Your dog's diet, insulin, and meter used

[k9diabetes]

Hi,

To help everyone new to diabetes in their dog, please post what you use(d) for your dog:

Dog's name, breed:
Dog's weight:
Diet:
Insulin:
Number of units per injection and injections per day:
Brand of BG meter if home testing:

And feel free to add any additional information you feel would be helpful, as well as to update or add to your post as things change.

Natalie

[k9diabetes]

Dog's name, breed:
Chris (male)
mutt of unidentifiable origin (two DNA tests failed to identify)

Weight:
average of 60 pounds

Diet:
Last was Canidae canned chicken, lamb, and fish mixed half and half with cottage cheese or chicken

Insulin:
Novolin (Relion) Regular

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
average of 7 units per injection
four injections per day, every six hours

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
Mostly OneTouch Ultra, which was an average of 30 points low from lab values

[Debbie & Apollo]

Dog's name, breed:
Apollo, Yorkie

Weight:
average of 13 pounds

Diet:
Hills W/D dry and some canned (at shot time)

Insulin:
Vetsulin

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
4 1/2 units per injection
2 injections per day, every twelve hours

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
Use Urine test strips -
have OneTouch Ultra - need to get brave enough to use :)

[We Hope]

Dog's name, breed:
Lucky (neutered male), chihuahua

Weight:
9.9 lb

Diet:
W/D canned 1/3 can twice daily

Insulin(s):
Human Lente-type--worked for one week.
Compounded Beef Insulin--just as successful as the human insulin was.
Iletin II Lente (pork Lente)--regulated quickly on 2.5 units (IU) twice daily-product discontinued shortly thereafter.
Iletin II NPH (pork NPH)--used 3.5 units (IU) twice daily for about 2 months. Lucky had intolerances of the NPH suspension and preservatives.
Caninsulin/Vetsulin--regulated quickly on 4 units (IU) twice daily. U40 strength allowed us to "fine-tune" Lucky's great control using pork Lente insulin and make it even tighter.

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
4 units (IU) Caninsulin twice daily, every 12 hours.

Lucky was always professionally tested at least once a week.

Lucky had immune-mediated insulin resistance. His body recognized that the insulin wasn't his own and would react as if it was something harmful to be disposed of, such as a virus. The insulins would be destroyed by his system before they could do much about lowering his bg's. Pork insulin is a 100% amino acid match to canine insulin; when we arrived here, his body no longer destroyed the insulin, since it was just like his.

[Mickey'sMom]

Dog's name, breed:
Mickey....Bichon/poodle
Dog's weight: 16.9 lbs 6 years old
Diet: green beans, brown rice,chicken or turkey breast..some cesar dog food..
Insulin:
Vetsulin...7 units twice a day
Brand of BG meter if home testing
Accu-Chek Ultra


Mickey is also on a potassium pill once a day and Denamarin (milk thistle) once a day

[BestBuddy]

Dog's name, breed:

Buddy, Miniature Poodle, Age 15

Dog's weight:

5kg (11lbs)

Diet:

125g Science Diet Mature canned, 20g dry

Insulin:

Humulin N

Number of units per injection and injections per day:

5iu BID

Brand of BG meter if home testing:

Medisense Optium

Supplements & extras:

Glucosamine, Vitamin B, Amoxycillin, Benefiber, Lactilube & Acular for eyes

Jenny & Buddy

[Cara's Mom]

Dog's name,breed:
Cara
English Setter (Blue Belton)
Diagnosed Aug. 1, 2008
Cataract surgery and lens implantation Jan 22/09

Weight:
22.5 Kg (49.5 lbs)

Diet:
1 cup WD, 85 gr cooked chickenbreast, 3/4 c chopped green beans / twice day before shots
AM only 1 - 20 minims capsule cod liver oil

Insulin:
Caninsulin (Vetsulin)
Changed to NPH oct. 2011

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
10 units/AM 9 units PM

Brand of BG meter:
OneTouchUltra II, AlphaTrak
Keto-Diastix Urinestrips

[eyelostit]

Dog's name, breed: Niki 11 yrs old

Dog's weight: 44 lbs

Diet: 1/3 C Ground Turkey, 2/3 C Brocolli, 1/2 C Orijen sometimes a little brown rice.

Insulin: Relion Novolin NPH 10 1/2 units AM & PM

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 2

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Alpha Trak for curves, Walmart Relion meter for daily use, will use Alpha Trak if I feel there is a problem. I have used other meters but I'm satisifed with the Alphatrak and the Relion meter.

[ladysmom06]

Dog's name - Lady

Breed - Jack Russell Terrier

Weight - 11.5 lbs.

Diet - Chicken ,Turkey or Beef, Oatmeal, Cottage cheese, String beans, Celery

Insulin - Humulin N

Number of units - 5 units twice a day

Brand of meter - One Touch Ultra

Medicine - Trilostane 30 mgs. once a day for Cushing's

Supplements - Cosequin, Fish Oil, Milk Thistle, Pet multi vitamin

[CarolW]

Kumbi Ya Sentry X. Twitch y Thunderpaws
Red Australian Terrier, neutered male
Date of birth: 19 November, 1996
Diagnosed 1 September, 2006.
His sire, Buck, had diabetes also

Kumbi is in glowing good health; has been since last winter.

weight: 20 pounds

Diet: Medi-Cal Fibre Formula, one cup dry, 4 grams canned, twice a day, 12 hours apart; small treats of broccoli, low-fat cottage cheese, and the like.

Insulin: Novolin NPH
6.5 units, twice daily, 30 minutes after meals

One-Touch Ultra; One-Touch Ultra2; will be receiving a GlucoPet for testing and evaluation and reporting, to feature on my web site

Mostly blind from diabetic cataracts; has a bit of peripheral vision; apparently sees light and dark.

Kumbi came to me as a gift at eight months and two days of age, direct from breeder. I had him neutered two weeks later (with breeder's consent).

We walk twice a day from 20 to 40 minutes, with elder companion Australian Terrier (not related), Kwali Corazon Houdini Porcupine Twinkletoes; she is 1.5 years older than Kumbi, and came to me in poor condition at age 17.5 months (returned to [the same] breeder). These two are great buddies, and Kumbi benefits greatly from the companionship (so does Kwali, who is recovering from a mild stroke), at age 13.5

Cohort VekToria TwinkelMaus invites you to investigate further at:

http://www.coherentdog.org/vek/veksitemap.php

I'm brand new here; thanks, Natalie, for the great welcome!
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:48:33

[Ricksma]

Okay...here's Ricky's info:

Dogs name, breed: Ricky Ricardo Williams, Chihuahua

Weight: 11.1 pounds (big boy!!)

Diet: Baked chicken breast, baby food green beans, (2) patties of baked W/D

Insulin: Humulin N 3 1/2 u 2 x day, Humulin R 1/2 u 2 x day (R not given if bg is under 100).

Meter: Accucheck Aviva- I also have an Alphatrak, but I find it difficult to use, and the strips are very expensive.

Supplements: Milk thistle, CoQ10, multivitamin, digestive enzymes

[Dollydog]

"Dollydog" LADY is an Australian Terrier, 12 years/4months, almost 15lbs, usually almost 16lbs(normal before diabetes was 17.5lbs)
Presently taking 14iu's Caninsulin twice daily and 35mgs Trilostane daily for her Cushings.
2 cups of food per day, 1 cup dry, 1 cup wet and is a mixture of Hill's t/d small bites, Canidae Senior and Science Diet Senior: plus Medi-Cal High Fibre, cooked chicken, broccoli, some dry moistened with Cosequin, fish oil and Milk Thistle.
Meter....AlphaTrak
Almost blind from cataracts but is just another game to her!! :D

AND LETTUCE TREATS MAKE ANY DAY MUCH BETTER! :D :D :D :D

[eileen]

Mildred, 9 yo. Border Collie mx, 31.5 pounds.
receives both Novolin N and Humalog morning and night
meals consist of extra lean ground hamburger, brown rice, pumpkin, egg white
supplements include milk thistle, salmon oil, vit-E, multi vitamin
has hypothyroidism so requires Levo taken twice daily.
had cataracts removed with lens' implanted in each eye in 2005
gall bladder removed also in 2005
monitor blood glucose no less than 4 times daily with Accu Chek Aviva meter.
-Eileen-
***I switched from using R to Humalog as I was seeing afternoon insulin overlap and lingering. Since switching I am having much better results with the Humalog gone from her system in 4-5 hours.

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

In regards to the blood glucose meters that everyone is using - can you tell me the pros and cons of each? Ease of use? Amount of blood? etc etc etc?

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Dog's name, breed:
Soaphie, spayed female, border collie/bernese mountain dog mix.

Weight:
59 lb

Diet:
Wellness Venison & Rice with a little pumpkin. Bite of tomato as a treat after getting insulin. Tomato or green beans as snack before bed

Insulin(s):
dx end of July 2008. Have been struggling to get her regulated (had a seizure - hypo - mid/end October so we have been rebuilding). Vetsulin initially - finally moved on to NPH at Christmas time. In process of regulating. 10/10 a.m. / p.m.

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
15/15 every 12 hours.

[eyelostit]

I use the Glucopet meter, this seems to work best for me.

http://www.animaldiabetes.com/

[peggy0]

Dogs name/Breed: Forbin Lab/Border Collie Mix

Weight: 77

Diet: blue lamb and Rice; chicken protein strips for treats

Insulin: Vetsulin 2x a day 15 at the moment; just started this; nerve racking

I just found out forbes is diabetic. He's 9 and a big boy. Not fat, but long legs/shaped more like a shepard. He has cataract in one eye and starting in another.

My vet started him at 20 Units 2 x a day and he came up negative on urine strips for 6 hours so he dropped him to 15 yesterday. Today he is again negative for 6 hours. He is acting perfectly normal. Gave him a few extra treats. Have to see what the reading is at 6p to determine if I give him a shot tonight.

I know I have to have patience, but this is very stressful :(

[EllasDad]

Dog's name, breed:
Ella, Greyhound

Weight:
About 55 pounds and a little too thin

Diet:
Purina DCO, 3 cups twice a day - looking for a better fit for her

Insulin:
Currently trying Vetsulin since mid Decmber; had used Humulin NPH since May 2008

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
Had been on 6 U of NPH; up to 6.5 U Vetsulin and increasing slowly
2 injections of above doses per day, every 12 hours

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
Use AlphaTrak (Abbot); also tried AccuCheck Advantage (Roche) but did not like it as much (larger blood volume, not specifically for dogs, less confidence)

Ella has an unnusual BGL curve and we continue trying (as yet unsuccessfully) to get her into a good consistent BGL range.

Regards,
Dan

[PattiIvie]

:)Name: MOlly

Breed; Brittany Spaniel High energy dog!!!:D
age 3yrs.

Weight before Diabetes 38lbs
now 30lbs. Can't seem to get her to gain:(
we've been trying to regulate since before
Thanksgiving;; this is really tough.:confused:

food; Am and Pm 1 1/2 cups dry

Vetsilun 2x aday just changed to 6 units every 12 hours. we were at 5-5 1/2.am and Pm.. can't seem to consistently get below 300. Tried higher doses and went into rebound...:(

Meter --Reli-on Ultra... test Am - noon and Pm.. We have done curves weekly...

We are very frustrated>>>

[Lawless' Mommy]

Breed: Chihuahua almost 10 yrs old
Diet: Hills Presc. Diet w/d
Insulin: Humulin N
Haven't used a glucose meter yet.


I have not ever posted in a forum, but my baby "Lawless" was diagnosed 12/22/08. I have not been having an easy time with him. His first 3 injections went smooth then when he realized that it was gonna happen everyday, he has been resisting. I just got back from the emergency Vet at 2:00 am with a possible pancreatitis (not sure if I spelled that right) attack. I found him on the floor laying in a pool of vomit. They tested him and I will get the results back tomorrow. How long does it usually take until everything is stable. I am very scared that he will have a hard time adjusting. He seems to traumatized when he comes back from the vet. I can use any and all advise, hope, help.... I want him to live a happy life.

Thank you

[Fishslayer]

Great idea. I'm keeping a log on Lucy but always nice to have stuff stored online.

Also nice to have info posted where experts can have a look.

Dog's name: Lucy
Breed: Australian Cattle Dog
Dog's weight: 1/12/09 28#

Brand of BG meter if home testing: One Touch Ultra 2
Tested during Lucy's spay. It reads 41 points low.

Curve by vet 12/26/08

1 - 442 @ 10:30 AM
2 - 406 @ 1:30 PM
3 - 450 @ 4:30 PM
4 - 454 @ 2:30 PM
5 - 300 @ 4:30 PM

HUH?:eek: OK. They totally hosed the time entries. What else did they screw up? I'm guessing the times should be every two hours, but which is which?

Vet initially advised 5 units twice daily on 12/20/08. This was the curve that made them advise going up to 7 units twice daily. No check was done after that.

Not confidence inspiring...

