new to diabetes

[MisterMax]

Re: new to diabetes

Thanks Craig. That is helpful. I stressed about him all day.
I did put chicken and water soaked with chicken on his food. He drank the water and ate the chicken and a little kibble. I took JesseGirl's advice and didn't force it hoping he knows what he needed. Tonight, he has been a bit more engaged, so I'm going to continue to take my cues from him.
Again, thank you! I am so appreciative of this site.

Dixie

P.s. I got a referral to a specialist today and my AlphaTrak. Now, all I need to do is get the courage to begin poking him.

[MisterMax]

Re: new to diabetes

Can someone offer some suggestions on how to draw enough blood to test? I tried multiple times with the lancing device that came with the AlphaTrak. I tried settings 1 and 4 on his ear and pad and was unsuccessful on drawing enough to test. I am not really interested in going to the mouth if I don't have to.
Thank you!
Dixie

[CraigM]

Re: new to diabetes

Can someone offer some suggestions on how to draw enough blood to test? I tried multiple times with the lancing device that came with the AlphaTrak. I tried settings 1 and 4 on his ear and pad and was unsuccessful on drawing enough to test. I am not really interested in going to the mouth if I don't have to.
Thank you!
Dixie

I get that problem every once in awhile.

I test on the ear, and usually give he area a little rub before testing. Are you still using the lancets that came with the AlphaTrak kit? I think those are 26 gauge and generally are thick enough for me, but I order slightly thicker 25 gauge lancets from Amazon. Common lancets usually sold at local stores are very thin 30-33 gauge: good for humans, but seem to be too thin for dogs.

BTW, I use a battery powered grooming razor from PetCo every couple of weeks to clear a strip on the ear to test.

Just wait for summer. The ears flow blood like a river when warm. Annie likes to lay out in the backyard "sunning" in the summer and will almost scare me when I test her: blood dripping all over the counter and floor!

Craig

[wild lady wolf]

Re: new to diabetes

Hello,

Have you tried the dual claw pad? I take turns with the right and left areas. It's not easy to get enough blood at the 1st try!

Just take another lancet, as it is best not to use them but once and try near the previous area. He lets me squeeze as long as I am gentle while doing it, and I really have to flash my iphone light to see if blood is coming out since he has black pads

There have been times where it took me 3 tries, just don't give up.

Stay calm because it DOES get easier w/time.

[MisterMax]

Re: new to diabetes

I am not sure of the gauge of the lancing device. It doesn't tell me anywhere I can see. It is the device that came with the AlphaTrak monitoring system. All I know is it is really small! I poked myself to see if it would draw blood and to check the settings. The poke was so small I hardly bled. Max's pads are black and he doesn't sit or stand still long enough for me to find a good spot, get him lanced, find the blood and get it on the meter. For a dog who had been so lethargic, he seems to be pretty lively when I want to test him. I tried to get a sample this morning when he was not fully awake and completely relaxed. He kept pulling his leg back in when I was attempting to straighten it out. ARGH!

Do people use the lancing devices more than once?

Thanks you for your suggestions!
Dixie

[LizE]

Re: new to diabetes

I think the Alphatrak comes with a 28 gauge lancet. I use a 26 gauge. What helps me is to start the process early. My dog is older so I start with a back and neck massage and some general loving.

Then I roll her over (head towards me with me sitting on the floor) and do some more tummy rubbing and massage and stretch her legs. I think this helps get her blood moving so the testing goes easier. When I'm ready I poke the dew pad and then gently coax the blood out. It rarely just beads up on its own. If the dog is pulling her leg back then maybe use two people - one to hold the leg and one to test - until the dog settles into the routine.

I also do not use the top cover on the lancet (I could never get that to work) and just use the base as a holder for the needle. If your still having trouble just really poke it in - like her life depends on it. It gets much easier with time and my dog adjusted pretty quickly, terrier attitude and all.

I know you're supposed to change the lancet every time but I usually do two pokes to a lancet. They are very cheap but it's more a convenience thing for me.

Hang in there! It will get easier.

[CraigM]

Re: new to diabetes

For years I didn't use the clicker at all, I just held the lancet needle between my fingers and plunged it in!

