Black Magic - Minature Schnauzer

[bontemp]

Name: Black Magic
Breed: Minature Schnauzer - 11 y.o.
Weight: 28 # before diagnosis, 24.5 # currently
Diet: Science Diet R/D, 1 cp twice a day
Insulin: Vetsulin U-40
Injections: Started at 6 units once/day, now at 10 units twice/day and BG at 400 last week - returning to vet

Black Magic did the norm, drinking excessively and urinating in the house, vet started him on Vetsulin in early November 2008. His weight dropped rapidly as did his muscle tone and at Thanksgiving he was so weak in the hindquarters that he could barely walk. Continued weekly testing and insulin adjustment - now his weight has stabilized and his energy level, alertness, and strength are improving every day. Blood glucose remains above 400 even with the twice per day insulin. More testing this next week. Two kinds of Cushings tests were negative. Looking forward to getting the B.G. back into normal ranges.
1-21-2009 update - B.G. tests showed 400 AM, 280, back to 400 in PM so vet said to go to 12 units Vetsulin 2X/day - energy level and alertness are good
3-02-2009 update - B.G. tests getting better, now ranging from 125-275 with 13 units 2X/day, weight 25#

[bontemp]

Re: Black Magic - Minature Schnauzer

Name: Black Magic
Breed: Minature Schnauzer - 11 y.o.
Weight: 28 # before diagnosis, 24.5 # currently
Diet: Science Diet R/D, 1 cp twice a day
Insulin: Vetsulin U-40
Injections: Started at 6 units once/day, now at 10 units twice/day and BG at 400 last week - returning to vet

Black Magic did the norm, drinking excessively and urinating in the house, vet started him on Vetsulin in early November 2008. His weight dropped rapidly as did his muscle tone and at Thanksgiving he was so weak in the hindquarters that he could barely walk. Continued weekly testing and insulin adjustment - now his weight has stabilized and his energy level, alertness, and strength are improving every day. Blood glucose remains above 400 even with the twice per day insulin. More testing this next week. Two kinds of Cushings tests were negative. Looking forward to getting the B.G. back into normal ranges.

1-21-2009 update - B.G. tests showed 400 AM, 280, back to 400 in PM so vet said to go to 12 units Vetsulin 2X/day - energy level and alertness are good

3-02-2009 update - B.G. tests getting better, now ranging from 125-275 with 13 units 2X/day, weight 25#

8-13-2010 update - Magic lost his eyesight in 4-2009 and req'd double cataract surgery which was successful. In 4-2010 one eye began to change color and his eye surgeon said that apparently his body had rejected the lens and he would lose sight in that eye - he did. Magic began to again develop hind leg weakness that got progressively worse in late 5-2010 although his blood glucose remained well regulated with the Vetsulin within normal limits - his weight dropped to 20.5#. Many tests were run to determine the cause of the weakness and muscle atrophy - nothing concrete was found. Then due to failing supplies of Vetsulin we were forced to switch to Humulin N. After a period of reluctance to eat his normal food, Magic seems on the road to recovery with ever increasing energy, hind leg strength, and weight gain. Could it be due to the insulin switch? He's currently on 10 units 2X/day.