Diet: 1/12/09 1.5 cups W-D/1.5 cups Kahoots x twice daily


Insulin: 1/12/09 Vetsulin
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 7 x twice daily

Vet visit 1/13/09

1/14/09 Vetsulin increased per vet instructions after lab test: 8 IU x twice daily

Lab test: BG - 399
Fructosamine - 631

Weight: 30#

Began home testing

Meals are at 8:00 AM & PM

1/16 6:30 PM.... BG 283
1/17 10:00 AM.... BG 351
1/17 6:00 PM.... BG 363

Note: Lucy's energy level has been noticeably higher since increasing dose. Keta-Diastix reading have gone from consistent 2000 to consistent 500-1000.


Lucy's home test curve 1/22/09

7:50 PM 296
6:08 PM 282
4:24 PM 334
2:07 PM 375
12:22 PM 402
10:03 AM 420

8:00 AM Injection 8 IU Vetsulin

7:45 AM Meal 1 Cup Kahoots dry/1 ½ Cup Science Diet W-D dry
7:38 AM 343
7:00 AM Keta Diastix 1000 Ketones Negative


1/23/09 Diet change: 1 cup Kahoots/ 3/4 cup W-D/ 3/4 cup Science Diet Lite x twice daily

Weight still 30-31 pounds


1/26/09 Lucy's Vetsulin increased to 9 IU x twice daily per vet's instructions


1/31 BG Curve.... meals at 7:45 AM & PM...Injections at 8:00 AM & PM

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/3243420450_7580c35603.jpg?v=0


2/11 Weight 30 pounds.

2/11 Vetsulin dose increased to 10 IU x twice daily per vet instructions

Still getting 500-1000 Ketadiastix readings... Ketones Negative

2/17/09 Lucy got spayed today!


3/03/09 Insulin change: Started Relion N Nph @ 8 IU x twice daily

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3342663851_14fd559bbf.jpg?v=0

3/12/09 Rabies vaccine today. Lucy weighs 32#

3/30/09 Parvo, distemper, kennel cough vaccines today. Lucy weighs 32.8#

[bontemp]

Name: Black Magic
Breed: Minature Schnauzer - 11 y.o.
Weight: 28 # before diagnosis, 24.5 # currently
Diet: Science Diet R/D, 1 cp twice a day
Insulin: Vetsulin U-40
Injections: Started at 6 units once/day, now at 10 units twice/day and BG at 400 last week - returning to vet

Black Magic did the norm, drinking excessively and urinating in the house, vet started him on Vetsulin in early November 2008. His weight dropped rapidly as did his muscle tone and at Thanksgiving he was so weak in the hindquarters that he could barely walk. Continued weekly testing and insulin adjustment - now his weight has stabilized and his energy level, alertness, and strength are improving every day. Blood glucose remains above 400 even with the twice per day insulin. More testing this next week. Two kinds of Cushings tests were negative. Looking forward to getting the B.G. back into normal ranges.
1-21-2009 update - B.G. tests showed 400 AM, 280, back to 400 in PM so vet said to go to 12 units Vetsulin 2X/day - energy level and alertness are good
5 - 2009 update - B.G. under control with 13 units U-40 twice a day, just had SUCCESSFUL double cataract surgery

[pgcor]

Dog's name, breed: Pip, Miniature Pinscher

Dog's weight: Right around 23 lbs.

Diet: He will be getting 8 1/4 oz. of turkey or chicken
5.5 oz. of both green beans and zucchini, 2.5 oz. of pumpkin, and 1 oz. of chicken hearts - twice per day

Insulin: Humulin N

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 6 units twice per day

[KittyDog]

Dog's name, breed:
Lily..Chihuahua

Weight:
Currently 6.6 pounds...was 12 pounds 3-08 at DX

Diet:
Gerber Meat sticks with carrots, home cooked chicken, hamburger, Bill Jac puppy dry,

Snacks: Pup-peroni lean, Dingo Bones

Insulin:
Humlin N

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
1 units per injection
twice a day

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
Freestyle...have not had luck drawing blood but once.

Trilostane 2.5mg twice a day for cushings

[janspack]

Dog's Name: Dazzle

Breed: Border Collie (10yrs)

Weight: 15.6Kgs (34 lbs)

Diet: Tripe, chicken, wholemeal biscuit.

Insulin: Caninsulin 6 units twice a day.

Meter: Will be using an AlphaTrak

Dazzle diagnosed on 6th Feb 09. She has concurrent EPI. chronic pancreatitis which has damaged her pancreas so it now no longer functions at all.

Jan & Dazzle (UK)

[BaileyBear]

Dog's Name:
Bailey (male - 7 years old - diagnosed 1/09)

Breed:
Lab Mix - mixed with what...who knows
(looks like a yellow lab, with shorter legs & an upward curling tail)

Dog's Weight:
60lbs

Diet:
Currently 1 1/2 cups DCO dry with 1 scrambled egg & cucumber chunks added.
One Newman's Own Organic Chicken Dog Treats after each injection and as a "bedtime biscuit".

Insulin:
NPH (Humulin N from Walgreen's, or Walmart ReliOn labeled version)
26 Units, twice a day

Meter:
TrueTrack from Walgreen's (generally within 15 points of vet's readings)
26 Gauge Lancets
He's super easy to test with the lip method.

Meds:
Thyroxine for low thyroid

[rickrev]

Dog's Name: Kui (Female, 10 years old, diagnosed four years ago)

Breed: Lab Mix (Lab/Springer Spaniel)

Weight: 62lbs

Diet: Chicken thighs (2) and slightly more broccoli with 1 1/4 cup Hill's W/D dry--so roughly equal amounts. She gets the same in the morning and evening and a noon time snack of about 5 broccoli florets and periodic dried chicken snacks.

We buy bulk frozen boneless, skinless chicken thighs and frozen broccoli florets and prepare three days portions of chicken at a time. In the summer we don't thaw the broccoli--especially as snacks.

Insulin:
27 units of Vetsulin, twice a day (after each meal).

Exercise:
A walk of about 20-40 minutes a day in the morning. Sometimes a short walk of about 15 minutes in the evening. (Without the walks she starts to show some wear.)

Prior to her current menu she was at her weight recommendation of just W/D cut in half portions for AM/PM with 28 units of Vetsulin after each meal. She was coping but had periodic accidents.

Since partially substituting on the W/D in the last year, she has actually gained weight with no accidents at all. This is such a big difference from when she was first diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatitis. She went down to about 38lbs from 68lbs. The vet thought she was a goner. (She recovered from the pancreatitis on a diet of just lean chicken meat.)

Balancing diet, medicine, and exercise is tough but worth it for our whole family.

[BrtWooster]

Dog's Name: Hailey

Breed: Husky - female

Age: almost 15 years old

Diagnoised: 1 April 2009

Weight: 46 Lbs. (she lost weight cos of her diabetes)

Diet: Hill's W/D It is canned atm, but going to get dry from the vet on Mon

Insulin: 13 units Vetsulin every 12 hours

BG Meter: Precision Xtra (one of my old meters - sometimes it is handy being a diabetic yourself! :D

So far, I have had NO success in getting a BG reading. I am getting frustrated. :(

[forloveofandy]

Dog's name, breed: Andy, Dachshund

Dog's weight: 19 lbs

Diet:Home cooked Eye of Round Beef or Fish - green beans chopped fine and long-grain brown rice. All the ingredients are mixed together in a large mixer once a week so his food remains consistent. Vitamin supplement.

Insulin: NPH N

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 6U 2x a day

Brand of BG meter if home testing: AlphaTrak

Andy has always had allergies. As a young dog his many trips to the Vet consisted of steroid injections and prescriptions for prednisone. At the age of 6 he developed diabetes, probably as a result of all the steriods. Now we manage allergies without steroids or predisone. It can be done.

[Barbara Erwin]

Dog's name, breed: Harriet, West Highland White Terrier, 8 years old
Diagnosed: March 2009
Dog's weight: 15.9 pounds
Diet: Orijen adult, 1/2 c. twice daily
Insulin: Caninsulin
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 6 iu twice daily
Brand of BG meter if home testing: Alpha Trak

Harriet also exhibited some signs of Cushings while on prednisone (for almost seven years), but those symptoms are subsiding. She may have to go on Atopica for atopic dermatitis, since I won't put her back on prednisone.

[FoggyOaks]

Dog's name, breed: Nana, Chihuahua
Age: 9
Dog's weight: 7.5 pounds
Diet: Science Diet Mature Small Bites mixed with w/d
Insulin: Vetsulin
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 5 units twice daily
Brand of BG meter if home testing: nothing yet

Nana was turned over to the vet clinic that I work for. Previous owner was not good about keeping up with her injections and wanted her euthanized because she was peeing all over her house.

[snow]

Dog's name, breed: Devon, shepalabragoldendobierottachow.

Dog's weight: depends on the vet - 110 - 117

Diet: Mr Fussy is still making it up as he goes along HELP

Insulin: Today Vetsulin - Later today it's' NPH or a new vet. I figure it's my call because they aren't shoving food and Karo into their dog at 12 AM 4 nights a week. (I'm so bitter can you tell :-) )

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 12u 2x on Vetsulin

Brand of BG meter if home testing: was an IPET which I liked until I started getting bonker readings. I called them and whined and they sent me a new one and it just did the same thing. Well at least they were nice and shipped the replacement 2nd day with lots of supplies.

What do you suggest?

[minpinlover]

Dog name and breed: Daygo, miniature pinscher
Age: 7 years
Weight: 17-18 lbs.
Diet: Science diet adult light with a small amount of canned light mixed in
Insulin: Vetsulin 7 units twice a day (just changed dose from 8 units)

Daygo was just diagnosed on April 29, 2009, so we're still really new to this.
I did his first glucose curve last week and his readings were really good, but he started getting too low around 9 hours post insulin dose. We just started him on the 7 units a few days ago. We give green beans as his treat and he loves them! I use a Reli On ultima meter (Walmart) for his glucose testing.

[lab lover]

Dog name and Breed: Baby, Yellow Lab

Age: 7 years
Weight: 91 lbs
Diet: Milleninum Solid Gold dry, 3/4cup, 1/2cup chopped chicken, 1/2cup string
beans, 1/2 cup Wellness Chicken canned dog food. (lower canned food on 7/2)
Insulin: NPH Walmart, Relion
Dosage: 17 units am 18 units pm (just changed on 7/2)
Diagnosed January, 2009
Brand Of Meter - Alpha Track - I liked having the true readings but, is costly
buying the strips.

Baby, is still not regulated gets highs mostly in the am. but, doing much better within the last two months. I test her on her elbows - that is the easiest place for me and she does not mine it at all.

[harley's mom]

Harley, Shiba Inu, 5 years old, Diagnosed 3/2009

Diet: Blue Seal Low Calorie Adult (for now) with 4oz of whatever moist he'll eat prior to injection

Insulin: 11 units Humulin N twice daily

Meter: iPet (Love it!!!) Test inside of lip

Other medications: Soloxine 0.2mg twice daily

Weight: 38 pounds:p

[sofar]

Pepper, 11 years old, Miniature Schnauzer, Diagnosed 4/09.

Weight: She is 20 lbs now, lost about 7 pounds.

Insulin: Vetsulin, 10 units 2x a day

Diet: I just started making my own with lean meat, grain, raw broccoli, carrots, green beans and cottage cheese

Meter: Walgreens Tru-Tech

No other meds

She went blind a couple of weeks ago. I am having a hard time regulating her sugar. She has huge spikes. After reading the info here I think I may be giving her too much insulin. I would like to switch to NPH so I can buy it OTC.
Does that cause additional problems when you are trying to regulate?

[Margaret Boyle]

Name : Lucy

Breed : Miniature Schnauzer

Diagnosed : December 23rd 2007

Weight : 22 lbs (lost weight at beginning )

Diet : Burns High Oats (was On Bakers Complete up until June 2009)

Insulin : On Insuvet Lente for nearly a year. ( Now on Caninsulin since Jan 2009)

Caninsulin 9iu Twice a day.

Meter : On Call Plus (uses small drop of blood) Did use One Touch Ultra 2.

Testing: Inside of both lips, Carpal pads.


Meds : Optimmune Eye Ointment for Dry Eyes

Cranberry powder for repeated UTI's.

Lucy has very limited sight due to cataracts.

Lucy had implants in both eyes on the 15th September 2009
(with good results)

[flgal64]

Dog's name, breed:Rani, 10 year old rottweiler
Dog's weight: 86 lbs
Diet: Science Diet Sensitive Stomach
Insulin: Vetsulin
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 25 cc's 2x's a day
Brand of BG meter if home testing: not home testing yet


She is healthy except for the diabetes which was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago.

