[heatherny2]

My yorkipoo, Rusty, was just diagnosed today and not given a good prognosis. His glucose level was over 400 and ketones were present in his urine. The vet wanted to send him to a specialist to be watched over the weekend, but I can't afford that. We will administer insulin over the weekend, testing him every few hours, and see how he does. He has already developed the cataracts, but is eating and acting fine, so i just didn't have the heart to euthanize him today without giving him a chance over the weekend. My sons will just be devastated if he doesn't pull through.
Anyone had any experience with this and if so, what was the outcome? Oh, and maybe some jingles will help.

[McVillesMom]

I worked with a number of DKA dogs when I was a tech in an emergency/referral hospital. Most of them were in the CCU, unfortunately, and some of them did survive, but it's usually very touch and go for a while. It sounds as though your guy is in better shape than most of my patients were - a lot of them were flat out, essentially comatose, so the fact that he is still eating and acting fine is a good sign. Hopefully, since you just found out, you will be able to get his glucose regulated and he'll do well - just keep a VERY close eye on him and do NOT hesitate to call or take him somewhere if you think he isn't right - they can crash very, very fast.

[heatherny2]

Thank you. Yeah, he is acting as normal as he always was, and eating really well (in fact he really likes the special food they gave us). He is also getting used to his glucose testing (with help from DH and a friend). We are, however, all watching him for any changes, so we can immediately get it addressed.

[Horsegal984]

If your vet is open tomm (and hasn't already) have them fax her records over to the ER/Spec clinic. That way if something does happen and you wind up there they have all the relevant information. It will prevent them from having to recheck everything to get information your vet has already gotten.

Fingers crossed for you, most of the DKA dogs I've seen are as Nancy describes, and they tend not to do well. If they're still up and eating I think you have a slightly better prognosis.

Katherine
Vet Tech

[heatherny2]

So I'm still awake, on every 2 hr glucose testing and constantly watching him...although he is acting completely normal (aside from the lost vision)..the last few glucose tests were still high (ranging from 560 to 460 at last check) and ketones +4 at last check (funny, until today I had no idea what any of this meant). We have become obsessed with watching him for any slight changes or abnormal behavior but as of now he is completely normal. When the vet suggested euthanasia today there was no way I could do it without giving him a chance, knowing that he is still eating, and acting as he always has..he still barked and wagged his tail when DH got home, still got excited when the pizza got here, and scarfed down his food like it was the best thing he's ever had. To think the emotions I went through today, and that I was only moments away from letting him go until the vet suggested the insulin over the weekend, and to see him now...he is a fighter, I know he is...

[RidingAlterGether]

Aww, big hugs.

Remember, you can call most ER clinics and ask advise/if you should bring your dog in. The good ones are on the conservative side about giving advice but are there for you at 2 am if you are wondering if it really is an emergency

Best of luck. I think you're certainly in the right frame of mind to let him live as long as he feels good Spoil him rotten!

[heatherny2]

Aww, big hugs.

Remember, you can call most ER clinics and ask advise/if you should bring your dog in. The good ones are on the conservative side about giving advice but are there for you at 2 am if you are wondering if it really is an emergency

Best of luck. I think you're certainly in the right frame of mind to let him live as long as he feels good Spoil him rotten!

ha ha, actually, he keeps looking at us like why are we paying so much more attention to him...he doesn't realize how close he was to not coming home...we are truly spoiling him rotten and loving on him 100 million %...we r only 2 minutes from the ER Vet clinic, so we have our plan in place...although thought it best not to tell kiddos how bad it really is..only that he is really sick and needs shots and testing...

[heatherny2]

OK, so after the first insulin injection yesterday, and one this morning, his glucose spiked at hi (above 600) all afternoon, until the most recent one which was back down to 425. However, his ketone tests have been NEGATIVE the past 2 times. He is truly acting just like himself, if not moreso. I sat on the floor with him for a while, brushing him and playing with him, and of course got him a new toy when I went to the store. We are more hopeful than yesterday and hopefully his glucose will regulate after the next few insulin injections.

[Horsegal984]

It may regulate, but don't be suprised if you wind up haveing to increase his dose after talking to your vet Monday. Vets will always err on the side of caution with the dosage to make sure you don't wind up shocking his system and making him hypoglycemic. I'm very glad to hear that he's doing better, and that his ketones have been negative.

Katherine
Vet Tech

[BajiNaji]

My dog Sadie (a lab) had glucose levels in the same range as your dog; the vet was amazed she wasn't acting sicker than she was. We started her at 40 units of vetsulin, with no appreciable results; her glucose level was off the charts. We kept increasing her dosage until she was up to 70 units twice a day. During this time, she rapidly developed cataracts with an almost total loss of vision. As with your dog, she was happy and still interested in what was going on around her. After running further tests, the vet found that she also suffered from hypothyroidism. Once she was put on levothyroxine, her glucose levels responded to the insulin. With careful monitoring of both her T4 and glucose levels, she is now on 25 units of Humulin N (she reacted better to this than the Vetsulin) twice a day and .7mg of Levothyroxine twice a day. She is also on the Science Diet WD prescription dog food. She had been on this regimen for 4 years now and has been doing great. For the first month, I really thought she wasn't going to make it since she seemed to be insulin resistent. Big jingles for you and your dog.

[heatherny2]

Thank you for that info Baji, although the vet said that the rest of his bloodwork came back normal, with the exception of slightly decreased kidney function and pancreas function, which we knew about, so I'm assuming it's just the diabetes, but I will make sure to follow up regarding that. His glucose dropped to 429 today, the lowest so far, and he's due for another dose of 2 units of vetsulin around 8:00 tonight. His ketones have been negative since yesterday, and his thirst and urine have decreased substantially already. The vet gave us some Hills W/D and R/D to try, which he loves and seems to be doing well on - he even seems as if he has more energy lately.
I haven't spoken with the vet yet today, but I am assuming she will up the dosage. thanks for the jingles.

[BajiNaji]

I'm glad to hear that he seems to be doing better. I had one other thought. At the time we were trying to get Sadie regulated, the vet also tested her for Cushings, since that can also cause insulin resistance. I know you said the rest of her bloodwork was good, but that was another avenue we pursued with Sadie.

[heatherny2]

We actually initially suspected Cushings, because of the thirst, urination, and the hair loss, but after the diabetes results they didn't pursue that (although it had a lot to do with the cost and the prognosis at the time - the vet didn't think he would make it through the weekend) We will see how he progresses this week and take it from there. Thanks.