variety of them available on Amazon and I found a cute reminder on Etsy. This reminder is customizable, comes in multiple colors and is magnetic. Offered by 3Dmeowmeow, click here to take you to the feeding reminder on Etsy.
If you are handy with woodworking, this is a great DIY wooden syringe holder that my friend Dena’s husband made. Just drill holes big enough to fit syringe caps and write the days of the week on it.
We also have members that use whiteboards to keep track of food, insulin and blood glucose levels.
The other simple reminder is to leave two unused syringes on the counter before going to bed, one is for the AM dose and one is for the PM dose. This way there is no confusion about whether insulin was given or not.
If your dog does accidentally get two doses of insulin please follow these instructions:
- Feed another full meal if only one meal was fed.
- Contact your vet/ER vet, especially if you do not test blood glucose levels.
- If you test blood glucose levels, monitor BG closely.
- Make sure you have hypoglycemia supplies on hand.
- Follow the hypoglycemia chart below.
(Hypoglycemia chart is printable, just click on the pic)
If you don't have any Energy Boost in your diabetes arsenal, please click here to purchase.
I hope today’s blog has helped any of you that are multiple caregivers and if you have any suggestions about this topic please let me know by starting a conversation below. I always appreciate tips, suggestions and questions.
For a printable version of this blog click here.
Until next week stay comfy, don’t stress and you got this!
Michelle Miller-Matlock
AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator
Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University
Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook
Want to learn all you can in a simple and easy to follow format? Please join DDO-U: Diabetic Dog Owners University , graciously sponsored by PetTest.
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Do you need a blood glucose meter kit for your diabetes arsenal? Click here to purchase one if you live in the USA. Click here to purchase a meter kit if you live in Canada.