Diabetes mellitus

[rasermon]

I have a 5 year old chocolate lab (male) that was diagnosed several days ago with diabetes mellitus. My local veterinarian had complications regulating his blood glucose to a normal level so he sent me to Michigan State University Veterinary Hospital. My dog (Tucker) spent the next 72 hours of testing and getting his blood sugar regulated. He is home now and doing much better. Almost back to normal. Fromwhat I have read MSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital it is the best in the country. He has Diabetes Mellitus and will require special care fromus. He will have to eat twice a day and two insulin shots a day for the rest of his adult life. The insulin is the same that humans take. If we have any members with Diabetes mellitus or maybe your pets I could use some help on managing this and some tips.Thanks - Richard

[joatmon]

Glad Tucker is doing better, but it's going to be a lot of work to keep him healthy. From what I have seen Tucker is worth it though. Sorry I can't offer anything other than sympathy.

[GMJAP]

Parents had a cat with diabetes. They just had to make sure he ate about the same times every day and give him his shot around the same time (so long after a meal, I think). Wasn't much else to do. The cat did alright, though. Good luck with Tucker!

[rasermon]

Last night was his first night home and he seems very comfortable. I feed him 2-1/2 cups of food and 20 mins later gave him 25 units of Humanlin NPH (insulin). We will have to give him 25 units subcutaneously every 12 hours. So everyday he will eat at 6:30 and receive his insulin. Thanks to all...Richard

[scherry2]

sorry to hear about Tucker. I was talking to my wife Kaye (she is an RN) and she said. same food every day and like you are doing and 1 shot after each meal, no sweets, no table scraps, dog treats should have no wheat flour (wheat flour is white bread flour not to be confused with whole wheat flour)because it is high in carbs. she wanted to know what the Dr said about calorie intake, was Tucker over weight? Kaye says the care should be much like a human and can be kept under control with diet and exercise and meds. do you have to check his blood sugar every day?

[rasermon]

Tucker needs a low fat diet, but for this weekend just his normal diet. His food then needs to be gradually changed to Hill's R/D (prescription diet) over the next two weeks. For right now MSU has me checking his glucose and ketone using Keto-Diastix (reagent strips for urinalysis). I have to call tomorrow and find out when we need to recheck his glucose and electrolytes.

[scherry2]

cool.kaye wonders if they taught or showed you how to recognize signs and symptoms of high blood sugar in dogs?

[zionzr2]

sorry to hear that! my parent's dog has Diabetes of some sort as well that requires strict dietary stanards and insulin shots. "Simon" a Cocekr-Poodle mix is getting old though. This year i think he will be 12 or 13. His condition was brought on by a side effect of the medicine he was taking for allergy to grass.

[rasermon]

So far Tucker is doing much better with the insulin. MSU called yesterday and with the glucose readings at a safe level the Dr. had me drop the insulin to 22 units from 25. I take him in today for blood work at the local vet to see what the true glucose levels are at.

[millster]

Quote, originally posted by rasermon »So far Tucker is doing much better with the insulin. MSU called yesterday and with the glucose readings at a safe level the Dr. had me drop the insulin to 22 units from 25. I take him in today for blood work at the local vet to see what the true glucose levels are at. That's great news!Hopefully the new food will assist in keeping his levels low as well.

[Charlievibe]

Sorry to hear about Tucker. He is a lucky guy to have great parents like you who will take excellent care of him! Tell Tucker my little guys will keep him in their puppy prayers!