Add me to the list of diabetic-dog owners....

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

So I guess I've been too lucky all these decades; plus adding a breed that is more likely to get diabetes (poodles) upped my chances anyway - but 8 year old Jimmy (mini Aussie/Mini poodle cross) delivered a nice urine specimen this morning that is loaded with sugar 😞 We go back to the Vet this afternoon to get bloodwork done. The Vet tech said the good news was that he didn't have ketones in his urine. Jimmy had lost a bit of weight, was sort of listless - and the lightbulb finally went on in my brain when he started guzzling water and needing to go outside more frequently the last few days. We practiced "getting a catch" a few times - which sort of makes him do a doggy eye-roll for the intrusion on his privacy; but he does cooperate.

My Mom and my M-I-L were diabetic; plus I helped care for my "dog-nephew" - a Bichon who was diabetic. I sort of know the basics - and am somewhat dreading getting Jimmy to eat a whole "meal" since he's been a nibbler all his life. I'm not afraid to give shots; and Jimmy's a pretty stoic guy - so that aspect isn't scary. But if anyone has any hints to help prolong his life and protect his vision - I'd love to hear them? (Ironically, I remember thinking that if we crossed a short-lived breed like an Aussie with a longer-lived breed like a poodle - maybe we could space out the heartbreaks a bit further?) Or is there any kind of diabetes preventative for Ben, who's 3 and also an Aussie/poodle mix, but not related to Jimmy in any way.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

colliehauler wrote:
It sounds like you have experience dealing with diabetes. Hope the best for Jimmy and you.

Ironically, my Ski Patrol training dealt with diabetes (recognizing diabetic coma, etc); plus my Mom had it (and did everything wrong).

Of course, now that I've bragged, I must have flubbed last night's shot and we were up twice with a water-guzzling - then-need-to-pee dog. sigh...

This morning I clipped Jimmy, so I can see how I'm lining the syringe a bit better.

Re glucose meter: a friend gave me her meter that she used on her cat, but it needs new strips. I want my Vet to show me the best way to use it - I'm not squeamish about giving shots, but drawing blood on my dog is another matter....LOL!

On edit: while I was at WalMart picking up the insulin and syringes, the Pharm assistant walked me over to their other "injectable accessories" and explained how they can be used; and yes, I saw how inexpensive their brand-name was!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

dturm wrote:
You sure got control fast!! Hope it continues and you don't have serious issues in the future.

I'm aware of cataracts, and kidney problems? Is there anything else to terrify myself with??

[LJAZ]

Have you considered getting a blood glucose monitor? It used to be quite pricey for the test strips, but Wally World has a monitor with 100 strips for less than $20.

[colliehauler]

It sounds like you have experience dealing with diabetes. Hope the best for Jimmy and you.

[dturm]

You sure got control fast!! Hope it continues and you don't have serious issues in the future.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I'm just posting this for the sake of others who might read this later - I'm using syringes with needles that are 31 gauge x 8mm (5/16th inch). They are as thin as a hair - and clearly not painful. Jimmy now recognizes the sound of the insulin bottle's box being opened, runs into the kitchen and dances around happily to get his shot. Crazy dog!!! He's also making it all the way through the night without needing to go outside - so I think we have the right dosage.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

FreedomFam wrote:


I did the freeze dried liver as well. I would crumble it up so it seemed like she was getting more LOL So glad things appear to be working out.

ALL of my dogs would happily sell their souls for a piece of freeze-dried liver....LOL! I'm just thrilled that Jimmy's eating well, so I know his dosage vs food eaten, is correct.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

CA POPPY wrote:
Aww, how great that Jimmy comes to you when he sees the syringe. How is Ben reacting to all the special attention Jimmy is getting?

Hmmm... I *thought* I replied to this - it was either a brain-fart on my part or that hack attack?

Anyway - Ben gets a little bowl of "special food", too; but must recognise a syringe for what it is because he stays a respectful distance away when Jim gets the injection....LOL!

