Understanding Pepper's Juvenile Diabetes

[amydunn19]

Ok just checking

[k9diabetes]

There is some latitude with a very young diabetic as a week is a long time when they are puppies and they are constantly growing and thus their insulin needs can be increasing steadily as they grow.

Natalie

[Lieder2]

Update on Pepper. She is coming up on 5 months! We have seen the vet this week and she is weighing in at a wapping 12 lbs 4 oz!!! Celebrating this weight gain victory as we have struggled with eating. Her insulin is up to 5 units, set to increase in two weeks based on her blood sugar numbers. Her blood sugar is still running high. She stays in the 400 and 500s. The vet is being very cautious with increasing her insulin. I am struggling with this. I want to give Pepper's body enough time to register the insulin increase but we are waiting two weeks before increasing her insulin and her blood sugar is consistently too high. We are trying to help by going on more walks each day but I cannot do it regularly.

Pepper has developed a weeping wound on her left shoulder. Initially, she had a small bump that later became crusty and now is an open, seeping wound. I know it bothers her because she mouths me when I am giving her insulin (it is close to her injection sight). It will scab over in the mornings and by afternoon it is open again. My guess is she is scratching it. She has had it for several weeks and now we are treating it with a topical antibiotic. I imagine this can affect her blood sugar as well. My goodness this girl!!!

I want to end with more victories. We have landed on a food that she is eating. We have tried several foods to encourage her to eat which would work for a week and she was back to not eating. For the past two weeks Pepper has been offered 1/4 cup of boiled chicken with a heaping cup of dry dog food and 1/2 cup of warm water!!!! Success!!!! Next, our Pepper is peppy!!! We have had a lethargic puppy for so long that we are rejoicing over a puppy who wants to play, wants to go for walks, and overall appears to be energetic!!!!

Thank you all again for your wonderful comments and advice! Keep them coming!!!!

[Lieder2]

Originally Posted by k9diabetes

There is some latitude with a very young diabetic as a week is a long time when they are puppies and they are constantly growing and thus their insulin needs can be increasing steadily as they grow.

Natalie

I am struggling with our vet in this area, Natalie. Not sure if staying where we are is the best thing for her or if we need to see someone else. I appreciate their caution but struggle with waiting two weeks before increasing her insulin. Especially because she continues to run high!!!!

Teri

[Riliey and Mo]

hi Teri

glad you found a food she likes.

this wound on her shoulder needs to be seen by the vet asap. she probably needs more than a topical antibiotic and possible pain pills.

this can definately reak havok on her blood sugar

[amydunn19]

Have you done a curve recently? When was she raised to 5 units?

If there is certainty that she is staying in the 400 and 500's then there is no reason to wait. As long as she has had enough time to adjust to 5 units.

Also, the wound could be causing some highs.

[Lieder2]

Originally Posted by Riliey and Mo

hi Teri

glad you found a food she likes.

this wound on her shoulder needs to be seen by the vet asap. she probably needs more than a topical antibiotic and possible pain pills.

this can definately reak havok on her blood sugar

The vet saw her on Thursday (4/23), checked for bacteria, and gave us the antibiotic. We are watching it carefully and will move to oral antibiotic if this does not work. They are very conservative and I am considering looking for another vet.

[Lieder2]

Originally Posted by amydunn19

Have you done a curve recently? When was she raised to 5 units?

If there is certainty that she is staying in the 400 and 500's then there is no reason to wait. As long as she has had enough time to adjust to 5 units.

Also, the wound could be causing some highs.

Doing a curve today. All her numbers are in the 500s. I plan on raising after today if her curve was high. Thank you!

[k9diabetes]

I agree with you that the vet is being too conservative. That blood sugar level is bordering on completely unregulated. Blood sugar in the 200s and low 300s would give much better control and no risk.

With a growing dog, risk of hypo is pretty low. The need for insulin will naturally be constantly increasing as Pepper grows.

If the vet won't be more aggressive, I would explore options. Or start managing the dose yourself.

Natalie

[k9diabetes]

One of our juvenile diabetics - haven't had an update in a while.