Leo had a seizure and I need advice!

[Marie1]

Hi, my Leo is a 9 year old Pomeranian. He was diagnosed with diabetes on 11/28/2011, after excessive urination related issues came up.

Is there someone on this forum who has a similar case and who's dog has lived a long healthy life? Leo is 18 pounds and is otherwise in good health. I need to choose a diet for him (that's what I'm getting at). I'd rather not do canned food as it grosses me out and all the cans seem wasteful, but I wouldn't mind making homemade food.

Thank you so much!

[nibbles-mommy]

Re: Looking for success stories

i think every story on here is a success. i haven't seen one case yet that the dog didn't survive diabetes. my nibbles is 16yo and has had it for a year and is doing well.

i can't help on the diet, because that's an issuein this house, but others will be along to help.

they are gonna need more info:

current diet
current dose of insulin/type of insulin
current curves from the vet
bg at diagnosis
are you home testing?

[eileen]

Re: Looking for success stories

A Warm Welcome!

I'll let others get into the details but your thread's title caught my eye so wanted to respond.

My girl, Mildred, was diagnosed with diabetes and hypothyroidism in 2004. Over the many years we encountered many health issues, all but the development of diabetic induced cataracts being nondiabetic related.

She lived a wonderful long life as a diabetic, 7 1/2 years, until I sadly lost her in January due to complications of bladder cancer.

So YES!, most definitely, YES!, treated properly and carefully our diabetic critters can go on to live a wonder life with diabetes.

I will say too that one of THE best things you can do is to immediately learn how to home blood test. Having this tool at hand will be priceless, not only now as you work at 'regulation' but as time goes on.

For most of Mildred's diabetic years she enjoyed homecooked meals.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Looking for success stories

I am sure that there is not one person on this forum that has a sad story related to diabetes. We are ALL survivors, and if we lost any, it was due to other issues.

Diets.... I think that is a hard one. I certainly have tried many diets, and in my opinion, find a good balance of good nutrition ( to keep up the immune system), and one that will balance the Blood Glucose. Depending upon the 'patient' that can be easy or difficult.

Many different diets are used, and I believe there is a thread just on that.. on this forum. Some use a combination of store bought and homemade, others are on raw diets, we are on a dehydrated diet. I did a home raw diet initially.. but my concern was ensuring that Abby got a balanced diet.

Welcome.. you have found a good place.

[farrwf]

Re: Looking for success stories

Hi, my Leo is a 9 year old Pomeranian. He was diagnosed with diabetes on 11/28/2011, after excessive urination related issues came up.

Is there someone on this forum who has a similar case and who's dog has lived a long healthy life? Leo is 18 pounds and is otherwise in good health. I need to choose a diet for him (that's what I'm getting at). I'd rather not do canned food as it grosses me out and all the cans seem wasteful, but I wouldn't mind making homemade food.Thank you so much!

Hi & welcome.

There is no shortage of success stories among the members of this forum. Take your pick ....

[CraigM]

Re: Looking for success stories

Welcome!

Diets are a highly personal thing that gets talked about frequently on the forum. As already mentioned, diets range from special prescription foods, commercial, home cooked and in special conditions even baby food.

The guidelines are generally a food that is a little higher in protein and fiber, while lower in fat is suitable. I, along with a few others, use Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight
http://bluebuffalo.com/dog-food/lp-h...weight-chicken
Not saying this is the best, but compare the ingredients with whatever you look at.

It's important to find a meal that is repeatable, I use a kitchen food scale to weigh out the food, and something the dog will eat. No sense choosing the most expensive food if the dog just walks away from it.

[jim maceri]

Re: Looking for success stories

I've known many people who have not even tried to deal with their pets diabetes and simply decided to put them down. Therefore everyone here is truly a success story. I've always felt that my buddies diabetes also teaches me something and has made me a better person.

With regard to diet, I use a combination of store bought and home made. The key is when you are working with finding the right diet remove all the other variables so the changes that may occur in BG levels can be closely associated with food only and not in insulin doses or exercise changes. The key is patience to find the right combination of insulin, diet and exercise that works foe YOU and your dog. I've learned to trust the wisdom of the members on this forum because their only agenda is to help. I've said it over and over that the journey I've been on over the last 4 months has been not only bearable but a joy thanks to all the angels who came to my rescue when I was so depressed after spirits diagnosis.

[k9diabetes]

Re: Looking for success stories

Diabetes is not only not a death sentence but it's not even much of a change in your dog's life as long as it's managed fairly well.

I've been involved with forums for diabetic dogs for eight years now so I've seen literally hundreds of dogs who were diagnosed and followed many of those dogs over years and years, along with our dog, a larger breed (62 pounds), who was diagnosed at 9.5 years of age and lived to be 14.5, which is quite old for dogs his size and also was practically a miracle for him because he had some pre-existing heart disease that was far more of a problem for him than his diabetes. In the end, he died of old age and cancer and his blood sugar was well controlled right to the end.

In all those years on forums, I can recall only a handful of dogs who died from diabetes. In every case, they either were given too much insulin - massive overdoses - or they weren't being monitored and they developed ketoacidosis and didn't get treatment in time to save them.

Sometimes people worry because of the stories they hear about human diabetics.

Fortunately, dogs tolerate high blood sugar quite a bit better than people do, in part based on species differences and in part because of their naturally shorter life span. Diabetic dogs don't suffer the vascular problems, amputations, and organ failures that human Type 1 diabetics sometimes do, even if the dog's blood sugar isn't perfectly controlled.

Our dog was poorly controlled for an entire year and still survived many years after that. He was challenging to regulate but we persisted and eventually found something that worked for him.