Geri & Rani

[crazydayz]

Dog's name: Kai
Breed: Weimaraner
Dog's weight: 85lbs
Diet: Taste of The Wild Dry & Spoon of Merrick or Evo Can
Insulin: Humulin N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 33U 2x a day
Brand of BG meter if home testing: One Touch Ultra 2

Kai is doing so much better! He has lost his eye sight but recently learned to rely on his other senses. :)

[bpinsly]

Hi:
I am new to this forum.
Bradi 6 years 8 months
16 lbs.
Humulin N 5 units 2x day

Bradi was just diagnosed with diabetes. She went into ketoacidosis and was hospitalized for 2 days. We have her home but she wasn't eating the WD. We saw a post that someone baked the food. We did this and she is now eating it. We've been mixing some chicken or egg and some rice and veggies and she's eating well now.

[debbie]

Buster
Diagnosed in March 2009
Insulin: Vetsulin - 16 units 2Xs a day
Food-science Diet W/D
weight- 90 lbs
Age- Will be 10 in November
One touch Ultra 2 - Test on his elbows

[seurat]

my child's name:binx
shepard mix
wt 70lbs
diet DCO purina prescribed diet
vetsulin 28units 2x at feedings 2cups dry 2x
alpha trax meter only one that is perfect close to lab test
has been diabetic for three years sugar was so high developed cataracts overnight since then I've kept him regulated do my own curves to keep cost down but vetsulin prices have gone from 27.50 a bottle to 49.50 in just the last 2 weeks they make it hard to keep your child alive!

[cynsmith]

Name : Lizzie

Breed : rat terrier

Diagnosed : 10/9/09

Weight : 17.5 lbs

age: 5 yrs

Diet : Hills prescription diet dry w/d

Insulin : vetsulin 4 u twice a day

Meter : havent started to monitor from home yet--new @ this and to be honest was too scared but this forum gives me hope.

[MyNaj-a-Poo]

Name : Naj

Breed : Lhasa Apso / Poodle

Diagnosed : 10/15/09 and Confirm by Urine 10/18/09

Weight : 18.8 lbs Now --
His weight loss is what made be take him to the vet and urination inside house
25 lbs prior to diabetes

age: 7 yrs 8 months

Diet : Previously Bil-Jac before diabetes
Now: Boiled Chicken / Green Beans and 1/2 cup Organic Blue All Natural

Insulin : vetsulin Once a Day 9 units
I take him back to the Vet in 1 week to retest and see if the insulin dose is working for him.

Meter : No meter yet, but intend to purchase the alphatrak next pay day

[Mesquito]

Changed to Humulin N

Dog's name, breed: Ginger Shih Tzu
Dog's weight: 16 lbs

Diet: Ginger develops large bladder stones unless she is fed Royal Urinary SO to prevent bladder stones. She has had surgery twice to remove stones. We tried Hills C/D for a year but it never dissolved the stones. Royal does a good job. Our Vet says
Royal SO may be fed to a diabetic dog.

Changed diet" 1/2 Royal urinal SO food
1/4 green beans
1/4 steamed carrots


We feed twice a day: 7AM and 7PM

Insulin:Vetsulin

Twice a day after feeding

Number of units per injection and injections per day:

generally level 5.5 if a full meal is eaten

Brand of BG meter if home testing:

IPET, works well with small amount of blood. The blood enters the end of the test strip rather than the side like our Vets meter.

We also use Bayer diastix glucose strips to check for glucose in her urine. We have to ask for the strips at the pharmacy as they are not stocked on public shelfs.

Changed to Humulin N about a month ago under our Vet's guidence as regulation using Vetsulin was impossible to achive.

Ginger started with 2 units on Humulin N twice a day for around 5 days.
Then 3 units twice a day for another five days.
Then 5 units twice a day for two weeks.
As Ginger was generally high I then slowely raised her shots 1/4 of a unit over several more days. We are now at 7 units twice a day and finely her blood suger levels are in range. A quarter unit using a Humulin syringe is hard to set.


I changed from a IPET meter to a Walmart Micro meter. The Micro meter only requires 0.03 microliter. Micro meter cost is $12 and change and the strips are $22 and change for 50 strips. I add +35 to the Micro meter readings to get closer to a canine reading.

[Tori]

Name: Tori, Scottish Terrier
Age: 8 yrs. 6 months
Weight:25 lbs.
Just diagnosed a week ago
Novolin N, 13 units twice a day.

[frankie]

Name : Frankie

Breed : Dachshund
Diagnosed : in October by urine and blood test

Weight : 21 lbs.

age: 12 1/2 yrs.
Diet : Hill's W/d
Snacks: green beans, califlower, and baby carrots. Sometimes get some beef (cooked, no seasoning).

Insulin : vetsulin twice a day 14 units now.

Meter : I have the alphatrak and do curve about every 10 days.

His diabetes is not in full control yet, but almost there I believe.
Sometimes his glucose level peaks higher than 500 right before the injection.

[tabathasmom]

Name: Tabatha
Breed: Yorkie
Age: 11
Weight: 12 pounds
Food: WD and carrots for snacks.

Tabatha has had diabetes for about 5 years now. First year she lost her sight and we had surgery done on her eyes. HER SIGHT IS GOOD NOW. She was on Vetsulin for 5 years until just recently. I posted her experience on this site. Right now she has been changed to Hummulin N. She was started out at 7 units 2X aday.But that is to high now. Yesterday We went to the vet and while we were there she became hypoglycemic. (27) ended up with food, sugar water anything to get her blood suger up. So, now I'm doing her blood sugar testing and calling the vet to report the numbers. So now we are working on the dosage. I found taking blood from her arm is much easier then getting it from her ear. Hopfully things will get better. I will do what ever needs to be done to keep her healthy.

[Julie]

My greyhound is also hypoglycemic and I take blood from the paw, it seems to be easier for both of us

[debbie]

Where on the paw do you take it. I take it on busters callous on his elbow but I would like another spot since I think he gets sore there.

[jbyork]

Dog's name: Chuy
Sex: Female
Breed: Chow Mix (but looks like a small dingo)
Age: 13
Dog's weight: 28 lbs currently (was 34 lbs about 3 months ago before being diagnosed)
Diet: 1/2 cup Iams Proactive dry (with a little bit of Iams canned wet) 2x daily
Insulin: Just switched to Humulin N (Vetsulin results were extremely inconsistent, and we recently switched due to the Vetsulin FDA alert)
Units per injection: started at 3.0 units, slowing increasing by 0.5, currently at 5.0 units
Injections per day: 2
Brand of BG meter if home testing: True Track (primary), and Bayer Breeze 2 (backup)
Test location: carpal pad. I found this web page which shows the procedure (http://www.caninediabetes.org/tuggerblood.html)
Date Diagnosed with Diabetes: 12/07/2009

Her glucose levels are not under control yet (wide glucose range throughout the day, highs 300-400+ mg/dL, lows 150), but we are only 1 month into treatment (1 week on Humulin N). We have no issues with Hypoglycemia. However, the problem is Chuy has extreme anxiety when I take her blood. I have recorded multiple glucose readings (5 minutes apart) where her Glucose level spikes as much as 150 points on the first reading (300-500s), then drops dramatically on subsequent tests shortly after... This is causing me some difficultly getting trustable glucose curves. For the first few weeks on insulin (Vetsulin), I actually thought she was having severe Somogyi rebound day after day, but now know that the glucose spikes are most likely from anxiety. Also, the Vetsulin could have also been the cause as the results were very similar to the Vetsulin FDA warning.

Has anyone else seen or her of this before? My vet says it's possible but highly unlikely to have such a large glucose, adrenalin jump due to anxiety... but my dog is rather emotional.

[debbie]

I switched to NHP for buster and so far he has been doing great. He went from 16 units on vetsulin to 14 1/2 NPH.

[vyvyen]

Bear
Rotti x Lab
6yo
52kg
Accu-chek meter
Diagnosed 9/11/09
Caninsulin 20u am and 26u pm

3 cups Hills WD Bisc, 2 cups steamed veges (broccoli, green beans, pumpkin, sweet potato, cabbage, mushrooms), 1 sardine in mineral water with Chinese herbs) and minerals - twice per day.
Bowen therapy and acupuncture.

Check BG twice per day on calous on legs. Do blood curves when necessary or extra checks when worried.

Cheers, Sandra and Bear
xxx

[bogeysmom]

Dogs Name: Bogey

Breed: Dalmatian

Weight: 81 lbs.

Diet: Merrick Dry Food (usually Grammys Pot Pie, Turducken or
Cowboy Cookout), canned merrick food (low glycemic), cottage
cheese, or will add a ground turkey, barley and green bean
squash mixture in place of canned.

Treats: Squash

Insulin: Humulin NPH

# of Units: 24ux2

Meter: Accuchek Aviva
Test on the inner lip

[Julie]

Ibe is now on the insulin, started 9 units, now up to 11, his bg is in the 400s, very high, do not know what to do except curves and keep trying to regulate it. He is a 7 yr old greyhound, ground turkey, vegies, Evo.

[connieandgypsy]

Dog's name: Gypsy Belle
Sex: Female
Breed: Australian Smokey Kelpie (Kelpie x Australian Blue Heeler)
Age: 10
Dog's weight: Currently 21.5kg. Was 23.9kg on Jan 29 2010(diagnosed). Before getting sick always maintained 19-20kg.
Diet: Morning- 350g (Half of the 700g can) of Advance Pet Nutrition Adult All Breed Chicken and Rice.

Night- Other half of the same can as morning.

Snacks/Treats- 1x Natures Gift Mini Treat as I give morning Insulin

Also some Julienne Carrots 2 or 3 for being such a good girl. I use the frozen Vegies as its hot here and Gyp has always loved frozen Vegies.

Insulin: Caninsulin 27 units, currently 30 units.

Injections per day: 1

BG Meter- None at this stage, we are only 2 weeks in.

Date Diagnosed with Diabetes: 29/01/2010

[PeteandWoody]

Woody is a 10 y o female black lab / golden retriever mix.
Before the onset of diabetes (Dec. 2010) she weighed just around 100 lbs. She now weighs about 93. We feed her 2 cups of Purina One Adult Lamb/Rice with about 4 oz. of diced chicken breast :D X 2
Her insulin is Humulin N
Right now her dosage is 23.5U X 2
Her 14 day BG avg. is over 400
We use an AlphaTrak meter
Her BG is rarely under 300
I have raised her dosage to 23.5U I have just recorded only her second reading below 250 since onset.
Does it normally take this long to get regulated?
I have read about Somoygi and I am worried that I may be causing that by giving her that much insulin

contact me with your comments PeteandWoody (pgaworec@twcny.rr.com)

[CoolGram]

Dog's Name: Gretel
Sex: Female
Breed: Miniature Schnauzer
Age: 8
Current weight: 18.8 lbs.
Weight when diagnosed: 17.5 lbs.
Average weight: 20 lbs.
Diagnosed with diabetes 1/21/10

Insulin: NPH - currently at 9 units twice a day

Food: w/d canned and dry mixed
1/2 can and 2/3 cup dry at 6:30am and 6:30pm

Treats: Hill's Veterinary Treat (compatible with w/d dog food)
She gets one small treat after her morning and evening injection

Still working on getting regulated. Not yet doing home testing.

[Noodle]

Name: Noodle
Sex: Male
Breed: Lab Mix
Age: 8 (diagnosed 1/09)
Weight: 52lbs (trying to put a few back on)
Diet: 1 1/2 Cups Blue Buffalo Dry - AM & PM
Treats: Newman's (the little cheese flavor hearts - after injections), Blue Buffalo Health Bars (bacon, egg, & cheese flavor) & Big Bark Bakery Bare Bones (oatmeal cinnamon flavor) as carb treats before walks or if he's running low, Cucumber Chunks
Insulin: Humulin N
Injections: 30 Units - AM & PM
Meters: TrueTrack & OneTouch UltraMini

Noodle is well regulated but needs to put a few pounds back on. We are going to try adding some canned Blue Buffalo to each meal. :)

[ankh1972]

Name: Tucker
Sex: Male
Breed: Basset Hound
Age: 4 (diagnosed 3/17)
Weight: 100 LBS.
Diet: 1 1/2 Cups of Homemade (Chicken,Lean Ground Turkey,Rice and Peas - AM & PM
Treats:Dried Chicken from Wal-Mart Pet Dept
Insulin: Vetsulin
Injections: 10 Units - AM & PM
Meters: Accu Check

I just got Tucker to eat solid food yesterday and today he's giving me issues...His Levels are all over the place and trying my best..It's been 6 days since his diagnosis and have another Vet appt on Thursday to update vet on levels...I hope we discuss curves and possibly increase his injection...I always check his levels before giving insulin and what scares me is that his levels are so high like an 1-2 hour before 2nd injection...366-463 and that scares me....I need him regulated quick....Any advice anyone?

[O'Riley]

I'm new also, and I'm learning that there are only baby steps when it comes to safe insulin dosing. One quick fix that lowers blood glucose levels is exercise. Since there is a specific time slot that you're particularly worried about, could you walk Tucker at that time every day?

Riley's blood glucose levels are higher in the evening. I wonder if there's a circadian timing thing going on?

