I posted a little while ago about Jesse's behavior at night. Here's an update and I need help!He just had a curve test and he is on the correct amount of insulin. Thyroid is also at the correct levels. His cataracts seem to be getting worse. He is still eating large amounts of food and not gaining weight. He is also still consuming abnormally large amounts of water especially first thing in the a.m. and seems to crave water all night. The biggest issue is he is up every hour most nights, wants water, a Cheez-it and a hug. We have made some alterations to his routine, have been leaving a light on downstairs in the hopes that he would settle in but it hasn't helped. We aren't sure if sundowner's syndrome/cognitive disfunction might be setting in, if it's a reaction because he doesn't see well or a learned behavior that we keep reinforcing. I feel most likely it's a combination of the above. We have tried Gabapentin to help him settle in when he goes to bed to no avail. Improving his eye sight by cataract surgery may help but he's 11 1/2 and I'm leery on anesthesia if it's not necessary plus the cost is very high. Other endocrine-related diseases such as Cushing's have been ruled out. Help! Thoughts appreciated-I need some sleep!

Large amounts of food and water point to kidneys.

With the worsening cataracts and the increased water consumption I wonder if the insulin dose or kind of insulin is correct despite the recent curve results. I have not used, but there have been some who have used a Dexcom constant glucose monitor to get a better idea of glucose levels over time in diabetic. Chasing down these types of problems that don't appear to have the "typical" causes are certainly frustrating, time consuming and costly.Some questions I have: What are Urinalysis results, particularly SpGr, protein and glucose. What are elecrolyte values? Depending on results, has anyone suggested a water deprivation test?They checked for Cushing's, what about Addison's?This is a pretty good article on diagnostic for PU/PDVIN article

jdc1 wrote:Large amounts of food and water point to kidneys.Kidneys check out fine.

dturm wrote:With the worsening cataracts and the increased water consumption I wonder if the insulin dose or kind of insulin is correct despite the recent curve results. I have not used, but there have been some who have used a Dexcom constant glucose monitor to get a better idea of glucose levels over time in diabetic. Chasing down these types of problems that don't appear to have the "typical" causes are certainly frustrating, time consuming and costly.Some questions I have: What are Urinalysis results, particularly SpGr, protein and glucose. What are elecrolyte values? Depending on results, has anyone suggested a water deprivation test?They checked for Cushing's, what about Addison's?This is a pretty good article on diagnostic for PU/PDVIN articleAddison's, Cushings, everything. All test results normal. You name it, they've tested for it although I am not sure on the water deprivation test. I will ask on that. He is on 11 units of Vetsulin after both meals. He has also gotten very clingy since his eye sight started to fail so that is why I am wondering if it's a "learned" behavior-he barks, we come. We tried NOT coming one morning when he had been up multiple times and it was disastrous. He pooped in his crate, which isn't that big a deal, but he managed to push his head through the space between the bottom of the crate door and the crate frame. He got stuck and started screaming. Thankfully he was not hurt.We have had a few nights when he only got up twice. I probably should have been more specific about daytime water consumption-he gulps it down first thing in the a.m. but for the rest of the day until he goes to bed it's pretty normal and he does not pee a lot. The cycle starts at bedtime which is why we are wondering how much might be behavior. I will look into the water deprivation issue.

Really sorry to hear he's not getting better. Our Pit Bull George, had a tumor on his brain. We thought he had dementia and had gone mostly blind. But his eyes were fine as the vet checked. It's was the tumor that showed on xray that was the problem. He could see. Just couldn't process the visual info coming in. In the end, at 13+, it was just his time to go. Didn't want him to suffer and the vet agreed, while they could give him med's to make him comfortable, it was just a band-aid and we weren't going to prolong it just to delay him going for our sake. If you haven't already, perhaps a second opinion. Like children and old folks when they're cognitively on the decline, they can still realize how to get attention by making a fuss. So one can't rule that out. But unfortunately, it just may be the time for the hard choice we all hate to admit it may be time to make. Really wish the best for you. Bert

At my wit's end with Jesse | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

Crowe
Explorer
Oct 06, 2020
dturm wrote:
With the worsening cataracts and the increased water consumption I wonder if the insulin dose or kind of insulin is correct despite the recent curve results. I have not used, but there have been some who have used a Dexcom constant glucose monitor to get a better idea of glucose levels over time in diabetic.

Chasing down these types of problems that don't appear to have the "typical" causes are certainly frustrating, time consuming and costly.

Some questions I have: What are Urinalysis results, particularly SpGr, protein and glucose. What are elecrolyte values?

Depending on results, has anyone suggested a water deprivation test?

They checked for Cushing's, what about Addison's?

This is a pretty good article on diagnostic for PU/PD
VIN article

Addison's, Cushings, everything. All test results normal. You name it, they've tested for it although I am not sure on the water deprivation test. I will ask on that. He is on 11 units of Vetsulin after both meals. He has also gotten very clingy since his eye sight started to fail so that is why I am wondering if it's a "learned" behavior-he barks, we come. We tried NOT coming one morning when he had been up multiple times and it was disastrous. He pooped in his crate, which isn't that big a deal, but he managed to push his head through the space between the bottom of the crate door and the crate frame. He got stuck and started screaming. Thankfully he was not hurt.

We have had a few nights when he only got up twice. I probably should have been more specific about daytime water consumption-he gulps it down first thing in the a.m. but for the rest of the day until he goes to bed it's pretty normal and he does not pee a lot. The cycle starts at bedtime which is why we are wondering how much might be behavior. I will look into the water deprivation issue.
Crowe
Explorer
Oct 06, 2020
jdc1 wrote:
Large amounts of food and water point to kidneys.

Kidneys check out fine.
dturm
Moderator
Oct 06, 2020
With the worsening cataracts and the increased water consumption I wonder if the insulin dose or kind of insulin is correct despite the recent curve results. I have not used, but there have been some who have used a Dexcom constant glucose monitor to get a better idea of glucose levels over time in diabetic.

Chasing down these types of problems that don't appear to have the "typical" causes are certainly frustrating, time consuming and costly.

Some questions I have: What are Urinalysis results, particularly SpGr, protein and glucose. What are elecrolyte values?

Depending on results, has anyone suggested a water deprivation test?

They checked for Cushing's, what about Addison's?

This is a pretty good article on diagnostic for PU/PD
VIN article
jdc1
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2020
Large amounts of food and water point to kidneys.

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At my wit's end with Jesse

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