Angel Monk... passed away March 6, 2012

[jesse girl]

Re: Monkey

i struggled with the ear also

i am not sure if monkey will let you use the lip but it maybe worth a try

you can do some dry runs start by lifting the lip up run your finger on the sweet spot above the canine and release say good boy you may give a very small treat do that for a bit when you believe he is comfortable

next get the lance device no lance in it and not activated lift the lip up place the device on the sweet spot and remove say good boy and very small treat
do that until comfortable

next do the same thing with the lance device but this time activate it but with NO lance in it and apply to the sweat spot and activate it do that until comfortable

next install a lance into the device activate it apply to the sweat spot and engage hold for just a split second after it has been activated firm but do not over do it remove if you see a spec of blood you may have to milk it a bit to get a large enough drop you can attempt to test that sample or not till you feel more comfortable just getting the sample then trying to test it takes a little bit of coordination but repetitive motion helps allot

its a step by step process getting comfortable with each step both of you
for jesse she is an unstable diabetic I looked at testing as i dont have a choice she is just to unpredictable. monkey may be a bit unstable for whatever reason so you can look at it the same way you have no choice i must find a way to do this to keep him safe

[CarolW]

Re: Monkey

Jesse girl's suggestions are excellent, Betty. Do dry-runs, in other words. If you have bits of boiled chicken, I'd use those for treats, but cheese will do also. It's usually a LOT easier to get blood samples from the "lip" (really, the inner lining of the mouth, not the lip itself) than it is from the ear.

If you want to persist with the ear, make sure to WARM it before pricking. Same goes for the lip, if you're having trouble. What is the gauge of the lancets you're using? Usually, the thicker the lancet-needle (the lower the numbers), the easier it is to get a blood sample.

I used a fairly hot wet paper towel to warm Kumbi's lip - I'd fold the lip up against his jaw, then fold it back down over the wet paper towel, and hold that for about 10 to 15 seconds; then blot it dry with another paper towel, and then prick by hand, sinking the lancet all the way. I think pricking by hand, you have less force than is exerted by a clicking-machine, and suspect the puncture is "lesser" than one caused by the clicker.

Can't remember who described putting the dog on the couch - maybe MaryLea - sitting beside the dog, and reaching over the dog's back, to get the lip - (was that the lip?) - the point there is, the dog can't track where your hand is, at the time you fold the lip up - isn't freaked by your hand coming up to fold the lip - I THINK that was the idea.

Linda and Ladybug devised a great way to test on the lip; I think her thread might be still visible on page 1 here. Linda wrapped two of her fingers in gauze, and used those to lift the lip and hold it against the upper jaw. Really brilliant!

Don't get discouraged - keep trying - but not too many tries all at once. You don't want to freak the dog out! About three tries is usually enough for one session - giving treats at every stage.

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:14:32 (PST)

[Sadie's Mom]

Re: Monkey

I struggled finding the right spot too. Sadie is a really calm dog and usually lets me do anything. However, the only spot she is okay with me testing is the base of her tail. She doesn't really love it, but tolerates it. I did do some practice ones, which was recommended on this site. That really helped me. I don't test a lot, but was helpful this morning when she was on the low side. I was in a real panic when I was finding the right spot. I am sure that Sadie sensed that Now, I don't love poking her, but am much calmer which I am sure makes her calm too. She also gets a small piece of boiled chicken when she gets "stuck" with the lancet and when she is finished for being a "good girl". Of course there are times when she has to be "stuck" 3 or 4 times, so she gets a few extra treats for that! Good luck with finding a spot that works best for the two of you

Debbie

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

When Monk first became a diabetic I tried the tail and the lip. The tail was a struggle but the lip was impossible. Monk has a real fear of being secured and fights like a lion. I may try the tail again but I couldn't get him to bleed before he would freak out. The lip would be the hardest for him but I'll try again. The ear he is letting me do if I could just get the blood to flow.

[MaryLea]

Re: Monkey

Can't remember who described putting the dog on the couch - maybe MaryLea - sitting beside the dog, and reaching over the dog's back, to get the lip - (was that the lip?) - the point there is, the dog can't track where your hand is, at the time you fold the lip up - isn't freaked by your hand coming up to fold the lip - I THINK that was the idea.