"Time in the biological sense is measured by cycles that range from milliseconds to years. Circadian rhythms, which measure time on a scale of 24 h, are generated by one of the most ubiquitous and well-studied timing systems. At the core of this timing mechanism is an intricate molecular mechanism that ticks away in many different tissues throughout the body. However, these independent rhythms are tamed by a master clock in the brain, which coordinates tissue-specific rhythms according to light input it receives from the outside world." (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12198538).

~Rosey

[CarolW]

On circadian rhythms - Rosey, thanks so much for mentioning this and providing a link.

I think it's helpful to any Human Diabetic-Dog Parent to understand that such a thing is involved in our dogs' physiology and neurology. I think it helps us comprehend that day and night are different (! - haha!), and so, come to understand why blood glucose levels differ, day from night.

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:34:26 (PDT)

[ankh1972]

I'm new also, and I'm learning that there are only baby steps when it comes to safe insulin dosing. One quick fix that lowers blood glucose levels is exercise. Since there is a specific time slot that you're particularly worried about, could you walk Tucker at that time every day?

Riley's blood glucose levels are higher in the evening. I wonder if there's a circadian timing thing going on?

"Time in the biological sense is measured by cycles that range from milliseconds to years. Circadian rhythms, which measure time on a scale of 24 h, are generated by one of the most ubiquitous and well-studied timing systems. At the core of this timing mechanism is an intricate molecular mechanism that ticks away in many different tissues throughout the body. However, these independent rhythms are tamed by a master clock in the brain, which coordinates tissue-specific rhythms according to light input it receives from the outside world." (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12198538).

~Rosey

WOW!!! tHATS fascinating....I can take him for walks when he's high..thanks for the advice...

[rschwank]

Dog's name, breed:
Samson, lab mix 11 yrs

Weight:
80 lb

Diet:
Hills W/D dry and canned

Insulin:
Humulin N 17 units 2x day
every twelve hours

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
Use Urine test strips -
ReliOn ultima


3-15-2010 diagnosed new to this hopeful. completed some curves 180 to 450

[tardischan]

Dog's name, breed:
Fuzzy (or FuzzButt, whichever works at the time) , black lab mix 15 yrs (16 in August)

Weight:
52 lbs, 65 before her medical problems began

Diet:
Whatever she’s willing to eat. She’s a very picky eater. Fuzzy has had IBD digestion issues for at least 6 months before being diagnosed with hyperglycemia last Saturday. She ate half a can of w/d and then refused to touch it. Some nights she’ll eat Blue Buffalo Wilderness dry and canned, other times I microwave oatmeal and chicken thighs with broccoli, or will scramble eggs and serve with ground turkey, oatmeal and some cottage cheese. She gets a multivitamin, SAM-E and standardized milk thistle capsules to control elevated liver enzymes. I’ll give about 3 oz of greek yogurt or cottage cheese with half a teaspoon of probiotics and enzymes powder. This morning, the yogurt was the only thing she would eat, which worried me greatly. I discovered slippery elm bark powder, and read that it’s good for pets and people with sore digestive tracts. I trekked out to the health food store this morning and got about 5 oz of the stuff. One teaspoon of the powder cooked with diluted chicken broth made a gooey “soup”, and can be given 4 times a day. She lapped it up readily. I’m hoping that it will help soothe her intestines enough to eat higher protein meals. Her regular vet is out until May.

Insulin:
Vetsulin, 6 units 2X a day.

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
None yet, still researching possible meters.

“And feel free to add any additional information.”

How much time do you have? LOL. Here's the short, short version. ;)

I got Fuzzy as a 5 month old puppy when I was 11 years old. Except for a 4 year absence when I lived out of state, she has always been there for me. While I was away, she lived with my Grandma and developed large tumors and cancers on her legs and shoulder. We’ve had them removed, and other then that, has been pretty healthy her entire life.

December 2009, I found her laying in diarrhea and vomit. I thought she was dead, but as soon as I saw her breathing I got a harness on her and gently lifted her on her feet. She could barely walk, so I had to get her on a towel and pick her up and carry her. Once her vitals stabilized, she went in to surgery. The surgeon said she had the largest gallbladder he’s ever seen. Gallbladder, spleen, and a portion of her stomach were removed. Biopsies found no cancerous materials, but found she had inflamed an inflamed liver and intestines, and e coli in her gallbladder. The e coli found was resistant to most antibiotics except gentamicin and trimethsulfate or something like that. The TMS was prescribed for a couple of weeks, and then prednisone would be started after that for 3-4 months. An insane, bumpy ride with the prednisone and other issues would soon follow.

The side effects of these medications did more harm then good. The TMS made her anemic. The prednisone did strange things to her blood and enzyme levels. Not only has she refused to eat on and off again, she's got elevated liver enzymes and now hyperglycemia to worry about. I was poking around 1800 pet meds to find a multi-vitamin for Fuzz and discovered Marin. My vet told me that it was mostly silymarin, or milk thistle extract. SAM-e could also be used together, and both supplements have shown to reduce bad liver enzymes. I got those off Amazon.com, along with a probiotics and enzymes powder to try out.

One night, she began eating, drinking, and peeing like a horse. It was really, really scary. I took her in the next morning to get a full blood test, just like before. My regular doctor was out until May, but I went in anyway because I was afraid for my poochie.

Turns out, I had every right to be concerned. Her blood glucose level was so high it was off the charts, and was checked twice just to make sure the first test was a fluke. Off to the emergency vet again late in the afternoon. Her BG did not start to come down until 7 am the next morning, and was at 400. As that specific vet was only open 7-8 AM during the weekdays and 24 hours weekends, I had to go back and forth from the ER vet to my regular vet to get her BG lowered. Last Saturday, Fuzzy stayed about 24 hours to get a curve, and is due for another one in a week.

While my regular vet is awesome, she is not going to be back until May. I got to talk to the nurse when I got the Vetsulin and needles. She appeared to try to talk me out of doing at home blood monitoring, and if I’m worried I should just bring her in to the office. Pfft, please. I thought this was rather odd. Besides telling me how to administer the insulin, I’m pretty much on my own. I was told not to give any insulin if she would not eat. I tried to tell her that Fuzzy has had a history of not wanting to eat anything due to IBD. I figured out that cooking chicken, broccoli, eggs, and a small amount of oatmeal together would be the best thing for her before an insulin shot.
I am still looking in to the best lancet, monitor and strips to use. Stress, stress, and more stress all around. All of this is overwhelming to me.

However, one thing still keeps me going and that’s my dog. Yeah, she’s pretty old for a dog her size. But, she’s strong, and always has been. She’s not ready to go yet – there are still a lot of squirrels to bark at.
If you’ve read all of that, I thank you. :)

- Lynnie and Fuzzy

EDIT: Now I realized I posted a reply to one person, and not the OP. Oops. :P

[Bagel's Mom]

Bagel ( AKA Miracle Dog)

10 yr old Beagle/Basset

weight now 34 lbs. Down from 41 which was a good thing to do!
Back surgery in 2004. Doing fine since then with that.

Diagnosed with Cushings March 09
Bladder stone in August 09..dissolved hopefully.
Diagnosed with Diabetes Nov 09

Switched from Vetsulin which was never stable to Relion N ( Walmart brand of Novolin ) 3 months ago.
Currently 17 Units 2X a day ...BG averages 300...has gone to mid 200s but not in a couple of weeks.
meter: One Touch Ultra
VERY healthy...much more mobile now that she lost the weight
takes Lysodren for the Cushings 3 X a week...1375 mg total
SAM-e daily to protect her liver
1 daily Synovi for joints
10 mg pepsid generic to protect stomach from the Lyso
food: each meal 1 C Purina DCO and 1/4 cooked chicken breast
treats: one small milkbone at shot time
occasional steamed broccoli.
BATHED IN MUCH PRAYER DAILY
Sande;)

[claire81]

Dog's Name: Jess or J-Dog
Sex: Female
Breed: Staffy / Ridgeback cross
Age: 10, we think..maybe 11.. haven't had her all her life.
Current weight: 22kg
Weight when diagnosed: 21kg
Average weight: 25kg
Diagnosed with diabetes June 14th 2010

Insulin: Caninsulin, 10.8 units twice daily

Food: w/d dry with some chicken & home made broth (water added to pan to gather juices) - 1.5 cups of food with the chicken added, twice a day.

Treats: 4 small liver chips a day (1 before and 1 after needle).... i tried a veg ear today and she enjoyed that, but i'm watching her closely at the moment because she's newly diagnosed.

Still working on getting regulated. Not yet doing home testing.

[efmarek]

Hi all. New to this forum, but not new to K9 diabetes.

Dog's name: Darla
Dog's breed: Black Lab
Dog's age: 11 years old
Dog's weight (pre-diagnosis):101 lbs
Dog's current weight (following diagnosis and treatment): 66 lbs
(Boy how I wish I could lose 35 lbs :))
Date Diagnosed: May 2005

Diet: Hill's Science Diet Light dry (Upon comparing w/d to the Light, it is very similar in makeup and saves me alot of $$$) and can food; 1 1/2 cup dry and 1 can wet in the AM; and 1 cup dry only in PM
Insulin: Vetsulin
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 36 units in the AM after meal
Brand of BG meter if home testing: Previously Accu Chek Active, but recently changed to the ReliOn Ultima when my Accu Chek stopped working. I don't like the ReliOn because the stick must be inserted into the machine when you collect the sample. With the Accu Chek, I could collect the sample on the stick, then insert it into the machine. I will probably be changing meters again shortly. Any recommendations????

So glad I found this forum. It definitely helps to find some support from those who actually treat and manage this disease with their sweet pets.

Lisa

[Rudy]

Name: Rudy
Breed: Shitzu
Age: 11
Weight pre DX (4/10): 23
Weight now: 22
Diet: Hills WD
Insulin: Humulin NPH 6 units x2 - moving to Relion
Testing: Urine test strips
Treats: Chicken nibbles - Rudy runs to get his shots so he can have his treat afterwards

[Frannie03]

Dog's name, breed: Frannie, lab mix
Dog's weight: 81 lbs
Diet: DCO 2 cups 2 times daily
Insulin: Humulin N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 16 units 2 time daily
Brand of BG meter if home testing: Bayer Contour

[kimcita]

Dog's Name: Kya
Sex: Female
Breed: Shitzu/Chihua mix
Age: 10-1/2 (11/1999)
Current weight: 13lbs.
Diagnosed with diabetes April 2009
Diet: Hill's Science Diet W/D dry (I mix it with water and let it sit). Feed twice a day.
Treats: Liver crackers (about a handful), chicken stripes with glucosamine
Insulin: Was Vetsulin (6 unites/twice/day) up until Saturday July 10 when I ran out. Now she was given an Rx for Humilin N (NPD), but I was given NO info about this insulin from her vet.

Home testing: just strips but she ALWAYS reads high (the last color on the strip). I would like to purchase a Glucose Meter but do not know which one to purchase, ANY SUGGESTIONS =)

Health history: She is a producer of bladder stones and has had 2 surgeries to-date.

When Kya was diagnosed last summer I was not given any educational material, so I know VERY little about how to maintain her levels. Her vet just pretty much wanted me to bring her in all the time and I'm sorry but I'm not trying to empty my pocket book and fill his bank account. I don't much like the vet and if I could afford to switch to a new one I would.

[Mesquito]

Changed to Humulin N

Dog's name, breed: Ginger Shih Tzu
Dog's weight: 16 lbs

Diet: Ginger develops large bladder stones unless she is fed Royal Urinary SO to prevent bladder stones. She has had surgery twice to remove stones. We tried Hills C/D for a year but it never dissolved the stones. Royal does a good job. Our Vet says
Royal SO may be fed to a diabetic dog.

Changed diet" 1/2 Royal urinal SO food
1/4 green beans
1/4 steamed carrots


We feed twice a day: 7AM and 7PM

Insulin:Vetsulin

Twice a day after feeding

Number of units per injection and injections per day:

generally level 5.5 if a full meal is eaten

Brand of BG meter if home testing:

IPET, works well with small amount of blood. The blood enters the end of the test strip rather than the side like our Vets meter.

We also use Bayer diastix glucose strips to check for glucose in her urine. We have to ask for the strips at the pharmacy as they are not stocked on public shelfs.

Changed to Humulin N about a month ago under our Vet's guidence as regulation using Vetsulin was impossible to achive.

Ginger started with 2 units on Humulin N twice a day for around 5 days.
Then 3 units twice a day for another five days.
Then 5 units twice a day for two weeks.
As Ginger was generally high I then slowely raised her shots 1/4 of a unit over several more days. We are now at 7 units twice a day and finely her blood suger levels are in range. A quarter unit using a Humulin syringe is hard to set.


I changed from a IPET meter to a Walmart Micro meter. The Micro meter only requires 0.03 microliter. Micro meter cost is $12 and change and the strips are $22 and change for 50 strips. I add +35 to the Micro meter readings to get closer to a canine reading.

