Senior dog has diabetes

[Lady D]

[/b]

Vets, like human doctors, can only do so much, and it is in their office. How the client/patient handles things at home is out of their control. There is a lot of this behind closed doors at animal AND human medical offices, because when someone walks out the door, well, who knows? So no, vets KNOW they don't have all the answers, because they know that there are owners who think they know more than their vet does- as in, go home and do exactly what they want or what is easier for them, despite "what the doctor ordered". We usually see those patients back and have to start treatment back at square one.

There are good reasons to not put your dog on Rimadyl. My boss will no longer use it- there have been serious side effects. I find it odd that if your vet truly knows Mo's situation- that he has to climb steps with great difficulty every day and has a hard time getting up- that he has recommended exercise to lose weight. Also, there are other anti-inflammatory med options. Have you asked for x-rays to pinpoint the exact problem? If not, your vet may be hesitant to treat without knowing what he is dealing with. I would ask for a few x-rays when you take him in for his next blood glucose test.

I mentioned his difficulty over the phone and they stated something about doing x-rays but none were done. His back legs of course are the problem. I have done nothing but taken him out the front or side porch this evening as there are very few steps to maneuver. That was the woman vet at his office that recommended that because of his weight but now his system has weakened since the diabetes and it is way too hot for these walks. I take him back Friday and will again mention it to the vet. To be honest, the vet that treated our other dogs diabetes we felt was a little weird. Said several things off the wall. Anyway, he has had nothing but his measured food both meals today and ate good. Had a bone half with his evening meal. So I am going to try to do right with him for the rest of the time he has left, hope it is at least another year.

 

[audie]

[/b]

Vets, like human doctors, can only do so much, and it is in their office. How the client/patient handles things at home is out of their control. There is a lot of this behind closed doors at animal AND human medical offices, because when someone walks out the door, well, who knows? So no, vets KNOW they don't have all the answers, because they know that there are owners who think they know more than their vet does- as in, go home and do exactly what they want or what is easier for them, despite "what the doctor ordered". We usually see those patients back and have to start treatment back at square one.

There are good reasons to not put your dog on Rimadyl. My boss will no longer use it- there have been serious side effects. I find it odd that if your vet truly knows Mo's situation- that he has to climb steps with great difficulty every day and has a hard time getting up- that he has recommended exercise to lose weight. Also, there are other anti-inflammatory med options. Have you asked for x-rays to pinpoint the exact problem? If not, your vet may be hesitant to treat without knowing what he is dealing with. I would ask for a few x-rays when you take him in for his next blood glucose test.

dory's vet gave me rimadyl for her, but only to use when she is extremely stiffened up, she only takes it once or twice a month, and her blood work is monitored regularly by the vet. i am gonna put her on glycoflex for her joints as soon as i get around to ordering it, hopefully that will help her some.

 

[iwishiwasthere]

glycoflex

Does that stuff work? What are the side effects?

 

[audie]

glycoflex

Does that stuff work? What are the side effects?

i have no idea about it, i need to read up on it, that's one reason i haven't ordered it yet. the vet i took dory to for her ultrasound recommended it to me.

 

[Lady D]

Ok, now I am frustrated. Attempted to give the dreaded insulin shot this evening and what a waste of time and insulin. Not one drop got in his system. Went all over his hair only on his neck. One whole dose wasted. Wonder it didn't happen this morning as he attempted to turn his head toward me this morning and the needle came out half through injection and I had to stick him again and give the rest. And then tonight, he wouldn't keep his head still so I had my husband come over to hold his head, well, he was rubbing his head and that caused his neck to move also, thus causing the mishap, and of course, he has eaten and gotten no insulin tonight. Now his sugar will elevate and I cannot give him another dose until in the am just in case he did get some in his system by a miracle. It has been hard to tell if I am even piercing his skin with his hair being so thick anyway. Darn! At $31 something a bottle I cannot afford a wasted dose!

 

[audie]

what kind of insulin is he using ?

 

[Lady D]

Audie, they have him on this insulin called vetsulin. They no longer are allowed to give human insulin like Humulin U to a dog. Although with the other dog she was receiving Novolin N which I got at Walmart. It was around 19.00 a bottle, this is $32.00 a bottle. Took him to get his sugar checked yesterday afternoon to see if it was working and it is, despite the fact he didn't get hardly any Thursday night. His sugar was 136. Do not have to take him back for about 3 or 4 weeks if it stays regular. I just have to watch for excessive water consumption again or wobbly back legs again. One bottle just lasts a week with him. I am just finishing up the bottle they started him on a week ago Friday. Wished he didn't have such darned thick hair though. I totally hate sticking him! I feel so guilty. The other dog would come and sit up for me to give her a shot. I just had to say, Sapphire, its time for your shot, and up she would be. Such a good dog! But he is too. I am just nervous with having to do this again.

 

[audie]

too bad it's not something you could get at walmart again, but if it's working it's worth it, right ?

 

[Lady D]

Yeah, it is. If we have the means to keep paying for it that is. Things like that you have to just find the means to pay for. I was reading where some people that didn't want to take the responsibility of giving shots chose to have their dogs euthanized. I could never do that, ever, in a case like that. Made me sick to read that. To me, that just shows, they do not care as much about their dog. Diabetes is not a death sentence. It can be managed.