Questions about Yuki

[labblab]

OK, it’s me back again. I’ve tried to do a little more research about those other elevated adrenal hormones. And maybe the folks here will know more about possible interactions. But from my limited reading so far, I’ve not found an association between androstenedione and glucose levels. Estradiol may interact, but I’m not sure that it’s in a damaging way. However, it looks as though elevated Progesterone/17 OH Progesterone can be associated with insulin resistance. Elevated cortisol levels, on the other hand, can frankly increase glucose levels. That’s why the standard concerns about the combo of diabetes and Cushing’s typically relate to elevated cortisol.

Again, if Yukie’s glucose level ends up being quite difficult to control, then repeated testing of all his adrenal hormones may be warranted. If necessary, there is a prescription medication that can help lower progesterone, 17 OH progesterone, androstenedione and cortisol, as well. So do not despair! Right now you’re at the very start of the road. I’m sure the K9D folks will tell you there’s still a heck of a lot of insulin tweaking that can be done before we need to start worrying about a lack of response from Yukie.

Marianne

[jesse girl]

Originally Posted by labblab

OK, it’s me back again. I’ve tried to do a little more research about those other elevated adrenal hormones. And maybe the folks here will know more about possible interactions. But from my limited reading so far, I’ve not found an association between androstenedione and glucose levels. Estradiol may interact, but I’m not sure that it’s in a damaging way. However, it looks as though elevated Progesterone/17 OH Progesterone can be associated with insulin resistance. Elevated cortisol levels, on the other hand, can frankly increase glucose levels. That’s why the standard concerns about the combo of diabetes and Cushing’s typically relate to elevated cortisol.

Again, if Yukie’s glucose level ends up being quite difficult to control, then repeated testing of all his adrenal hormones may be warranted. If necessary, there is a prescription medication that can help lower progesterone, 17 OH progesterone, androstenedione and cortisol, as well. So do not despair! Right now you’re at the very start of the road. I’m sure the K9D folks will tell you there’s still a heck of a lot of insulin tweaking that can be done before we need to start worrying about a lack of response from Yukie.

Marianne

As Marianne suggested if you see insulin resistance that may give another clue to the hormone imbalance . If you dont see resistance the diagnosis would be more difficult to guarantee

[MikeMurphy]

Originally Posted by labblab

OK, it’s me back again. I’ve tried to do a little more research about those other elevated adrenal hormones. And maybe the folks here will know more about possible interactions. But from my limited reading so far, I’ve not found an association between androstenedione and glucose levels. Estradiol may interact, but I’m not sure that it’s in a damaging way. However, it looks as though elevated Progesterone/17 OH Progesterone can be associated with insulin resistance. Elevated cortisol levels, on the other hand, can frankly increase glucose levels. That’s why the standard concerns about the combo of diabetes and Cushing’s typically relate to elevated cortisol.

Again, if Yukie’s glucose level ends up being quite difficult to control, then repeated testing of all his adrenal hormones may be warranted. If necessary, there is a prescription medication that can help lower progesterone, 17 OH progesterone, androstenedione and cortisol, as well. So do not despair! Right now you’re at the very start of the road. I’m sure the K9D folks will tell you there’s still a heck of a lot of insulin tweaking that can be done before we need to start worrying about a lack of response from Yukie.

Marianne

Marianne is right about there being a ways to go with getting to the right insulin dose.

As jesse girl mentioned, the normal starting dose for a 32lb dog would be 6 units every 12 hours. You’re at 5 units right now. So don’t get discouraged. It’s very important to wait 5 to 7 days after each insulin increase, so that Yukon’s body adjusts to the increase. So it can take several weeks, even months, of repeating the process of weekly curves and insulin increases until you get to the proper dose.

[YukiesMom]

Thank you so much everyone. I will keep you posted :-)

[YukiesMom]

Ok another question where is the best place to give the insulin injection? We were told at the emergency vet to get it on the side of his body between his legs but the vet today told me to give it on his scruff of his neck.

[jesse girl]

i probably would not inject long term in the scruff as buildup a scar tissue can occur

Vets probably suggest that because its easy . the side of the body is good anywhere you can grab some loose skin . i use the back area kind of on the side for jesse

[YukiesMom]

We were told that we needed to get Ketone Strips and a Glucose Meter. Can anyone recommend what brands to use on both?

The vet gave me a brochure for the Alpha Trak 2.

Thanks,

[MikeMurphy]

Originally Posted by YukiesMom

We were told that we needed to get Ketone Strips and a Glucose Meter. Can anyone recommend what brands to use on both?

The vet gave me a brochure for the Alpha Trak 2.

Thanks,

I’ve never used ketone strips, but the most popular Glucose meters are:

AlphaTrak2
PetTest
OneTouch Ultra2
OneTouch Ultra Mini

I’ve been using Walmart’s ReliOn Prime for 5 years and so far so good.

In general, the human meters test BG a bit lower than the pet meters. However, the test strips cost way less than the $1 per strip that you would pay for a genuine AlphaTrak2 strip.

[Judi]

we just bought some ketone strips at the pharmacy. We used the One Touch Ultra for all 3 years.

I'd compare it to the vet's reading when we went in for checkups so I had a baseline

[YukiesMom]

Thanks again for all your information. We went to the vet today and they let us borrow an alpha trak monitor. We give him his insulin injection at 7 AM and we went to the vet about 10 AM and his blood glucose was 495. I am going to test his blood glucose every morning before the injection for the next few days to determine whether or not to increase the dosage.

I am really concerned because his BG has been higher on the insulin then when we brought him to emergency vet a week ago tomorrow.

I cut out all of the hydrolyzed protein treats. I am only giving him 3/4 of a cup of hydrolyzed protein dog food twice a day with a couple tablespoons of boiled chicken in each meal. If he bugs me throughout the day I give him green beans maybe one or two times a day not much though.

He bugs me so much for food and I tell him to just go lay down. It's very frustrating and upsetting to see him laying around and not feeling well.