My 4-year old Yorkie may have diabetes Just went to the vet yesterday because Riley has been drinking and urinating a lot over the last two weeks. Riley is an almost 4 year old male Yorkie. He was weighed about 3 weeks ago and was 30 lbs but has lost about 4 or 5 pounds since then. We've been giving him diet food and cut way down on the treats. He's not a small Yorkie though. He is about the size of a cairn terrier or schnauzer. Most people aren't even sure what he is when they first see him. When I tell them he's a Yorkie, most people are surprised. So, we brought him to the vet yesterday and he had urine and blood taken. According to the urine sample, he has a bladder infection is on antibiotics. However, what the doctor was concerned about was the high level of glucose that was in his urine. She said she would know more after the blood test results today. She did start talking to me about how he may need to be on insulin for the rest of his life. Has anybody else had experience with diabetes in Yorkies? If the blood test is positive for diabetes, I am going to get a second opinion to be sure. I know from experience that getting a second opinion always helps. He did have some sweet potato treats the night before. Would that have made a difference in his glucose levels? I should add too that he is on diet food that I got from the vet last night (i.e. Hill's Prescription Diet w/d canned food). He does need to lose weight but he already lost about 5 lbs in 3 weeks on Pedigree Weight Management canned food and less treats. Just wanted to see if anybody has any experience with any of this and can offer any guidance or advice. Thanks! |
I haven't dealt with this, but I wanted to bump up your post so others might see it. Hope all turns out well with your baby. |
My Lady was diagnosed with diabetes eight years ago and still going strong at almost 15. Try not to panic. If well managed, diabetes is a disease dogs can live with very well. Diabetes is very easy to diagnose. I assume your vet doesn't have an in house lab and had to send the blood out? Otherwise you would have known yesterday. I check Lady's blood glucose myself at home with a human meter. It just takes a few seconds. Dogs have a normal blood glucose similar to ours, 70-120. Usually a diabetic has a sky high blood glucose reading. Lady's was over 400. Is it possible Riley is mixed with Schnauzer? They are prone to diabetes because they tend to have "fatty" (high lipids) blood. Please update this thread when you find out. |
You're right, they didn't have a lab so they had to send the blood out. Still wonder if there aren't other factors that may have contributed to his glucose levels being higher than normal, though. Nevertheless, I should be finding out in a little while. Will post with an update. And from what I was told, he was 100% Yorkie. |
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Is Riley overweight? Been on steroids for a long period of time? Prone to pancreatitis? Combined with genetics, all are risk factors for diabetes. |
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Told her nicely that I did want to seek out a second opinion and she understood and is actually referring me to an internist and they'll send them the results of their tests. I've also made an appointment with another doctor for tomorrow to see what they have to say. They can take urine and blood too if they need. Just want to be really, really sure we're on the right road. When Riley was a puppy, he was misdiagnosed by a vet as having collapsing trachea. Brought him to a much better, more experienced vet and it turned out he had pneumonia. Was treated for that but now has asthma for the rest of his life as well because of the damage the pneumonia did to his lungs. Just don't want to go through that again. As for your other questions, yes, he has been overweight for awhile. He has managed to lose almost 5 lbs over the last 3 weeks. Changed his food and cut back on the treats. He has used albuterol for his asthma but only on an as-needed basis. I believe there is a steroid in that. Funny enough, three weeks ago we went out on our balcony for two minutes and he laid down for just a minute. He got some slight burns on his belly from the concrete. We brought him immediately to a hospital and the inflammation was almost gone by the time we got there. He was given some benadryl and another steroid because of his reaction to the burn. He has always been sensitive to dirt and grass and stuff like that. Can't tell you how many time he's been to the vet for that stuff. And each time he's been given steroids to help with the irritation or inflammation he's had. So, who knows, maybe that all contributed to this. |
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The blood test every two hours is called a glucose curve. Curves will need to be done every couple of weeks after he starts insulin until he is regulated. It will tell your vet how his body reacts to insulin and food during a 12 hour period. He will need curves regularly after unless you learn to test him at home like I do. I am glad you are seeing a specialist. Just to warn you, diabetes can be expensive upfront until they are regulated. It was close to $1,000 for Lady eight years ago. It's not that expensive to maintain after that. I pay about $22 for a bottle of NPH insulin which lasts three months. A box of 100 syringes last about six weeks and is about $13. I'd really recommend getting him on colostrum to boost his immune system. Just like human diabetics, canine diabetics are prone to infections, especially UTI's. That's where the big $$$$ can go. This website is a wealth of information. Pets with Diabetes: Home Page Please feel free to pm me with any questions, concerns, etc. |
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If it turns out Riley does have diabetes, this forum is wonderful. I could not have made it through that first year without it! Canine Diabetes - All - Canine Diabetes - Message Board |
Checking to see how you and Riley are doing. |
Hope things are going well with Riley. :) |
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