Maggie is an angel today! June 20, 2016

[jesse girl]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Amy it comes down to predictability for a specific action

Jesse get 3 shots and one meal and that works . I did need to apply a snack for insulin to work .

I feel food can negate overlap .so multiple shots of NPH is doable at least for some of us . I think Joan was as much as 4 times

I think going from half to one unit depending on fasting maybe helpful . Jesse shots are based on fasting and what action I will used . Times she has good consistency and other times no so much . You just kind of roll with the punches

There maybe other factors you just can't overcome completely as with jesses neurological issues and how I believe it affects sugar for her

[Auddog]

I just read that Norma Jean is giving her Jacob 3 shots of vetsulin a day in 8 hour intervals. I wonder if you could do something similar for Maggie except using NPH.

Keeping you guys in my prayers,
Audrey

[amydunn19]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

The vet visit today went well. We sat down with her ever increasing file and just mapped out what we are doing and what we can do to try to get her straight. Naturally, today, her numbers have been perfect. She started at 185 at 7 am, 77 at 11:30, 102 at 3 pm, and 187 at 6:45. We decided since her digestion improved so much that we would treat it as pancreatitis(I think this is the chronic type unlike the attacks she has always had) but if it it is something like epi or something similar, what we are doing should improve the situation.

He wanted to start her on a probiotic despite the fact she has usually flat out refused it in the past. I told him that she adores the new canned food so much that she might actually take it. Sure enough, she ate her food just like always. I think before, she never had food she really loved, only food she tolerated. We cut out the liquid meds and he said we could use the flagyl on a maintenance dose. Flagyl has been the only thing that gives her relief from the diarrhea or blobs she has been having recently. She gets probiotics from her goat milk as well so staying on flagyl shouldn't be an issue. He wants me to go from four meals to three meals and see if the blood sugar will get better, and keep her digestion good. Neither one of us wants to go to 3 doses a day because of her tendencies to be sensitive to insulin.

If we have any escalation, we can do more blood tests or do an ultrasound to see if there is a tumor. He thinks she is pretty comfortable and she even gained almost a pound which was a relief.

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Oh Yay....all things considered this is a great update.

BAD, BAD EPI. Stay away from Maggie!

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

paws quietly crossed...good update (whispers, knocks on wood)

[Patty]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Wow, Amy. You've had quite the roller coaster ride going on. I went back about 4 pages trying to catch up.

[amydunn19]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

So far, going from four meals to three has made a big difference in blood sugar. Time will tell if her digestion will favor three meals or four but so far so good. Whispering this of course!

[stylynjm]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Ssshhhhhh good news.hope she continues

[Auddog]

Fingers Crossed!!

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Fingers crossed here too.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Amy,

Whispering good wishes.

Barb

[Rover]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Hi Maggie, best wishes hope you'll be okay soon

[amydunn19]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

I can't believe I am posting this but I am tired, Maggie is tired, and the problems she is having are just getting to be too much. We have decided to release her from this pain and I am beyond devastated but she has too much going on and she is a warrior so she will never give up, so we will have to do it for her. I don't want to but I have to.

Diabetes has no real relevance - I think the combination of her old dog arthritis, dementia and now cervical spine damage. She started the past few days refusing to put her head down to eat or drink. We took her in yesterday and after examining her, the vet thinks that she has some cervical disc damage and it is quite painful for her to put her head down. I have been elevating her meals recently and raising a shallow bowl of water up to her level to drink. I had her with me the other night and she was laying in her dog bed and there was no sweet relaxing look but she just had this sad little look begging me to explain the point of it all. That was it.

My biggest fear is she could exist for weeks, maybe months, in this shape but what is it doing for her? Proving how tough she is? I know that. It would be for me. And that is just wrong. Then, what if she has a catastrophic event and has to suffer horribly before I can get her to a vet? I couldn't live with that.

So, this is where I am. Setting the day is tough but I am thinking Monday or Tuesday. Might as well start the week off in horrible fashion. I have cried oceans of tears and I keep thinking it will stop but no such luck. I am gonna love on her this weekend. There is never enough time. Please tell me someday I will be able to breathe again.

[Judi]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

lifting you up Amy. much love from Minnesota. I was in a support group once where a woman told herself "you can do hard things" It's a good mantra.

you can do hard things. you have. you will. Love Maggie as much as you can. And give her a kiss from me.

Judi

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Introducing Maggie - Diabetic 8 years!

Oh Amy....I have an appt. and only a second but had to lift you up along with Judi. Yes dear, you will be able to breathe again and I know because I have felt just that.
Stay close if you can bear it and we will carry you through.

Tara