Linda and Ladybug devised a great way to test on the lip; I think her thread might be still visible on page 1 here. Linda wrapped two of her fingers in gauze, and used those to lift the lip and hold it against the upper jaw. Really brilliant!Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:14:32 (PST)

We learn from each other, and that is one of the strengths of this site. Carol, you have a good memory! We had two owners and Ruffles would tolerate almost anything for the other one, who perfected the routine and taught it to me. I was very hesitant to test BGs at first, and I'm sure Ruffles sensed my anxiety. We chose the couch because Ruffles liked to sleep there; she associated it with resting. I would put Ruffles on my right side on the couch when I tested on the left side of her upper lip and on my left when using the right side of her lip. I used (small) slivers of chicken; would suggest one bite before you place her on the couch, another before you test and at least one more after you test. If you have to poke her an extra time, give her an extra treat. Being calm, as you mentioned, really helps calm her, too. I used a slightly damp, warm paper towel to dry her lip before testing (to keep saliva from interfering with the test), holding the lip up after wiping it. Never tried the gauze idea, but it sounds great!

I got everything ready and on the end table before picking her up. She was beginning to have difficulty with her hips, and I didn't want her jumping onto the couch, although she could still make it. I didn't put the strip in the meter until right before the prick, so it would not time out (hopefully). The idea of coming towards her head from behind her ears was our vet's; as she became more ill, she would sometimes growl or even snap at me if I came from the side or front of her face. She never did that when she felt normal (unless you tried to mess with her food ).

I know this sounds like alot of detail, but once you get the procedure in sequence, with a little practice it becomes routine. I like Carol's ideas about dry runs, gradually working up to the real test. It will get both of you more comfortable.

Watching and cheering you on!

Mary

[Judi]

Re: Monkey

When Monk first became a diabetic I tried the tail and the lip. The tail was a struggle but the lip was impossible. Monk has a real fear of being secured and fights like a lion. I may try the tail again but I couldn't get him to bleed before he would freak out. The lip would be the hardest for him but I'll try again. The ear he is letting me do if I could just get the blood to flow.

I know Craig uses Annie's ear to test. I think he really gets her ear warm. I think I even tried blow drying the base of Jenny's tail when we were experimenting but she has no blood in her butt or ear. Good Luck!

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

Monk is still high at 2:15. So the one must have been a fluke and not a good idea to take it from the floor because the one within 30 minutes and this one are very high. So I'll stick with 7.5 or 8 for his next injection. In the mean time I will need to leave him for about an hour to get lancets and diastix. I think I've gone thru almost 50 of them in the last 4 days. I don't want to run out.

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

Still high at 4:30. I gave him 7.5 units at 5:15 after he ate. Tomorrow morning I am going to try 8. He ate well and is acting very good. I left him for about 2 hours. I didn't think he could drop very far since he was so high in that amount of time.

[k9diabetes]

Re: Monkey

This is starting to look more and more like one of those mysterious bumps in the road that may never be explained!

I think it's okay to work up in small increments but at a fairly fast pace toward what was his previous normal dose of insulin. Slowing down more and waiting longer as he starts to have better blood sugar so there's time for the doses to settle in and give a longer term response.

Natalie

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

He ate at 7:30am this morning but Dr. Merry wanted to test him this morning before giving him is insulin. So this morning at 7:15am he showed 1/10 - second level in the diastic. Didn't really act like he wanted to eat at first. I gave him a very small chicken treat and he started eating. He will no longer eat canned food at all.

He tested 140 at 9am. We then gave him his insulin 7.5 units while he was in the office. He is scheduled for the cushings test next week and Dr. Merry says it would be the same test for Addison's. After asking he did say SamE would be good for him and I bought some at his office. I believe it was $38 for 30 days (30 pills).


