Ella is a 13-year-old female Rat Terrier who was a constant source of joy in my life for over 14 years. Regrettably, on February 1, 2012, she was diagnosed with canine diabetes. After overcoming the initial shock, I was left with numerous questions: What types of food are safe for a diabetic dog? How frequently should insulin injections be administered? Was Ella's diabetes a result of my actions? Are there any treats she can have, aside from green beans? While my veterinarian provided some guidance, my search for more information online revealed the absence of a dedicated community for owners of diabetic dogs. This realization inspired me to create Dogabetix.

​

My goal is for Dogabetix to serve as a platform where owners of diabetic dogs can share their personal experiences, acquire valuable insights and strategies for managing the care of diabetic dogs, and find support during challenging times. Additionally, I will be sharing my own journey as I strive to ensure Ella's continued happiness and well-being.

 

​

Part I: The Diagnosis

I have had Ella since she was six weeks old. She received all of her vaccinations and appeared to be a healthy dog during her first few years. However, in the summer of 2011, she suddenly became very ill one evening. Although Ella had vomited in the past, she had never experienced lingering symptoms. On this occasion, in addition to vomiting, she became exceedingly lethargic and was unable to stand on her own. She spent the entire weekend resting, unable to eat or drink. At first, I assumed she had contracted a minor illness or perhaps ingested something she shouldn’t have. By Sunday night, she seemed to have recovered, and I believed the issue had resolved itself.

 

Regrettably, this illness became a recurring problem. Ella began experiencing similar symptoms approximately once a month. After consulting a veterinarian, I was told that "Terriers have very sensitive stomachs" and that I should monitor her diet. I went home and tried to recall everything she had consumed recently. I remembered that, a few hours before she became ill, she had eaten birdseed off the floor at my neighbor’s home. Could this have been the cause? I had also given her a femur bone earlier that week, and wondered whether she might have struggled to digest the marrow. Perhaps it was the human food I occasionally sneaked her, unable to resist her pleading gaze. I made an effort to eliminate all possible triggers, purchasing food specifically designed for dogs with sensitive digestive systems.

 

Despite my efforts, Ella continued to experience episodes of illness. In January of 2012, her condition worsened significantly. She became so lethargic that she could not lift her head. Her eyes were bloodshot and rolled toward the back of her head. I rushed her to the veterinarian, where she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. It was heartbreaking to see Ella connected to an IV overnight, but by the following day, she had regained her usual energy and seemed to recover.

My sense of relief was short-lived. Three weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatitis, Ella fell ill once again. This episode proved to be the most severe; over the course of seven hours, she vomited nine times. It was heart-wrenching to hear her cry before each episode of vomiting. She was unable to retain even water, drinking a small amount from the palm of my hand only to vomit it up five minutes later. She spent the entire night unable to sleep.

 

At this point, I reached my limit. I needed to understand the underlying cause of Ella’s recurrent illness. It was clear that it wasn’t due to consuming something harmful, nor was it simply a result of having a sensitive stomach. Now, it seemed, the pancreatitis diagnosis no longer applied. As I rushed her to the veterinary clinic, I feared that Ella was slipping away. The veterinarians took X-rays and drew blood, and I anxiously awaited their analysis. The veterinarian eventually returned to the room and explained that the X-rays showed no significant issues other than a slightly enlarged pancreas, which was to be expected. He then left, only to return about ten minutes later with the results of the blood test. "I have good news and bad news," he began. Hoping for some positive information, I focused on the good news first. "We have figured out what is wrong with your dog." Before I could ask what the bad news was, he quickly blurted out, "She has diabetes."

