Maggie

[Maggie'sMom]

I have a 7 year old Jack Russell - She has been diabetic since Jan 2013. We did well until this past March-- Could not find Humlin and had to switch to Vetsulin. That is not working too well -- She is up to 6.5 units twice daily and still running in the low 300. She is eating W/D by Hills right.
1/2 can twice daily --I am looking for a dry food to give as treats. She does not like the dry W/D by hills. I also have another Jack -- He's 11. and as crazy as he was at 2. Any ideas would be helpful.

[Judi]

Re: Maggie

I cut freeze dried liver into little pieces but I'm not sure it is the healthiest choice

some people just keep boiled or baked chicken in the fridge to give as treats.


Did you try Novolin N from walmart? It's the same type of insulin as Humulin N just made by a different pharmacy. $25 per bottle. A lot of us switched when Walmart switched with no problems.

Judi

[amydunn19]

Re: Maggie

Good to see another JRT named Maggie on here - what a coincidence! My Maggie developed diabetes 7 yrs ago when she was only 7. I had another JRT who I lost a couple of years ago at 15 and he was seriously crazy and hyper until the day he died.

I would switch to Novolin N from Walmart. If you had good results from humulin, you likely will see good results from it.

I use freeze dried buffalo, or roasted chicken strips from Bravo, freeze dried sweet potatoes(Pure Vita or Grandma Lucy's), string cheese, chicken or duck jerky(Etta Says or Merrick). My Maggie goes higher with any liver based treats. As long as it is just regular meat and not from the fattier liver, it seems to be fine. I also used boiled chicken as well. Many do green beans but my Maggie is a diva princess who doesn't eat those.

[Charlie's mom]

Re: Maggie

We use string cheese or homemade chicken jerky

[k9diabetes]

Re: Maggie

Do you test her blood sugar at home?

Has a blood glucose curve been done recently?

Is she still on Vetsulin or are you back to NPH, either Humulin or Novolin/Relion?

Has she been evaluated to see if something started in March, some other health issue that contributed to her having higher blood sugar?

Some terriers need a relatively large dose of insulin. I've seen a couple of 24 pound terriers (rat and maybe JRT) who needed 21 units of NPH per injection. They had good blood sugar and no Cushing's or other problem = they just needed unusually large doses... maybe it's the fiesty terrier personality/metabolism.

Fill us in with as much detail as possible. We may be able to suggest some changes that could improve her regulation if we know more.

Natalie

[Maggie'sMom]

Re: Maggie

Wow -- Thanks for all the ideas. She had a curve done in April -- Can't get a whole lot out of the Vet -- She keeps asking me how's she doing !! She is great -- Sleeps all night - When we went to 6.5 units -- the vacuum cleaner nose stopped. We are going for another curve later this month. I do not test at home. My vet does not recommend it. She said it's too hard. I would like to be able to do it. Really thinking about changing Vets.

[amydunn19]

Re: Maggie

Some vets don't support testing. The reasons are pretty varied - some don't want you going all crazy and changing doses when you don't really understand it without their input. Some think if they suggested it, people might be too overwhelmed and the thought of testing along with the other changes would be too much and they might want to just euthanize. Another reason also could be the loss of that income from those curves or simply loss of control.

Testing can empower you. It helped me to understand the disease so much better. It also saved my Maggie a few times.

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Maggie

Wow last curve was in april, this is september

all i can suggest is to buy a meter, lancets, strips and get going with controlling your dogs blood sugar

i did saved my dogs life. I needed to know what his bg was fasting before meals. Dogs blood sugar reading is like a themometer and can go up and down.

help your dog get him monitored, were here to help you

[Maggie'sMom]

Re: Maggie

We were doing a curve every 4 weeks when sugar was good -- I saw another vet filling in and she told that the curve test should be done about every 4-6 months if all is well but check sugar every 4 weeks unless I notice a change. Her sugar starting go up mid March so my regular vet did a curve late April but told me not to change anything. Had sugar check again in first of May -- still going up. I took it upon my self to change dose from 6 to 6.5 and re-check in 4 weeks. In 4 weeks back down to 340 -- four weeks later down to 320. The regular vet was not happy that I changed myself. But I felt going every 4 weeks to find out its still going up and she doing nothing what can it hurt !! My regular vet still insists checking sugar every 2 weeks and a curve every 4 weeks. This time she told me that she will not refill my insulin prescription next time unless I follow these orders. That gets expensive every month. I have been shopping around and found my vet is on the top of the price scale for these tests. So I'm going to change vets and ask about others types of insulin.
Maggie is a happy, spry little dog. I can tell when that sugar starts to go up. Thanks for lending an ear so I can vent !!

