Cyra

[bunnylvr]

Hello! Thank you for providing such a wonderful site. My dog Cyra was diagnosed a week ago with Diabetes. I have been reading and reading trying to find out everything I can. I hope I don't ask too many questions and I appreciate any info you provide.

My questions is this - can diabetes be "triggered"? I don't mean caused, but activated by certain actions? Three months ago Cyra had a full check-up including bloodwork (she is a 9 year old doberman). Her thyroid was on the very low end of acceptable and she has a weight issue. We decided to give her a very low dose to see if this would help. At that time I was also changing her diet from Costco's Salmon and Sweet Potato to Blue Buffalo's Longevity Mature. Now three months later, she is diabetic, which I caught because of increased water consumption over about 10 days. Yes I am a paranoid mom! Could these changes have triggered it? I know the answer should be no, but it just seems odd to me. Oh, I also had her thyroid checked and it is perfect now.

Thank you!

Erica

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

Hi Erica,

Welcome to the forum.... and certainly not for the circumstances that you are here... but glad you found us. I think we all have tons of questions when we first come onto the board... so ask away.

I believe that Diabetes can be induced by some drugs, but perhaps I may have missed something in your post, but you mentioned a lose dose, but a lose dose of what? I don't believe that Thyroid medicine is one of those drugs. Overweight dogs can cause diabetes, and but sometimes dogs just get diabetes.... as it is a autoimmune disease. Some dogs are prone to getting diabetes more than others. We just never know... In any case, don't blame yourself.

Fortunately it is a disease that we can control, even if it looks we can't. I have found that dogs our pups are quite adaptable, and have a strong will to live... perhaps because they are 'sweet'.

Let us know a little about how much she weighs, and if she is on insulin what type and how much, and what her current diet is.

Typically vets will start them off on NPH, which the Novolin brand can be purchased (Relion... Walmart trademark, using the same Novolin NPH) for 24.88 a bottle vs. Humulin NPH (same type, different brand), for about 70. Most supplies like syringes can be purchased at Walmart for a fraction of the cost as well.

Barb

[farrwf]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

The use of steroids can sometimes trigger diabetes.

[momofdecker]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

I believe hypothyroidism indirectly caused Decker's diabetes. BUT, I also believe his hypothyroidism may have gone undiagnosed for around six years. In 2006, when was three years old, he went to the vet because of reactive behavior he was showing towards our then two year old daughter. He'd had a ten pound weight gain from age two to three. Yet his vet at the time never ran any blood work and just put him on hormonal meds. Got us through the rough patch but his behavior remained nervous and reactive to many things.

Fast forward to 2011 and he was diagnosed with diabetes. Had several fatty tumors and a pot belly. Again, his vet never ran any blood work.

Fast forward to June 2012 - he diabetes went uncontrolled. Finally started testing him for concurrent diseases. Turns out he suffered from chronic pancreatitis. His cholesterol value was over 1000 and his triglycerides were 383 at fasting. Hypothyroid dogs can have difficulty clearing lipids from their system. High lipids can cause pancreatitis. Repeated bouts of pancreatitis can lead to diabetes. Pancreatitis, in it's chronic form, can be subclinical. Decker ate great, never vomited, had normal and regular potty habits. The only reason we know he suffered from pancreatitis was because he was tested for it.

If your pup's thyroid was low normal you may have caught it early. But it may be worth looking closer at the cholesterol value. Many routine blood panels don't test triglycerides so unless that value was specifically requested/tested you may not have a record of triglycerides. Good news is that once thyroid treatment is started, at least with Decker, he dropped 11 pounds in eight weeks and his cholesterol value and triglyceride value both went back into normal range. We were also able to control his diabetes once he started thyroid meds.

And more good news, diabetes can be treated with some routine planning and lots of patience. Lots of great info on this site. Lots of great folks here to support you. Welcome!

[spiritdog6]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

I'll say this. Both my dogs got sick at the same time. Hunter with diabetes, Side started with hypothyroidism but truly had cushings as well. How do 2 dogs get so sick at the same time? Cushings shoved Side into diabetes I believe.

My guess, is that a treat I gave them, shoved them into these diseases. There came a time where neither wanted that treat any more.

All the Specialist were "wowed" that I had 2 sick dogs, this sick at the same time. Most told me to play the lottery..haha, not.

I blame a treat the ones with chicken strips inside, used to be USA made, and then moved to China, now out of Viet Nam.

I blame that treat. What are the odds?

[Cebe]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

I wanted to blame a flea/heartworm pill for my dog's diabetes but eventually, I realized it wasn't that. It was just her luck...poor pup.

There is a temporary form of diabetes caused by environmental factors, like poisoning, but it's very rare.