Natalie

[Diane Roehm]

Re: Looking for success stories

Some good posts here. I have to admit when I first found out Maggie was a diabetic I really didn't know what that meant, No one really went over it with me at the vets office they just said you need to do this and that. I had no idea what was involved. Now that I do, I would not change a thing. My Maggie is worth it. This site has helped so much.

I see Maggie starting to feel better here and there and I know it is only the beginning
She is not regulated yet but I am hopeful. As far as her food she gets 1/2 w/d prescription diet and 1/2 homemade. I mix just a little blue buffalo for flavor in the kibble. Homemade diet is brown rice, boiled chicken, hard boiled eggs and all bran.

Eventually I would like to get her on all kibble with maybe some chicken for treats. but I am learning everything in it's due time. Patience is an absolute requirement. It's hard to see your baby with high BG and the first thing you want to do is up the insulin but it just doesn't work that way. It takes time. The last couple of mornings My Maggie has been wagging her tail and wanting to go for a ride again and has been eating without me having to press the issue. Hang in there, It is well worth the effort.

[eileen]

Re: Looking for success stories

In all those years on forums, I can recall only a handful of dogs who died from diabetes. In every case, they either were given too much insulin - massive overdoses - or they weren't being monitored and they developed ketoacidosis and didn't get treatment in time to save them.

Sometimes people worry because of the stories they hear about human diabetics.

Fortunately, dogs tolerate high blood sugar quite a bit better than people do, in part based on species differences and in part because of their naturally shorter life span. Diabetic dogs don't suffer the vascular problems, amputations, and organ failures that human Type 1 diabetics sometimes do, even if the dog's blood sugar isn't perfectly controlled.

Our dog was poorly controlled for an entire year and still survived many years after that. He was challenging to regulate but we persisted and eventually found something that worked for him.

Natalie

Adding to what Natalie has said here, Mildred was a very hard diabetic, likely due to her many 'side' issues, not related to her being diabetic.

For her many years did involve struggling with her glucose levels, seldom in what many would consider, a good range.

She passed away from bladder cancer at the age of 12, 7 1/2 of those years living a wonderful, happy life as a diabetic.

[Kat Negron]

Re: Looking for success stories

Hi and welcome, Marie! My pup, Gigi was diagnosed around the same time as your pup. I can tell you it takes persistence, and, as some others have said, it really hasn't changed my life with Gigi that much. It really just depends on the dog.

In terms of food, I use a combo of Iams weight control dry food and Science Diet Lite wet food. So far, it seems to be working pretty well.

As others have said, you have to home test. It has been a fantastic tool to have to make sure Gigi it hitting the right stride on her way to regulation.

This group has been so great in making me feel like taking care of Gigi can be done, and I can now see that it's true and diabetes is not a death sentence for my pupster. Glad you found this group!

[Marie1]

Re: Looking for success stories

Thank you everyone for your warm welcome and thoughtful answers. I was happy to find this site because it is so detailed and comprehensive.

I probably should have phrased my title differently. I did not mean to offend with the word "success". Just like scientists who ask centegenarians (if that's a word) about their diet and lifestyle, I want to know about dogs who lived well beyond their expected years, happily and healthily, with diabetes. And for those dogs, I want to know what they ate. This isn't about judging people who's dogs didn't. It is about collecting information and looking for patterns so I can make an informed decision myself about Leo. One of the reasons I asked this question is because diets vary so much. Please understand that I am not in any way disparaging people's relationships, love, or care for their dogs.

Natalie, thank you for your answer. It was very encouraging. What did you feed your dog who lived well beyond his expected years? 14.5 years is amazing for a dog that size. Also, do you remember any other dogs from this forum who have also?

eileen, I'm so very sorry to hear about Mildred's passing just last month. Leo's my first dog and I can't bear the thought of losing him. Can you tell me about her homemade diet and what kind of dog she was?

Thanks again, everyone.

[BestBuddy]

Re: Looking for success stories

Hi Marie,

Buddy was a min Poodle and passed away at age 16 which is a fairly normal old age for his size but he had been diabetic since age 9 and had a heart murmur. He had thyroid problems from age 12 and also diagnosed with cushings. He was blind and hard of hearing but had a happy dog worthy life until he died. He was happy as usual at lunchtime one day and just died instantly a few hours later with no signs of anything unusual. We think his heart gave out.

Like a lot of people we started feeding WD but soon changed to Science Diet Lite and a few years later still used SD but the Senior version. I did try several times to home cook and other canned foods but could never get good regulation so ended up on a food some will say was not the best but it worked for us so I suppose it was our best.

Jenny

[Shellie]

Re: Looking for success stories

Hi Marie and Leo! Welcome to the group!

Never worry that you offended anyone with your title! We're pobably the least offendable bunch I've ever been a part of. We take everyone's opinion in stride and really, really do live by the adage that every dog is different!

Do understand exactly where you are coming from on the diet front. It's like an avalance of information out there on this diet and that diet and this one is great but that one sucks....it's really almost too much to take in! One suggestion I do make is to visit www.dogfoodadvisor.com. I've taken a shine to that site since it's relatively brand free...no 'pushy buy our food' stuff and it gives you really good solid information on literally every dog food out there.

I have a lot of problems with my dog's diet simply due to Hank's extreme fussiness. He's not an eater. French fries are a great food but green beans are not...at least in HIS world! LOL But regardless, he's never been uber food motivated so doing his diet is tough.

On here...as you've heard...LOTS of different diets but as long as your Leo doesn't have medical issues such as allergies or pancreatitis, you can feed him just about anything. Obviously, you want to go with the healthiest choice you can find so some research is in order. I'd check that site to get you started...read lots of labels...be a tad skeptical of claims and if you really need to...can always consult with a holistic nutrionist for home based diets.

Good luck and welcome again to the group!

[Marie1]

Re: Looking for success stories

Thank you, Jenny!