You might want to invest in a box of 25 gauge lancets. My local pharmacy had to order them because there isn't a big demand for the thicker sizes. Or, order online: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0070...+gauge+lancets

Craig

[amydunn19]

Re: new to diabetes

I would get the thicker lancet and maybe try a different area to test. I used the base of the tail just to the side. Or look for a skin tag or wart. You can shave the hair and rub the area with a warm cloth. I never used the clicker - it made me jump - I just used the lancet and poked and it was much easier. If you have Kroger grocery stores, their pharmacy has a 23 or 21 gauge lancet.

[MisterMax]

Re: new to diabetes

Good morning. I have had a small success. I was able to get 2 blood/glucose measurements. They are better than when he was at the vet, but still way too high (2/8 @ 9 PM to practice was 451. This morning @ 6 AM is was 492) . I am having difficulty getting him to consistently eat. Last night, he ate about 1/4 c. of his food and some chicken breast meat. I gave him 4 U of insulin about 15 minutes after I thought he was done eating. He ate the remaining 3/4 cut of food about 15 minutes after the insulin was administered. I did not give any additional insulin. IS that the right thing to do?

Thank you,
Dixie

[LizE]

Re: new to diabetes

Congrats on getting the testing to work! I hesitate to give advice about the rest of your situation - my dog is on novolin, has no other medical complications and is fairly easy to regulate.

Given that I can sympathize with having a poor eater. My dog was very sick when first diagnosed and it took weeks for her appetite to return. Plus she was never a morning eater to begin with. It seems that time and getting her BG numbers in line helped her appetite a lot. When her numbers are high she doesn't want to eat.

She still just won't eat breakfast occasionally or only eats some and then finishes her meal after her walk.

In those cases if she doesn't eat I give her half a dose. Then we walk. She doesn't go far but it takes almost an hour. She will almost always finish her meal afterwards then I do the rest of the insulin. I usually do a lot of spot checks of BG on the days she doesn't get a full dose after a normal meal just in case.

You need to find out how low your dog's numbers are going and when that is happening. Keep a written record and share that info with your vet. My vet is a lot like yours and more of a basic animal practice with not a lot of specialty work. However, they've been pretty good about using the info I give them to help keep my dog healthy. With your elevated numbers I wouldn't be surprised if they asked for a urine sample to rule out a UTI.

[DerbyMom]

Re: new to diabetes

I have been testing my dog, Derby, using the inside of his lip. There is a vein there that is easy to tap on either side of the mouth. He is very tolerant and I give him a treat afterwards. I didn't have any luck with the pad or the ear.

I roll up his lip and then use the lance and then quickly take the measurement.

To help with a picky eater, I sprinkle Stewart's Freeze dried Chicken Liver treats over the food. My dogs love the treats and it makes the food so much more appealing in terms of smell.

[amydunn19]

Re: new to diabetes

If you suspect that he doesn't like this food, then you might want to either go back to your old food or find another food that he will eat. I had a picky eater and she would never eat the prescription foods - she would refuse it even if she starved. Fighting the food battle is no fun and is risky. Diabetes can be successfully managed on many different types of food from home cooked to commercial to prescription. Prescription food is not required.

[MisterMax]

Re: new to diabetes

Update: Max saw the internal medicine vet this morning. An ultrasound showed no real significant issues. It does NOT appear as though he has Cushings! Huge relief! I learned he is anemic. She believes he may have an ulcer or a bleed in his GI tract. Hopefully, if we can get this under control, his energy will get better.
Unfortunately, he lost 7 pounds in the last week. The vet confirmed what others here have suggested about the food, i.e. go back to his regular food if he will eat it. It is not required he eat prescription food.
He is still really lethargic and his BG is still really high. His weight loss is a concern, but I am feeling better after today's appointment.

[Judi]

Re: new to diabetes

I'm so glad you went to the specialist. Hopefully you can get Max to eat and get that blood sugar down also

[CoCoMom]

Re: new to diabetes

I use the dewclaw with good success and no resistance. I read somewhere on this forum that it helps to "heat" the area first and it seems to work for me. Just warm with a heated rag for a minute and stick. I also just hold the lancet in my fingers - I realized when I first started that I wasn't getting enough needle penetration with the "sticker" therefore no/little blood. Now it works every time. One other thing - If you are at all squeamish about giving insulin shots look into an auto injector. Just bought an Autoject by Owen Mumford for shots and I love, love, love it. It has been a godsend. (Thank you Pat!!!) We have been dealing with diabetes and cushings since April 2016. Good Luck!