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Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer - Earned his wings
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Tara-
I'll have to get out my recipe for mixing slippery elm. Tried it once on Munch earlier this year and he got the poops. Lost my husband, Mother, Father, Daughter-in-Law and 4 kitties all to cancer so it's hard to keep a positive frame of mind sometimes. One minute at a time is what I need to do right now and not go over to the "dark side".
Cebe-
Thanks. No, they did not test for pancreatitis. Because he's a MiniS have had other vets run a SpecCPL on him but although triglycerides are high nobody at this specialty clinic ever has. If they have the SnapCPL maybe they could do it in office and determine on the spot. He's not vomiting, no diarrhea, just acts like food nauseating him again and he's extremely lethargic.
Abby-
Thank you for your prayers. Hope my gut is wrong too. Maybe I'll try a half dose of slippery elm. Sometimes a little bit goes a long, long way with Munchie. He has also started 2.5 mg. of Enalapril yesterday and he definitely had a problem with that when I tried the first time back in March. His bun and creatinine elevated and then when the drug was stopped everything went back to normal. God, it's just hard to know sometimes with him.
Judi-
He had some water in the little bit of food he ate this morning but other than that he is not drinking, just sleeping. His bg was in the 400's this morning w/AT2 so it's better than it has been and no ketones. I'll have to try giving him water via syringe so he doesn't get dehydrated.
Louise
Munchie, 11 yr. old Mini-Schnauzer, 23.2 lbs., diabetes 10/24/12. 8 units Novolin N 2xdaily.
I think I have heard that it can interfere with the absorbtion of some meds so you might want to give the meds 1/2 before. I haven't noticed it affecting Ruby's BGs/ food absorbtion.
Interesting that it caused bad poops, on the epi site it is touted as helping with diarhea. I wonder if it could have been due to something else occurring at the same time.
Hang with us, we will keep you out of the dark side.
Tara
Tara in honor of Ruby.
She was a courageous Boston Terrier who marched right on through diabetes, megaesophagus, and EPI until 14.
Lucky for both of us we found each other. I'd do it all again girly.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Just checked Munch's bg and it's at 680. Called vet and they told me to give him his other 1.5 units. I am going to pack him up in the car and take him in for a nausea injuection and they're also going to check for pancreatitis. Said it could just be from high bg but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Will check back in later. Thanks everybody.
Louise
Munchie, 11 yr. old Mini-Schnauzer, 23.2 lbs., diabetes 10/24/12. 8 units Novolin N 2xdaily.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Thinking of you and hoping the vet can shed some light on things.
Decker suffered from chronic pancreatitis. We had no idea till the test came back saying he had it. Appetite was great. Bm's were firm and regular. No vomiting. Temperature was always normal. He had high triglycerides (which we discovered at the same time as the pancreatitis) and dangerously high cholesterol. We knew the cholesterol was >520 but finally got a reading of 1055 at the same time everything else was discovered. I suspect the high lipids left his insides smoldering more often than I care to think about.
His bg ran 300 - 600 from December 2011 to May 2012. We were unable to regulate him on the NPH. In May we switched him to levemir. Started at 5u and worked our way up. He was up to 10u of levemir when he finally started hitting regulation range numbers. I believe there is something in the way the levemir is absorbed (differently from the way the NPH is absorbed) that allowed us to get him into regulation range numbers despite several (unknown at the time) complications causing insulin resistance. Shortly after getting him into regulation range numbers is when all of his challenges were discovered. Once we started him on thyroid meds, his insulin needs dropped to 5u of levemir and after eight weeks his triglycerides and cholesterol were back to normal regulation range and his pancreatitis was cleared as well.
If you are up for it, it may be worth asking your vet about considering levemir - it does seem to be showing some promise in lowering bg in dogs that suffer from high lipids.
