The Glasgow Diabetic Clinic: Frequently Asked Questions for Owners
Why should I bring my pet to the clinic?
The purpose of this clinic is to improve the care of diabetic patients (dogs and cats) in Glasgow. We will help you manage your pets diabetes better so they live longer happier lives with less complications. If you are worried about your diabetic dog or cat then Glasgow University has specialists with particular interests in diabetes who are happy to help you.
How do I get my dog or cat into the clinic?
Owners that wish to bring their pet to the clinic must be referred by their normal vet. We only have a certain number of slots at any one time and there is not always space for everyone at the same time.
This clinic is not for your pet if they are already very sick or not eating/unwell for other reasons. However, your pet can still be seen at the hospital (as an emergency if necessary) by the specialist medicine service or our out of hours service (assuming your practice uses Glasgow Vet School for this) .
Although we are happy to accept diabetics at any time following diagnosis, it makes more sense for cases to come as soon as possible (and particularly in the case of dogs before diabetic cataracts have developed.
When will you and your pet be seen?
This clinic runs on Saturday mornings. Your pet will be seen roughly every 3 months and not less than once every 6 months.
What will happen to the patients when they are seen?
Each appointment reviews the diabetic stability since the last appointment and where appropriate a blood sample will be taken. Owners are requested to bring a fresh urine sample from their pet – or else you can collect this immediately after the appointment. More advanced monitoring using continuous glucose monitoring techniques will be used where needed. Adjustments to the insulin or food are made as needed and a brief report sent to your normal practice.
What if the patients become sick?
If animals come into the clinic that are sick enough to need to stay in the hospital then you will be given the choice of going to our OOH service or being referred to our specialist internal medicine service. If animals are sick, but do not require immediate hospitalisation (e.g. bad teeth) then they will be sent back to their normal practice with some initial treatment.
Who will supply the insulin, needles, dipsticks, diets?
We encourage clients to continue to use their normal practice.
Who should I contact to ask more questions?
Please contact the clinic on diabetic_pet_clinic@lists.cent.gla.ac.uk or for new cases the small animal hospital reception on sah-reception@glasgow.ac.uk
For further information look at our website (https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/bohvm/sah/ )