Howdy, friends. Long time no see. And that's usually a sign that things aren't great.
Last time I wrote here I shared that one of my dogs has diabetes. Well, yes she did have diabetes, and yes it was serious. She ended up dying, not from diabetes, but instead from liver failure. The vets are convinced that it was unrelated. That was somewhat of a relief, but not all that comforting. She was still gone, the second dog I lost that week.
There are some other major stressors going on right now, that I'm not going share. Suffice it to say that 2013 has been one of the most frustrating years that I've experienced and we're only 2.5 months in. I believe that things will calm down by March. At least I hope so.
As I've explained before, I am a stress eater. I haven't been diligent. Therefore there have been crickets chirping over here at DiaBETHic. I tell you this just to let you know that I haven't abandoned my post, but that life has interfered with my best intentions.
You probably won't here from me for a few more weeks. By then, things should be settling down. Spring will be around the corner. I should be in a much better place, both literally and figuratively. 'Till then, take care and I will be talking to you very soon.
Beth
Friday, February 8, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
All in the family.
I believe I have mentioned before that I have three dogs. Or I should say, had three dogs. I had one of them put down last weekend. She was a twelve-year-old German Shepherd named Zodie — a beauty, inside and out, who was suffering from a host of ailments. She could barely walk and fell down constantly. She was thin, losing hair and her eyesight. It was not an easy decision, but one that needed to be made before she fell and broke a leg or a hip.
During this struggle, my other two dogs were taking a bit of backseat. Otis is a five-year-old Brussels Griffon — a tiny bit of a thing who is the most easy going dog ever. Mrs. Binklee, also five, is a Pug/Chihuahua mix who definitely has a mind of her own. She's downright defiant at times and has been so since she was a pup. Frustrating, destructive, but also very lovable and fun. Mrs. Binklee and Zodie had sort of mutual respect for one another.
I noticed that in the past few weeks Binklee had been drinking a lot of water — even getting up in the middle of the night to drink, and to be let outside. In the back of my mind I wondered... "is she diabetic?" but didn't do anything to find out.
Last week I noticed that she looked like she had lost some weight. She's on the tubby side, and her harness was hanging off of her. She even had a bit of a waistline. This also was a red flag.
She's been sleeping on one of Zodie's dog beds. In the past she was not allowed to sleep on these as they were reserved for Zodie. Now that Zodie's gone she's taken up residence. Monday night she threw up on one of them. I didn't think anything of this, as dogs are always yakking up something or another.
Then there was last night.
She started vomiting around 8:00 p.m. and continued throughout the night. This morning I called the vet right away and made an appointment to bring her in at 9:15. At 8:45 she threw up blood. I called them back and they told me to bring her in right away.
I told the vet the symptoms I had been seeing and he checked her sugar. It was so high that it just said "Hi" on the meter. That is never good. He took her temperature, which was normal, and said, "Diabetic Ketoacidosis." Anyone with diabetes knows that Ketoacidosis is some serious stuff. Type 2 diabetics typically don't have to worry about this because their bodies are still producing insulin. In dogs this is brought on by an undiagnosed diabetic condition.
Here are the symptoms:
Right now she is at the clinic and will spend the night there. They are giving her fluids and insulin. The doctor called me a few hours ago and said her sugars are now registering on the meter. She was at 715. Normal is around 120. She's getting the best care possible. It makes me angry at myself that I saw this and did nothing. I am not beating myself up — just stating a simple fact. When she is better, diet and exercise will be key. I really didn't think my dog would be the motivator for me to finally get up and start moving, but I owe it to her. I just wish I had done it sooner.
During this struggle, my other two dogs were taking a bit of backseat. Otis is a five-year-old Brussels Griffon — a tiny bit of a thing who is the most easy going dog ever. Mrs. Binklee, also five, is a Pug/Chihuahua mix who definitely has a mind of her own. She's downright defiant at times and has been so since she was a pup. Frustrating, destructive, but also very lovable and fun. Mrs. Binklee and Zodie had sort of mutual respect for one another.
I noticed that in the past few weeks Binklee had been drinking a lot of water — even getting up in the middle of the night to drink, and to be let outside. In the back of my mind I wondered... "is she diabetic?" but didn't do anything to find out.
Last week I noticed that she looked like she had lost some weight. She's on the tubby side, and her harness was hanging off of her. She even had a bit of a waistline. This also was a red flag.
She's been sleeping on one of Zodie's dog beds. In the past she was not allowed to sleep on these as they were reserved for Zodie. Now that Zodie's gone she's taken up residence. Monday night she threw up on one of them. I didn't think anything of this, as dogs are always yakking up something or another.
Then there was last night.
She started vomiting around 8:00 p.m. and continued throughout the night. This morning I called the vet right away and made an appointment to bring her in at 9:15. At 8:45 she threw up blood. I called them back and they told me to bring her in right away.
I told the vet the symptoms I had been seeing and he checked her sugar. It was so high that it just said "Hi" on the meter. That is never good. He took her temperature, which was normal, and said, "Diabetic Ketoacidosis." Anyone with diabetes knows that Ketoacidosis is some serious stuff. Type 2 diabetics typically don't have to worry about this because their bodies are still producing insulin. In dogs this is brought on by an undiagnosed diabetic condition.
Here are the symptoms:
- Drinking or urinating more than usual
- Sudden, excessive weight loss attributed to loss of appetite
- General fatigue
- Vomiting
- Sudden onset of compromised vision
Right now she is at the clinic and will spend the night there. They are giving her fluids and insulin. The doctor called me a few hours ago and said her sugars are now registering on the meter. She was at 715. Normal is around 120. She's getting the best care possible. It makes me angry at myself that I saw this and did nothing. I am not beating myself up — just stating a simple fact. When she is better, diet and exercise will be key. I really didn't think my dog would be the motivator for me to finally get up and start moving, but I owe it to her. I just wish I had done it sooner.
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