Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

[peggy0]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Hi Kim

How is Jessie doing?

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

I went out of town for a couple days of fun. Just got home and haven't heard anything yet. I will let you know when I get an update. Fingers very crossed. Thanks for asking. Kim

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Word is that Jess is doing very well. She hasn't pottied in the house in 5 or 6 days, is very playful and full of energy. She is eating some veggies for treats.

Thanks! Kim

[Patty]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Kim,
That is truly great news
Patty

[CarolW]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

I'm here watching, too; hope this trend continues, without any rebound! I think likely, it still remains to be seen, though.

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:06:46 (PDT)

[peggy0]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Hi Kim

How is Jessie doing? Hope things are going well

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

She is still doing fine. She goes in the curve this a.m. The vet is meeting them early so they can get a reading prior to eating/insulin. Then they will pick her up at 5:30. I'll let you know what the readings are. Thanks for asking. Kim

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

I had a very brief conversation with my mom. She emailed me the test numbers. I am in shock... first off, the stepdad was to drop her off at 7:15 (30 mins before they open) so she could get a read PRIOR to food and insulin right? Well here is what she sent me:

Jessie's numbers were 8:00 530 , 10:00 480, 12:00 402 2:00 458

This is at 10 units 2 x daily. He said that he phoned a specialist at Kansas State Univ (we have NO IMS specialists in our entire state) who indicated it was safe to increase the dosage as much as 25%. So he recommended they increase to 12 units.

See a trend? 6,8,10,12?

My mom did say that Jess is acting very normal, not at all lethargic and is eating well and no peeing in the house or dribbling.

Kim

[peggy0]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Is Jessie still on Vetsulin?

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Is Jessie still on Vetsulin?

No. Right after I told them about it being taken off the market and gave them copies of the letters sent to vet they returned it to the vet and put Jess on human insulin. The Walmart variety. Curious as to why you ask?

Thanks, Kim

[Patty]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

So to recap Jessie's curve history:

4/5/10 she had 6 units at 7 am

8 am 570
11:30 am 362
1:30 pm 398

increased to 8 units for next week

4/12/10 she had 8 units at 7 am

9 am 552
11 am 560
1 pm 580

4/26/10 I wonder what time she got food/insulin if she was supposed to be there at 7:15 for a fasting blood draw and it's usually given at 7am?

10 units

8 am 530
10 am 480
12 pm 402
2 pm 458

told to increase to 12 units

I'm a bit amazed too Kim. Glad she's not having large swings in blood sugar like the 1st curve which swung 200 points. I wish they'd gotten a 4pm reading. Is her food still the same?

What state are you in Kim? I will tell you my experience with an IMS at KState was that they were kind and concerned with my dog's diagnosis. But as far as philosophy, when I was there in '08 they didn't put a lot of stock in curves. I was told by the IMS that curves vary too much from day to day even under the same circumstances and with the same person so they rely on fructosamines.

They also discouraged me from home testing, but in the case I would need to know her blood sugar in an emergency or to get an idea how things were going they agreed to help me get blood from her for my meter. However, the best we could do was scratch her ear with a large gauge needle in the attempt. This was early on, like a week after diagnosis and I hadn't found the boards here yet.

I'm still not in favor of increasing 2 units at once in a small dog as a general rule. I do hope they slow down as she comes into better range. I can't remember Kim, has she had high triglycerides at all? That would effect blood sugar. It's just surprising with the 300s we'd seen on 6 units.

Glad Jessie is feeling good in general!
Patty

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

I am in Nebraska. K State sends specialists to Omaha once a month for appts. Not sure if he phone there or to K State. I also don't know any details of the qualifications on who he talked to.

I asked them multiple times to get a copy of the blood test that was done but didn't get one. My mom did ask about triglicerides and he said they were normal.

It is also strange because that first reading was when I am sure my stepdad was still feeding her lots of treats (feeling sorry for her). Now she's on green beans.

Should be interesting... I have to take my newly diagnosed cush dog in for testing tomorrow. I'm bringing him several articles to read.

I'll keep you posted on Jess. Thanks, Kim

[BestBuddy]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Kim,

Those numbers are not improving and they don't jump around much but the insulin just does not seem to be kicking in.

You have probably said but what is Jessie eating?

Are they giving the injection straight after the meal?

Another thing which we all forget to check is the insulin being mixed before being drawn up. Rolling the vial (not shaking) gets the suspended insulin mixed and have you checked that the syringes are U100 for the "N" insulin.

Also are they drawing up the right amount (without air bubbles) and finally is it being injected correctly just under the skin?

Sometimes the basics get forgotten so I just thought I would mention them.

Something is not right because raising the insulin is not helping so I just hope it is something easy and it can be fixed soon.

Jen

[AlisonandMia]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Couple of other questions: How is the insulin being stored - in the fridge but not getting frozen? (Insulin is delicate stuff with a delicate structure and it is easily "broken" and degraded.) Did the vet use the same vial as was being used at home?

Alison

[frijole]

Re: Jessie, Min schnauzer just dx-ed

Kim,

Those numbers are not improving and they don't jump around much but the insulin just does not seem to be kicking in.

You have probably said but what is Jessie eating?

Are they giving the injection straight after the meal?

Another thing which we all forget to check is the insulin being mixed before being drawn up. Rolling the vial (not shaking) gets the suspended insulin mixed and have you checked that the syringes are U100 for the "N" insulin.

Also are they drawing up the right amount (without air bubbles) and finally is it being injected correctly just under the skin?

Sometimes the basics get forgotten so I just thought I would mention them.

Something is not right because raising the insulin is not helping so I just hope it is something easy and it can be fixed soon.

Jen

Iams Minichunk Proactive Health

Crude protein 25% minimum
Fat 14% min
Fiber 4% min
Moisture max 10%
Omega 6 2.5%
Omega 3 .17%

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Every time I have been there, yes right AFTER the meal
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Unknown if he mixes it up and no I didn't confirm the syringe but he did buy them at the same time. I forwarded your questions to my mom.
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He scrunches the skin around the neck and inserts there. He does check the amount (though he is in his 70s) I know he checks for bubbles too

Thanks Jen.