Re: Mini-Me's B/G chart
Thank you Tara for the info on how to do this. Sorry for the delay as I was also having internet problems.
Originally posted by Rubytuesday
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Hi Jeanne and Alan. I was out shopping today and not able to post from my cell phone. I hated that because I can hear the desperation in your post.
Since I am not sure if both of you will be reading this or have read all the prior responses I will recommend somethings recommended earlier.
I will preface my interpretation of your curve by saying what you are dealing with goes beyond my experience. Certainly if Natalie or Patty come on with info differing from mine theirs would be the more experienced.
Having this detailed curve is great and says to me that Mini is not being overdosed as she shows no lows and not even a tremendous drop. I would say the insulin is working as the numbers do start to come down towards the end of the curve.
So the simple answer would be to increase insulin.....but Mini's case is not simple.
This would be my approach if Mini was my dog;
1) I would start by posting all Cushings test results you have run over at the k9cushings site. I found your thread over there where you listed the tests run, but they really need the results of the tests to guide you.
Will do. Natalie suggested same thing.
2) I would schedule Mini for an appointment with possibly a specialist or a vet recommended by the cushings group in your area. You would be amazed how the forums can help you get to the right person.
Great idea - will have to contact local Cushings Group & get referral.
I believe Mini was diagnosed about 4-5 yrs. ago with Atypical Cushings? I would imagine a lot of things may have changed in that time. Cushings is a relatively new and little understood disease.
Even with a specialist's guidance I would rely very heavily on the folks over at k9C. I believe Glynda mentioned the treatment for Atypical Cushings was usually Lignans and Melatonin which are pretty benign and the Lignans may even help with the diabetes.
3) I would have another thyriod test done through Dr. Jean Dodds' laboratory. I know you had testing done before, but her needs may have changed with regards to the thyroid and the standard vet lab's testing does not cover everything that Dr. Dodds' lab does. She has helped diabetic animals to achieve regulation and it would be an easy thing to rule out.
If we do thyroid panel w/Dr. Dodds should we also do endocrine panel w/UTK?
4) If you decide to decrease the steriod be sure to figure out with your doctor how to go about that as she has been on them for so long. I believe this is another reason a good specialist would be crucial for Mini. If you decide to change course in the approach to the Atypical cushings you will need someone to help guide you through both the diseases and coming off the steriods.
It's been recommended by several "experts" that we drop steroids 25% for 1 week, then another 25%, and so on. Of course we will closely monitor BG & her reaction to the changes.
Thank goodness you home test as if changes are on the horizon with that her insulin needs will most probably decrease.
Tara
Since I am not sure if both of you will be reading this or have read all the prior responses I will recommend somethings recommended earlier.
I will preface my interpretation of your curve by saying what you are dealing with goes beyond my experience. Certainly if Natalie or Patty come on with info differing from mine theirs would be the more experienced.
Having this detailed curve is great and says to me that Mini is not being overdosed as she shows no lows and not even a tremendous drop. I would say the insulin is working as the numbers do start to come down towards the end of the curve.
So the simple answer would be to increase insulin.....but Mini's case is not simple.
This would be my approach if Mini was my dog;
1) I would start by posting all Cushings test results you have run over at the k9cushings site. I found your thread over there where you listed the tests run, but they really need the results of the tests to guide you.
Will do. Natalie suggested same thing.
2) I would schedule Mini for an appointment with possibly a specialist or a vet recommended by the cushings group in your area. You would be amazed how the forums can help you get to the right person.
Great idea - will have to contact local Cushings Group & get referral.
I believe Mini was diagnosed about 4-5 yrs. ago with Atypical Cushings? I would imagine a lot of things may have changed in that time. Cushings is a relatively new and little understood disease.
Even with a specialist's guidance I would rely very heavily on the folks over at k9C. I believe Glynda mentioned the treatment for Atypical Cushings was usually Lignans and Melatonin which are pretty benign and the Lignans may even help with the diabetes.
3) I would have another thyriod test done through Dr. Jean Dodds' laboratory. I know you had testing done before, but her needs may have changed with regards to the thyroid and the standard vet lab's testing does not cover everything that Dr. Dodds' lab does. She has helped diabetic animals to achieve regulation and it would be an easy thing to rule out.
If we do thyroid panel w/Dr. Dodds should we also do endocrine panel w/UTK?
4) If you decide to decrease the steriod be sure to figure out with your doctor how to go about that as she has been on them for so long. I believe this is another reason a good specialist would be crucial for Mini. If you decide to change course in the approach to the Atypical cushings you will need someone to help guide you through both the diseases and coming off the steriods.
It's been recommended by several "experts" that we drop steroids 25% for 1 week, then another 25%, and so on. Of course we will closely monitor BG & her reaction to the changes.
Thank goodness you home test as if changes are on the horizon with that her insulin needs will most probably decrease.
Tara
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