Hasn't eaten today....

[Susan M]

I have been managing my dog Max's diabetes for over 4 years. We have been committed to feeding/insulin shots every 12 hours and he has never missed a meal.....until this morning. I feel horrible but he wasn't fed/shot this morning. (I thought my husband did/he thought I did) Realizing this evening we offered him dinner a little early and he wouldn't eat. He always is eager to eat. He seems like he doesn't feel well and definitely isn't himself. I gave him half of his regular insulin dose and now I'm worried. We don't monitor his blood sugar at home and it's been a while since his last curve. I checked his urine with ReliOn keytone test strip and it was slightly elevated Should I take him into the emergency vet? Or can this wait until morning? Im beginning to panic!

The emergency vet said they have a 6 hour wait!

[MomtoMax]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

Hi Susan,
I sure hope you got Max to the emergency vet and all is well! To me, when a dog who normally eats all his food suddenly doesn’t want food, it’s a medical emergency. For my Max, it certainly would be as he never skips a meal!
Donna and Max the Corgi

[Susan M]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

The emergency vet was a 6-hour min. wait. I am heading there now. Max did perk up and he ate almost a full meal (around 12am) at which time I gave him the other half of his evening insulin dose. I'm concerned other things are going on that I'm not realizing and that he is possibly heading into ketoacidosis. I bought a meter last night, but it will be used for managing his diabetes. I'm not trying to learn during a crisis, we need to see the vet to understand what's going on. It's amazing how quickly things can go off track....I'm feeling guilty for not monitoring his blood sugar at home. Should have a long time ago.
I will update as soon as I have more info.
As always, I am so thankful for everyone on this forum.
Everyone's support has saved my sanity
Thank you!

[MomtoMax]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

Hi Susan,
Lots of prayers and healing vibes headed your way for your little Max!!!! I know the wait is long at the emergency vet’s office (since Covid, more and more people now use them as a regular vet IMHO as there is a shortage of them and lots of newly adopted pandemic pets), but at least they can properly triage their patients! Praying he gets the help he needs and fast!
My husband brought our then recently adopted GSD to an emergency vet and he did have a blockage, as we suspected, but luckily he passed it in the 12+ hours my husband was there with him. If he had not, he was in the right place if things went south fast…
Donna and Max the Corgi

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

hey Susan
has Max been seen by the vet?

its good he ate and hes got his insulin.

you'll be okay. were here for you Susan

have your vet calibrate your glucose meter with theirs so your both on the same page. theres lots if info here on learning how and where to test.

[Susan M]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

Finally got Max into the emergency vet early this morning. They were suspecting possible pancreatitis and of course have him stay. They gave me HUGE estimate that was all over the place. Fortunately, I was able to reach my regular vet and was able to take him there instead. He is on fluids and we are still waiting for lab results and I'm expecting a call from the vet any minute with more details. I will post updates.

Thanks again for all the info and support!

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

Good news getting him to your regular vet. Fluids will help alot especially help him to eat

[MomtoMax]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

Hi Susan,
Yep, Pancreatitis would cause lack of appetite. Please let us know what the results are and how Max did overnight.
Glad you got a meter too! I wasn’t crazy about the idea of home testing either, but testing has been much easier than I thought and if I’m unsure of what’s going on with my Max, the meter and strips are my first diagnostic tool!

Donna and Max the Corgi

[Susan M]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

Update:

Just got done speaking to our vet and Max has improved since yesterday and will be coming home later this afternoon!! His blood work all came back good, and the vet said it wasn't pancreatitis. (He was briefly hospitalized with pancreatitis about a year ago) He is saying it's a gastro thing. The bottom line is he has improved and is coming home! Right now, I will be feeding him what they send us home with but moving forward I will be looking into a lower fat diet for him and am open to suggestions.
Thanks again for all the care and support

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

so glad Max is feeling better!!

and coming home Susan

need any help with amount of food or calculation or glucose testing were here to help

[MomtoMax]

Re: Hasn't eaten today....

So glad to hear Max is coming home! Yay!

Just curious: Did they mention pro/prebiotics? I had a GSD with EPI years ago and they were a life saver for her gut!

Donna and Max the Corgi