Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

    Hello everyone- My 8 1/2 year old Beagle Pitbull Mix Hannah has been a "special needs" dog for many years. In 2014 she was diagnosed with Addison's Disease; we have been managing it with Precorten injections every 30-35 days. She is on 5 mg of of Prednisone, along with 6 mg Soloxine for thyroid issues.

    For the last 4 months, we have been struggling with her latest health issue - diabetes. She started on a low dose of Novolin NPH (U-100) that was gradually increased to 28 units 2x's per day. Her blood sugar has remained at levels in the high 400's. Two weeks ago we switched to Vetsulin (U-400) 20 units 2x's per day. When her blood sugar was checked 2 days ago, she was at her highest 500.

    Our vet has done some research (since she's the only dog they have w/ Addison's & on such a high dose of insulin). We decided on switching to Humulin N (U-100) 18 units 2x's per day. I have a insulin meter ordered so I can start checking her levels at home. She is on Science Diet can food & sensitive stomach dry.

    I'm looking for guidance on any tips, tricks or recommendations on how to manage. Hannah is my life- my fur baby. ❤️
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

    Welcome to you and your pup.

    I can't comment on Addison disease, hopefully others will check in this evening or tomorrow.

    I did want to suggest there really isn't much difference between Novolin-N and Humulin-N, they are both NPH insulins. I would hate to use Hunulin-N for $130/vial when Novolin-N is only $25/vial at Walmart.

    How much does Hannah weigh? Is she spayed?

    Craig
    Annie was an 18 pound Lhasa Apso that crossed the rainbow bridge on 10-5-17. She was nearly 17 years old and diabetic for 9˝ years.

    Comment

    • #3
      Unfortunately, the pred makes it harder to control diabetes but as I understand, it is a vital part in Addison's. Is she on the lowest possible dose of pred? Are there any alternative treatments that have been mentioned? There have been dogs who have to take pred to get some decent blood sugar numbers.

      The humulin N and Novolin N are basically the same type of insulin. Do her numbers ever drop to a lower level during any point of the day on novolin (when she was on it)? I am wondering if you could try to use some R(fast acting insulin) along with n or switch to it completely and inject four times a day ? It might be worth trying just to see. Hopefully, someone with some Addison's experience will chime in.
      Maggie - 15 1/2 y/o JRT diagnosed 9/2007, Angel status on 6/20/16. Her mantra was never give up but her body couldn't keep up with her spirit. Someday, baby.......

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

        Amydunn makes a good point about the prednisone dosage and typically many vets tend to prescribe a higher dosage than is necessary/required.

        As the mom of an Addison's dog also on Percorten, I can tell you that 5mg daily is a very high dosage for a maintenance dose and it probably is the culprit in your challenges to control the bg's.

        Many endocrinologists will suggest that in many cases, 1/2 of 1mg would be sufficient for a dog weighing about 100 pounds. My dog weighs 23 pounds and gets 1/2 of 1mg daily which is higher than normal, however he is a rescue, has had many other health problems and stresses very easily

        Having been prescribed prednisone temporarily for a medical condition myself, I can tell you that it shot my blood glucose through the roof and I am pre-diabetic.

        You may want to discuss the pred dosage with your vet and if he/she agrees that it could be reduced, it should be done very slowly.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

          Thank you everyone for the feedback!! To answer a few questions and provide some additional details:

          Hannah currently weighs 65.5 pounds (down from 80 last winter). She's lost a lot of muscle mass. She was spayed prior to her adoption)

          I forgot to mention that in 2014 she suffered an "Addisonian Crisis". She was diagnosed with IMHA (immune meditated hemolytic anemia). She required 2 blood transfusions. We have found that she is very sensitive to prednisone; when she was sent home from the animal hospital, she was in 20mg of prednisone. She had been weened down to the 5 mg, but this will definitely bring up to my vet.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

            Welcome to you and Hannah.

            My diabetic dog was hypothyroid and ended up having to be on a high twice daily dose of pred due to spinal compression. He was started on humulin n insulin when his diabetes was first dx. (back in 2011). His hypothyroidism was not dx. until 2012 and until it was, and he was medicated for it, his diabetes was very difficult to control (blood glucose ran mostly 300-600+, he was 90+ pounds and on 37u twice daily). I can say with him it was much easier to control his bg on steroids than before his hypothyroidism was dx.

            Vetsulin insuiln was off the market in the US at that time and we ended up switching him to levemir insuiln. Levemir is more costly than humulin or novolin, but it's also four times as potent - so you only use 1/4 of the amount of insulin. It ended up working very well with Decker. Something to consider if humulin/novolin or vetsulin don't end up working out. If you consider going that route and have a walgreens near you - that used to be the place to buy levemir. Might be worth checking out for humulin as well. They have an annual fee you pay (around 25.00?) and you get a discounted cost on insulin (works for pets too).

