Rorky, my fiesty Pom!

[Carolyn]

Carolyn & Rorky
Pomeranian...Wt.15lbs...DOB..5/10/98...DX...4/5/06...Caninsulin..8u am...7u pm...MediCal(canned+dry)..loves fr.gr.beans,charlie bears,chicken jerky & medi treats.

I just want to say Thank-you to Natalie and We Hope.
I read as many post as I can but do not post much myself,(dealing with a huge issue in in my life, Alzhiemers).
Natalie, Rorky has been having lows lately and I have to tell you that your info on treating a low is a god send to me. I love syrup!! In and out, I`m know this has saved me many problems with rebounds! I home test:p
I love the idea of not messing around with the normal routine and then trying to fix things. It makes so much sense, thank-you again.
I`m not an expert and my Rorky is priority, I follow my vets advice and she is well aware that I am on a Canine DM board. I home test and do my own curves (cost) and she is so supportative.
She knows I`m decicated to Rorky.
I just have to say that I`m not one who will take it upon myself to do what a lot are doing, changing diets, insulin, doses etc. I guess I`m just the old school.
I will though, give syrup and maybe lower the insulin a tad but I find I don`t really have to make to many changes if I use my common sense and follow your advice, Natalie and We Hope.
Thanks!!!
So simple and it works.
I hope my post will help others.
My meter is the freestlye mini (Flash in the US)
Thanks We Hope, looks like it was a good choice. I loved that meter comparisom graph.
Fondly,
Carolyn & Rorky

[We Hope]

Hi Carolyn,

Your Rorkie reminds me of some lovely folks we had at the other board a while back. Virginia had a Pom named Jita.

When you make too many changes at one time, you run the risk of having things go wrong--what's even worse is that you don't know which one(s) may have been the wrong choice(s). If you need to make some changes, do that one at a time and give that change enough time so you can see if it's really better or not.

Before Lucky passed the year milestone, we had to change insulin 5 times; 3 changes because it wasn't working for him in one way or another and once because the manufacturer discontinued it. We changed food only once--just before the switch to the discontinued insulin.

I can't think of any major change made for Lucky that wasn't in full agreement with our vet and myself.

When the AlphaTrak meter for pets was fairly new, the people at the Feline Diabetes Message Board decided to compare that against the human meters their members were using. The graph is a result of their testing efforts. This was made part of the Pet Diabetes Wiki when I was working on it.

I hope you will find time to drop in like this and type us a few lines to let us know how you and Rorkie are doing!

[k9diabetes]

Hi Carolyn and Rorky,

It is lovely to see you here! Rorky's so cute (probably hates my saying that - doesn't sound very fiesty to be "cute'!)

I'm really glad to hear you have a flexible and supportive veterinarian who is not threatened by outside information. That makes a huge difference. I guess our vet must be supportive... he doesn't ask! But then we started working with him long after I took over Chris' management.

These forums get focused on the problem children and after a while I think it seems like "we" expect everyone to home cook, adjust insulin, calculate diets, get perfect blood sugar every day, and perform brain surgery...

None of which is true, of course, but it can seem that way.

Chris is a freak of nature whose body acts more like a cat's than a dog's sometimes so he didn't give me much choice but to tailor a program just for him. I'm always thrilled to see dogs who regulate quickly and easily on a stable dose of insulin and a consistent diet.

So congratulations to you and Rorky for doing so well. You not only should not feel like you have to do otherwise - you should pat yourself on the back for what you have accomplished!!

If I'm not prying, and feel free to say so if I am, is this Alzheimers you are experiencing or someone in your family?

Natalie

[BestBuddy]

Hi Carolyn,
Regardless of how often you get here it is nice to see you. Glad to hear Rorky is doing well. Keep us updated.
Jenny & Buddy

[ladysmom06]

Hi Carolyn,

Glad:) to hear that Rorky is doing well and you have a vet that is supportive of you - my vet is the same way. When I read some of the stories others have posted about their vets I thank my lucky stars for my vet. She always listens to what I have to say first and tells us that no one knows Lady like we do. She encouraged us to hometest and was happy when I decided to do it. If she's not sure of something she never hesitates to check with the IMS. I agree with Natalie - Rorky is sooooo cute. Hugs to the two of you.

