"Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

[Trace65]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

My dog Ginger was diagnosed June 6th. The extreme panting was one of the reasons that I took her in. I initially thought she was hot as we live in south Alabama and just a stroll outside to pee can kick your butt. She kept up the panting along with her other symptoms. When they they tested her she was positive for very high ketones. She is now on 4 units and her numbers are still very high ( we did a doggie dance today because we actually got down to 402) but even though she is still high the panting stopped. I think Gingers was just not feeling well. She has always panted hard when she is stressed( vet visits, extreme during thunderstorms, car rides etc...).My point being there must be something making Tuesday uncomfortable but I guess thats what you have already deciphered huh? I am very new to this crazy disease and the only thing that I know for certain is "to expect the unexpected ". But on a good note I wouldnt trade a thousand dollars for not having this forum. They have calmed me down when I was about to have a panic attack over Gingers numbers. It has truly been a God send. Good Luck and God Bless

[Dany]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

@Trace65. Thanks for the support. Yes this forum is wonderful. When I found out this dog had Diabetes I knew exactly where to go for advice, right here! Yes I assume she must be in some discomfort, but her panting seems to come after the insulin and by the time the next dose is due, she is no longer panting. I should have a meter tomorow so I can check and see where she is at. I am glad your little one is doing better, even though the numbers are still up there. Some dogs tolarate the high numbers better than others.

[CarolW]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

Welcome back, Robin. So very sorry you lost your Dany. I lost Kumbi just over a year ago, and Kwali, the previous year. Losing our beloved companions is very, very painful. At least happy memories eventually return!

I'm delighted with you for helping Tuesday and her family. If it were me, in the situation you describe, I'd drop Tuesday to 4 units; then do the BG checks. Presumably she'll need a bit more than 4 units; if so, you could then increase by QUARTER-UNIT increments. With a dog that small, I prefer the quarter-unit increases - my vet always did that for Kumbi, very rarely, increasing by half-units at a time.

So, I'll be looking forward to your report, when you're able to test Tuesday.

Tuesday's family is SO lucky to have you as a friend!
Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:23:42 (PDT)

[Dany]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

@Carol
Thank you for your kind words, and I am sorry for the loss of Kumbi and Kwali. It is the hardest thing I have ever gone through loosing Dany. But you are correct, we have wonderful memories to look back on- they are always in our hearts.

As for Tuesday, I dropped her last night to 4.5 and it helped! She slept much better last night no crazy panting or restlessness. The meter comes today so I will try to test tomorrow. With work schedule it is more difficult.

Maybe someone knows about the syringes? I have 1/2 marked and I can barley see the marks on them, I dont know if I could even see the 1/4 marks Carol mentioned.... (Its amazing that just a 1/4 or 1/2 unit change can make a difference, I am so use to vetsulin and having to make a change of at least 2 or 3 units at a time.)

I also think she is in some pain, it seems she has some issue with her bottom. So, I am going to take her to a differnet vet today, my vet! I think that is a lot of her problem so, I will see....

I want to say THANK YOU!!! to everyone who provided advice on lowering the dose! That made a huge difference for her! Ill check back in again after the appt I have later today. but again THANK YOU to everyone you all are the best!

[pat3332]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

Hi Robin,

Maybe Carol found some syringes with 1/4 unit markings, (You know how Carol is ), but as far as I know, there are no syringes with 1/4 unit markings. I think what Carol may be referring to is estimating 1/4 unit between the 1/2 unit markings which can be a challenge for old eyes like mine. I use a visor with manifying lenses to draw up Bailey's dosages because with out the magnification, even the 1/2 unit markings have gotten a little difficult for me to see.

Pat

[CarolW]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

As usual, Pat is right on the button.

Here's a description (with pictures) of the syringes I used with Kumbi:

http://www.coherentdog.org/vek/syringes1.php

I used a magnifying glass to "eyeball" halfway between the half-unit markings, when I was measuring quarter-units. Made sure to have a strong light in which to work.

I'd take more insulin into the syringe than I was going to inject - CAREFUL WITH THAT ONE!- and expel the extra, twisting the plunger as I went, made it easier to avoid expelling too much insulin!

Then I'd double-check the dose, again with the magnifying glass.

Slightly awkward, but workable.

I think there are some detailed pictures with half-unit marked syringes in the Answers section here.

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:19:59 (PDT)

[Dany]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

Hi everyone!

So its been a crazy roller coaster with little Tuesday. But I wanted to give you all an update and let you know she is doing better (knock on wood) She actually had a issue with her anal glands and a horrible infection on her vulva. We had to have her knocked out and treated for her glands and then she was hospitalized as she was in too much pain to come home. However, she is doing much better today! Most of the issues have cleard up and we are actually still on hold to do a curve! Dr wanted us to wait as the issues she went through, infection, pain and meds can mess with a true bg read. Since all visable signs have been ok (water consumption, eating and all that) we feel confident the 5.5 units she is on is a good dose until next week when we do a curve. Anyway, just wanted to thank you all again and ill post an update after the curve. best to you all! Robin (ps the panting is back to normal assuming it was more to do with her discomfort)

[CarolW]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

I'm SO glad Tuesday is recovering! What a thing to go through! yes; panting is a common sign of pain.

Looking forward to your next report!
Wed, 6 Jul 2011 17:27:18 (PDT)

[Tonto]

Re: "Tuesday" diagnosed 6/23 Panting issues!

Is anyone still posting here? I would love to speak with Dany or any anyone who can help.

I have the same problem Dany spoke of in her posts. My dog pants for hours after his insulin injection. He has now developed a weakness problem and can not walk for more then 30 feet before he falls forward. He just lays on his side. I have seen 3 vets now one being an expensive specialist and not one can explain the panting or tell me if the insulin is hurting my dog Tonto. After taking him to the specialist I decided to do a test and not give him insulin today to see what happens. He has not panted once today. His blood sugar was at a low of 182 today and a high of 332 which is what he is with the insulin. I do not want to harm him by not giving insulin but i do not want to harm him by giving him insulin either. It just seems to me like the insulin is hurting him not helping but every vet just puts their hands in the air and say they do not know why he acts like he does after the insulin shot. After reading about a stiffness to the joints that a reaction to insulin can cause I can not help but tothink the sudden onset of weakness in my Tonto's fron legs is fron a reaction with the insulin. I want to stop the insulin for a few days to see if he gets strength back in the legs but if he needs the insulin he will not get the fuel his body needs making the weak leg problem worse. I do not know what to do. Has anyone heard of a reason for panting after an insulin shot? How do I find out if Tonto has a bad reaction to the insulin? Right before he got weak in his legs which happend in 1 day I gave him his insulin injection and Tonto started to arch his back an hour after the shot. These vets by me are worthless. Someone help please.