My Baby Boy Greyson!

[brittanyt]

My 3 1/2 year old Brussels Griffon, Greyson, was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He was fine up until around 2 months ago and after an allergy shot (vetalog) he started showing signs. The Dr. said it is more than likely steroid induced.

We took him to a vet who we were told handles a lot of these cases and he wanted to keep him for the day for testing. I just got off the phone and was told he has ketosis. I'm crying my eyes out. I just need someone to talk to who has been there. I don't understand exactly what ketosis is. I've googled it but I am still left with many questions. I am so scared I'm going to lose him. I lost another Brussels Griffon 3 years ago this month. I have no children. He is my little boy.

He has been eating Science Diet w/d and seems to like it pretty well but he has always been a grazer. I don't know how I'm going to get him adjusted to eating twice a day and then I'm worried I won't be able to get him to eat enough to give him his insulin. I've never given a shot before.


I'm sorry this is turning into a novel but I've been reading this board since I found out he might have diabetes and I knew I could come here and find some support. I am picking him up at 5 today and they want him to come back in the morning. He has never been left alone and probably is thinking he is being punished.

He loves chew bones and now I can never give him one. Are bully sticks alright for diabetic dogs? I need to find something safe for him. I give him baby carrots as treats and he loves those but I need to find a safe chew bone. If anyone could reply, I would so greatly appreciate it. I feel so alone.


brittany
little rock, ar

[brittanyt]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

i forgot to ask about excercise. he only goes outside to potty. do i need to take him out for walks when he starts his insulin? i have read to keep excercise consistant but he has never really been an active dog. he is around 11.5 pounds.

when i talked to the vet and found out he has ketosis, he told me to pick him up at 5 and he wants him back in the morning. i asked if i would start insulin tonight and he said he would give it to him before i took him home. i'm not sure what i need to watch for between the time i pick him up and take him back. i thought ketosis occured when diabetes is left untreated for a long time. it has been a little over a month since he started showing symptoms.

i also don't know what he can eat besides the w/d tonight. should i maybe withold the baby carrots/green beans? i don't want to interfere with the insulin shot. i'm a nervous wreck!

[k9diabetes]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hi Brittany,

Aaawwww.... Greyson is absolutely adorable (like you didn't know that already)!

Ketosis is a side effect of having very high blood sugar. With no glucose available to the cells because of the lack of insulin, the body starts to attack its own tissues for fuel for the cells. That process generates ketones, which are acidic and they build up in the blood, eventually becoming toxic.

Treatement is to get insulin started so the body can stop attacking itself and therefore stop producing ketones. And they usually also get fluids to help rebalance the blood and rehydrate.

The main thing to know about ketones is to avoid them! You can test for them at home using urine strips called ketodiastix (see Ketodiastix here) that you can buy at most pharmacies so you will be alerted right away if ketones start appearing again.

It will be important to stick strictly to the new diet for now. The carrots are a bit sugary as a snack so I'd skip them for now but green beans are an excellent treat and snack. They have almost no calories so are freebies. So it's great if Greyson likes them! Chris was disgusted by vegetables in general!

All the other stuff like bully sticks should wait until you have a chance to get Greyson regulated and on a good regimen. Once you get there, you may be able to sneak him a few things once in a while. In particular, we used treats to reward Chris for his injection. We figured his calories for his mini milkbone into his meals so they weren't really snacks. But he loved them.

So I take it Greyson started acting diabetic a month ago but was not diagnosed until yesterday?

A month of high blood sugar is plenty long for ketones to show up. The body is starving without insulin - Greyson could eat 4,000 calories a day and get almost none of it into his cells to actually use if he doesn't have any insulin.

Natalie

[k9diabetes]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

So in reading back, I'm a little confused about the timeline... did the vet try to treat Greyson's diabetes with diet only? Cuz it sounds like you have had him on WD for a while but not given insulin.

Exercise is not needed for treating Greyson's diabetes. A dog's diabetes is basically like Type 1 diabetes in people. They lose the ability to produce insulin so it's not related to diet or exercise the way Type 2 diabetes in people is.

Do look at the signs of hypoglycemia: http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Hypoglycemia

I hope too that the vet will fill you in on these kinds of things.

Not to worry... all of us have been where you are right now. I know how scary it is. But you've taken a great step by educating yourself as much as possible. Diabetes is very manageable - it just takes some time to get it all sorted out.

We will help you. I'm also available by email if I am not around the forum a lot. This week especially I've got a ton of work to do so may be only in and out. You can always email me at k9diabetes@gmail.com. But Kathy and the rest of the group here are very knowledgeable and will be happy to help you or just hold your virtual hand!

