Got some really bad news today

I've had a pretty bad day today. Dexter, my 8 year old Blue Heeler just hasn't been himself lately and on top of that, he's had a pretty bad sinus infection. So yesterday, I loaded him up in the car and took him to the vet. One of his symptoms was pretty bothersome to me. He's been losing weight and drinking excessive amounts of water. In my human clinical experience, that tells me "diabetes".
Well, today I got the call confirming that but had a few added surprises. Dexters Pancreatic and liver enzymes were "off the charts" and his blood glucose was above 500. On top of that, he had ketones in his urine. Dexter was in full blown Diabetic keto acidosis - a diabetic crisis. My wife had to take him back to the vet today for IV fluids and insulin. I also have to start and administer IV fluids on him the next 3 days. My healtcare experience will help me a lot with that. We also have to give him insulin injections twice a day for thenext week and he has to have a glucose tolerance test next week to adjust hsi insulin dose.
My dogs are like my kids, and I'm sure that most of you who have pets can appreciate my feelings at the moment. To make matters worse, the pharmacy (a human pharmacy) didn't fill the scrip for the insulin so he's back up on his sugar again until we can get some insulin for him tomorrow.
I think I'm gonna go lay down with my dog.

David

That's a shame, he's a young dog.
I would be really bummed out if my Red Healer , freckles, was ill , she's 6 and a real pistol . She goes everywhere with me in the truck, She went with me to Vegas and Flag. She lives to travel! Loves to run in the desert and bark at every dog she sees.
I hope that all comes out well for Dexter, he's lucky to have you, many owners would put him down.

Best of luck to you!! Our dog is a family member, also.. and a dear friend. He is lucky to have you guys, as Rick said. He'll be fine soon!!

Thanks guys.

David

I got to play vet today and give Dexter his first 350ml bolus of IV fluid (lactated Ringers solution). I have a regular IV setup and I had to pinch up the skin between his shoulders and stick a needle under his skin. We have to do it sub-cutaneously rather than IV so as not to overload his kidneys. He actually tolerated it quite well and it only took about 10 minutes. Once it was done, he perked up quite a bit. We waited about an hour and I gave him his first dose of insulin. The vet wrote the scrip for 15 units twice a day which seems to be an awful lot for a 65lb dog but he'sdoing quite well after two hours. Its like I have an 8 year old puppy again. He's quite playful actually and seems pretty close to his old self. But the cautious side of me worries that the insulin will bottom out his sugar and he'll have a seizure. I have a squirt bottle of aunt jemimah on hand to remedy that.

David

That sounds an awful lot like good news!! Like a puppy again!! Right on! Just gotta keep between the lines!!

I'm glad he's responding to treatment. I didn't know that Heelers came that big. Our little girl was 40 lbs but we put her on a diet and she's 35 now. Still when she jumps up in my lap and kisses my face, you figure ,out she's no lap dog.
My wife is diabetic, so I understand a bit about what you are saying. !% units , twice a day is a fair amount. My wife's dosage can vary between none and 25 units, it depends on what she has eaten.
I hope that Freckles doesn't develop diabetes, I'm not sure we can fund the vet bills.
Good luck with Dexter's treatment.

We had a cat that went through chronic renal failure. We caught the symptoms early enough that we kept him alive, healthy, and happy for 3 years. Every morning and evening, he would hop on a small table to get the sub-cue saline solution between the shoulder blades, and then he got some wet food. Never had a problem with it once he knew a treat was coming.

He did eventually die, at the ripe old age of 18. You'll know it's time when he's no longer enjoying himself. Until then, do what you have to do, value th experience, and keep him happy.

You certainly have my sympathy.

Brian

Dexter dis well today after his first two days of insulin and fluids. He does OK with the IV but really squeels when I give him the insulin. Someone told me it may be because the insulin was cold so I have been warming it up in my hand before I give it but that didn't help. Still squeeled.
The challenge today was for my wife to give the shot this morning. She has never given shots before. She was a trooper and did fine though.
As far as size, Dexter is taller and longer than the typical blue heeler even though he is full blooded. He was rejected by the breeder because he was so large which is why we got him from the rescue. Levi on the other hand is the correct size as far as length and height but girth is another story. He weighs in at a hefty 70 lbs. The irony is that both of them only eat 2 cups of "weight management" dog food a day and only get 1 to 2 small treats a day. Even though Levi is smaller than Dexter, he weighs more. Ugh... So, now its lots of exercise for the three of us.

