Meika~Diabetes
 

After 5 days of waiting for results of blood and urine tests, Meika has been diagnosed with diabetes. Her glucose is 558 (norm is 70-138). I've started giving insulin shots, 3 units 2x/day after a meal, and she will have insulin curve testing at the vet's in a week to see if dose needs to be adjusted.

Yikes. I have been reading so much about canine diabetes, and have moved beyond stress and fear, and now am in action mode.

So I'm finally able to reach out to my YT friends for advice, support, hugs, prayers, and whatever else ya got.:)

Meika is my 5 1/2 year old, 15 lb. Yorkie/Maltese girl. I took her to the vet last week because of excessive thirst and urination. They did big blood and urine tests, and the vet was primarily suspecting Cushings based on classic symptoms (excessive thirst & urination, food obsessed, overweight, pot belly, elevated ALP, ear infections). I read tons of info about Cushings, and I was sure we were on the right track.

Surprised when it turned out to be diabetes, and now I'm learning all about that. I'm still wondering if she might have Cushings too, and further testing will be done after we get her glucose under control.

Cataracts are one of the first things to occur in diabetes, and I am happy to say that Meika has only mild cloudiness on her lenses, which is normal for her age.

I am very interested in best options for food for her. Vet recommends a prescription diet, but didn't have it in stock. I am also looking at other high protein/low carb food. Anybody have experience or info about diet?

I also send big thanks to Ann/WyliesMom and Linda/LadyJane for keeping me calm, sane and positive during the diagnostic process.... you gals ROCK! I had to sit with all this for a while before I could discuss on open forum, but now I'm in action mode, and ready to talk.

So sorry about Meika. Looks like you have things in control & she's in good hands (you & her vets:)). I only know of 1 person on YT that used to home cook for her diabetic dog, Marj's Lady (R.I.P.). She did excellent on home cooked meals & Marj got her recipe from Dr. Remillard & used Balance IT. Maybe you can look @ her past posts, many good info on canine diabetes. All the Best for Meika!

Sandy, I am sorry Meika and you are facing this. Meika is in great hands with you.

I don't have any knowledge or experience in this area to share, but you definitely have my hugs, support, and prayers.

Thanks Jenny and Kristin..... we are going to get through this just fine. I do appreciate your well wishes.

I am just so happy to get an early diagnosis and be able to treat her. Some people don't find out until their pup goes blind.

I am so sorry to hear of Meika's health issues. It is so scary when our babies are sick, especially with illnesses that can be managed but not cured. I will keep you both in my prayers.

Thanks Patti, and I have your Pixie and Roxie in my prayers as well. Busy time with vets for both of us lately, especially you.

Jenny, thanks for the reminder of LadyMom. I searched some of her old threads and found her links to wonderful sites about Canine Diabetes, and I'll share here for all interested:

Here is info on diet: Pets with Diabetes: Diet

Home page for Pets With Diabetes is here: Pets with Diabetes: Home Page

Sandy, not sure if it is in those links but Dr. Remillard's website is PetDiets - VNC putting your pet's health first .. for more than 20 yrs!
She has a FAQ section that is very informative. You can search by topic. You also can submit a question there and she is very good about responding!

I had not thought of her.

Thanks Linda, I will look at that site more tomorrow. I did a quick search on there for diabetes diet, and didn't come up with anything; I must not be using it right.

There aren't many studies on diet for canine diabetes. However I feel diet will affect her blood sugar, and helping with the right food will mean less insulin needed.

I am hoping not to home cook for Meika. It will be all I can do to feed her separately from the other 3 pups. Meika needs high protein, low carb. Tiki with MVD needs lower protein/fat.

I was happy to find food that worked for Tiki, but the others did well on it too. At least all 4 eat their food right away, so it doesn't sit there waiting for the others to finish it. They are all good eaters, and very flexible.

Sorry to hear about Meika.... it's been a while, but with DH being diabetic and what I recall from my tech days, most pups would be put on a weight control then maintenance prescription diet. I believe it was a high fiber diet, to help the pups to feel full, but at the same time be eating a bit less, and to help regulate the blood sugar. Very good that you caught this early on...

I am so sorry to hear of Meika's diagnoses. I have no advice or help, but will pray for your sweet girl!

Just wanted to drop off some good thoughts and hugs as you're going through all of this :love:. Meika is in such good hands - and I know she'll soon be feeling much better than she has recently. You will get her back on track. And her vet(s) sound just wonderful. The fact they even thought of Cushings right away is quite amazing, and speaks volumes as to the depth and breadth of their knowledge.

I've heard nothing but great things about Dr. Remillard. Otherwise, there are tons of high protein kibbles you could go with...I'm not sure if you have a brand you prefer or not, but there may be one in whatever line you're already feeding too.

Hang in there, and puppy smooches to Meika!

I looked up canine diabetes diet on google & on dogfoodsdvisor, they recommend Wellness CORE canned food. It's high in protein, moderate fat, grain free & low carb. Another good one is Nature's Logic, my guys are eating NL for 1 meal right now & they love it. Their kibble has millet in it, it's low on the glycemic index. The canned does not have any carbs & is gluten free. Cans Archives | Nature's LogicNature's Logic

NL lists the actual guaranteed analysis. Most companies only lists the minimum, so you might also want to email or call the company & ask what the max is.

