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06-03-2013, 05:51 PM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hoover, AL
Posts: 132
| Diabetic yorkie Hi everyone! It has been a long time since I have been on Yorkie Talk, but need some advice/help. On Saturday 5/18, I noticed that my Max's eyes looked cloudy. Otherwise he was his same crazy self. By Sunday evening, he was bumping into things and could not see. I took him to the emergency vet and he said he had cataracts and was probably diabetic. I took Max to his vet on Monday and an eye specialist. From that Monday to today has just been a horrific blur. He needs cataract surgery, but can't have it until his glucose is regulated. Getting his glucose regulated is not going well and we can't seem to find a dosage that brings his level down enough for long enough. He is getting two shots a day, given by me. Throughout all of this, he has been an absolute ANGEL and the last few days he's started to really rebel against shots. He's jerking like crazy causing me to have to stick him twice and it is just awful. Today I cried all the way to work and didn't stop shaking until well after lunch. I couldn't tell you what I did at work today if you paid me. Tonight it was even worse and I ended up aggressively holding him while my brother gave him his shot. When I talk to my vet, she says I just have to do it. Well..duh. Does anyone have any tricks that help? I give him some boiled chicken which worked in the beginning, but is not now. My brother is leaving in a month to move back to NY and I just don't know what I am going to do. I apologize for rambling! Susan
__________________ Susan Max Eli Amelia |
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06-03-2013, 06:09 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Duplicate post... sorry...
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 06-03-2013 at 06:11 PM. |
06-03-2013, 06:11 PM | #3 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| One trick I use with a number of species is to hold the syringe and skin in different hands using your thumbs, forefingers and middle fingers. That leaves your ring and pinky fingers, and with those I scratch or pat the dog hard but not uncomfortably... enough to distract him from knowing what you're about to do. Also, after a month or more he may get used to it.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
06-04-2013, 07:43 AM | #4 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 22
| I am so very sorry you are going through this. I have 1 diabetic Yorkie and 2 diabetic Bichons. We just adopted Callie, our Yorkie, a couple of months ago, knowing she was diabetic. My Bichons have each been diabetic for almost 8 years. All three are blind. Have never considered catract surgery for any of them. They all do so well! Once I got over the fact they vere blind, all was fine! LOL! So, I have been doing this for a long time! Callie is NOT thrilled at all about her shots. I blood test at home on all three and she didn't like that either in the begining. She is better about that now, but still doesn't like her shots. I let her eat her meal, then take her to a chair in the living room and hold her. You can't fool these little guys, so I don't even try! I tell her it is time for her shot. Very no nonsence tone of voice, and pull her skin to form the tent. Then I tell her "Here we go" She is blind, but that lets her know it is coming. Often she will jump and squeal at me and I have to go in again with the needle. I just tell her that she is only making it harder and now we have to do it again. Once it is acomplished, I kiss her and tell her what a wonderful girl she is! The big thing is, you do have to do this for your little guy to live! So, you just have to hang in there and do what has to be done for him! I know of some people who have wrapped their baby in a towel or blanket. I did think about that with Callie, but she began to calm down and don't feel I need to. Others put their little one up on a counter or table. Don't know if I would try that unless you can body block him, as he can't see! I know of one person who even put their little one in the sink for his shot! Just keep trying different things until you find something that works for you! You WILL get the hang of it and get it in sync. You will be amazed at just how quickly this becomes a way of life! I hope this has been some help to you! I would be glad to talk more if you would like. Just PM me! Good luck!!! It will all be fine!
__________________ Jenny Mom to Callie Leo Sasha and Angel Ben who left paw prints on my heart |
06-04-2013, 07:12 PM | #5 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hoover, AL
Posts: 132
| Thanks so much for the suggestions and the great post by Callie's Mom! You have no idea how much that helped! I know it is going to take getting used to and tonight went really well. I was using the island in my kitchen, but tried putting him in my lap on the couch. He did great! Tks for much for the offer of PMing you with questions and your help. You seem like super woman to me right now!
__________________ Susan Max Eli Amelia |
06-04-2013, 07:21 PM | #6 |
Donating YT 30K Club Member | I am so glad Callie's Mom was able to help. It's harder on us when their sick. I hope Max can adjust to his shots and vision loss.
__________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html |
06-05-2013, 04:25 AM | #7 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 22
| Susan, So glad to hear last night went better! Hope this morning did too! thought of you when I was giving my crew their shots! It is just tough when you are both scared and upset. Hang in there! It will get better for you both!
