Diabetic Dogs Need Continuous Treatments

Caring for a diabetic dog can be expensive in part because they need regular blood tests and insulin treatments to manage their condition. They also could be at risk for emergency crises if their blood sugar is unstable or they develop other medical conditions because of their diabetes. And when that happens, their need for financial assistance often grows.

The cost of caring for a diabetic dog can also pre-date their diagnosis. Often, a dog will need to have bloodwork performed to see if diabetes is the culprit for excessive drinking and urination (two common signs of diabetes in dogs). A vet may also order a complete blood cell count, bloodwork to evaluate internal organ function, and a urinalysis to rule out other medical causes. Such diagnostics may generally cost anywhere from $136 to $245, with treatment plan costs totaling between $214 to $348. So, even before a dog's diabetes diagnosis has been confirmed, the combined costs may range from around $350 to $600. And while these are just estimates on the costs, you can start to see how quickly the bills add up.

We hope the chart above helps further illustrate why caring for a diabetic dog can be so expensive, and why donations to programs like Liam’s Fund, through which Phinney's has given advice and financially supported the pet parents of diabetic dogs, mean so much. Michelle Goldthwaite established Liam's Fund in 2016 through the Deirdre Dickinson Memorial Fund, in honor and memory of her sister. Generous donations made to the fund ever since have meant the world to Phinney’s because contributions help ensure that we are continuously able to help diabetic dogs whose pet parents couldn’t afford their expensive treatments on their own.