posted January 16, 2012 07:26 PM            

Took him in for tests today and physically ie spine, muscles, nerves (all motor skills) were perfect. Yet he kept stumbling and not right. They knew it was neurological and thought brain tumor / lesion.

That is dire news but the Vet drew blood to rule out cancers and he came up with a blood sugar level of 500. The poor guy is diabetic. His liver is affected and needs medical intervention and he goes tomorrow for glucose tolerance type testing to see what units of insulin to use and so on. I get a crash course in injections and glucose monitoring along with special diet and meals. Very much like a human being.

I am really worried and frightened for his recovery but the Vet said IF we get it under control , he can live his senior years out healthy and happy. I am so glad ,with life long treatment, he will make it and so very sad to see him suffer thru this.

I never knew dogs got diabetes and any knowflake with experience with it, please do share any info you can.
He is a very sick fella and sure could use some positive energy and prayers sent his way
Thanks for listening to my emotional spilling , juni

posted January 16, 2012 09:07 PM            

my heart goes out to you and your dog

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I once saw a sign that said "sin is death" but if "all deaths are suicide (linda goodman)" and suicide is sin, then shouldnt "death is sin" be more appropriate?

posted January 16, 2012 09:28 PM            

I don't have experience dealing with this, but did find these natural remedy suggestions online:

Natural Cure for Dog Diabetes

While veterinarians may prescribe the best possible mode of treatments for canine diabetes, there are certain natural cures that you can add to your dog's treatment therapy to further give your pet relief. Dogs suffering from diabetes can use certain natural herbs that will help your pet live normally despite having the disease.

Some examples of such natural herbs and teas are:

1. Bejak
Bejak is an herb which has been very popular since prehistoric times. It has been effective for diabetes as well as for other problems related to abnormal urination. Bejak has natural properties that can help reduce the presence of blood sugar. This is perfect for dogs whose body system is slowly deteriorating because of the disease.

2. Vinegar
Vinegar can be given to dogs with diabetes to help alleviate their condition. The most popular healthy vinegar these days is apple cider vinegar. Just add a few drops of it to your dog's water and it will greatly boost the effect of your pet's current medications. With regular use, it is possible for your pet to live more comfortably with the symptoms brought about by diabetes.

3. Karela
Karela is another herb that can help diabetes patients. This herb can stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin that the body can use. Other than it, it can also rectify abnormalities of the dog's digestive tract. It can improve the absorption of food in the stomach.

4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon can also help dogs with diabetes. It can be sprinkled sparingly in your dog's food. Be sure to put just enough to help the condition, but not too much that your dog can smell it and dislike the food. Cinnamon works by substituting insulin in the blood. Cinnamon doesn't mesh well with sugar so make sure that you don't add any sweeteners to your dog's food if you intend to put cinnamon to it.

5. Gurmar
Gurmar is believed to have the ability to maintain your pet's blood sugar level at a highly optimized state. Gurmar's other name is Gymnema Sylvestre. It is a type of herb that has been used for a long time. It treats most abnormalities related to urine as well. It stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin in the right proportions.

6. Grapefruit
Grapefruit can help your dog greatly in managing its weight. This natural remedy is most effective with overweight dogs. Whenever you feel that your dog is getting fat due to diabetes, try to add some grapefruit juice into its drinking water. Grapefruit is conducive to losing weight.

7. Herbal extracts
The extracts of multiple herbal plants such as bitter melon, fenugreek seeds, bitter gourd, and turmeric can help greatly in keeping your dog in good health despite being diabetic. You can add all of these herbs together and make a tea. Try to give it to your pet on a daily basis for best effects. If your dog doesn't like its taste, try to put a few drops to its water up until he gets used to it.

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Hoping for a speedy recovery so that he is able to enjoy his time here.

posted January 16, 2012 09:35 PM            

T, Granny uses cinnamon for heres too. I will ask the Vet, in particular, about that and vinegar. Easy to get while the others may be difficult.

He`s having a very difficult time tonight and at one point when a neurological misfire occured, he went briefly unconscious.

Thanks so much

posted January 16, 2012 09:40 PM            

Avoid Foods which Contain Sugar

Most dog owners really have no idea just how much sugar and carbohydrates are contained in manufactured dog food. Carbohydrates are converted into glucose (sugar), by the body. Dry dog food, as well as those soft-moist foods are the worst choices. If you continue to feed your dog commercial dog food, switch to a high-quality canned food instead - and read the ingredients.

Choose Foods Low in Fat

The pancreas regulates insulin and blood sugar levels, it also produces enzymes in the process of breaking down fat. Since you don't want to over-stress the pancreas, choose meats that are low in fat. Avoid ground beef and other red meats and trim extra fat from chicken and turkey. Some fat is necessary for good health...but keep it to a minimum.

Homemade Dogfood with Certain Grains

A homemade diet doesn't have to be hard or expensive. This way, you will know exactly what your dog is eating and how much sugar and carbohydrates they are consuming. Rice, millet and oats are usually the preferable choices to help regulate insulin levels and provide fiber. Remember, animals don't digest grains as well as humans due to their shorter digestive tract so keep it to a minimum.

Raw Fruit and Vegetables

Raw fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and nutrients while helping stabilize blood sugars. The natural occurring sugars shouldn't throw insulin levels out of sync like refined processed sugar.