"At an ADA Symposium prior to Levemir's US approval in 2005, Novo Nordisk claimed that if NPH has a patient to patient variability of 60%, Lantus (insulin glargine) then has a 40% variability, and Levemir a 25% rate of variability. Unlike its long-acting rival Lantus, Levemir's time-delay action occurs in the bloodstream and at the target sites, not only at the subcutaneous injection site, and doesn't depend as much on the properties of the injection site or the suspension like NPH and other analog mixed insulins."
"Dehydration can change the way subcutaneous insulin is absorbed[24], causing either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia[25].Those with diabetes are at risk for dehydration as it is triggered by hyperglycemia[26]. "
Last edited by momofdecker; 11-01-2012, 02:22 PM.
Reason: Added dehydration information
Holli & Decker // diagnosed November 5th, 2011 // Journeyed to the bridge January 26th, 2013, surrounded by his family at home // 9 years old // Levemir insulin // Hypothyroid // C1-C5 cervical spinal lesion // weight 87 lbs // Run with the wind my sweet boy. Run pain free. Holding you close in my heart till we meet again!
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
I hope this is just a minor set back for Munchie... Our little guys can certainly put a huge lump in our throats.
Prayers and well wishes your way.
Dawn and Bogie
Bogie is a 8 year old 24 pound Miniture Schnauzer, Dx on 08/24/12. Home cooked diet formulated by Just Food For Dogs, Switching from Levemir to Vetsulin.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Just got home. Thanks to everybody for all your good thoughts and info.
Had an ultrasound done and no evidence of cancer anywhere.
Kidneys values ok so he's tolerating the Enalapril and his kidneys didn't take a nosedive.
No CHF, so got the ok for the tuna water in his food as he needs to be eating.
IMS thinks this is a result of his diabetes and high bg (my gut can be wrong )and that it could be chronic pancreatitis. The PLI Spec C was sent off to Idexx to confirm one way or the other. He also did say NPH may not work for Munchie. I mentioned the Levemir, which I think is a possibility in the near future but for right now he had his NPH increased to 4 units 2x day. He got an injection of Cerenia and I also have a week's worth of tablets for the nausea and inappetence. IMS will be calling either tomorrow or Saturday with test results for pancreatitis and I'll know by then if his bg's go down at all after dose increase and if not I seriously want to talk insulin change.
I think I've aged 10 years today and my wrinkles now have wrinkles!
Louise
Munchie, 11 yr. old Mini-Schnauzer, 23.2 lbs., diabetes 10/24/12. 8 units Novolin N 2xdaily.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Hi Louise, I'm glad they didn't find anything terrible.
Since that is a doubling of his previous dose I would do frequent spot checks to be sure he can handle it. You may have the room and I know you want to get those hi highs down but it is a really large increase for a little guy. If he got the 4 units tonight on top of the extra 1.5 this afternoon I would do some overnight checks too.
Tara
Tara in honor of Ruby.
She was a courageous Boston Terrier who marched right on through diabetes, megaesophagus, and EPI until 14.
Lucky for both of us we found each other. I'd do it all again girly.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Tara-
IMS upped Munch from 2 units twice a day to 3 units a couple of days ago so his total insulin for today before we went to clinic has only been his regular 3 units. It was just in two 1.5 unit increments because he didn't eat all his food in the morning but did eat a tad before we left. His bg was at 730 when I tested him at vet's office but think I did something wrong. They tested when blood was drawn and he was somewhere in the 500's that's why IMS wants the increase. He'll just be getting an extra unit starting tonight but I'll be watching him like a hawk for sure and I've got my bottle of Karo syrup handy. Don't think I'll be sleeping tonight.
If he doesn't eat his regular meal tonight I'm supposed to give him 2 units only.
Louise
Munchie, 11 yr. old Mini-Schnauzer, 23.2 lbs., diabetes 10/24/12. 8 units Novolin N 2xdaily.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Oh good i feel much better. I got the 2 units from your signature line. I know I don't always make the changes in mine either.
I am sure you must be exhausted. Maybe a bunch of alarm settings. Love my iphone for when I do overnight curves, set 5 at once.
