Hi, So sorry to hear about your Border Collie, Issabella, it isn't easy I know as my cat (17 years old) was diagnosed with diabetes last October and it has taken 7 months to get his bg under control. I took him to the vet today and his bg is 5.7 which is the best it has been since diagnosis. He was initially on a low carb diet (Hills prescription diet), but got pancreatitis on Boxing Day and spent 2 and a half day in the vet hospital, so they had to change his diet to a light chicken and rice receipe (Hills) so that it was easier to digest and reduce the chance of him getting pancreatitis again.
Like you I haven't got insurance and it has cost me a fortune. So far I have spent about 2000 pounds on him (not that I mind cos I love him to bits). I buy my canninsulin and syringes from the vet, but I get his food on line. I also use the syringes more than once so they last a bit longer, as I am retired I have agreed with the vet to pay monthly which they are quite happy to do.
Now that we have got control he needs a fructosamine test in 3 weeks time and then don't have to go back for 3 months all being well.
Dogs are easier to control than cats as my cat wanders into other peoples houses for food so I have had to speak to all my neighbours to tell them not to feed him as he is on a very strict diet and any extra food would definitly raise his bg and make him ill.
If you get a meter your can ask the vet to show you how to do a spot blood test, which will save you money. I have a meter as I am T2 diabetic myself, but couldn't get any blood out of my cat's ears, so have had to get the vet to do it. The other thing is, vets want to do a blood curve which involves staying at the vets for a day to have blood taken every hour (expensive), but I have the frucosamine test done where they take blood and send it off and it shows what the average blood glucose level has been over a 3 month period and dosen't require a stay at the vets.
Sorry, I have waffled on a bit, but you have better control over a dog and I am sure that you will soon get her bg under control and then won't involve too many visits to the vet.
Good luck with Issabella I hope you get her sorted soon bless her, if you need a chat happy for you to message me if you need any further information.
Take care
Marilyn