I'll bet you will be so glad to have your little guy back home with you tonight.

Natalie

[ladysmom06]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hi Brittany,

Welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here but glad you found us. I know how scary all this is for you - we have all been there. You are not alone - we're all here to help and support you. Read all that you can and ask as many questions as you need to. Good luck with Greyson. Hugs to the two of you.

PS- Like Natalie said - he is so adorable!!!!!!!!!

[brittanyt]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

natalie-

yes, the vet wanted to try him on the w/d for 7-10 days to see if diet alone would change anything. he didn't think it would do much but wanted to try it just in case. the next time he checked his blood sugar, it was 339. it came down from 441 but still way too high.

luckily he told me from the get go that he had not had much experience in treating diabetic animals and he referred me to a specialist about 30 minutes away who dealt with it on a regular basis.

this morning was the appointment with the specialist. we left him there all day. i'm on my way now to pick him up. when i called to check on greyson at noon, i found out he had ketosis. i'm still not quite sure what caused it. i have to take him back in the morning for another day.

thank you for your reply and your email address. i'll more than likely be messaging you.

So in reading back, I'm a little confused about the timeline... did the vet try to treat Greyson's diabetes with diet only? Cuz it sounds like you have had him on WD for a while but not given insulin.

Exercise is not needed for treating Greyson's diabetes. A dog's diabetes is basically like Type 1 diabetes in people. They lose the ability to produce insulin so it's not related to diet or exercise the way Type 2 diabetes in people is.

Do look at the signs of hypoglycemia: http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Hypoglycemia

I hope too that the vet will fill you in on these kinds of things.

Not to worry... all of us have been where you are right now. I know how scary it is. But you've taken a great step by educating yourself as much as possible. Diabetes is very manageable - it just takes some time to get it all sorted out.

We will help you. I'm also available by email if I am not around the forum a lot. This week especially I've got a ton of work to do so may be only in and out. You can always email me at k9diabetes@gmail.com. But Kathy and the rest of the group here are very knowledgeable and will be happy to help you or just hold your virtual hand!

I'll bet you will be so glad to have your little guy back home with you tonight.

Natalie

[brittanyt]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

thank you! he's quite a ham in front of the camera. that was last august when he turned 3. i'm going to have to come up with an alternative for a birthday treat.

Hi Brittany,

Welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here but glad you found us. I know how scary all this is for you - we have all been there. You are not alone - we're all here to help and support you. Read all that you can and ask as many questions as you need to. Good luck with Greyson. Hugs to the two of you.

PS- Like Natalie said - he is so adorable!!!!!!!!!

[Bichon Mum]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hia

AWWWWW your little man is SO cute.

You've already had fantastic advice - just wanted to say hello.

I am sure everyone is scared to death at first (Zeno had Ketones at first as his levels were so high, we soon got him sorted when he was on insulin - he even had keytones recently when poorly with pancreatitis). I was so frightened for him when he was diagnosed, but that was over THREE years ago - and you just get into a routine.

I hope Greyson's feeling better very soon.

Hugs

Sharon

[brittanyt]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

i'm probably just being paranoid but are there any certain things i need to watch for tonight? he had insulin twice at the vet and now he is home and acting kind of restless.

he seems almost irritable and can't get comfortable. for the past 30 minutes or so he has just stood in front of me staring and every once in awhile he will whimper. this is when i wish animals could talk! i have no idea what he wants. he has plenty of water and i've just taken him out to potty so i'm clueless.

any ideas if insulin could cause restlessness/irritability? he is usually so laid back. he is definately not himself. =/

thanks in advance.

[snow]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hi

Your baby is so cute, what a cheeky little face! I am new to diabetes too so I can't help much. I can tell you it does get better, once you figure out what is going on. There are lots of great links and helpful people here who are very nice.

snow
ps I was deer in the headlights petrified when my dog was diagnosed. It gets better.

[k9diabetes]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hi Brittany,

I wish I could say what his behavior means... you all are so new to this that it's a guessing game right now. They tend to be uncomfortable with both high and low blood sugar so it can be hard to tell the two apart.

Just be sure to look at the link on hypoglycemia... that will tell you some of the things he "might" do.

If any doubts about blood sugar being too low, you can give a little syrup and see if that perks him up. If his blood sugar is high, he will feel maybe a little worse.

Did you already get the ketodiastix?