[Carolyn]

Hi all
I know it`s been awhile since my last post (many other issues) Sorry
Anyway, I just got the results today of Rorky`s Wellness senior blood work.
Rorky was 10 on the 10th of May, DX with DM April 5/06.
His Bg was high but that is not a worry as he stresses so much, I home test.
Here are his results. the one that bothers me is the ALKP, his ALT is normal.
My Q: is with no signs cushings and even before DM he had elevated ALKP, 2005, went back to normal and now up again.
My vet said we would just watch him and test again in 6 mos. I agree as he looks the picture of health and his coat is shiny and you would never know by looking at him he had any medical issues.
I`m going to try and post his blood panel results, hope it works!!
I would love to hear what you think, Natalie and We Hope. Should I worry??
Thanks so much everyone.
Luv Carolyn & Rorky
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w93/Duchess45/RorkysWellness.jpg

[k9diabetes]

Hi Carolyn,

I believe that an elevated AlkP is fairly common with diabetic dogs. It's the one thing on Chris' blood work that was elevated until we got better control of his blood sugar.

At his diabetes diagnosis, his AlkP was 207. But I believe that he was diagnosed almost as soon as he developed diabetes so I don't think he had been experiencing high blood sugar for very long at that point.

Unfortunately, he had very few blood panels done during the year he was very poorly controlled, about April 2004 to June 2005 so I can't say how that impacted his AlkP levels.

In June 2005, when we had somewhat better blood sugar control, his AlkP dropped to 179 and by November of 2005, when we had switched to Regular four times a day so finally were covering his blood sugar all day, it was down well into the normal range - 30s and 40s mostly. Dropped a lot during that five months, presumably thanks almost entirely to control of his blood sugar.

He was tested for Cushings along the way also and always came up normal on an ACTH.

Rorky's results are higher than the one I have for Chris when his blood sugar was high but it's not off the charts and I wouldn't be surprised if Chris' levels were higher when his diabetes was poorly controlled. So I suspect it could be diabetes related.

Is there a correlation between Rorky's AlkP levels and his degree of blood sugar regulation?... that is, was he especially well controlled when his AlkP decreased?
_____

Just went back and dug out Chris' Vet Hospital notes from April 2004, just as he was no longer honeymooning and lost all insulin production. Poor guy - his blood sugar was 669 and the fructosamine was 1,000!

And they decided, just in case it was rebound, not to increase his insulin....

(By the way, it's a treasure having copies of all these notes. I routinely get a printed or faxed copy of every single lab test done by a vet.)

Natalie

From WSU Vet School (http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/lab.aspx):
Alkaline phosphatase originates from many tissues in the body. When alkaline phosphatase is increased in the bloodstream of a dog the most common causes are liver disease, bone disease or increased blood cortisol either because prednisone or similar drug is being given to the pet or because the animal has Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism). In cats, the most common causes of increased alkaline phosphatase are liver and bone disease.

From PetPlace (http://www.petplace.com/dogs/understanding-blood-work-the-biochemical-profile-for-dogs-2/page1.aspx):
ALKP is important in metabolism and is found in liver cells. High levels indicate bile duct obstruction, Cushing's, liver disease, certain cancers and may be due to certain drugs such as steroids or phenobarbital. Low levels indicate starvation or malnutrition.


Links to those and some other sites are on the Comprehensive Links (http://www.k9diabetes.com/complinks.html) page at k9diabetes.com (http://www.k9diabetes.com).

[Carolyn]

Hi Natalie
Thank-you so much for replying, it is appreciated more than you know.
Seems like Rorky`s ALKP was elevated before diabetes, in the high 200`s.
His BG usually runs in the 100`s to 250 range with the odd >300 when DH slips him a cookie (human) ugh!!
I`ve have low ones like 38, 58 and some in the 70`s but not for awhile now.
Rorky shows no sign`s of a low, the tyke.
I`ve found 1/2 tsp. of syrup followed by food brings him up nicely without sending his bg skyrocketing. Works well but not had to use syrup for some time now.

My Vet mentioned Cushing's because of the elevated ALKP but said without any sympmptons and also the fact that it was elevated before diabetes we would just keep a close watch on it. She also said some dogs have this all their lives with no signs or symptoms of any disease but diabetes can also be the problem.
I asked if Milk Thistle would be helpful, she said I could try it if i chose to. I also thought of SamE (sp)
Wondering if this could be beneficial in lowering the ALTP?

Natalie, you are so right about getting copies of all test etc. My Vet just know that I keep good records on Rorky and that I want a record of everything.
Well I would prefer not to have a record of the bills though. When I wonder why I have no new cloths I check them and then I Know why. Oh well, he is worth it and I`m to old now to worry about being a fashion Queen!!
Natalie, if you have any thoughts about the supplement I am all ears.
Also thanks for your email and I`m going to reply to that soon, how sweet of you.
Animal people are truly special aren't`t they.
All the best to you and your furbabies. How is Chris doing???
Luv from Carolyn & Rorky

[eyelostit]

Welcome to the board Carolyn and Rorky :)

You'll like it here, great people