A brief history of Buddy. He is a Westie, dx'd 28 January 2010, went from 22 pounds (muscled and no fat down to 14 pounds. When diagnosed he was put on Glyburide for 2 weeks, then on Caninsulin with very bad results and consistent numbers in the 500, went blind almost overnight.
Throughout this period, he had acute pancreatitis, ketoacidosis, had elevated liver enzymes (close to the thousand mark), high cholesterol. , He was switched to Novolin NPH. He had numerous blood panels and tests and Cushing, Addison and thyroid problems were eliminated.
He then went through an ultrasound of the glandular system and cushing was again eliminated, his kidney were found to be functioning well however, he was diagnosed with cholestasis (sludge in the bile ducts) and stones in the bladder. We were told that the stones were small enough that he could possibly eliminate them and to try and increase his liquid intake. He was prescribed SAMe and Ursodiol for 2 months and reacted to ursodiol very violently to it (severe diarrhea and blood). We cut the dosage in half and kept him on for 4 months. He has been off the ursodiol since 30 October, and continued with a maintenance dose of 64mg of Flagyl which he has been on for 5 months. I added cranberry, bilberry, probiotic and a mix of vegetables (green beans, brocoli and spinach) to his meals and he has been eliminating very well since then and the vegetables seemed to have really helped in regulating him.
Buddy also has food and environmental allergies as well an immune deficiency. Since putting him on grain free food, he hasn't had ear and paw infections other than 1 big one in the summer and no gum infection. I brush his teeth regularly as well.
Combined with curves at the vet and my sporadic success in testing, he was gradually increased to 11 units twice a day. Then suspecting Somogy, he was brought back down to 6 units and since his numbers consistently stayed in the 500's, he gradually was brought back up to 11 units and up until about 1 month or so ago, he was doing the best he had been in a long time, was a happy little boy, wanted to play and enjoyed his walks.
Since then his behaviours have slowly changed. He now refuses the water and a bit of tuna that he used to go crazy over. He is going off on his own a lot more, wants to go out a lot more (and not for pee or poop), just to lay down in the yard and sleep, is happy when he hears the word <walk< but it has been a struggle to walk him, he just wants to sit or no move.
We have been weighing him regularly as we noticed that he looked a little more boney yet, he hasn't lost any weight and is still at his normal weight of 22 pounds. He is not in obvious pain, jumps off the couch etc.
Compared to many of you who have challenges with feeding, I always considered that we were very fortunate that he had a ravenous appetite and we always tried to make meal times fun and he would do his happy dance. Lately, his appetite started decreasing and I reduced his portion and reduced the insulin by 1 unit (down to 10) and he continued to do well. He is not drinking to excess.
For some meals (mostly in the morning), we managed to make him eat by coaxing and handfeeding. We thought it was because of the time change and it would correct itself. Then he started fussing for the evening meals as well and this morning, he just wouldn't eat his regular food. I tried scrambled eggs, Buffalo canned food and nothing, so we gave him 6 units.
I use the Chemstix and test for UTI weekly and no sign of bladder infection.
I am getting quite concerned about my little man. I live in the country and no choice in vets. He is due for a Wellness exam in January, unless someone suggest a visit before. Frankly, our vet and the staff all think that Buddy has been <nothing by the book< dog and my confidence level is somewhat low.
Any suggestions or comments as to what could be happening to my little man or what I could do would be appreciated
Louise
Throughout this period, he had acute pancreatitis, ketoacidosis, had elevated liver enzymes (close to the thousand mark), high cholesterol. , He was switched to Novolin NPH. He had numerous blood panels and tests and Cushing, Addison and thyroid problems were eliminated.
He then went through an ultrasound of the glandular system and cushing was again eliminated, his kidney were found to be functioning well however, he was diagnosed with cholestasis (sludge in the bile ducts) and stones in the bladder. We were told that the stones were small enough that he could possibly eliminate them and to try and increase his liquid intake. He was prescribed SAMe and Ursodiol for 2 months and reacted to ursodiol very violently to it (severe diarrhea and blood). We cut the dosage in half and kept him on for 4 months. He has been off the ursodiol since 30 October, and continued with a maintenance dose of 64mg of Flagyl which he has been on for 5 months. I added cranberry, bilberry, probiotic and a mix of vegetables (green beans, brocoli and spinach) to his meals and he has been eliminating very well since then and the vegetables seemed to have really helped in regulating him.
Buddy also has food and environmental allergies as well an immune deficiency. Since putting him on grain free food, he hasn't had ear and paw infections other than 1 big one in the summer and no gum infection. I brush his teeth regularly as well.
Combined with curves at the vet and my sporadic success in testing, he was gradually increased to 11 units twice a day. Then suspecting Somogy, he was brought back down to 6 units and since his numbers consistently stayed in the 500's, he gradually was brought back up to 11 units and up until about 1 month or so ago, he was doing the best he had been in a long time, was a happy little boy, wanted to play and enjoyed his walks.
Since then his behaviours have slowly changed. He now refuses the water and a bit of tuna that he used to go crazy over. He is going off on his own a lot more, wants to go out a lot more (and not for pee or poop), just to lay down in the yard and sleep, is happy when he hears the word <walk< but it has been a struggle to walk him, he just wants to sit or no move.
We have been weighing him regularly as we noticed that he looked a little more boney yet, he hasn't lost any weight and is still at his normal weight of 22 pounds. He is not in obvious pain, jumps off the couch etc.
Compared to many of you who have challenges with feeding, I always considered that we were very fortunate that he had a ravenous appetite and we always tried to make meal times fun and he would do his happy dance. Lately, his appetite started decreasing and I reduced his portion and reduced the insulin by 1 unit (down to 10) and he continued to do well. He is not drinking to excess.
For some meals (mostly in the morning), we managed to make him eat by coaxing and handfeeding. We thought it was because of the time change and it would correct itself. Then he started fussing for the evening meals as well and this morning, he just wouldn't eat his regular food. I tried scrambled eggs, Buffalo canned food and nothing, so we gave him 6 units.
I use the Chemstix and test for UTI weekly and no sign of bladder infection.
I am getting quite concerned about my little man. I live in the country and no choice in vets. He is due for a Wellness exam in January, unless someone suggest a visit before. Frankly, our vet and the staff all think that Buddy has been <nothing by the book< dog and my confidence level is somewhat low.
Any suggestions or comments as to what could be happening to my little man or what I could do would be appreciated
Louise
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