Delbee
11-08-2011, 06:01 PM
Duncan was a strong and healthy little guy until 2-3 weeks ago. He was slowing down a little this fall and had put on some belly fat, but I thought it was age related. Then came drowsiness, panting, pain when sleeping on his tummy and a few days later excessive thirst and peeing every few hours including during the night.
After a terrible two weeks of ER visits, changing vets, and tests and drugs, I know this: He has Cushngs. ( low dose Dexamaethasone tests. Elevated liver enzimes) He is diabetic - not sure which really came first. Since he started on Verirol just days before the insulin, I am not sure what is making the difference but he is feeling much better.
His pain is gone - I really never got to the bottom of that - it looked like he was having spasms? But it is better now.
I am having a rough time getting him to take insulin :( and eat in the morning before his shots. Any ideas? I hope most of you are not dealng with diabetes too as I didn't read too many issues on this site.
I am not sure about the research that says he should lead a quiet, mundane life with not too much excitement. That would not be a worthwhile life for Duncan. He loves hiking and exploring and we spend a lot of time outdoors. As a diabetic, he needs exercise too. Do you restrict your dogs execise? :confused: I took him to the park on the w/end, and he played in the leaves and really looked like his old self. He was tired afterwards ( so was I) and we didn't walk too far ( 1 mile maybe) ??? I am not sure if this will make thinkgs worse for him or if I should work at keeping up his usual activity level. My other dog is a 14 year old Peek a Poo and he is not ready to give up his walks yet. I've held it together in public until I saw him run to play with his friends - then I lost it - I didn't know if I would see him so happy again.
I am not too sure about diet. Right now he is eating BBQ chicken ( no sauce) , rice and veggies. I think the low fibre diet would mean switching form brown to white rice and cooking his veggies. ??? Any great homecooked diets? I add vitamins, glucosamine and both dogs were doing really well. He has trouble with commerial foods becasue of a corn allergy and has had dermatitis from a lot of wet or canned types. He can eat Little Ceasar's and Chicken Soup diet food but mostly I cook. He likes sweet potatoes and I read that pumpkin is good???
His hearing is not good, and this is pretty new. I have not read about this as a side effect?
Maybe that is enough questions for now. We are back at the vet tomorrow for bloodwork.
I'll keep reading older posts and hope to find some hints for living with this disease. Thanks for sharing so much everyone....
After a terrible two weeks of ER visits, changing vets, and tests and drugs, I know this: He has Cushngs. ( low dose Dexamaethasone tests. Elevated liver enzimes) He is diabetic - not sure which really came first. Since he started on Verirol just days before the insulin, I am not sure what is making the difference but he is feeling much better.
His pain is gone - I really never got to the bottom of that - it looked like he was having spasms? But it is better now.
I am having a rough time getting him to take insulin :( and eat in the morning before his shots. Any ideas? I hope most of you are not dealng with diabetes too as I didn't read too many issues on this site.
I am not sure about the research that says he should lead a quiet, mundane life with not too much excitement. That would not be a worthwhile life for Duncan. He loves hiking and exploring and we spend a lot of time outdoors. As a diabetic, he needs exercise too. Do you restrict your dogs execise? :confused: I took him to the park on the w/end, and he played in the leaves and really looked like his old self. He was tired afterwards ( so was I) and we didn't walk too far ( 1 mile maybe) ??? I am not sure if this will make thinkgs worse for him or if I should work at keeping up his usual activity level. My other dog is a 14 year old Peek a Poo and he is not ready to give up his walks yet. I've held it together in public until I saw him run to play with his friends - then I lost it - I didn't know if I would see him so happy again.
I am not too sure about diet. Right now he is eating BBQ chicken ( no sauce) , rice and veggies. I think the low fibre diet would mean switching form brown to white rice and cooking his veggies. ??? Any great homecooked diets? I add vitamins, glucosamine and both dogs were doing really well. He has trouble with commerial foods becasue of a corn allergy and has had dermatitis from a lot of wet or canned types. He can eat Little Ceasar's and Chicken Soup diet food but mostly I cook. He likes sweet potatoes and I read that pumpkin is good???
His hearing is not good, and this is pretty new. I have not read about this as a side effect?
Maybe that is enough questions for now. We are back at the vet tomorrow for bloodwork.
I'll keep reading older posts and hope to find some hints for living with this disease. Thanks for sharing so much everyone....