Time to update

We quit using I-Pet over a year ago as it required to much blood. We use a Relion Micro Meter from WalMart that works well. I add +35 to Micro meter readings to more reflect true canine level. I test Ginger on her rump each side of tail. I keep the areas shaved for proper access.

We changed to Novolin N and Novolin 70/30 some time ago.

At this time we feed Ginger three times a day and she gets 3 shots per day. See is fed at 6:00 AM, NOON and 6:00PM

First shot is near 6:00 AM, second shot noon and last shot at 6:00PM

First shot at this time is 9 units of Novolin N or Novolin 70/30, depending on her actions and blood level. If she will not eat a treat or her level is near 140 she gets 9 units of 70/30. If she will eat or her blood level is near 120 her shot will be 9 units of Novolin N. Shot at noon is 4 units of Novolin N. 6:00 PM shot is 9 units of Novolin N.

This regime seems to work fine for Ginger however subject to minor change depending on Gingers actions and glucose readings. In fact my Vet called last week and commended me. She also tried 3 shots per day and it helped with some of her problem dogs.

Her food is near 1/8 cup Royal SO and 1/8 cup of other foods, like chicken breast, Tuna, Ham, Winnie ETC. Royal SO controls non growth of bladder stones.


Other food is sprinkled with potassium citrate to prevent bladder stones. I use a salt shaker.I drilled larger holes in to apply a small amount to her foods.

[Mesquito]

Dog's Name: Kya
Sex: Female
Breed: Shitzu/Chihua mix
Age: 10-1/2 (11/1999)
Current weight: 13lbs.
Diagnosed with diabetes April 2009
Diet: Hill's Science Diet W/D dry (I mix it with water and let it sit). Feed twice a day.
Treats: Liver crackers (about a handful), chicken stripes with glucosamine
Insulin: Was Vetsulin (6 unites/twice/day) up until Saturday July 10 when I ran out. Now she was given an Rx for Humilin N (NPD), but I was given NO info about this insulin from her vet.

Home testing: just strips but she ALWAYS reads high (the last color on the strip). I would like to purchase a Glucose Meter but do not know which one to purchase, ANY SUGGESTIONS =)

Health history: She is a producer of bladder stones and has had 2 surgeries to-date.

When Kya was diagnosed last summer I was not given any educational material, so I know VERY little about how to maintain her levels. Her vet just pretty much wanted me to bring her in all the time and I'm sorry but I'm not trying to empty my pocket book and fill his bank account. I don't much like the vet and if I could afford to switch to a new one I would.

Our dog Ginger was subject to bladder stones. She has had surgery twice a few years ago. She does well on Royal SO urinary food. We feed equal amounts of SO and other foods however we apply a small amount of potassium nitrate on other foods. Ginger has been bladder stone free over the last 8 years with this food regime. We tried Hills urinary at first but it did not control her bladder stone problem

[eileen]

We changed to Novolin N and Novolin 70/30 some time ago.

At this time we feed Ginger three times a day and she gets 3 shots per day. See is fed at 6:00 AM, NOON and 6:00PM

First shot is near 6:00 AM, second shot noon and last shot at 6:00PM

First shot at this time is 9 units of Novolin N or Novolin 70/30, depending on her actions and blood level. If she will not eat a treat or her level is near 140 she gets 9 units of 70/30. If she will eat or her blood level is near 120 her shot will be 9 units of Novolin N. Shot at noon is 4 units of Novolin N. 6:00 PM shot is 9 units of Novolin N.


Curious...with NOT eating you give an insulin that has a fast acting portion, the 70/30? This strikes me as odd, could you explain the reasoning...thanks.

Also wondering how her glucose levels are during the night where the same day regimen is not followed.

[simonejg]

..Monty..black lab 10 in Feb..was 36kg when diagnosed two months ago
Caninsulin 24 units am
diet...at the mo on Royal Canin healthy weight 1.5cups am and pm, might try making own food when bag finished

..blood glucose still high 25 in am, still trying to regulate..use Accucheck metre from his elbow

am new to this forum and have spent hours going through everyones notes and find it really helpful
thanks

[oahu]

We use a Relion Micro Meter and for a long time thought it read low, so we added about +40 to the reading. Recently, the opportunity to check our meter with the vet's meter came up, and it turns out the meter is VERY accurate, at least for low (i.e. < 100) readings. Our dog doesn't seem to exhibit any symptoms when he has low glucose, so it was scary to find out that he really HAD been low a few times when we thought it was just the meter. Lesson learned. We now trust the meter's reading. Every dog is different, I'm sure, so it may not be accurate for everyone, but do use caution before assuming it reads low.

[CraigM]

Oahu,
The question I have is what exact meter is used at your vet office? Was your meter compared to lab equipment, or another hand held meter?

[oahu]

Hmm...I don't know the name of the meter the vet uses, but it's handheld.

[pat3332]

Hello,

I'm new here and wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all of the information I've gotten from all of you. My dog was recently diagnosed with diabetes and we've been working on regulating him for about 2 months.

Edit: Sorry, this was from my first post and I somehow managed to post it before it was finished. At least it's a lot shorter than the finished one. Feel free to delete it.

Pat

[k9diabetes]

I'm glad you posted about this.

The general theory I've seen in regards to handheld meters is that they are always - with humans and with dogs and cats - most accurate at normal ranges of blood sugar and most unreliable at very high ranges of blood sugar.

With low readings it's worth going on the assumption that the meter is 100% accurate.

Fortunately, we never had to test our meter against a lab value at such low levels. But we did some meter to meter comparisons between the OneTouch and AlphaTrak and found an average difference of 35-40 points in the 100s upward but only about 20 points for levels below 100.

Natalie

[k9diabetes]

I wonder if they used an AlphaTrak.

[pat3332]

Some information about my AlphaTrak if anyone is interested. Hope it's OK if I post this here.
I got an AlphaTrak from my vet and on 10-27, we did some testing. First I tested Bailey at the elbow callous, then the vet drew venous blood and ran it in his blood machine and while waiting, used the same sample for his AlphaTrak and mine. These are the results:

From elbow callous........................................... ...169
Blood machine With Venous Sample.........................172
His AlphaTrak With Same Venous Sample..................158
My AlphaTrak With Same Venous Sample..................158

The AlphaTrak appears to be pretty accurate. The vet was happy with the comparison and said that he feels a lot more comfortable about the results I'm calling him with and he won't need to have me come in to the office as often to check Bailey's glucose level. That may save me enough to pay for it. The AlphaTrak was more expensive and I realize the accuracy may vary depending on how high or low the glucose level is but the accuracy we got at this level satisfies my somewhat O/C nature.

I thought the two AlphaTrak readings being identical was a little odd since I can't get the same readings twice if I do two tests at the same time from the same site.

I saw another thread about using the FreeStyle Lite strips in the AlphaTrak. I first had the FreeStyle and when compared against the AlphaTrak, the readings from my FreeStyle are always close to half of what the AlphaTrak shows at higher readings. They numbers do seem to get closer as the levels get lower. I have tried the FreeStyle strips in the AlphaTrak and the FreeStyle strips do work in the AlphaTrak, but the results vary somewhat at high and low levels. At higher glucose levels, the numbers with the FreeStyle strips were 15-20 lower than the AlphaTrak. At low levels (75 and below), they were 15-20 higher than the AlphaTrak. I haven't had a chance to compare them at a stable, mid-range reading yet since stable doesn't seem to be something Bailey is interested in achieving.

I'm still new at this so I don't know if a difference of 15-20 in the numbers is that significant or not. I've had my AlphaTrak vary that much when doing two checks at the same time from the same site, so I doubt that it matters that much. It's just my feeling that it may be a little more meaningful in the lower ranges than the higher, but again, I don't really know.

Another difference is that with the AlphaTrak strips, you insert the strip and have to push the "M" button to turn it on. With the FreeStyle Lite strips, when I insert the strip, the AlphaTrak turns on automatically like the FreeStyle does. Unfortunately, the AlphaTrak test strips do not work in my FreeStyle Lite at all, so I can't make that comparison.

Insulin: I saw in another thread that Wal-Mart had changed from Novolin to Lilly's Humulin for their ReliOn store brand of insulin. Since that thread is closed, I thought I'd post this here.

I have been using the ReliOn Novolin and it was getting low, so I went to my Wal-Mart and asked them about the change to Humulin. They still had some of the Novolin, but I asked them if they were carrying the Humulin from Lilly for their ReliOn brand yet. They had it, but I had to request it specifically, so I guess they are trying to use up the Novolin first. If you want the Humulin, you may have to request it until their stock of Novolin runs out. The Humulin was not branded ReliOn, but was still in the regular Lilly Humulin packaging. The price was the same for both however, just under $25.00.

Pat

[SeattleCraig]

Dog's name, breed: Bob the Yorkie, 10 years old
Dog's weight: 8 lbs.
Diet: Hills A/D critical care and Pedialyte (pushing it right now with a baster-type thing, as he won't eat on his own.)
Insulin: Humulin
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 3 units, twice per day
Brand of BG meter if home testing: ReliOn Confirm right now, because I didn't know what I was doing.

Bob was just diagnosed last week. It's been a rough week. He got very sick, very fast, and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, diabetes, and possible renal failure all at once. After 4 intense days of subcutaneous fluid therapy at home, his BUN's, creatine, and phosphates have all returned to near perfect levels, and now I'm just working to get his diabetes well managed.

I have a lot of questions, but I'll just use the search function and read until I can gather my thoughts.

This is a wonderful resource.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g302/ademas2006/P6290015.jpg

[Caroline]

Dog's name, breed: Tilly, 12 year old Miniature Pinscher, just diagnosed
Dog's weight:13 lb.
Diet:Pedigree OM, .75 cups, twice daily, 30 min. before insulin
Insulin:
Humulin N starting dose of 2 units twice daily
Brand of BG meter if home testing:none yet-have ordered One Touch

Tilly was just diagnosed last week. I took her in after noticing that she was drinking and peeing way more than usual and knew this could be a sign of diabetes. She had a fasting glucose of 450 and the vet started her on 2 units of insulin. She is to go back for a day next week for the first curve test, after which her insulin amount will be adjusted. My purpose on this forum is to learn as much as possible about how to monitor and help control this disease so that Tilly can have the longest and healthiest life possible. Also, I am hoping to keep the vet bills as low as possible by learning to do this monitoring myself.

[jas3]

just wondering if anyone has a dog out there that is having difficulty sleeping through the night after a diabetes diagnosis
our dog always slept thru the night without issue -now shes up 5 to 6 times whining and yipping- she doesnt even want to go out or need food or water -she just seems out of sorts
does anyone know of any safe sleep aids for dogs?
also on a side note has any tried any natural remedies to lower glucose successfully in addition to the insulin
lightnings sugars are still running in the 400-500s when i test her paw pad after being on 20 units on humulin n twice a day for 22 days now

[debbie]

my dog buster use to be a great sleeper. He was diagnosed about almost 2 years ago. For the last couple of months he doesnt sleep thru the nite. He gets up like an alarm clock everynite about 2-3 and wants to go out. I dont know what it is. Once in a while he will let me sleep till 4:30 but that is rare. He also wants to eat at that time too.

[IzzyfromTexas]

I was just complaining about our Izzy getting up at night in my "Thank you" thread. It was one of the signs that she displayed when she was first diagnosed, so when she started it again we were perplexed. After some investigating, her insulin had gone bad (whatever the term is for it losing it's effectiveness). When we got a new bottle and started using it her numbers went down and she is sleeping through the night again. (Knock on wood!) Also- try not giving her too much water before bed- maybe a couple of ice cubes so she won't ask to out. Izzie had started drinking a lot again and I'm sure that contributed to the hourly wake up barks.

[HarrysMom]

My Harry seems to get up around 1AM - I measured his glucose, and this is when it runs high. He seems to be thirsty as he seeks out water even when he doesn't have to go potty. I would guess high blood sugar would do that.

Yunhee

[Susie B]

My dog, Dooley, is a 12 year old beagle/poodle mix. He was diagnosed in July 2010 and is on Humulin N at 14 units twice a day. He's getting Royal Canin low fat dry and I mix the canned in his kong for a treat.

Just last evening I found out that his cataracts are mature which came on very sudden. I didn't know just how little he can see and I feel terrible about it.

Thanks for having this forum for people to find so much information about how to handle this situations.

Susie

[Kelle]

Dog's name, breed: Puddles (Female), Chihuahua

Weight: 6.2lbs

Diet: Hills W/D dry and canned food.

Insulin: Humulin N

Number of units per injection and injections per day: Currently at 2 units (up from 1 unit), twice a day, 8am/8pm (currently unregulated)

Brand of BG meter if home testing: AlphaTrak - I've only successfully got a reading for myself =P, Puddles just doesn't like to bleed.

[emmiller522]

Dog's name, breed: Buzz (Male), Terrier Mix

Weight: ~20 lbs ideal (~18 lbs now)

Diet: Royal Canin High Protein Diet

Insulin: Humulin-N from Wal-Mart (Eli Lilly Reli-On)

Number of units per injection and injections per day: ~5 units, 2x/day 12 hrs apart. # of units depend on blood glucose testing from ear immediately prior to insulin injections.

