Our doberman Quincy's final chapter May 4, 2016

[imwildfire]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Quincy is spayed. I tried to add our information like I see at the end of most posts, but I haven't figured it out, yet. Maybe it will show up at the end of this?

Thank you for the tip on carrying something with us for low blood sugar. Had not thought of that.

I've been testing her before her AM meal, a couple times during the day and just before bed time. It worries us, but I guess we have to patient since we've only been at this since Saturday. 428 last night, 264 this AM.

[imwildfire]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Info did show up. Yeah!!

[imwildfire]

When should numbers go down?

We just started on insulin Sat. PM, but the numbers are still so high. Are we being too anxious?

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

good work testing

are you feeding the recommended amount for her according to the manufacturers feed guide?

10 units is a real low starting dose for her weight. around 20 to 24 is a good starting dose

how is she feeling? how are her legs movement

best to do a full curve soon starting at fasting before insulin and food continue every 2 hours till the 12th hour. lets see her complete curve numbers k.

[imwildfire]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Quincy seems to feel fine. No change in behavior. We're feeding 6 cups a day of WD and trying to watch her hunting so she doesn't get any extra snacks. She will "drop it" if we ask and then the other dogs will take care of it.

Her legs are moving OK.

Will try to test every 2 hours tomorrow. We have to go to town, so that may mess it up. If we miss, we'll be home all day Friday and we can get it done for sure.

Numbers have us concerned and we're anxious to see them go down closer to normal

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

okay lets look at the curve, please post it when your done

i,ll check the w/d amount later after you post

your doing great. log everything, no changes

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

just checked the Hill,s website feed guide chart

for a 80 lb dog its 4 1/3 cups a day, your feeding 3 cups

its recommended to feed the right amount of food daily according to the manufacturers feed guidelines. its important to have the insulin meet up with the food.

lets c the curve before changing anything

[chucksmom]

Re: When should numbers go down?

Hi
There is no set time table for getting your pup regulated, or getting the numbers down. And yes, I'd say you are too anxious It takes at least a week of injections for the insulin to settle.

My dog was diagnosed in September 2014 and we're still struggling to get regulated. He's lost weight, had a UTI, changed food amounts. All these thing and so many others affect the blood sugar.

10 units is a low dose for an 87 lb dog. BUT, it is better to start low and move up slowly, so that you don't pass the proper dosage for your pup. And always do a full curve before increasing the dose.

Also, I noticed that you have a thread about Quincy already started. It's always a good idea to post in the original thread, so people can read from the beginning about your dog and all the information you've already posted.

Hang in there, it is a slow process, but you & Quincy will get there.

[CraigM]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

I combined your two threads to keep all the data in one place.

Are you scheduled to return to the vet for a dosage adjustment, or are you planning to manage on your own? Some of us took over day-to-day management, but you probably need a good relationship with your vet. It seems many vets discourage (understatement) for us to take action on our own. A general starting dosage is often suggested as .2 units per pound, so a 80 pound pup might be started at around 16 units. The problem is that there are some pups that don't require this much. Although it's important to go slow, you probably have room to increase up to 16 units as long as you test frequently the first day or two.. You might suggest this increase to your vet?

Craig

[imwildfire]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Thanks for letting me know about the postings. I'll keep it together

If you don't mind, I'll respond to CraigM, Chucksmom and Riley and MO at one time.

We just got back from town, so today's curve is out. It will be done tomorrow. But I did test when we got home. At 1pm it was 345. This morning at 7:30 before eating it was 339. Shot was soon after eating.

We stopped by the vet while in town and showed him the numbers. Chucksmom, he said the same thing. A little anxious, need to wait about a week, but he was glad to see we're keeping a record. Sat. will be a week and he wants us to up the insulin to 12 two times a day then. He also wants her back in next week for an updated weight. He did say we can up it on our own, but he wants to know if we do so he can have input and mark it in her file. He would really like to see us stay at 12 two times a day for a couple weeks before another change. His words " I want to go slow so we don't miss the sweet spot". We love this vet. BTW this rechecking is all done, no charge.

But, having said that, he's not a diabetic specialist, so it's nice to hear from those who have experienced this so we can tell if we're on track or not.

The W/D bag says to feed 6 cups a day for 80 pounds, which is Quincy's ideal weight. Am I missing something? Is that too much?

Quincy's curve will be posted tomorrow evening, so stay tuned

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

yes 6 cups for the dry i was reading the w/d wet can

[amydunn19]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

A cautious vet is a good thing - my original vet had my 11 lb dog on 9 units and started her at 5 units. Way too much insulin ! The general consensus is 1/5 unit per pound to start but some dogs need less than that so best to start low. His numbers aren't ridiculously high so he may be closer than you think.

I don't know if anybody has mentioned it but any time you change food or insulin, give the changes minimum of 5-7 days before making other changes. That way, you know what worked.

Sounds like a pretty good report.

[CraigM]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Not bad at all

Wish all vets were like yours!

Craig

[imwildfire]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Curve results for Quincy. Don't know how you like to see them listed but here are the numbers starting 7:30am before eating and ending with 9:30pm. She gets her shot after eating and she eats at 7:30 am and pm. This is every two hours.
360, 287, 397, 327, 307, 356, 416, 499. The numbers are scary

Tomorrow we go up to 12units, twice a day.

[CraigM]

Re: Quincy, the doberman

Curve results for Quincy. Don't know how you like to see them listed but here are the numbers starting 7:30am before eating and ending with 9:30pm. She gets her shot after eating and she eats at 7:30 am and pm. This is every two hours.
360, 287, 397, 327, 307, 356, 416, 499. The numbers are scary

Tomorrow we go up to 12units, twice a day.

Sounds like a good plan. Today was pretty much a normal day? No extra food / treats?

Craig