Tara
Tara in honor of Ruby.
She was a courageous Boston Terrier who marched right on through diabetes, megaesophagus, and EPI until 14.
Lucky for both of us we found each other. I'd do it all again girly.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
So glad Munchie got checked out and hope that injection for nausea helps with his eating. Poor you and Munchie, such a worry.
Hope today brings a quieter time for you both and that he starts eating again. You must be exhausted, hope you got some sleep.
big hugs, jen xxx
Pippa; Westie, diagnosed 17th April 2012 at 6.5 years old, 8.7kgs, 6.8 units canninsulin bd, Burns high oats food . Lives with George 9 (Black lab), Polly 19 (cat) and Basil 15 (diabetic mog for 5+ years). Im Jen and we live in West Wales where it rains too much!
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
So happy to read that the vet didn't find anything terribly wrong. Hoping today is a better day and that Munchie starts feeling more himself soon.
Holli & Decker // diagnosed November 5th, 2011 // Journeyed to the bridge January 26th, 2013, surrounded by his family at home // 9 years old // Levemir insulin // Hypothyroid // C1-C5 cervical spinal lesion // weight 87 lbs // Run with the wind my sweet boy. Run pain free. Holding you close in my heart till we meet again!
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Our vet raised our dose of NPH sooo slowly, it was ridiculous! She would raise it 1 unit at a time, then 2 units. We had to wait 10 -14 days between. I finally just started raising it myself after 4 or 5 days. They weren't happy with that but we were in the mid 500s. I think if you don't get a significant improvement with the higher doses of NPH, why wait to switch? After upping the NPH to 16 units 2 x day we were finally given the go to try Levemir. I would have pushed for it sooner in hindsight. Our starting dose was 2 units 2 x day and we saw decrease in bg pretty quickly. It's powerful stuff and now we only raise it by 1/4 when we go up. I encourage you to push for Levemir if you see no improvement with the NPH. But treat it with kid gloves - it's strong and be ready willing and able to test often. Good luck and hope you can rest. I think I have had 3 full nights of sleep since diagnosis! It's hard to break away from the worry after they have been so sick, even with the bg improvements.
Re: Munchie–11 yr. old MiniSchnauzer–Just Diagnosed
Thanks for your support and "shoulders" everyone.
BoJanie-I'm with you. If Munch's numbers remain high on NPH and elevated bg is causing pancreas problems it does not make sense to keep him on something that isn't working. I certainly don't want him to end up with acute pancreatitis. His fasting was at 381 this morning, which is the lowest it's been so far, and will spot check today. Daytime has been his highest numbers so if I see a drop then I'll know something is working but he's got quite a way to go before his bg is in a decent range. Bothers the heck out of me to see my little guy feeling so badly.
Munch started to turn his nose up at food again this morning but finally decided to eat so he was able to get his full 4 unit injection. Chemo med and Lasix have been temporarily stopped which is a relief as giving the pills has been a struggle with his current nausea and inappetence.
Question for AlphaTrak2 users:
I read the directions and watched DVD and manufacturer clearly states not to use both sides of the test strip when doing a bg reading. If I don't get enough blood I've got 60 seconds to try again, but using the same side.
Yesterday at vets office I didn't get a large enough sample and meter turned off before I could try again. Tech told me to stick strip into meter again and use the other side of strip to test on instead of what the manufacturer states. Ended up with a 730 number but when vet drew blood it was only in the 500's. Gets really confusing.
Do you all just use the one side or do you use both sides of test strip if you don't get enough blood first time??
Question about injecting:
Was told after I insert needle into his skin that I'm supposed to pull plunger back to see if I'm getting air or blood. I didn't see anyone doing this in the videos I watched. It's a bit of a hassle but if it needs to be done, I will.
Does anyone else do this??
Louise
Munchie, 11 yr. old Mini-Schnauzer, 23.2 lbs., diabetes 10/24/12. 8 units Novolin N 2xdaily.
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