Is raw (or premade raw) something you'll be willing to try? It's carb free, high in protein & fat. Fat that they use for energy, filled w/essential amino acids.

Sandy,

So sorry to hear about Meika. I will pray for her and you! I have no experience with diabetes but am sending lots of well wishes and hugs from Houston.

Big Mahalos (thank yous) to each and every one of you for your well wishes, hugs, and input.

I really appreciate being able to discuss this here and learn, while working with the vet on Meika's treatment plan. My list of questions is growing daily, and Meika goes back to the vet Monday, Feb 3rd, all day for glucose curve test.

Puppy smooches are much appreciated :)

The 2 vets that saw Meika are very young, and licensed only about 3 years. Time will tell whether recent education or more experience is more beneficial, and this is just a starting point.

The gal (Dr N) that saw Meika first picked up on all the Cushings symptoms, (impressed) and ordered blood and urine tests that also checked for diabetes & UTI. When labs came back she was off and guy (Dr C) came up with diagnosis of diabetes based on glucose of 558, and ordered insulin. He said he wouldn't be testing for Cushings unless glucose can't be regulated with insulin. Ok, I'll wait on that.

Reviewing her records, Meika's glucose 6 months ago was 143 and now 558 (norm=70-138). Wow. Wondering if that spike could have been caused by granddaughter feeding her marshmallows over the weekend? Still wondering if Cushings is the causing high glucose too.

So for this week we are keeping same diet and adding insulin 2 x/day. Next Monday she will spend the whole day with Dr N, doing the glucose curve test, to see if dose needs adjusting. After that I'll look a diet changes, and I've ordered the canine Glucometer & supplies, so I can check her glucose at home.

Many of you know the frustrations of diagnosis and fine tuning treatment plans. I am trying to be patient, and just be happy like Meika is.... she just walks around smiling and exuding pure love.

Keeping you both in my prayers. I am glad Meika is happy. She knows she is loved and in great hands.

So sorry that you and your pup are experiencing this, I know that it is the not knowing for sure that can be the worse part. Dealing with one disease is bad enough but two is just overwhelming which make treatment very difficult. Once you know for sure what is going on be confident that your vets can get you on the right cores of action to better treat her. I pray that that day comes sooner rather than later and that she will be ok!!

Keeping her in my prayers !! {HUGS}

:love:

I wish I had the constitution of a dog. We love our babies so much though, we just want to fix everything right away.

Very happy to hear Meika is a happy and enjoying her day.

Happy Meika
 

Meika has always been my happy girl. Here are a couple of my fav pic of her, before I got tired of brushing and gave her the "Joey" haircut. She loves watching turtles and sunsets and surfers in the back yard.

THAT's your backyard?! It is soooo beautiful, so is Meika!

Praying that Meika will be ok! She is lucky to have a great Mommy to love and take care of her!

It is always so stressful for us when we know there is something wrong with our furkids. We would do anything we can to take away their suffering. You have lots of people here that care for you and we are all sending good thoughts your way!

Yes it is & thank you. Maybe that's why Meika is smiling all the time.:D

Thank you all for your concern and your prayers. Thank goodness Meika doesn't have a clue anything is wrong, she is not suffering, and she is just enjoying all the extra kisses and attention.

Just seeing this about Meika and thinking you probably feel you've been hit by a Mack truck having her with two pretty serious medical conditions. To look at her, you could never tell she's got a thing wrong. Thankfully, she's going to do as well as possible with you for her mommie, access to the best vet care, medication and diet and won't have to want for anything she needs and that's got to make you feel better. She's a lucky girl and very, very blessed to have you and vice versa. She's just beautiful in those pictures and she looks happy and contented there in her home in paradise and wonderfully cared for.

Thanks Jeanie, she is a sweet girl just as my other 3 are. She is the clown of the pack, always wanting to play.

Just to clarify, at this point only diabetes has been diagnosed, so just one disease confirmed so far. There is a possibility of Cushings, but maybe not, so they are holding off further testing for that to see how she responds to insulin. It gets confusing because both Cushings and diabetes have some similar symptoms, yet very different causes.

Aw Meika is gorgeous!!! The thing I have always stressed with new diabetic patients (human) is to control the disease, so it does not control you. My only thought regarding diet is her kidneys. I'm a little worried about a high protein diet being rough on her kidneys. So be sure to get the vets approval on that before changing. Yes, you will want something lower in carbs...but watch the protein as well. I may be wrong, but better safe then sorry. Maybe it would be wise to get a dietary consult? My thoughts, my prayers are with you both...bless her sweet heart.

What a beautiful baby Meika is as is your back yard and the view! Thinking of you both and sending get well wishes!

Kathy and Connie, thank you for your sweet compliments. I loved Meika's beautiful full coat, but brushing her twice a day to maintain it was just too much. I need to take updated photos of her "Joey" cut, which is easier and cooler for her, and still cute and perky.

Kathy, you are right about her diet, and I will use caution and follow advice of the vet and a pet dietitian in slowly making changes. I did order Wellness Core grain free kibble/low fat, just to have on hand to try in the future, and I think the protein is 33% rather than the 25-28% in most of the other high quality foods. Luckily Meika will eat absolutely anything without gastro issues. After her glucose curve testing Monday, I will be able to tell better what she needs, and at what time.

Gorgeous pictures of happy Meika!

I cut Teddy's beard recently. We decided he is cuter with the shorter beard. I can see his little smile better. :)