__________________ Jenny Mom to Callie Leo Sasha and Angel Ben who left paw prints on my heart |
06-05-2013, 05:46 PM | #8 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hoover, AL
Posts: 132
| Tks ladies!! You are so right in that it is harder on us. Max just seems to be rolling along like nothing happened, other than the instances with the shots (haha). He's really been such a trooper! The shots have been uneventful this morning and tonight. I am so thankful and hope I am getting better at giving them so they don't hurt so much. I still have a long way to go, but thanks to your help, I am getting there and feel better. I appreciate the support so much!!
__________________ Susan Max Eli Amelia |
06-06-2013, 06:17 AM | #9 |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 22
| Yeah! That is great news! So glad things are going better! I did have a couple of other thoughts about his diabetes. What are you feeding? And how much? Do you have Karo on hand in case he drops? I know I really have to watch Callie because she is so small and her blood sugar can drop fast. Not a lot of wiggle room with these tiny ones! I am sure it is their size because I rarely see this in my 10 pound Bichon and almost never in my 20 pound Bichon. Just thinking! Hope all continues to go well!
__________________ Jenny Mom to Callie Leo Sasha and Angel Ben who left paw prints on my heart |
06-06-2013, 09:11 AM | #10 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hoover, AL
Posts: 132
| I am getting ready to change his food and any suggestions welcome. Now he eats kibble (Wellness Small Breed) and some delipet which has a small amount of white rice, so has to go. I have gotten rid of all of his treats (to his Maltese brother's delite) and giving him small bites of boiled chicken instead. I haven't really found a good site for nutrition for diabetic pups, so going by the guidelines for people. He thinks he's a person anyway. LOL! I do have Karo and hoping I don't have to use it! Max weights 7.5 lbs, so hopefully his size will help and his levels will stabilize. Right now, he's getting 3 units of vetsulin am and pm. The vet just upped this b/c the 1.5-2 was not bringing his glucose down enough (only got to 199 from 607 am reading). Do you check Callie and the Bichons (sounds like a band - ha) with the pet strips? I was thinking about doing that. Quote:
__________________ Susan Max Eli Amelia | |
06-06-2013, 11:07 AM | #11 | |
Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indiana, PA
Posts: 22
| Quote:
Their food is always a challenge! I didn't realize (because I didn't ask!! - duh!) that Max was on Vetsulin. That may be one reason he dislikes his shots. The needle used for that insulin in larger than then needles used for NPH (Novolin or Humulin) insulin! All my guys are on Relion Novolin N insulin that I buy at WalMart. I pay 23.00 a bottle. I use the bottle for 2 months, or until I see their numbers begin to get funny for no reason. I buy the NPH syringes at WalMart too and get a box of 100 for about 13.00. The syringes for the NPH and the Vetsulin are different sizes and measurements and can not be interchanged. I understand that the Vetsulin is more expensive. I have a friend at work who had her dog started on vetsulin, but switched him over to the NPH. I feel that the NPH is a more stable insulin. Vetsulin was taken off the market for a while, and only recently came back. You might want to do some research on the differences. I will look at my research at home and see what I have to give you! I do remember that the NPH has one love point during the 12 period and that vestulin has two lows. Which insulin you decide on will have bearing on what you feed Max. If you stay with vetsulin, I would want to keep him on something with grain in it, but if you decide on the NPH, I would go with a grain free. The grain will keep those two lows from making him too low! You just have to experiment to see what works best! Right now I am feeding Callie (per each AM and PM) Back to Basics kibble (it is grain free) Turkey and Merrick Grammy's Chicken Pot Pie Small Breed Canned, 1/3 cup each. In addition she gets 1/3 cup canned plain pumpkin and 1/3 low fat cup cottage cheese. My Bichons (liked your band comment!) get the same in varying amounts, except for the Merrick Canned. Callie came to me eating that and she LOVES it! So, I special order it for her! Spoiled?? ! I could probably get away with subing the canned with the same amount of kibble, but just give her what she likes! I blood test them before each meal/shot (AM and PM) with a human meter (yes, they do make animal only meters!). I use a Relion Prime meter from, you guessed it, WalMart! I started testing 8 years ago when Leo was first DX. I might be just a bit anal about it , but just have to know what their numbers are! I did find that Callie's amount of insulin did need to be lowered from what she was getting before she came to me. As for treats, my guys get veggies! They love peppers, especially red and yellow ones. They also like celery and lettuce! Callie learned very quickly to eat these as treats as that is what the Bichons eat! Oh my, I have written a book! Sorry! Hope this helps! Please ask any questions you like!
__________________ Jenny Mom to Callie Leo Sasha and Angel Ben who left paw prints on my heart | |
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