Testing done 6/01/2011

Total Protein - 6.4 -- RR: 5.0-7.4
Albumin - 3.6 -- RR: 2.7-4.4
Globulin - 2.8 -- RR: 1.6-3.6
A/G Ratio - 1.3 -- RR: 0.8-2.0
AST - 38 -- RR: 16-68 or 66, hard to read
ALT - 91 -- RR: 12-118
AlkP - 1664 -- RR: 5-131
Total Bilirubin - .02 -- RR: 0.1-0.3
BUN - 14 -- RR: 6-31
Creatinine - .04 (LOW)-- RR: 0.5-1.6
BUN/Creatinine Ratio - 35 (HIGH) -- RR: 4-27
Phosphorus - 4.0 -- RR: 2.5-6.0
Glucose - 107 -- RR: 70-138
Calcium - 10 -- RR: 8.9-11.4
Sodium - 149 -- RR: 139-154
Potassium - 4.4 -- RR: 3.6-5.5
Sodium/Potassium Ratio - 34 -- RR: 27-38
Chloride - 110 -- RR: 102-120
Cholesterol - 291 -- RR: 92-324
CPK - 34 (LOW) -- RR: 59-895

Hemolysis 1+ the following results may be affected by this degree of hemolysis"
INCREASE
ALT May be increased by 15-20%
AST may be increased up to 10%
LDH maybe be increased up to 20%
DECREASED
Direct Bilirubin may be decreased up to 80%

TOTAL T4 - .08 (LOW) RR 1.0-4.0

CBC normal except:
Platelet Count - 341 -- RR: 170-400
WBC - 23 (HIGH) -- RR 4.0-15.5
NEUTROPHILS - 20700 (HIGH) RR 2060-10600

Fructosamine (Antech) - 430 -- RR: 142-460
Less than 500 = Good regulation
500-614 = Fair regulation
Greater than 614 = Poor regulation

LIPASE 1561 (HIGH) -- RR 77-695

I think this is after Monk had been very sick after having his teeth cleaned and a growth removed. He became very ill after getting bile in his lungs when he was trached. Took two rounds of antibiotics to clear him up. I'll have to check. I am also getting the test before this one.

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

Nope he was vomiting and sick staying at the vet and received fluids. Pancreatitis. But it wasn't as bad as the first time a few years back. He was there for 4 days.

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

He had his teeth cleaned and growth removed and the infection in his lungs in January.

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

His test in 10/29/2010 every thing is normal and his Fructosamine is 476. But his Akaline Phosphatese was 1851.

[bowens2]

Re: Monkey

I am pretrified of him going too low now. I used to feel reassured when he showed negative on a diastix but now I get sick to my stomach. I'm going to try his lip this evening. I want to let him rest after being stressed at the vets and going to my office.

One other thing I have noticed is that before he became all screwed up his legs looked like they were getting weaker and shaking more. Now his legs look stronger and while they still shake a some, its not as noticeable as it was before. He was slipping a lot when coming up the deck steps even before I left him to board. Now he seems stronger coming up the steps. I was just chalking it up to the diabetes and old age. I was thinking he was 13 but he is not he is 12 1/2 yrs old.

He loves to take walks at the golf course across the street. I didn't do it so much this past summer because it was so hot and I was working a lot. So back about a month ago I was going to take the dogs. I went to leash Monk and he ran about 10 ft so I moved closer to him and he ran again and then all of a sudden he just took off. I was not in running shoes so I was having a hard time and I had my other dog on a leash also. I can tell you I was not a graceful site. I was flailing all over the place, screaming at the top of my lungs for Monk, and screaming for my husband who was on a lawn mower. Well Monkey just goes flying down the middle of the highway oblivious to everything. Luckily no cars were coming because he has no clue about cars. But his little ears where just flapping in the wind and his tail was flying. He was just as happy as can be and even though I was frantic and sick about the possibility of him being hit I could see the joy in his flight. Once he gets to the course because the gate is like kaddy corner to my house he is fine but I always take him on a leash and then let him go on the course. Never have I taken him across not on a leash. Its probably only about 750 ft from my house and only about 150ft of highway but its far enough he can get hit because cars are going 50 miles per hour and don't slow down. But now I often think about this incident and his happiness for such a few seconds of time. I imagine this is how he will reach the pearly gates of heaven when it is his time.

[jesse girl]

Re: Monkey

oh i understand completely

jesse has disappeared from my site the last 2 days searching and chasing rabbits its in a lot but fairly large and some time i day dream and not paying attention to jesse and boom i wake up and she is no where in site. after scanning the area i saw that little white tail bobbing around

Oh jesse where did you go ? she says i am just having fun aren't you ? hmmmm

take it slow with the lip i know you want to know what level he is at but let him get used to it you can practice at any time of the day even now just finding a location like your bed and just lifting the lip and investigating the possibilities for both of you . you want it to be a positive experience and it can be