They test sugar in the urine and that would give you some idea whether his blood sugar is likely high or low.

Natalie

[brittanyt]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

greyson is back at the vet for another day of testing.

i can't seem to find a straight answer for this and i'm hoping someone will know.

greyson LOVES to chew on dental bones/rollhides/rawhides. he used to get them when i would come home from leaving him or if he was away from me at the groomer. now, he is confused as to why he no longer gets them.

can anyone suggest a safe alternative? i've read mixed reviews on bully sticks. i know regular rawhides are a no no. i want him to have something to chew on because he really does enjoy it. any advice would be appreciated!

thank you all again for your replies. it helped me through a really rough day yesterday. tomorrow i will start the insulin on my own and i'm VERY nervous. :/

[Bichon Mum]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hi there

Ahhh I hope Greyson picks up for you poor fellow.

I thought raw hide bones were OK - when Zeno was first diagnosed I am sure I was told be experience diabetic people that it was OK to give them him. He loved them for a while but then went off them.

Have you been told never to give them to him? I'm sure a skinny little rawhide bone (you mean the wee hard skinny sticks?) won't harm - what do other people think?

Hugs

Sharon

[pgcor]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

Hi Brittany:

I feel so bad for you and Greyson. I was very frightened when my Pip was diagnosed too. Is there someone at home with you that can hold Greyson when you give him his first shot? It will be easier for you and it will give you a little more confidence. My husband and I did this for quite awhile until we felt more comfortable. The Vet made us give Pip his first shot in the office so they could watch us. Once you give a few shots the nerves will relax. I promise.

I was told early on that rawhide chews were not an issue with diabetes. Some folks didn't like them because they were afraid of choking - but I still give Pip one every once in awhile. I would give them more often, but I have two dogs and they fight over them.

You might even consider giving Greyson a treat or a rawhide before you give him his shot. It takes their minds off the inevitable!

I break up two diabetic cookies and while Pip is eating I lift the skin to form a tent and insert the needle.

I don't want you to worry...do your best to relax. I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable person here - by far, but I would be happy to give you my phone or cell number if you need to talk.

Hang in there Brittany, all will be well.

Pam

[brittanyt]

Re: scared to death (Greyson)

i picked him up at 5 today and had a long talk with the vet. she was so patient with my list of questions and i left there feeling a little better. she went ahead and gave him his second shot but showed my mom and i how to do it.

i actually take care of my mom, who has a heart condition so she lives with me. i know she is going to do whatever she can to help me with his injections and will be here to watch him when i'm not. the only thing i'm really still worried about is that he still has ketones. i think i'm saying that right? they are not as bad as yesterday but still present. i'm assuming that will get better by the day.

i'm still a bit confused on how much insulin to give him. the vet gave him 1 1/2 units and when i asked how much to give him in the morning she told me to first get a urine sample when he wakes up and test it with a strip. then i'm supposed to call the vet with the results to find out how much to give him. i hate not knowing for sure what to give him, as i don't want to overdose/underdose him.

would i be better off buying a blood glucose meter? she told me i didn't need one for now but with the wknd coming i'm not sure how i'm going to know what his levels are.

this is becoming a novel, sorry everyone. thank you all again for your help. i don't know what i would have done if i hadn't found this board. my vet was extremely impressed with all the information i had and i told her about you guys.

she is going to give me her home number in case i need her this weekend so that is wonderful knowing that in case of an emergency i can contact her.

did you all have a set dosage given to you for your first day of starting your sugar babies on insulin? i just thought it was strange they would want me to call to find out the dosage. =/

Hi Brittany:

I feel so bad for you and Greyson. I was very frightened when my Pip was diagnosed too. Is there someone at home with you that can hold Greyson when you give him his first shot? It will be easier for you and it will give you a little more confidence. My husband and I did this for quite awhile until we felt more comfortable. The Vet made us give Pip his first shot in the office so they could watch us. Once you give a few shots the nerves will relax. I promise.

I was told early on that rawhide chews were not an issue with diabetes. Some folks didn't like them because they were afraid of choking - but I still give Pip one every once in awhile. I would give them more often, but I have two dogs and they fight over them.

You might even consider giving Greyson a treat or a rawhide before you give him his shot. It takes their minds off the inevitable!

I break up two diabetic cookies and while Pip is eating I lift the skin to form a tent and insert the needle.

I don't want you to worry...do your best to relax. I'm certainly not the most knowledgeable person here - by far, but I would be happy to give you my phone or cell number if you need to talk.

Hang in there Brittany, all will be well.

Pam