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Abbott Labs AlphaTrak. Love it. We test from his ear 2x/day every day.

__________________

Buzz was diagnosed December, 2010. He is still unregulated, but we are moving in the right direction to get him regulated. Read more about him here: www.mydoghasdiabetes.blogspot.com (http://www.mydoghasdiabetes.blogspot.com)

[DudleysMom]

Dog's name, breed: Dudley 8 yr old Puggle

Weight: 44 lbs.

Diet: Hills Prescription WD Canned

Insulin: Novolian N

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 10 units twice a day

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Accu-chek Compact

My dog Dudley was just diagnosed with diabetes last week. He spent 3 days at the vets because his glucose levels were over 600. Giving him his insulin injections is fairly easy but I have been having trouble testing his glucose levels. I cant seem to get the dog to bleed enough anywhere I have tried his ears, callouses on the backs of his legs, and his lip and have had no luck. Im using the lancets that came with the glucose meter. Do pet lancets work better? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[diamondlinks]

Hi Dudley's Mom,

I had the same problems that you are having, getting enough blood. The place that I have ended up using is the elbow. I also tried the carpal pad but the blood seems to seep back into the pad. I had so much trouble I was in tears, I found out you must take it easy on yourself. Stop trying for a while then give it another try. I have found that the callous on the elbow works great, I do not recommend at least for me using the lancet device. I just use the lancet without the lancing device. You also need to check what gague lancet, I had to go to 26 gague. The lancets that come with the machine are to thin for a dogs skin. Good luck and keep trying, you will succeed.

[DudleysMom]

Hi Loretta and Beau,
I just bought some thicker lancets so I'm hoping when I test him tonight I will be able to get a reading. I haven't used the lancet device that came with the meter. Hopefully the thicker lancet will be enough. Thank you for you help! :)

[Pumpernickle]

Dog's name, breed: Pumpernickle...Fawn Pug

Weight: 28lbs (started at 35lbs)

Diet: Newly changed: Taste of wild (bison)

Insulin: Humulin-N (canadian at local pharmacy)

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 10.5 units 2x a day at 7:15 am and 7:15 pm immediately after food..inject on back of neck

Brand of BG meter if home testing: One touch ultra test at fasting times and at mid points when possible...test on callous on elbows

WE are still regulating so im sure the units with increase....dont ahve an opinion on the food yet am interested if anyone has any comments on this brand of food with a diabetic dog (he also has bladder stones that restrict his diet!!)

[jesse girl]

jesses primary food ingredient is lean grounded beef heart with collard greens and kale chopped up finely in a food processor and mixed in with the meat to let the enzymes and amino acids begin to break it down I add small amounts of liver yam and pumpkin I will also put an egg in for good measure I also mix in a multi vitamin and some dog enzymes and probiotics (I special order the beef heart from the market it is allot cheaper than lean ground beef ) the beef heart is served raw

[jesse girl]

we have been using the prodigy auto code for 3 months now its numbers compared very close to my true track which was analyzed with the vet and that meter was very close to the vets just a few points off from 250 and lower. the true track needs a large sample of blood and the prodigy is a very small blood sample

I compared to my relion and ulta mini there was about a 30 point difference in that 250 and below classification on those meters compared to the auto code

I decided to try it because of cost able to get strips 50 count on ebay from 2 to 8 dollars for 50 on ebay and amazon for 10 dollars with free shipping we are on a low budget situation and this makes it possible for us to afford jesses testing

the prodigy is a talking meter not sure if I like that part of it but you wont make a mistake on numbers you get audio and visual and of coarse you can plug it into your computer

[nikki]

Nikki, she is a poodle
about 10-11 lbs.
food is wd from the vet
insulin right is from the vet but want to change to walmart
in the am just changed to 4 and evening 3 hope that will lower her levels
just started testing at home relion meter

open to any help.

[cathyguinn]

Nikki, if you keep the shots at 12 hours apart that should make a difference. It did with my pug. I was administering insulin between 11-13 hours depending on my schedule, and when I was on a business trip, I had my vet tech care for him and she gave him insulin exactly 12 hours apart each day, regularly, same times, and his energy picked up and his blood sugar was great when I took him for his check up. Ever since, no matter what, I've done the 12 hour shots, and his energy has picked up.
Hope this helps,
Cathy

[ILoveRotties]

Dog's name, breed: Jacob 7 1/2 year old Rottweiler

Weight: 128 lbs (was 150 lbs prior to pancreatitis)

Diet: Royal Canin Diabetes & Engers Beef with Chicken, 1900 cal/day divided by 2 meals. 3 Cups dry Royal Canin + 1/2 can Engers. I add cinnamon and chromium supplements along with Trixyn and Liquid Health for his arthritis. I also add a steamed veggie like broccoli, green beans, spinach or asperagus with garlic and tamari sauce.

Insulin: Humulin N

Number of units per injection and injections per day: Currently at 32 units, twice a day, 6am/6pm (currently unregulated)

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Started with OneTouch Ultra. Just got a Contour USB but there is a big difference between these two meters. Have not had them to the vet yet to see which is closer to truth. Looking for a meter with less expensive strips, than the OneTouch. I use the underside of the lips, elbow callus or hand pad.

[Paulamck]

Dog's name, breed: Bichon-Poo 13 years old
Dog's weight: 30 lbs (vet wants him to lose 10 lbs)
Diet: Hill w/d dry and canned (ceaser all his like prior along with various dry foods)
Insulin: Humulin NU-100
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 7cc twice per day

Brand of BG meter if home testing:

Don't have one yet...just diagnosed and I am a wreck. He has been on the insulin for 3 days now and also an antibiotic...he is not the same dog he was a week ago :( He doesnt go in for the curve until 2 weeks from this week...do you recommend the meter after we learn more about diabetes
??

[Annie818]

Dog's name, breed: Lulu, Mini Pinscher

Dog's weight: 18.75lbs

Diet: Purina OM / 1 cup 2x per day

Insulin: Humulin-N

# units per injection and injections per day: 6 units in am & pm

Brand of BG meter if home testing: I’m not doing BG meter as of yet.


I don't know much about diabetes - whether it be human or canine form. This is truly a learning experience for me. Heartbreaking, yes... Hopeful... Always.

[kitrose08]

Dog's name, breed: Hattie May, Rat Terrier Mix

Dog's weight: 31.5 pounds

Diet:White meat chicken 1 cup,green beans, One Beyond 1/3 cup.. 2 x a day

Insulin: Humulin-N

# units per injection and injections per day: 13 units in am & pm

Brand of BG meter if home testing: One Touch Ultra 2


TRYING TO LOWER HER SUGAR.......
__________________
.
Hattie May..Diagnosed 4/07/11, 13 units Humulin-N, 2x's/day.
Been steadily increasing insulin

[Anna]

Dog's name, breed: Happy, mini poodle
Dog's weight: 11.5lb
Diet: Royal Canin Diabetic HF 90g with 2-3Tbsp of Tripett Tripe divided into 2-3 times per day...later to Royal Canin Hepatic 80g
Insulin: Humulin-N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 3 units with U-100 insulin syringe in am and pm
Brand of BG meter if home testing: One touch Ultra 2 and AlphaTRAK

[CarolW]

Hi Anna,

Just wanted to remark that in fact, you're giving about 3.75 units of insulin, but MEASURING those units in a U-40 syringe, so that the fluid volume reaches the 1.5-unit MARKER (barrel-mark) on the U-40 syringe.

I'll be glad when you get those U-100 syringes you're planning to get, so that you can measure the actual number of units of insulin - as being the SAME as what the barrel-markings say!

http://www.coherentdog.org/vek/merrymeasure.php

Meantime, you might need to be careful when talking to vets, so nobody goes around giving your dog 1.5 UNITS of Humulin-N - believing that will keep your dog's BG levels under control.

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:39:26 (PDT)

[snoopysmom116]

My dog Superman is 16 pounds. Is taking 7 units of Humulin N twice a day.
He was just diagnosed on April 18 and is not regulated yet. He is eating W/D mixed together with canned dog food chicken (Purina one, IAMS or Alpo)
I bought a Ipet monitor from petmeds but have not been able to get any blood with the lancing device (I think that is what it's called). It works on my finger though - got a drop of my blood.

[Pamala]

My dog Superman is 16 pounds. Is taking 7 units of Humulin N twice a day.
He was just diagnosed on April 18 and is not regulated yet. He is eating W/D mixed together with canned dog food chicken (Purina one, IAMS or Alpo)
I bought a Ipet monitor from petmeds but have not been able to get any blood with the lancing device (I think that is what it's called). It works on my finger though - got a drop of my blood.

Heres the way we take the blood. We have a thin dog mat like the ones that are lined in a cage and place in on a counter. We put her up on there and she stands or lyes down. We use the little black piece of the paw thats under the front paws to get the blood from. We clean the area and pat it dry. Hold his paw and prick sometimes we have to gently turn the lancet and then take it out and give it a couple of seconds and the blood will come out.

[Pamala]

Dog's name, breed: Bichon-Poo 13 years old
Dog's weight: 30 lbs (vet wants him to lose 10 lbs)
Diet: Hill w/d dry and canned (ceaser all his like prior along with various dry foods)
Insulin: Humulin NU-100
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 7cc twice per day

Brand of BG meter if home testing:

Don't have one yet...just diagnosed and I am a wreck. He has been on the insulin for 3 days now and also an antibiotic...he is not the same dog he was a week ago :( He doesnt go in for the curve until 2 weeks from this week...do you recommend the meter after we learn more about diabetes
??

Yes it is so easy to take a curve I wish i would have save the $300 at the vet for my first 3 curves! My vet showed me how and it was easy. We take the blood from the tiny front paw. The one piece of paw that is under the big front paw. I see a lot of people take it from the inside of the lip thats not for me there is so much germs in the mouth.

[Pamala]

Dog's name, breed: Jacob 7 1/2 year old Rottweiler

Weight: 128 lbs (was 150 lbs prior to pancreatitis)

Diet: Royal Canin Diabetes & Engers Beef with Chicken, 1900 cal/day divided by 2 meals. 3 Cups dry Royal Canin + 1/2 can Engers. I add cinnamon and chromium supplements along with Trixyn and Liquid Health for his arthritis. I also add a steamed veggie like broccoli, green beans, spinach or asperagus with garlic and tamari sauce.

Insulin: Humulin N

Number of units per injection and injections per day: Currently at 32 units, twice a day, 6am/6pm (currently unregulated)

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Started with OneTouch Ultra. Just got a Contour USB but there is a big difference between these two meters. Have not had them to the vet yet to see which is closer to truth. Looking for a meter with less expensive strips, than the OneTouch. I use the underside of the lips, elbow callus or hand pad.

I use a product called sashas blend on my three old dogs including my girl that has diabetes. After just 2 weeks on it they were running around like puppies! http://www.sashas.ca/cb_pages/sashas_blend.php

[Pamala]

Dog's name, breed: Buzz (Male), Terrier Mix

Weight: ~20 lbs ideal (~18 lbs now)

Diet: Royal Canin High Protein Diet

Insulin: Humulin-N from Wal-Mart (Eli Lilly Reli-On)

Number of units per injection and injections per day: ~5 units, 2x/day 12 hrs apart. # of units depend on blood glucose testing from ear immediately prior to insulin injections.

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Abbott Labs AlphaTrak. Love it. We test from his ear 2x/day every day.

__________________

Buzz was diagnosed December, 2010. He is still unregulated, but we are moving in the right direction to get him regulated. Read more about him here: www.mydoghasdiabetes.blogspot.com (http://www.mydoghasdiabetes.blogspot.com)
I heard that high Protein can cause bladder stones.

[Pamala]

my dog buster use to be a great sleeper. He was diagnosed about almost 2 years ago. For the last couple of months he doesnt sleep thru the nite. He gets up like an alarm clock everynite about 2-3 and wants to go out. I dont know what it is. Once in a while he will let me sleep till 4:30 but that is rare. He also wants to eat at that time too.

Do you take your own glocose tests? I bet that he has high numbers at night and thats what is making him have to go pee. When he wakes up take a test and see. he may need an insulant or food change.

[Abby's Mom]

Dog's name, breed: Abby, Schnorkie (1/2 Min. Schnauzer 1/2 Yorkshire Terrier)

Weight: 17 lbs (was 28 lbs prior to dx)

Diet: 1/2 Cup Honest Kitchen; Thrive, 1 oz of raw meat (buffalo heart, turkey, pheasant, etc.) 1 tablespoon of pumpkin
Supplements each day: Salmon oil, 1/4 tablet Chrominum, Canine Whole Body Support 1/8 tsp, Bilberry, Vit E, Cranberry, Vit C, Prozyme 1/8 tsp
Insulin: Humulin N 5.0 Units 2x a day 12 hrs apart

Brand of BG meter if home testing: OneTouch Ultra2. Vet tested with their Lab machine and appears to be a 13% point difference. At the time of reading:
Catalyst DX 230
One Touch Ultra 2: 203

[Patty]

Diet: Raw. 30% Raw Meat (switch a bit between Ground Lamb, Fish, Ground Lean Beef, Ground Chicken (sometimes chicken wings), Ground Turkey (sometimes turkey necks), the remaining portion is made of Cooked Brown Rice, Cooked Barley, lightly steamed Kale, raw Brocolli, raw Green Beans, raw Sweet Potatoes, raw Carrots. Wheat Berries (additional Carb) or White Rice. I make batches, and then I freeze them in daily portions. Sounds like a lot of work, but really isn't. When feeding a raw diet, I have read that it is a good idea to be switching out protiens.