Thanks a lot guys for the thoughts and kind words.

David

Just got back home & again have web access. Sorry to hear of your dog's troubles. At least things seem to be improving. Hope they continue on the uptick!

H2O

Got some great news today from the vet about Dexter. He went in for the entire day for an insulin curve test. Its kind of like when we have a glucose tolerance test. Anyway, his baseline blood sugar was almost normal which means that the insulin dose is pretty close to what is ideal for him. We only had to go up one unit of insulin per day which is good. But more importantly, his liver function and pancreatic enzymes are almost back to normal...an almost 4000 point drop in one week. She told us that his condition was more of an "acute" pancreatitis rather than a chronic case in which his enzymes would have stayed elevated. So it looks like the special diet and antibiotics are working.
We're still wrestling - literally - with the insulin shots. He just palin doesn't like them and fo the few of you out there that have Blue Heelers, you know how difficult and hard headed, as well as smart, they can be. He has figured out how to "one up" us each time we try a different technique for giving him his shot. He will stand right by me when I prepare it, sit like a good dog before I give it, but when the time comes, he has a million different avoidadnce tricks.
Anyway, he's doing really well but we'll have to continue the insulin shots for the rest of his life which the vet assures us, without any complications, will be a normal lifespan for him.
Thanks for all your thoughts and kind words. you all are awesome!

David

Thats great news David. Enjoy your family member!! It was actually an acute reminder of how fleeting, and special, things and beings are.. I gave my dog an extra hug, too.

Thanks Scott, I apreciate that!

David

Im in a bad spot now,, We found a third ball on our boy, Beaux, today.. We have the best vet on the west coast, in a mobile unit, scheduled for 9am. It was a coincidence, the appt was set about a month ago for other stuff.. Im about one thing from losing it and this might be it...wish me luck.

I'm thinking about you & Beaux - best of luck!

H2O

Thanx, Brother..I know it'll be ok, Im just freaking a bit.. Really wanted to breed him at least once too,, he's a great dog and we wanted to be able to keep him going.. Now, I'll be glad if we can keep HIM going..

"Ball" as in tumor?
Jeez man, I know how you feel adn I'm thinking about you and Beaux too. Dexter and Levi both say Woof. I think in dog terms, that means the same as what I said. We got a scare with Dexter about a year ago with something similar. He had a big knot on his head. At first we thought it was another BB from the juvi delinquents next door but it turned out to be a cyst. The vet drained it and sent it for pathology and it was fortunately benign.
I hope all goes well for you and Beaux. Were thinking about ya.

David

Thanks Dave,, It looked like a callous for a while.. He loves to sit on this big rock in the backyard which is frozen half the year,, we figured he just froze a spot on his nuts and put a nice warm hairy spot on the rock!!! All of a sudden its much larger,, We hope its not serious, but it looks like a tumor.. After noticing it,, I realised he hasnt been his old self, sleeping more, less energy. Maybe im just too worried, and reading into things, I'll know more around 9 this morning,, thanx for the support guys,, hes my best bud, Id be lost without him.

I forgot to post it here.. The vet said he was fine,, He has a big rock he likes to sit on in the back yard, and in the winter,, its frozen. We think he froze a spot, got a callous, and it was going through healing stages.. evidently their balls are kinda pointy in the back and thats where it was,, looked like a full on 3rd nut!! So, now that the pressure is off, the jokes are starting!! I call him tres huevos!!
The vet thought I was worried about him losing his balls.. She even said, men are more sensitive about it than women... Yes, I held my tongue. Women are just too happy to get rid of a mans nuts.. in fact, I was worried about his life.. I couldnt have been more relieved..

Glad everything is ok. I was thinking about "tres cajones".

David