Fruits are a great idea for a treat between meals; however don't include them with the main meals as the fruit could ferment in your dog's stomach when combined with meats, grains and vegetables.

Most vegetables can be served raw; however a few should be cooked, such as winter squash (good for dogs with diabetes), dandelion greens, and potatoes. Raw foods such as alpha sprouts, parsley and garlic (capsule or fresh) are good choices for this disease since garlic helps stimulate the digestive tract - regardless if the dog has diabetes. Carrots can be either raw or cooked.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a natural supplement that reduces the need for insulin in the body. Providing your dog with a Vitamin E capsule once per day is suggested. Recommended dosage is between 25UI and 200 UI, depending on the size of your dog.

GlucoBalance

GlucoBalance is a supplement to improve insulin production and to protect your pet against illness and the harmful effects of diabetes on the body. This product contains no animal products, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Also, my neighbour highly recommends GlucoBalance, that's why I've mentioned it here.

posted January 16, 2012 09:58 PM            

It was known well before the discovery of insulin[1] that a low-carb diet would help diabetic humans survive much longer. It's not surprising, then, that low-carb diets are studied in cats and dogs with diabetes.
Both dogs and cats are able to convert protein into energy as well as into muscle. The average of most commercial dry pet foods is between 30-70% carbohydrates. Neither species in the wild would have a diet similar to this; both would consume far less than the 30% low-end estimate[2].

It is certainly possible to produce canned pet foods without carbohydrates, but today's dry pet foods would be non-existent without them.

....
(i skipped the cat part)
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In Dogs

Diabetes in dogs is best treated by feeding a nutritionally sound diet. Good regulation using this method can be achieved either through use of strictly basal insulin or basal/bolus method. This is highly dependent on the individual animal's metabolism.
Owners who want the best for their dogs will take the time and effort to understand carbohydrate metabolism, insulin action, and home glucose testing. It is in this way they can best understand how food and insulin affect their pet.

Understanding carbohydratesEdit
When we talk about carbohydrates, it also helps to know they break down into two categories: simple and complex. An example of a simple carbohydrate is lactose (found in milk); pasta and bread are examples of complex ones. One can go a bit further with this, knowing that both bread and pasta are made from grain--mainly wheat, to include other food items made from them.
The simple ones are rapidly converted to glucose and promptly raise blood glucose levels. The liver takes longer to convert the complex ones into glucose, and so they raise blood glucose levels more gradually. This is important to know when choosing foods for those with diabetes[41].

There are two other terms for carbohydrate classification besides these are--soluble and insoluble. The terms refer to how easily they are broken down in the digestive tract.

Soluble carbohydrates are grains, such as wheat, rice, barley, oats and corn. When cooked and present in pet foods, digestion is easy and rapid.

Insoluble carbohydrates are those we refer to as fiber, which pass through the intestinal tract without being digested[42]. Bran,corn and its by-products, soy fiber, and beet pulp are some examples found in pet foods.

It may be in the best interests of the particular dog in question that a diet not so high in fiber be utilized, due to other health considerations[43] or that the dog refuses to eat commercial foods higher in fiber. In these cases, home preparation of food may be the only solution. Many people prepare meals for their diabetic pets who have no need of additional bolus insulins.

Merrick Pet Foods[44] produces high-quality dog and cat food. The Glycemic Research Institute, which tests both human and pet foods with an eye on the glycemic index and other properties important to diabetics, has awarded Merrick Best Pet Food of the Year (their third consecutive year of winning) for 3 of their dog food flavors[45]. The food can be purchased from local retailers[46] in the US and Canada or from the company's online store with no shipping charges for the contiguous US[47].

===Special considerations/complications===

Some other conditions that sometimes occur with diabetes, including pancreatitis, liver problems, or chronic renal failure[48], may be incompatible with a low-carb diet. In that case, many animals are forced to use a specially-tuned medium-carb diet with special ingredients/restrictions for their condition. Consult your veterinarian

Supplements

posted January 17, 2012 12:54 AM            

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quote:

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Remember, love can conquer the influences of the planets....It can even eliminate karma.

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posted January 17, 2012 05:47 AM            

My Grandmother had two dogs, one of which had diabetes. She treated him successfully for many years and he continued to live a happy, active life
There's lots of hope for Thunderbird.

posted January 17, 2012 05:52 AM            

It IS a treatable condition and you are already doing everything you can. He has a lot of chances to fight this out. I'm really happy this little guy has you as his mom because you truly care for him and his wellbeing!

posted January 17, 2012 09:07 AM            

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted January 17, 2012 09:03 PM            

It was a bad day Todays testings proved he doesn`t have diabetes. Additional testing for Cushings, Addisions and such proved futile. Further imaging tests found a rare tumor called pheochromocytoma on his adrenal glands. There isn`t a surgery for it( too complicated w/little recovery rate) and it mimics all the diseases mentioned plus his rapid heart, anxiety attacts rate and high blood preassure.
We talked about euthansia and concluded if in the next three days we can find a level of insulin to control sugar spikes, which in turn, will control heart rate and blood preassure, we may give him a quality of life.
If it has advanced too far, we will have to let him return to the Creator.

It is in the Creators hands and the ability of humans to help him.

I will update, individually thank and reply to each kind soul who has replied.

Onward and upward, juni