Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

[Bernie's Mom]

Bernie's been a diabetic for just over 10 years. Up until recently I've had no problems with him that couldn't be quickly fixed by a trip to the vet and an insulin adjustment. I should also mention that Bernie is basically blind and deaf. The past 2 or 3 weeks things have changed a lot. First he has slowed down. He did nothing but eat, sleep and pee (hope I can say that). Then he wasn't really interested in eating breakfast anymore and threw up occassionally. Tonight he didn't want to eat dinner. I tried cottage cheese which was a favorite, some chicken, finally got him to eat a scrambled egg which he threw up 20 minutes later. He is begging to go out every 10 minutes. We will be going to the vet in the morning. Probably not the best way to start off on a new forum but I guess I'm just posting because I needed to vent. I welcome any comments or thoughts and ask for the strength to continue to take care of Bernie.

[Diane Roehm]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

It is good that you are going to the vet. I read an article awhile back that said if your dog doesn't want to eat especially something you know he likes don't force it. Could be his pancreas. Thats what my dog was doing she wouldn't even eat chicken and was throwing up. That is how I found out she was diabetic. I am not saying that it is. I don't know but it is ok if he doesn't eat till the morning. . Sorry I know it is so difficult to watch your baby suffer.

[CarolW]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Really sorry Bernie isn't feeling well. Glad you'll get him to the vet in the morning. He's done beautifully to come this far before this kind of event occurred (maybe I'm assuming too much).

All posts of ANY length are welcome here; the more we know, the better we can assist you.

A Big, Fat, Welcome, to you and Bernie, to this magnificent forum on canine diabetes! Hope you thoroughly enjoy the level of support and information you can get here. I'll be watching your thread!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:58:21 (PST)

[k9diabetes]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Congratulations on 10 years of managing diabetes in Bernie... that's really a wonderful accomplishment.

I am sorry that Bernie's worrisome behavior is what brought you to the forum... And I am glad that you are taking him to the vet right away. The kind of behavior you describe makes me think something unrelated to his diabetes may be going on so a good workup is in order.

Are you able to give him some insulin even if he doesn't eat?

Usually they can handle anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 of the usual insulin dose without any food to go with it - that insulin goes to the basal needs for insulin to go with the sugar in the blood in between meals. It keeps very high blood sugar from contributing to whatever else might be happening. It's usually best to start with no more than a quarter of the usual dose and is safest to do if you are testing blood sugar at home.

Any time I have a dog or cat with vomiting, I prefer to withhold food for at least one meal of two day, sometimes both - have to be more careful with cats than dogs. It gives the digestive system a chance to rest and sometimes is enough to settle things down by itself. So I wouldn't try to get Bernie to eat at this point - would wait for the vet visit to see what you find out.

We all certainly hope that Bernie will be okay and that there is nothing serious going on with him. Please let us know, okay?

Venting always welcome,

Natalie

[MaryLea]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Welcome to the forum! Glad you are here--and very glad you are going to the vet tomorrow. I hope he/she can get to the bottom of what's going on.

Will watch for your report.

Mary

[SandyL]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Want to add my welcome as well!! I'm so sorry that he's not doing so great at the moment but hopefully you'll be able to get some answers at the vet.

Please keep us posted and vent all you want... And yes, you can say "pee" here, some of us have said worse

Sandy

[jjefferjo]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Adding my welcome as well
you have hit the lottery for support and room to vent

[Shellie]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Adding my welcome as well! Sorry to hear your baby, Bernie, isn't do so well! But sounds like you're on top of it with a vet visit in the am. Please feel free to vent away...we all do! Let us know how Bernie is! Hugs!

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

A warm welcome. Keep us posted on Bernie and hope for the best.

[Bernie's Mom]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Thanks for the welcome, well wishes and info. Bernie is spending the day at the vet. He did eat an egg and some cottage cheese for breakfast. His sugar test came in at 126, which is excellent. He is running a low fever and had a few parasites in his stool test. I can't remember what they called them. They will be running a curve on him today and giving him an antibiotic. They also will give him something to coat his stomach (probiotic ?). We did touch on the possibility of pancreatic problems. At 5:00 we will decide if he will spend the night there or come home so I can watch him thru the night.

[Diane Roehm]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

So glad he is at the Vet. Please keep up posted.

[pgcor]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

I have to say that YOU ARE MY HERO! Ten years of treatment for Bernie is really a great accomplishment. I'm coming up on 5 years and thought that was pretty good.

You're a wonderful role model! Hoping Bernie is better soon!

Pam

[Bernie's Mom]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Bernie is home. The vet thought he would be to stressed staying there. Besides he is doing great. For dinner he had chicken, broccoli and pasta and for dessert he had cottage cheese. It's going to be really hard getting him back on dog food but it was less stressful for me tonight. He has 2 meds to take: trimethoprum sulfa, an antibiotic and panacur suspension, a worm med. He really fought me on taking them so I just soaked a small piece of bread and made little dough balls and he ate them right up.

[Diane Roehm]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

So glad to hear it!

[jjefferjo]

Re: Bernie - 14 yr old chihuahua

Glad he is home too!
I place Ed's pills in a little pumpkin