Help! Switching from Novilin N to Vetsulin

[Raysaint]

Re: New to this and really struggling.

Same with my dog, not much skin to tent down the side from the spine. I can go maybe 2 inches either side of the upper spine just below the shoulder blades.
However, I think the scruff works pretty well, my regulation and numbers have progressed well for the most part.

[MaggieLemons]

Low BG prior to insulin half-life mark

Hi All,

Maggie has been diagnosed diabetic since around June. The first two months of her diabetes journey were hell (due to our fear/newness and her terrible lack of appetite), but we've had her on a perfectly regulated routine for several months now and she is doing great! I haven't taken her in for a curve in a while, so I took her for one today. Her specialist said that Maggie's BG bottomed out at around 100bg at 9am, which was earlier than she wanted it to bottom out. We administer 19 units Novolin N (she's about 55 lbs, tad bit on the "fluffy" side) religiously at 545am and 545pm every single day.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else's pup has "bottomed out too soon in the day." Her specialist says that she would prefer for it to be around 11am-12pm (6 hour mark), but she wasn't all that concerned. She reduced the insulin dose to 18 units and requested a 3-month follow up.

Has anyone experienced this before? Is 100 a dangerously low BG?

Thanks,
Jackie

[k9diabetes]

Re: Low BG prior to insulin half-life mark

As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter when the lowest blood sugar happens.

Some dogs have "mountain" curves and have the lowest BG at meal and injection time - actually, that's my favorite kind of curve as you know the blood sugar won't go much lower during the day and night between injections.

All I care about is the range - that it doesn't go too high or too low. Bottoming out at 100 sounds great to me! What was the rest of the curve look like?

I think the problem for vets is they're shown a "textbook" curve and struggle to know what, if anything, to do about one that doesn't follow that pattern.

Natalie

[MaggieLemons]

Re: Low BG prior to insulin half-life mark

Hi Natalie,

Her BG curve was 9:00a - 104; 11:00a - 115; 1:00p - 206; 3:00p - 451.

Another weird thing that we talked to her specialist about was her unusual shedding. It's traditional shedding - no bald patches and no skin issues. She's always been a summer shedder, not a fall shedder, but she skipped her summer shed and instead started around the beginning of November. The specialist said that it's possible her DKA caused an interruption in her shed cycle in the summer (when she was diagnosed) and she is now returning to normal and shedding like she would have earlier. She said that she does not suspect Cushing's, which was my main fear.

Warm regards,
Jackie

[bichons9]

Re: Low BG prior to insulin half-life mark

NO..if someone is present at all times. If you are around constantly 70-80 doesn't bother me since I will provide a snack and test her in 0-60 min, but many cannot be at home constantly. We started finding Suzie's nadir 4 hours or less after the NPH but it's not consistent now. An early nadir does not surprise me with NPH..but now Suzie's entire pattern has changed. The experienced people here know better than I...Good Luck!!!!

[Scooterspal]

Re: Low BG prior to insulin half-life mark

Her BG curve was 9:00a - 104; 11:00a - 115; 1:00p - 206; 3:00p - 451

Forgive me, but how does your vet consider a level of 451 to be "perfectly stabilized"? If you're injecting intermediate insulin at 5:45pm in the afternoon, Maggie is at 451 (or likely much higher) for some 3 - 5 hours. Have you tested her during the night, as well?

Any level above 250, from my understanding, is very high and leading to a potential for blindness, if not corrected.

[MaggieLemons]

Bad breath

Hi Guys! Does anyone have a diabetic pup with horrific breath? Our girl, Maggie, diagnosed about 10 months ago has developed terrible breath. Does anyone have any experience/advice for this?

Warmest wishes,
Jackie

[jesse girl]

Re: Bad breath

ketones can cause the breath to smell like nail polish . This would be seen with very high blood sugar and a serious matter

Infections are not uncommon in diabetic dogs and that could include the mouth

have you had a vet take a look ?

my jesses breath has not had any abnormal breath smell being diabetic

[farrwf]

Re: Bad breath

Teeth problem?

[Raysaint]

Re: Bad breath

As jesse mentioned, high ketones makes the breath smell like acetone/nail polish remover.
Bad teeth is also a cause of really bad breath.

Even sour stomach can make it a bit unpleasant.

[wild lady wolf]

Re: Bad breath

My husband explained the specific smell of keytones to me and that is part of our pup’s bad breath...but for 7 years, his teeth are really bad looking compared to his older “sister” who doesn’t have diabetes.

Every other day we give each a dental chew “treat” that seems to help. I’m unable to afford the cost of veterinarian dental cleaning.

[jesse girl]

Re: Bad breath

https://www.zymox.com/zymox-oral-care-product-line


I have not used on jesse but heard positive results form other members . Zymox appears to put out some good products . You could give it a try and see if it helps

[MaggieLemons]

Weird BG curve

Has anyone's pup had a curve that shows them bottoming out too soon between insulin injections? We give our girl her food and 18 units Novilin N religiously at 530am and 530pm. She's a 52 lb pupper, almost 10 years old. Her most recent curve (today) showed:
830a - 140 BG
930a - 74 BG
1030a - 94 BG
1p - 138 BG
That means that her curve bottoms out around the 4 hour mark. Her vet is going to call me tomorrow with results from a full CBC and Urinalysis workup. She also reduced her insulin to 16 units. Just curious if anyone has experienced this?

[jesse girl]

Re: Weird BG curve

Hi and welcome

What type of insulin are you using ? its not unusual to see the lowest number (nadir ) at any time in the day

I would have reduce the dose also

[Lolo]

Re: Weird BG curve

Mine hits her low anywhere from 4-6 hours but she’s on the 70/30. Then she shoots back up unfortunately. By hour 8-9 she’s super high again.