[amydunn19]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

I am 99.9% certain that a copperhead bite which set off an almost fatal pancreatitis attack is the culprit for Maggie's diabetes. She was on the verge of death for several days and my guess is her pancreas just finally gave out when she turned 7.

In fact, I think the same snake bite depressed her immune system and brought on the insane number of allergies she has to everything on earth.

[bunnylvr]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

Thank you so much for the comments, I dont feel as crazy now!

Cyra is taking .4mg of thyroid daily, plus her Proin at 75mg twice daily. She has been on that for 5 years though. I also give her Glyco Flex III, which has been long term. I have kept her on the Blue Buffalo Longevity Mature, which I really like and she does too. We went in and had her sugar checked yesterday and raised her insulin to 14 units twice a day, from 12. I am using the Novolin N from walmart, it was $25. I am fine with giving the shots and I am getting used to the schedule, I have my phone alarm set. But my vet did recommend shots one hour after eating if possible or half an hour if not. She doesnt have issues with vomiting. This seems longer than what I am reading?

I am coping well, I have lived through liver failure and kidney failure in my other dogs, so hearing she had diabetes was almost a relief. I am choosing a meter too. It is a bit hard, my sister's dog has diabetes and my mom's cat, but they don't use a meter or monitor it correctly in my opinion! So everyone thinks I am nuts trying to take care of her.

[bunnylvr]

Can diabetes be triggered?

I am trying to find the appropriate treats to feed Cyra. She is used to getting a "cookie" with her thyroid and joint supplement at night (I worry it will upset her stomach). I also want to give her one when she gets her shot. I had no idea so many treats contained molasses! I did some serious treat shopping at Walmart, which is the only store close, luckily they have some high end limited ingredient treats. Then I find out I have to worry about carbs? What about treats with apples or pumpkin? Is that too much sugar? I assume her regular rawhide squares are okay?

[CraigM]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

I think many give standard dog treats as a part of a meal, sort of like giving dessert after the injection. As long as its the same "treat", given at every meal, it just becomes a part of the meal.

Between meal treats can be a problem for some pups, causing an increase in glucose levels. Some use very small pieces of chicken and don't see a glucose rise. Others (me) might give 2-3 pieces of frozen green bean (yep, straight out of the freezer) as a treat after a blood test. Annie also likes small pieces of broccoli, cauliflower or even an ice cube as a treat!

Craig

[CraigM]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

Forgot to comment on the rawhide question. Of course every dog / situation is different, the best way to know about treats is take blood readings before and shortly after.

Annie doesn't frequently get rawhide, but when she does her glucose readings would frequently drop! This is because she really gets excited and tries to hide it. Plus the chewing action seems to be the same amount of exercise for her as going on a fast walk. Blood testing is the way to tell how treats, exercise, stress, etc. affect our pups.

Btw, let us know if you would like to change the title of your thread to "Cyra", or something else and a moderator can make the change for you.

Craig

[bunnylvr]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

Thank you Craig! Can you please change my thread title to Cyra? I was wondering if I could do that.

Erica

[amydunn19]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

I don't feed rawhide but only because I almost lost another dog to an obstruction - rawhide can be dangerous plus many companies treat their rawhide with dangerous chemicals.

I use freeze dried meat treats from Bravo like Buffalo or Salmon, spoons of chicken or turkey baby food, pieces of kibble, low fat string cheese, dried sweet potatoe chews, hard boiled eggs... If you have an ice cube tray, you could take Progresso Chicken Broth and freeze it like ice cubes as a frozen treat. Traditional dog cookies usually have lots of carbs and drive Maggie's sugar very high. Some people use frozen green beans but my picky dog will not eat those.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

Treats I use:
Healthy Bars (Blue Buffalo): Bacon and Egg - they do not have molasses. for shot time.
I use boiled chicken breast (I get the thinly sliced) and use tiny bits for rewards.

My Abby was a treat hound, she has everyone trained to go to her closet and give her a treat. They now get a tiny piece of chicken, and she is ok with that.

Some other treats I have used are Honest Kitchen Catfish strips, when she would like something else that takes a little more time, as well as the Sweet potato chew....

I stay clear of those that are made in China.

Barb

[momofdecker]

Re: Can diabetes be triggered?

Decker and his k9 brother got rawhide bones quite frequently before his diabetes was diagnosed. We eliminated them from both dogs after Decker's diagnosis. However, when Decker's spinal compression progressed and we knew his time was limited we did indulge him and once again let him enjoy his raw hide bones. More often than not we did note a raise in blood glucose (bg) from the bones, but under the circumstances it was something we were willing to compromise on.

Forgot to mention that if there is no history of vomiting, it may be worth giving the injection during or just after eating, instead of waiting 30 to 60 minutes.