My 8 yr old mini Schnauzer was recently diagnosed with Diabetes. We first noticed something was wrong in Sept, but the vet diagnosed him with Cushings. His condition continued to get worse (lethargy, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, confusion) even tho we were dosing him with Trilostane at the max dose.
Cooper became blind within 6 months. Thank goodness we went on a long car ride a few weeks ago...the close quarters allowed me to smell his ketone breath--unmistakeable.
I insisted on a blood sugar test; his fasting BS was 389. The vet started him out on 4 IU of Humulin-N twice a day. No suggestions on diet, no info on ANYTHING else.
Cooper has been getting the same meal every 12 hours with his insulin: 4oz of boiled chicken breast, and 1/2 C of sweet potatoes. No snacks at all, and only passive exercise at this point (hes still too tired). I stopped the Cushings meds altogether.
After 1 week, his FBS was still 359. Insulin increased to 8 IU every 12 hours; I maintained the same diet.
2nd week in, and Cooper's FBS was 451; his weight went from 26lbs to 24.5lbs. WHAT?!? Doctor said I got an "A" for initiative, but I'm killing him by withholding carbs. Sweet Potatoes are "minimal carbs". The new orders are to INCREASE his carbs (to what?) and maintain the insulin dose.
What should I be doing here?? Am I not feeding him enough? If I add more carbs, won't it jump up his BS even more?
Why is his HIGHER if the carbs are 'minimal' from the sweet potatoes?
I'm frustrated. I feel like this "trial and error" is wasting time for Cooper...and the advice is counter-productive.
Cooper became blind within 6 months. Thank goodness we went on a long car ride a few weeks ago...the close quarters allowed me to smell his ketone breath--unmistakeable.
I insisted on a blood sugar test; his fasting BS was 389. The vet started him out on 4 IU of Humulin-N twice a day. No suggestions on diet, no info on ANYTHING else.
Cooper has been getting the same meal every 12 hours with his insulin: 4oz of boiled chicken breast, and 1/2 C of sweet potatoes. No snacks at all, and only passive exercise at this point (hes still too tired). I stopped the Cushings meds altogether.
After 1 week, his FBS was still 359. Insulin increased to 8 IU every 12 hours; I maintained the same diet.
2nd week in, and Cooper's FBS was 451; his weight went from 26lbs to 24.5lbs. WHAT?!? Doctor said I got an "A" for initiative, but I'm killing him by withholding carbs. Sweet Potatoes are "minimal carbs". The new orders are to INCREASE his carbs (to what?) and maintain the insulin dose.
What should I be doing here?? Am I not feeding him enough? If I add more carbs, won't it jump up his BS even more?
Why is his HIGHER if the carbs are 'minimal' from the sweet potatoes?
I'm frustrated. I feel like this "trial and error" is wasting time for Cooper...and the advice is counter-productive.
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