[FreedomFam]

Deb and Ed M wrote:
Today's trip to the vet for a blood-sugar check showed Jimmy still a tad high at 227, so his dose was upped to 5 units. I figured out pretty quick to give him his shot about 5-10 minutes after he eats, so he doesn't associate the food with the shot and eats his whole dinner. But remarkably, I can show him the syringe, and he comes right to me to get his shot; then he gets rewarded with a small piece of freeze-dried liver.

It's going OK, all in all 🙂

I did the freeze dried liver as well. I would crumble it up so it seemed like she was getting more LOL So glad things appear to be working out.

[CA_POPPY]

Aww, how great that Jimmy comes to you when he sees the syringe. How is Ben reacting to all the special attention Jimmy is getting?

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Today's trip to the vet for a blood-sugar check showed Jimmy still a tad high at 227, so his dose was upped to 5 units. I figured out pretty quick to give him his shot about 5-10 minutes after he eats, so he doesn't associate the food with the shot and eats his whole dinner. But remarkably, I can show him the syringe, and he comes right to me to get his shot; then he gets rewarded with a small piece of freeze-dried liver.

It's going OK, all in all 🙂

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Re high glycemic foods - the first thing I did when I suspected that Jimmy might have diabetes, was switch him away from the lamb and white rice food we had just opened. My vet approved what he and Ben are eating now - a "maintenance" kibble with higher fiber, lower fat; and lower-glycemic carbs.

Last night, he woke me up with a soft whine - so we went out at 3:30 AM (ugh).... but at least he didn't have an accident, nor did he guzzle a bunch of water. As we went back upstairs, I praised him for not peeing in the house, and I swear he looked at me and said "Thank you for getting your butt out of bed in time".....LOL!

[xteacher]

Another suggestion: feed your dog a low glycemic diet. There are now several dog foods on the market that fit this need - without going the Rx kibble route.
Low Glycemic Diet

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Thank you EVERYONE who said to go to Walmart!! I took the novolog flex pens back to my vet - only to find out they don't carry insulin. My vet wrote a prescription for Novolin N and appropriate syringes....which I took to my neighborhood grocery/pharmacy. They didn't have it in stock. WHAAAT??? Then the pharmacist whispered "go to Walmart. I can get it, but it will cost $144 per bottle"

Well, now I know why nobody bothers to stock insulin - the entire world must buy it at Walmart - it's less than $24/bottle. I feel pretty strongly about supporting my local business owners - but saving $120 will definitely make me drive to the next city over to go to Walmart.

At any rate, Jimmy just wolfed down his dinner, then got his smooth-as-silk shot 🙂 He flinched when I rolled up his skin, anticipating the last ham-handed shots - but didn't budge as I actually gave him the injection. Now we'll see how tonight goes.... praying for sleep.

[FreedomFam]

I had a diabetic poodle for over 7.5 years. It is doable, but my life adjusted to her schedule. That was OK and I had help with the shots. Buffy was a nibbler as well, but she went to being fed 2 times a day with a shot afterward. I learned to pour tuna juice...not tuna over her food. That helped a whole lot on the mornings she didn't feel good. Buffy was very sick when diagnosed and there were many mornings she didn't feel good.

Along with the tuna water, I learned about frozen broccoli. Sprinkle some over her food and that was the ticket. I could leave the tuna water off after I discovered that. The trick is anything that "smells" will make them eat but not raise their sugar. I spoon fed that dog many times.

At first, I tested with a meter but learned I could do the urine checks too. I know how it is to run along behind a dog and catch a stream. UGGhh I then learned to tell by behavior and urine output. I also learned to smell her when she was high.

I also found a wonderful board that had some diehard people with diabetic dogs. I learned more from those people than any one. That board is now defunct and new diabetic owners are really missing a lot. I also echo Wal-Mart as the place for insulin and needles. I learned to order the needles a box at a time and was much cheaper that way.

Good luck and best wishes to you and your 4-legged furbaby. Hang in there and your routine will get down in no time.

Anna Marie