Diabetes/Cushings Disease

[urbangirluk]

Hi, not been on here for a while, I keep losing the link  

My Allie has just recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, at the moment it's endless rounds of visits to the vets for blood tests etc, he's had 2 sets of glucose curve tests done amongst other things, and they're still trying to get the right does of insulin, his ketones went back to normal almost as soon as he went on insulin but his glucose levels were still quite high last Tuesday, hence the glucose curve test on Friday.

Just looking for a bit of advice/comfort from other owners who have a diabetic dog.

He is currently on Hills w/d food, I don't intend to keep him on this forever, as it's awfully expensive, are there alternatives I can give him that will still give him all the nutrients he needs to help control his diabetes?

He's almost 11.

Oh and uninsured  

[Val]

Hi
Sorry to read about your Allie, for the life of me I can't remember the breed  hope you have informed the breeder whatever breed Allie is Diabetes can run in lines.
The first thing I would go is tell the vet where to put the Hills  you need a dog food that is low in sugar and fat and rich in fiber a fresh food diet would suit.
Questions I have to ask is Allie overweight? and does he/she get regular exercise ?
If you want when I have a breed I can help with a diet
Val

Hi, not been on here for a while, I keep losing the link 

My Allie has just recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, at the moment it's endless rounds of visits to the vets for blood tests etc, he's had 2 sets of glucose curve tests done amongst other things, and they're still trying to get the right does of insulin, his ketones went back to normal almost as soon as he went on insulin but his glucose levels were still quite high last Tuesday, hence the glucose curve test on Friday.

Just looking for a bit of advice/comfort from other owners who have a diabetic dog.

He is currently on Hills w/d food, I don't intend to keep him on this forever, as it's awfully expensive, are there alternatives I can give him that will still give him all the nutrients he needs to help control his diabetes?

He's almost 11.

Oh and uninsured 

[Gwensway]

Hi Urbangirluk

I had a sheltie that was diabetic and had insulin injections for almost six years, we eventualy lost her age 16 from old age.

The first thing we did on vet advice was have her neautered as we were told this would help, it took about a week to sort out her glucose level, we fed her on Chapie dried dog food as we found this a suitable food. We also adjusted the dose of insulin according to her reading each morning on testing her 'wee' I was told by the vet that we had done well to keep her as long as we did, Diabetic dogs have a shortened life span. Watch all treats though as this can put her glucose level up, also watch if your dog has an upset tum, Above all do not panic you will cope, just be confident,

Good luck, please send me a PM if you want to.

Gwen 

[urbangirluk]

Hi Val

Allie is a Xbreed Terrier, got him from a rescue centre as a pub so no background unfortunately!

I don't like Hills particularly myself and it's very expensive!  I don't intend to buy anymore of it once this bag is done with, I would have gone elsewhere for food but any help on what to feed him would be great )  He is quite a fussy eater anyway so doesnt particularly like it, he eats because it's all he gets given!

He is overweight yes, at last weigh in he was 19.4 kg but they want him to lose more, however, they haven't said how much.  He does get walked every day, mum usually takes him out with her to do the school run which I would say is probably 3/4 mile, maybe slightly more.

Hi
Sorry to read about your Allie, for the life of me I can't remember the breed  hope you have informed the breeder whatever breed Allie is Diabetes can run in lines.
The first thing I would go is tell the vet where to put the Hills  you need a dog food that is low in sugar and fat and rich in fiber a fresh food diet would suit.
Questions I have to ask is Allie overweight? and does he/she get regular exercise ?
If you want when I have a breed I can help with a diet
Val

Hi, not been on here for a while, I keep losing the link 

My Allie has just recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, at the moment it's endless rounds of visits to the vets for blood tests etc, he's had 2 sets of glucose curve tests done amongst other things, and they're still trying to get the right does of insulin, his ketones went back to normal almost as soon as he went on insulin but his glucose levels were still quite high last Tuesday, hence the glucose curve test on Friday.

Just looking for a bit of advice/comfort from other owners who have a diabetic dog.

He is currently on Hills w/d food, I don't intend to keep him on this forever, as it's awfully expensive, are there alternatives I can give him that will still give him all the nutrients he needs to help control his diabetes?

He's almost 11.

Oh and uninsured 

[urbangirluk]

Hi Gwen

Allie was neutered as a pup so that's not a problem. 

I am definitely seeing an improvement in him and his glucose levels are dropping slowly but surely.  They've not mentioned about me testing his levels myself yet, I guess this will come once he's stabilised?

I can't believe I didn't notice anything before 2 weeks ago, I just thought he was starting to slow down with old age, I'm a bad mum lol

We have cut out his treats, he used to get a few during the day   The vet said it was ok to give him a little treat now and again which we do, but nowhere near as much as he used to get, poor thing doesnt know what's hit him!

I blame myself for spoiling him but hey these things happen and I'll just have to deal with it.

Hi Urbangirluk

I had a sheltie that was diabetic and had insulin injections for almost six years, we eventualy lost her age 16 from old age.

The first thing we did on vet advice was have her neautered as we were told this would help, it took about a week to sort out her glucose level, we fed her on Chapie dried dog food as we found this a suitable food. We also adjusted the dose of insulin according to her reading each morning on testing her 'wee' I was told by the vet that we had done well to keep her as long as we did, Diabetic dogs have a shortened life span. Watch all treats though as this can put her glucose level up, also watch if your dog has an upset tum, Above all do not panic you will cope, just be confident,

Good luck, please send me a PM if you want to.

Gwen 

[urbangirluk]

Hi everyone, again been a long time since I've been on here, only when I get notification of Facebook page does it remind me to come in.

Anyway, I've changed the title of the thread as Allie has just this week been diagnosed with Cushimgs Disease. He is on medication now so am hoping to see an improvement in his general health plus his diabetes which has been all ove the place just recently!!

Anyone else got a dog suffering with both, I know it can be quite common.

[Val]

Cushing is more easy to manage he will put on even more weight with the drugs for cushing so it's even more important to watch his weight poor lad he is having a time of it.
Hugs to the lad pleased to see you back
Val

[urbangirluk]

Thank you Val, yes poor lad hasnt had an easy 2 years, bless him, but he just keeps plodding along, and literally plodding now as the vet also suspects arthritis in his hips, and has suggested maybe acupuncture!  It doesnt rain but it pours!

I'm currently feeding on Burns High Oats, with a little bit of Hills W/D wet, I know you're not a fan of Hills, but I have managed to control his weight quite well so far with it.

[SuzAndTheDiva]

Oh bless him - never had a dog with cushings but groomed a fair few who had it - one a flattie is well into her teens despite being diagnosed at about 6/7 and nearly dying from it at one point!! Shes just amazing now youd never know anything was wrong.

[urbangirluk]

Thanks, that's good to hear   I'm hoping Allie's gonna progress well now he has medication but it's early days x

[SuzAndTheDiva]

It took them a long time to get the level of medication right but once they did she is just fab - though her meds do need adjusting from time to time but the signs are easy to see.