[JoJo's mom]

Re: Maggie

Hi
I would check out the Novolin-N at Walmart it is pretty much the same as Humulin-N except it is $24.88 and you do not need a prescription.
Also as everyone else mentioned I highly recommend home testing. Everyone here can walk you through it.

Mary

[amydunn19]

Re: Maggie

Threatening to not refill a prescription is a sign that your vet is not willing to work with you. I personally agree that four weeks is too long to go before changing. Changes in dose or food generally need at least a week to show results and sometimes longer but definitely not a month.

Changing the dose without a curve was probably fine in this case and I understand you doing it but I wouldn't do it again unless you are testing. This is what will tell you what is really going on and what may be appropriate.

You don't need permission from anyone at any time to home test and educate yourself. I highly recommend it. We can help you learn everything you need to know. It is really a matter of changing the way you view vets in general. Diabetes is a very tricky illness and many vets don't have the experience to really treat dogs that don't go by the textbook and many are stuck in their ways and treat every dog the same. We have found that every dog reacts differently to food, insulin, dosages, medicines, etc. Testing and studying your dog's patterns will make you more of an expert on the subject of your dog than even your vet is. You can totally do this!

[Cara Sandler]

Re: Maggie

Testing at home takes a little practice but is totally doable, and your pup will do better long term with the added information you will get from home testing. And I definitely agree with switching vets. As long as you are going through the process of switching vets already, you might want to look for an internal medicine specialist. One of the things they specialize in is diabetes.

[Maggie'sMom]

Re: Maggie

So what kind of Nutrisca food does your dog eat ?? How was the cataract surgery ?
My Maggie does really well but just wondering about it .
Thanks

[amydunn19]

Re: Maggie

I rotate the flavors - chicken, lamb, and salmon. I can't tell any difference with her sugar between them - I do a little wet with her dry. The Nutrisca wet is like a stew so it makes the dry appetizing.

The cataract surgery went well with no complications but it is alot of drops and it takes some careful coordination to keep them all straight. Maggie went blind quickly and never adapted well - I think because hers was very sudden. She stayed in a panic. If you weren't constantly touching or talking to her, she was frantic. I tried to help her find her way and make it easier but she had terrible separation anxiety from an abusive background and the blindness seemed to make it worse. I was relieved she was a candidate for surgery and it was worth the risk for her. If she had adapted well to blindness, I wouldn't have done it but in her case, I would do it again without hesitation.

[k9diabetes]

Re: Maggie

I definitely think home testing would be very helpful to you and to Maggie.

No one can stop you from testing her at home. If they're a really caring vet, they will appreciate the additional information.

While I agree that relatively frequent monitoring is better - and hence why home testing is a good idea - I can't support your vet's approach to trying to extort your cooperation with having her do it.

If you are using NPH insulin, a prescription is not actually required to buy it. Most Walmarts will sell it to you without one and has the best price for Novolin N as Relion N. But other pharmacies that ask for a prescription are strictly following a store policy as it is not required.

You can also buy syringes online and usually at Walmart.

Hope you can find a vet who works collaboratively rather than as a dictator. It makes a BIG difference in the quality of care delivered.

Natalie

My regular vet still insists checking sugar every 2 weeks and a curve every 4 weeks. This time she told me that she will not refill my insulin prescription next time unless I follow these orders. That gets expensive every month. I have been shopping around and found my vet is on the top of the price scale for these tests. So I'm going to change vets and ask about others types of insulin.
Maggie is a happy, spry little dog. I can tell when that sugar starts to go up. Thanks for lending an ear so I can vent !!