            I'm not sure if Hannah is seen by an internal medicine specialist (IMS), but it's my understanding that the use of pred can impact thyroid levels in dogs. If thyroid levels are low, those low levels, in addition to the steroid (pred) could also cause insulin resistance in a diabetic. With all she has going on, if you have not done so already, it may be worth seeking out an IMS to evaluate her.

            There is at least one other dog on here who has both diabetes and addisons. Karen's girl Sammie. I'm not sure if Karen ever checks in - but here is a link to her thread: http://k9diabetes.com/forum/showthre...ammie+addisons

            If Hannah's blood glucose is running high - you can purchase ketone strips at your local pharmacy and check her urine at home for ketones. Anything above trace ketone levels could mean she's headed into a DKA (diabetic Ketoacidosis) crisis and you should seek immediate veterinary care for her. More information about DKA on the main k9 page: http://www.k9diabetes.com/ketoacidosis.html

            Best of luck to you in this new journey of yours.
            Holli & Decker // diagnosed November 5th, 2011 // Journeyed to the bridge January 26th, 2013, surrounded by his family at home // 9 years old // Levemir insulin // Hypothyroid // C1-C5 cervical spinal lesion // weight 87 lbs // Run with the wind my sweet boy. Run pain free. Holding you close in my heart till we meet again!

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

              Welcome to the forum.

              Lots of good advice so far for Hannah. Holli's thoughts about insulin resistance and advice about having an IMS evaluate Hannah are good ideas.

              My dog, Lily, is also hypothyroid and was insulin resistant until she was put on the proper dose of soloxine. One question for you... The normal dose of soloxine is .1 mg per 10 pounds. It may be a typo error, but your initial post says she is on 6 mg. A 65 lb dog would normally be started on .6 mg of soloxine and then re-evaluated every 6 months for dosage adjustments.

              Wishing you and Hannah the best!
              Last edited by MikeMurphy; 02-13-2016, 05:11 AM.
              Lily is a 62 lb English Setter, born 07-27-2007.
              Diabetes: Aug 2013
              Went peacefully to heaven on 04-24-2021
              Video in Lily’s memory: https://www.facebook.com/10000201631...3260300417807/

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

                Originally posted by Absolute9982 View Post
                I forgot to mention that in 2014 she suffered an "Addisonian Crisis". She was diagnosed with IMHA (immune meditated hemolytic anemia). She required 2 blood transfusions. We have found that she is very sensitive to prednisone; when she was sent home from the animal hospital, she was in 20mg of prednisone. She had been weened down to the 5 mg, but this will definitely bring up to my vet.
                That brought back some painful memories for me. Angus was also diagnosed with IMHA while in one of his crisis and lytes way out whack. Despite my strong argument, the vet put him on 20 mg of prednisone.

                The way he explained it is that prednisone is prescribed for 2 different reasons... therapeutic and physiological. For IMHA, the therapeutic dosage was high in order to suppress the immune system to see if the bone marrow was producing healthy red cells or if something in his body was destroying the red cells.

                After weekly tests, it was determined that the IMHA was no longer and we started reducing. Angus was started on Florinef then switched to Percorten (low dose protocol) and his pred dosage was reduced gradually down to 1/2 of 1mg, which is considered a physiological dosage and is meant to replace the cortisol that the dog no longer produces because of Addison's.

                Hope this gives you some information/knowledge and helps for your discussion with your vet.

                Good luck

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

                  This thread has been a godsend! I went back and check Hannah's prednisone. I discovered she was originally on 0.25 mg for managing her Addison's, when she had her IMHA issues. We gradually started reducing her prednisone. When refilling her prescriptions, they kept refilling at the 20mg tablets which I then split in fourths. I didn't think anything of it; I honestly don't think my vet realizes she is on as high of a dose as she is! Needless to say I have a call out and I will speak with him Monday.

                  I priced the Humilin; $140 and change at our local Walmart; totally ridiculous! Based on everything I have learned this far from all of you, I will be asking if by lowering her prednisone, and go back on the Novolin. Possibly trying the mixture of N & R.

                  Everyone on here loves their dogs as much as I love mine; we wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case. I have and will continue to do every possible thing I can but cost does come into play. If we have options that won't break the bank, I must explore those.

                  Thank you again to everyone!!!!

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Hannah's Journey - Beagle/Pitbull Diabetes & Addison's Disease

                    Good news about the pred dosage. Hopefully, it will help and you seem to have a plan of action in mind.

                    Good luck

                    Louise

                    Comment

                    Previous template Next
                    Working...
                    X