Hi Barb,
I just read through Abby's diet. I know you're getting some good numbers right now, so it's hard to mess around with diet. But I wanted to bring up a few concerns. There are a few foods that I wouldn't feed raw on a daily basis.

One is raw sweet potato. Sweet potato contains an enzyme inhibitor that can prevent the digestion of protein. This trypsin inhibitor is no longer active once the potato is cooked (but this will also change the starch content and your numbers likely). Let me see if I can find an article on this. Here, scroll down this page: http://vegpeace.org/rawfoodtoxins.html

Another is raw broccoli. Raw broccoli and cauliflower contain goitrogens that can inhibit thyroid funtion. If you just parboil it (ie. drop the broccoli into boiling water for two minutes) this inactivates the goitrogens. It also makes the vegetables more digestible. As a small treat, I wouldn't worry but depending on the amount and when used on a daily basis I'd use caution.

I think the raw green beans are fine if you are just using them for fiber. Dogs typically can't break down the cell walls of vegetables unless they are pulverized or partially cooked. So they aren't really used by the body raw except as bulk as I understand it.

Hope that helps,
Patty

[Abby's Mom]

Thanks Patty! I didn't know. (what would I do without all of your knowledge). One saving grace is that I do mix up the vegetables, as well as the protein, on a day to day basis. I have been not buying or making any thing with sweet potatoes, as well as putting limiting amounts of carrots in. The other item I rotate is barley and brown rice. Sometimes she gets pure pumpkin, yogurt and raw egg.

I do process everything in a food processer (so, everything is a mush, except for the meat), but I will par boil the brocolli, so she can digest better. I have not had any problems with her digestion, and her stools seem to be "healthy".

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Patty]

Keep us posted on how the changes go :)

[jesse girl]

jesse raw diet is not completely raw the beef side is and the green leafy vegetables but the vegetables are pulverized in a food processor and blended into the grounded beef to let the enzymes in the meat break the vegetable mater down further

she gets eggs and yams but they are cooked beef I believe is check more frequently than other meats and i do freeze it to kill any parasites of coarse bacteria can survive her health has improved no more infections if she gets a scrape she heals quick so her immune system seems to be doing well

the only complaint is I would like her to put a bit more weight on but even commercial food did not do that she maintains what shes got and lighter is better for chasing rabbits but not much surplus if she does get sick again

[Cebe]

Looking for food advice now. Here are Zoe's stats:

Dx 6/1/11
Black lab mix, usually 60lbs
Humulin n 11 units 2x day

Food: pinnacle trout and sweet potato. 1.5 cup 2x day.

Zoe has food allergies but I don't know what causes the allergic reaction. Beef is a no-no, and so are grains etc. The pinnacle food is a limited ingredient food.

Usually if she eats food that causes a reaction she will have several symptoms: itching, excessive elimination, hyperactivity, panting, itchy ears, postures on skin, hot spots.

With the pinnacle, her only symptom is some postures on her belly and they could be from another source related to her current hair loss.

Before her diabetes dx, she was on CA Natural herring and sweet potato, but darn that company, the last (expensive) bag I bought caused a reaction and so I've had to leave that food behind, even though I liked it and it was the most successful food so far, but now I can't trust the consistency.

Considering that I'm spending a fortune on her food and bc of her diagnosis, I had a telephone consult with a holistic vet. She said I could start a raw food diet using fish but I was so overwhelmed I just couldn't follow what she was telling me. It was all too fast, and it sounded expensive - fish 2x a day?

I'm still interested in cooking for my dog, and I wonder if there's a homecooked diet I can create for her that might save me money and help her symptoms.

I don't plan to make any changes until I get more familiar with her curves and until she is regulated for a while, but I want to work this out.

Thank you!!

[AZPitasmom]

Just to keep things consistent

Dog's name, breed: Pita - she is a "Yurgess" that is ' Yur gess is as good as mine"
Dog's weight: last count 48 lbs - down from 65 but up from 43 (thank goodness)
Diet: In the process of changing to Wellness Core Grain-free Reduced Fat
Insulin: Humalin-N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 12 units/2xs
Brand of BG meter if home testing: US Diagnostics and in the process of setting up to home test (per the vet when the food switch is complete)

[sheureka]

Name - Rowlf
Weight - 15 pounds
Breed - Bichon Frise
Food - 1/2 cup Royal Canin Diabetic 2x, plus chicken jerky and pumpkin/cranberry cookie after shot
Insulin - 4.5 units Humulin N 2x
Meter - AlphaTrak

[ILoveRotties]

My Jacob gets less if I am going to walk him. He will get 8 units of Levimir at 6am and 8 1/2 units at 6pm. I still have to give him honey before our walk or figs along the walk if I sense he is getting sluggish. And the extra 1/2 unit of Levimir is a lot more than 1/2 a unit of humulin but it seems to work for Jacob. The Levimir is doing a better job keeping his curve looking like a healthy even with the walks.

[redsassyrn]

Name: Samson (Sammy!)
Age-8 years
Weight-20-22 lbs
Breed-Shitzu/bichon/lhasa
Food-still guessing (science diet toy light/evo turkey 80%protien)
Insulin-NPH 10 units BID
meter--urine strips
New diabetic (diagnosed one year ago)--have both parents, neither are diabetic as far as I know. Urine strips used---usually high glucose. Still trying to find control and my own education. Problem is all three have been raised with food out 24/7 without an issue. ready to give up and just use any old dogfood since the expensive foods really arent helpful in glucose control. Still give same amount of insulin with Evo or Science Diet light.
Any help would be appreciated since this is getting quite expensive to experiment.

[jim maceri]

Spirit Newfoundland
125 pounds
Hill WD Kibble
Boiled chicken
Hills WD can made into gravy.

Treats: Hills Biscuits/DS joint tabs

Meter: Alpha track
Humulin N 12 units 2x per day

walks 3 per day average about 2.5 miles total.

[farrwf]

Dog's name, breed:
Otis, Pug

Weight:
average of between 28 - 30 pounds. Was down to 24 when diagnosed.

Diet:
Hill's WD kibble with either ground chuck or ground chicken thigh or hard boiled egg. Usually gets 3/4 of a hard boiled egg as a mid day snack.

Insulin:
Humulin (Relion) N

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
average of 10.75 units per injection
two injections per day, every twelve hours

Brand of BG meter if home testing:
Not testing yet. Using urine test strips and monitoring behavior.

[HarrysMom]

Dog's Name
Harry, Irish Setter, 13 yo, 74 lbs

Diet
Royal Canin Renal MP (low protein, high fat and high carb) and B.G. canned food toppingn mixed with broccoli and psyllium - despite this diabetes-unfriendly diet, his BGs are relatively OK now. He gets freeze dried liver and egg white as treats, and also gets Wellness Grain Free canned cat food with his pills.

Insulin
Humulin N, 22.5 iu AM and 21 iu PM

Meter
AlphaTrak and OneTouch Ultra

[kfazio]

my dog's name is Jake

mini schnauzer, 7 yrs 26 lbs

Insulin Humulin N 6 IU in the Am and 6 IU in the PM (12 hours apart)

currently eating Innova dry mixed with Merrick soft food - food is now being mixed with science diet wd

update now Jake is on 8 IU in the AM and 8 IU in the PM - his next BG curve is 12/14/11

just purchased the Alphtrak meter - now I have to learn how to use it

[Kat Negron]

Hi there, brand new with my newly diagnosed pup, Gigi. She received her official diagnosis about two weeks ago. Sure hoping we can get regulated soon!

Dog's name, breed: Gigi, Jack Russell/Beagle mix (just turned 8 on Nov 1)
Dog's weight: 26 lbs (down from 29.5)
Diet: Right now a mix of Iams weight control (dry) and Royal Canin Diabetic Prescrip. (wet) About a cup of dry with 1/4 cup wet twice a day (6 AM and 6 PM)
Insulin: Hum. N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 6 units 2x per day (between 6-7 AM and 6-7 PM)
Brand of BG meter if home testing: Right now, glucose and keto sticks and Freestyle Lite

Really kind of nervous right now because her bg is pretty high (glucose meter says at the highest point around 500 and the urine strip says over 1000 so I'm not sure what to believe). Testing for ketones, too, and those have been negative. Only on day 2 of insulin injections right now.

[Penny Lane]

Dog's name:Penny

Breed: Labrador x

Age: 13

Diagnosed: Oct/2010

Weight: 21.2kg

Diet: Hill's WD dry food

Insulin:Caninsulin

Number of units per injection and injections per day:
2 x 20 units

Other med.: Vetmedin (heart murmur), Soloxine (Thyroid)

Penny is blind since March 2011, but not 100% as she knows day & night. She doesn't have a problem at all which she shows on daily walks of around 20 min each. Recently she started getting up during the night and drinks a lot, which results in having to walk her 3AM in the morning. Been to the vets yesterday and waiting for the blood results.

[Tparkspage]

Hi Zega our male lab 10 .5 years old has been diagnosed about a month ago and we are still trying to regulate his insulin. He start at 7 units and we are at 12.5 units tonight. It is such a slow frustrating process. Zega has been very difficult in the eating his breakfast or dinner and he used to be such a great eater. He was 90 lbs and now at 75 lb. He is now eating purina dco 1cup with one cup turkey morning and evening that is if I am lucky. His blood glucose level original was in the 500. Now we wake in the 300 stay around 250 and above till evoking back at 300. I assume his insulin humilin N is not last the full 12 hours on him and just wonder if we get him down further with his bgs that he won't be so high in the morning. Also have noticed that bg before walk is lower then after not sure if that is because he is staying above the 250 level. I also wonder if there is not a quicker way to get the dosing of insulin correct. Our vet wants to wait 3-4 days between increases of only one unit. Btw his onset seemed quick one day being active then ear infection to visit to vet to two days later at the ER for five days with pancratisis. Has anyone else had it hot so quickly? He is still very tired and lethargic. Just scared the high blood glucose is killing him slowly. He also acquire a droopy eye where the inner eyelid third eye lid as the vet said is partially closed. She claims it is not an infect just syptom. Not sure myself on this.

[Brundyln]

Hi,

New to the site.

8 Yr old Choc Lab: Bruno

127lbs. (solid)

Diagnosed a year ago and has been blind for 3 months

I feed him SD w/d grain and can- 3 cups and 1 can/day split into 2 feedings

42units Humulin N bid ($24.88 @ Walmart)

1/2", 1cc, 29G syringes (have purchased from Diabeticsupplies for as little as
$5.50/hundred).

Bayer Breeze 2 meter; always +/- 20 units from blood tests. ($46 for 100)
I use elbow pad and scar on tip of tail for testing.

I, unfortunately, had a GSD with degenerative myelopathy (he passed 10/14/2011). The time I spent caring for him prevented me from giving my lab the early attention he needed which resulted in a delayed diagnosis. I saw him losing weight, but thought it was due to the high fiber-high protein diet he was eating along with my shepherd. By the time the non-stop drinking and voiding started he was in ketoacidosis. Even though I was able to regulate his BG quickly, the damage to his eyes had already begun. The only thing that allows me to take solace in my negligence is his uncanny ability to adapt to his loss of sight. He would still fetch a thermo-nuclear weapon if I threw one. It just takes him longer to find it via scent...but he would find it and bring it right to me.

Thrilled I found the site!

Brundyln

[diamondlinks]

Welcome

I hope this forum will help you as much as it has for our family. Most of the dogs here are smaller than ours so it's nice to see someone with a large dog. Also to see how much insulin your dog uses, I thought I was the only one that uses so much. My dog used to weigh 109 pounds but now is holding steady at 100 pounds. We are still after 1 1/2 years trying to get a good dosage to help him regulate his bg numbers. Beau is using Humulin N 35u in the am, and 36u in the pm. We must do BG testing again soon to see how his numbers are. They went up recently but we have been giving him glucosamine and we found it raised his bg, so we have stopped and raised his insulin hoping to get him back in line. He really needs the glucosamine for his hips and legs, I am not sure what to do about that. Beau is 8 years old and he lost a lot of his sight about 4 months ago but still does well.

[k9diabetes]

Hi Loretta!

