new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus

[Charlie's mom]

Re: new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mell

It really, really does get easier to give the injections. We hold the filled (and capped!) syringe in our hands to take the chill off the insulin; if it is too cold Charlie does flinch. We inject while he's eating, he's such a chow hound now that nothing will get him away from his food. It's only been 4 months for us.

And sometimes we just need that ugly girl cry! You painted such a vivid picture.

Hang in there, you are among friends.

Laura

[amydunn19]

Re: new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mell

Oh, we have all been there. This can be a roller coaster ride of emotions and sometimes it is overwhelming but in time, everything will get easier. I promise it will.

Regarding injecting, Maggie cries every single time I have ever tried to inject her in the scruff. So, I stopped trying. Pick another spot -along the back(not directly over spine but to the side), along the sides of the body,or the hindquarters. As long as it is loose skin and not in a muscle, you should be fine. Also, you don't have to tent. Some dogs find tenting painful - simply pull up the skin and inject at the lowest point. Tenting was always very awkward for me so I don't do it.

Don't beat yourself up about it - nobody is born knowing how to do this. I never would have thought in a million years that I would have to give my dog injections every day. In the beginning, I was a train wreck. It is a wonder Maggie survived. I actually gave myself part of a shot(long story), forgotten it, given it twice, left the insulin out for a couple of days and on and on.

One thing to try is to remain calm and resolved. She is probably picking up on your nerves too.

[Akiah'smom]

Re: new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mell

My Husky was just diagnosed too a couple of weeks ago. My head is spinning trying to understand the right path to take. My vet doesn't seem particularly knowledgeable on the subject and I want to find one that understands and knows how to help us treat him. I noticed he had lost a considerable amount of weight in the past 3-4 months, he was throwing up a clear, thick bile for no apparent reason, his beautiful blue eyes looked faded, he suddenly began to urinate in our lake house (our residence has a pet door) and he was drinking a lot of water. He seemed to generally feel good though so we thought he had a digestive issue. I am not sure what a desireable reading is for a dog. My vet indicated 130 was acceptable, his has gone from HI (over 700) to 76 on Friday. He is taking 23 units morning and evening .

I am trying to learn more about a raw diet and wonder if anyone has changed their dog to raw.

[amydunn19]

Re: new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mell

My Husky was just diagnosed too a couple of weeks ago. My head is spinning trying to understand the right path to take. My vet doesn't seem particularly knowledgeable on the subject and I want to find one that understands and knows how to help us treat him. I noticed he had lost a considerable amount of weight in the past 3-4 months, he was throwing up a clear, thick bile for no apparent reason, his beautiful blue eyes looked faded, he suddenly began to urinate in our lake house (our residence has a pet door) and he was drinking a lot of water. He seemed to generally feel good though so we thought he had a digestive issue. I am not sure what a desireable reading is for a dog. My vet indicated 130 was acceptable, his has gone from HI (over 700) to 76 on Friday. He is taking 23 units morning and evening .

I am trying to learn more about a raw diet and wonder if anyone has changed their dog to raw.

I copied this post to a new thread especially for your dog so you will have a place to tell everyone about your dog and get some input.

[Monsters Momma]

Re: new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mell

okay.....today it all hit me for some reason. I mean the last 3 years have been so difficult, my darling has done amazing, through each struggle she has been happy, strong, astonishing in every way....I have been trying to keep up with her strength. lol
Today, I decided it was a good afternoon to cry. And cry I did. You know....the ugly girl cry with mascara running, snot and tears pouring. Gathered my senses about me after a bit, and went and gathered my vibrant incredible girl in my arms and smothered her in kisses and hugs repeatedly saying how much i love her.
She was diagnosed likely with in 4-5 weeks of the onset, so now I am concerned about the Honeymoon period. Her specialist is a 2 hour drive in hectic crazy traffic, forked hi ways and mergers. I have never driven it....I can not handle the crazy traffic, and so many wrecks.
I have Karo syrup on supply for emergency, I am keeping daily journal on her behavior for stellar clinical report, we do glucose curve test Monday.
She is giving a breif yelp at injections. She moves about so much. I put mat on table and put her on table grab scruff with one hand make a tent and inject at the best horizontal angle i can, by then she has moved which of course likely moves the needle, i know its less than one second.....but ugh!!!!!!! then give her a rinsed 1/2 greenbean for positive re enforcement. with tons of praise!!! Wish i almost had little poles and coupler her harness on either side between the two poles so she cant move but suppose that wouldnt hold head neck area in place.
how long does this part of adjusting to giving you own baby injections alone last? will welcome the no biggy feeling any day now.

Stormee! I wish I could give you a big hug but the best I can do is a virtual one!! I hope this week is better than the last! How did the curve on Monday go?

[jjefferjo]

Re: new to this forum, my every heart beat has just been diagnosed with diabetes mell

It will come just hang in there
we have all been where you at one time or another.