 

I stood there in shock as the veterinarian proceeded to overwhelm me with information. Ella's blood sugar level at the time of diagnosis was 520, whereas the normal range is between 150 and 200. To illustrate the severity of her condition, he presented a vial of healthy dog blood, comparing it to a vial of Ella’s. The normal blood appeared deep red, while Ella’s was pink and resembled the color of a strawberry milkshake. The veterinarian administered Ella’s first insulin shot and reassured me that managing her condition would be easy, as if administering injections twice a day would pose no difficulty. He also explained, without much empathy, that diabetes could lead to complications such as blindness, the loss of her tail, or even the need for amputation of a limb. I was stunned when he added, "If you wish to have Ella euthanized, I understand. Some owners choose that option, as they do not want to deal with the additional time and costs associated with caring for a diabetic dog."

 

With Ella in my arms, I left the clinic feeling utterly defeated. I blamed myself for her diagnosis. While the veterinarian did mention that female Rat Terriers are particularly prone to diabetes, it did little to ease my sense of guilt. We drove home, and fortunately, Ella seemed somewhat improved after receiving her first insulin injection.

 

​

Part II: Life with Diabetes

That evening, I returned home and, like many others in similar situations, I sat down at my computer, desperate to find as much information as possible about diabetes in dogs. I explored numerous veterinary websites and general information sites, such as Wikipedia, but found that none of the resources provided insights from the perspective of a dog owner managing a diabetic pet. As I anticipated giving Ella her first insulin injection the following morning, I was filled with questions: How do I administer the shot? What will this process be like? How will I manage the responsibility of giving her an injection every 12 hours? What changes will this bring to both my life and Ella’s? In response to this overwhelming sense of uncertainty, I created this site to offer support to other dog owners facing similar challenges.

 

After regaining some composure, I visited the local pet store that same evening to search for dog food specifically designed for diabetic dogs. To my surprise, they did not carry such a product and I was shocked to learn that dogs could even develop diabetes. In fact, I had never heard of a dog being diagnosed with the condition until Ella. After spending approximately thirty minutes in the store, I found a product that was free of sugar, gluten, and potatoes. However, the only diabetic-friendly option available was made with wheat flour. I then visited a specialty pet food store, but once again encountered confusion and a lack of knowledgeable assistance regarding suitable food options for a diabetic dog.

 

This pattern continued for several months. I would find a food that seemed appropriate for Ella, only for her to refuse it or become ill after eating it for a few days. Even the most expensive brands, including wet food priced at up to $4 per can, failed to work. The time and energy I invested in finding suitable food for her was considerable. Frustrated, I decided to take matters into my own hands and began preparing homemade, diabetes-safe food and treats for Ella. I consulted with several veterinarians and a pet food nutritionist to determine which ingredients would be safe for her to consume. Additionally, I joined online communities of diabetic dog owners to gather advice and insights from others in similar situations.

 

After testing and refining dozens of recipes, I finally discovered one that Ella not only enjoyed but also kept her blood sugar levels stable. After successfully testing the recipes with her, I began sharing them with friends who also owned dogs, only to realize that I was not alone—several of them had diabetic dogs as well. Ella ate these same  treats for over eleven years.

 

Through these connections, I learned that my neighbor owned a miniature schnauzer diagnosed with diabetes the same month as Ella. I also met a family at the dog park who once had a female Rat Terrier with diabetes, and two of my coworkers, including my boss's girlfriend, had diabetic dogs. It became evident that I was surrounded by others facing similar challenges, and the support from this network of dog owners has been invaluable.

 

​

It is with great sorrow that I share the passing of Ella, who peacefully passed in her sleep on October 25, 2022. She lived to the age of 14 and a half, with the last 11 years of her life dedicated to managing Type 1 diabetes. I am certain that she lived a fulfilling and joyful life, serving as a steadfast companion who truly embraced life. Reflecting on the day she was first diagnosed, I recall the veterinarian's remark, suggesting he would understand if I chose to have her euthanized. Little did he know, she went on to experience remarkable adventures, visiting both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and traveling to over 20 states. And those treats? Well, her image has graced treat bags sold to customers in all 50 states, across two continents, and in nine different countries!

- Rob & Ella