Nice to see you here. :)

Natalie

[momofdecker]

Name: Decker, 8 years old at dx

Breed: Mixed - some lab

Weight: 98lbs at dx

Diet: SD Light - 1.5c dry and 1/4 c canned in the morning. Same in the evening. Also add vit. A, E, Bilberry and Fish Oil to morning meal.

Insulin: Humulin N

Injections: 37u twice a day - unable to regulate - runs 400-600 through out the day

Brand of Meter: One Touch Ultra - test on the inner lip.

Additional Information: Diagonosed in early Nov. 2011. Was started at 40u twice a day. Overdosed for just under six weeks before finding this forum and reducing the dose to 20u and then 15u. Have worked up 1u-2u at a time over 5-7 day period. Impossible to regulate as of May 2012. Completely blind in right eye. Only able to see directly in front of him w/ the left eye. Anticipate him becoming 100% blind in the near future.

[CeeDee]

Name: Sam, 9.5 years old diagnoses 5/2011

Breed: Golden/Rottie plus unknown

Weight: 90 lbs

Diet: 1.5 Purina DCO + spoonful ff cottage cheese + protein (lean beef,chicken... small amt) 2x day + 1/3 cup DCO @bedtime w/Purina lite snacker treat

Insulin: 70/30 Humuin 21 units 2x day

Meter: Accu-Chek Aviva; reads 20-30 lower than vet


Other: started on Humulin N when 1st diagnosed but had low bg at about 3:30 in afternoon so food not syncing with insulin. Still not controlled 2/2012. Just when i think he's stable he will low bg at odd time. I'm struggling to adjust bg when it gets low.

[Sunnyside]

Hi,
I'm new to the site.

Name: Cooky, 10.5 years old diagnoses 2/2010

Breed: Min Pin

Weight: 13.5 lb

Diet: Nutrisca chicken dry food + Weruva Paw Lickin Chicken can food

Insulin: Humulin N : 5 units 2x/day

Meter: AlphaTrak until now and planing to change due to difficult to get numbers with. Tried Reli-On for one day and it was very easy to use.

Other: Cataract surgery on one eye in 8/2010 and prosthetic eye on other eye same time due to glaucoma. Currently, became blind in 10/2010 and showed signs of glaucoma on existing eye. Vet ophthalmologist checking for eye pressure for further pain.

Yulia & Cooky:)

[jgr789]

Hi,
Also new to this site which has been a godsend!

Name: Sadie, 9.5 years; old diagnosed 12/2011

Breed: Lab Mix

Weight: 76.5 lbs

Diet: 1 1/2 cups of Wellness Core Grain Free Reduced Fat + 1 cup Hills Prescription W/D Lowfat with 1/3 cup boiled chicken and 1/2 cup chicken broth 2X a day. Also loves homemade chicken jerky after shots

Insulin: Humulin N - 26 units 2x/day purchased at Walmart

Syringes: ReliOn 29 gauge

Meter: Started using Freestyle Lite but read way lower than the Vets so switched to OneTouch Ultra2

Other: BG still unregulated but have progressed from being over 500 to highs being below 350. Vet also recommended giving Vitamin B12

[JayneN]

Good morning!

Name: Shadow 9 yrs old diagnosed 3/1/2012

Breed: Cairn Terrier

Weight: 18 lbs

Diet: 1/4 can Hills Science Presciption Diet W/D wet, 1/2 cup Hills Science W/D dry for grazing eats this amount twice a day
Insulin: Humulin N - 9 units 2x/day

[diamondlinks]

Welcome,

Sorry to meet you with our dogs both diabetics, but we will make it. This forum has been very helpful, may I say a God send. Just my thoughts but I have done a lot of research on what food is good for our best friend. I started on Hills Science Presciption Diet because that is what my vet was pushing. Well when I looked at the ingredients it did not make sense to me. First thing is corn meal, what is that a starch, which turns to sugar. It just didn't make sense to me, so I found Wellness Core Reduced Fat that is very healthy. Seems to work well but my friend has not been regulated yet and Beau was diagnoised in September 2010. It is a constant hit and miss and I am told one day the right combination will work. Read a lot here and knowledge will make you feel better.

[dbkookie]

Name: Joey
Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Weight approx 22 pounds
Insulin: Humulin N 5 units 2X day
Diet: I researched dry dog food and decided on Orijen Senior since it has won awards for low glycemic the past two years. His treats are also award, Nutrisca freeze dry. I did make up some treats that contain brown rice flour, ground turkey and eggs.
Joey is my foster dog who came into rescue with diabetes. I am hoping with the food and treats I can help get his sugar levels down. When he went to my vet 2 weeks ago (when I got him) they were ranging between 230 & 400. He goes back on the 13th so fingers crossed this is working.

[sugabuga]

Name: Annie
Weight 70lbs
Age 8 yrs this month
Food: Hills Science Diet Light -
Dose/Med: Humulin N - w/1 can of food am and 1 can at pm feeding: 17u/17u
still regulating (w/vet visits every 3-5 days) - so yesterday at 4p (8 hours after 1 can of food and 15u) she tested at 323. Vet upped to 10u (w/ 1/2 can or 17 w/1 full can)

The more I read the more questions I have being a newbie !

how will i know if her blood sugar goes too low or too high? I need to get a meter to read at home. can someone recommend best one ? Annie will not like getting pricked i'm pretty certain but i have to get her used to it. How often should I do it? I think once we get a bit of regulation thru the vet visits, home reading is important, right?
what is a curve?
forgive me on this one - what is the term for too low sugar, is it hyp ____?
what is the name of the syrup to use if she goes into this state?
So far she's been fine but dont want to be unprepared if anything goes wrong.

I'm trying to read but one thing leads me to another link to another and i'm feeling a bit confused.
After a correct dose, does your dog get quiet, fidgety or anything like it to expect?
Treats - i see people give chicken, hard boiled eggs - my vet keeping us on a pretty strict diet of reg food and veggies - is this because she is getting over pancreatitis (which seems over with) and also because she is still being regulated?

My cushings boy is barking in the other room because he's alone so going to go keep him company : ) thanks everyone...

[patseyj]

First thing. I am a newbie!! Have learned so much in 1 month on this site!

Abbey (mini schnauzer) was diagnosed March 1st, 2012 and started on NPH.

Weight: 13-14 lbs

Her current diet: Hill's w/d kibble and Merrick canned (Low glycemic)food.

Insulin: NPH 4 units 2 x a day. Still trying to get her regulated. Note: Check out Walmart for the NPH. No Rx needed and vial about $24.99. Ensure to get the syringes to match the insulin.

Meter used: TRUE2Go. Love it! Will test with a drop the size of a poppyseed. Purchased 1st meter, TRUEtest. Was a good meter, BUT needed ALOT more blood to test. Tip: Take your meter to the vet with you, if you get a curve done to see how your meter measures up to the vets. This way you can rely on truer readings at home. ;)

[tobysdad]

Hi,

Name: Toby 7 yrs old diagnosed 4/4/2012

Breed: mixed Breed

Weight: 35 lbs

Diet: I'm still working on this toby is so spoiled and set in his ways this will be the hardest part.


Insulin: Humulin N - 5 units 2x/day



I'm a total newbie toby my mixed breed was just diagnosed 3 days ago and I'm totally lost I just brought him home yesterday I just started him on insulin I haven't figured out a diet yet he is spoiled and i need all the help I can get toby means everything to me.

I post more details as I get them, but I also don't know what I should be posting to get the most info I will need.


thank u
tobysdad

[Athena]

Hi! Newbie here, I hope to learn more about my baby's disease on this site.

Dog's name, breed: Athena, she is a 9yo German Shepard/Rottie mix
Dog's weight:Currently 61lbs (she was 70lbs before being diagnosised and dropped down to 55 lbs, still working on getting her back to a healthy weight)
Diet: Hill's Active Longevity 2xs/day
Insulin: Humilin N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 19units 2xs/day
Brand of BG meter if home testing: Still in the market, but I cannot wait to start testing her myself.

[chezz]

Hi there

My Name is Cheryl I am in Australia I just found out my beloved dog has diabetes he is spent the day at vets and they told me he reading was 23 and after the insulin it came to 17 I asked her if I could test my little man at home and she said no …I said I don’t understand why you can’t test at home as when I was pregnant I had gestational diabetes …she said that was their job to monitor it and to bring him back next week for his curves ……of course I was not happy with this because I was worried I would over dose him on insulin if his readings where not that bad , so I jumped on the net and this is where I am at…

I also have heard of a dvd called reversing diabetes in 30 days by raw for life ( for humans) so I started thinking if a raw diet reverses diabetes in humans why can’t it work for dogs I haven’t feed him commercial food since reading food pets die for by Anne martin ..however I was feeding him brown rice potatoes and pasta mixed with raw mince …..obviously this has not been the best heath choice as I didn’t know of his condition until know, I did find b.a.r.f but I noticed it has carrots in the formula and carrots contain natural sugar I am so confused

I have him on turkey. Chicken and salmon at the moment but he is a big boy so it gunna cost me a fortune … can you please help me with some advice

I love my boy so much and I am devastated at the news

I Went out yesterday and bought a meter to measure his levels this morning his reading was 23..5 I tested him again at 1.02 pm and his reading was 22.9 …I have no idea what I am doing here because my vet gave me no advise on food except just keep feeding what you always feed him …but isn’t rice, patatos, pasta all wrong ..

Also has anyone on here have an unvaccinated dog with diabetes ???? think I will find a new vet please help he is a collie x blue healer on 5ml insulin twice a day …the vet said to olny feed him twice a day when his shots are due is this correct

cheryl

[ladihawk]

Dog's name, breed: Ryley, yellow lab
Dog's weight: now 85 was 105 before he got sick
Diet: 2c regular dry food and 1/2c oatmeal 2x/day
Insulin: humalin n
Number of units per injection and injections per day: 17/day x2
Brand of BG meter if home testing: n/a


Hi everyone we are very glad to have found this site :) Being a "newbie" to this I was extremely overwhelmed and felt lost. I have been reading for a bit before I finally decided to post. Our Ryley was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. He was having a hard time walking(thought he got kicked by a doe in the backyard) when we finally brought him to the vets. (He is extremely picky and only likes one vet @the hospital and had to wait for her.) He had a large amount of keytones(reason for rapid weight loss) in his urine and had to be in the hospital to start getting those down. He has been doing good since and are finally seeing our boy back, but not regulated yet, has to go for another curve next week.

[jjefferjo]

Hey
and welcome one of the moderators will come along and move this thread over to the other side. Or you can start a new in the forum section and tell us more about Ryley.
How was he walking before he got kicked?
welcome and again you have found the best forum for support.
Jj

[DocWatson]

Hi my name is Roy, and my dog is Watson. I am new to all this and am extremely thankful I found this forum. :)

Dog's name, breed: Watson, lab/Doberman mix, 11 years old
Dog's weight: Currently 61lbs (he was 65- 68 lbs before the diagnosis but was a little overweight for his size anyway. He was right at 60 lbs for the first 4 years.)
Diet: Horizon Legacy, 1 cup per meal x 2 per day, 2 tbs pumpkin mixed with ½ tsp 4Life Transfer Factor supplement.
Insulin: Humilin N
Number of units per injection and injections per day: started at 15 units 2 x a day, just went to 18 units 2x a day after the last curve test this past Monday, April 16. Will return on April 30 for another curve test.
Brand of BG meter if home testing: Vet says I don’t need to test at home, but I don’t buy this and her explanation of why I don’t need to worry about testing at home.
Exercise: About a 20 – 30 minute walk, depending on how much he wants to smell around and sniff everything. He has reinjured an old CCL injury from about 3 years ago, so the walks are slow until I can get him back to walking without too much pain. He also has hip dysplasia in his left hip, though that has not caused him any problems so far. I have him on 100 mg of Rimadyl a day, but he was on 75mg of Deramaxx until they stopped making it recently. I prefer the Deramaxx over the Rimadyl, but no side effects I can tell of. I also give him 2 Phycox tablets 2 x a day, these are supplements for the glucosamine and Chondroitin extras.

[maryhad2lambs]

Dog's name, breed: Runner, greyhound

Dog's weight: 78.8 pounds

Diet: Royal Canin Diabetic

Insulin: NPH

Number of units per injection and injections per day: 12 units in the am and 12 in the pm

Brand of BG meter if home testing: Currently I do not use a meter to check Runner's glucose, but watch for clinical signs and symptoms. I also check his urine. I do have a One Touch if I see anything that may be hypo or hyperglycemia

[Shellie]

Mary...I created a new thread for you of your very own. It's titled Runner. Just look down and you should find it. Welcome to the forum!

[ycalwb]

dogs breed Minature Schnauzer Name Gunni
age 8 1/2 weighs 28pds.
humlin insulin now using 10u 2x a day
Eats fit and trim with boiled chicken
I use the alphaTrak2 monitor to keep track of his levels. It is a little more expensive, but I need to be as accurate as I can as his glucose spikes up to the 400's, have only recently been diagnosed (Feb 2012) Still working on getting him regulated, but he has an infection in his anal glands which is really throwing him for a loop!