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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 6, 2008 2:12:34 GMT 12.75
Paws, Well I went to my Dr yesterday to go over my yearly blood work-up.Prior to that we discussed Deuce.After going over my blood screen she suggested I take up my dogs diet. In other words my blood/sugar is borderline.I told her it would be easier to give him a shot, than, for me to eat his dog food. After a laugh and a short talk,it was determined that I needed to cut down on my Pepsi intake,like by zero. Tell me what is going on......Do I have to much sugar or not enough? I probably should have ask my Dr. but she was talking,and I was wanting to get out of the office. You are the man! Please explain....What is going on with me,being borderline....No history of diabetes,none,anywhere! snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 6, 2008 2:30:06 GMT 12.75
Well if she gave you an A1C check and told you that you are borderline she should have provided a chart showing you what your A1C was reading. A read of between six and seven percent might be considered borderline. If she merely gave you a "one time" test for glucose in the blood after a period of fasting, a minimum of eight hours, and told you you are borderline then your blood glucose was pushing above a hundred, probably above a hundred and ten milograms of glucose per liter of blood. If she has not done an A1C ask her to do one because it will provide a much better indication of a problem with the blood sugar and helps to eliminate any anomolies that would "spike" a one time blood glucose content reading. If you have a diabetic neighbor or relative close by you might check you blood sugar yourself for a week or so if they are willing to show you how. In any case the best way to prevent borderline diabetes from becoming diabetes is a good, well rounded, nutritious diet low in fats, low in starchy carbohydrates (white potatoes, bread, sugar, rice, anything with white flour, etc) and lots of fresh fruit, veggies, especially those with lots of fiber, lean meats, fish, and poultry and virtually eliminating the snack foods. Next is exercising and keeping the weight down. Your glucose should be between 90 and a hundred with some slight variations in the morning before you have eaten or had anything to drink including coffee. Keep an eye on it. I forgot to answer your question! Restricting your Pepsi would indicate that your glucose is too high; but, know what??? I just remembered that you work night shift and I'll bet a dollar you had a Pepsi within a couple of hours of your blood work too. Can you remember? Fasting means fasting; nothing taken orally. The only exception is a little clear water and any medications approved by your doctor prior to drawing the blood. Just checked my glucose and read 170 which is about what I would expect for me but is fifty points too high for a diabetic.
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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 7, 2008 0:24:23 GMT 12.75
Paws, Friend, thanks for all that info. Prior to the blood work,I did fast(no food)for around 20 hours. As you say I did work the night before by blood work,and drank maybe 16oz of ice water thru the night....The blood was drawn at 7:15am 5 days prior to seeing my Dr. snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 7, 2008 1:34:53 GMT 12.75
Always glad to serve! My guess is Snake that she just did a glucose screen or a one time snap shot of what your glucose level was at the time your blood was taken. Nothing to get excited about there with a clean history. Just lay off the carbs; especially the liquid ones because they cause rapid spikes and the hydrogenated fats, mostly bagged snack foods, cooking oils, and processed foods.
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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 7, 2008 23:59:48 GMT 12.75
Always glad to serve! Just lay off the carbs; especially the liquid ones because they cause rapid spikes and the hydrogenated fats, mostly bagged snack foods, cooking oils, and processed foods. Paws, Whoops,if that be the case! Problem solved!I live on all them at work. Thanks again. snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 8, 2008 0:14:22 GMT 12.75
Yeah, no surprise. Just check the nutrient content and if it contains hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats avoid it like the plague. Look at the carbohydrate content of everything you are snacking on and add them up. Keep it low if it is a genuine meal under a total of 60 grams of carbohydrate. If a between meal snack then very very low or at zero for junk food especially. And that doesn't mean you have to abstain from the junk. Just be aware of what you are eating. Like my Micky D supper last night had in the neighborhood of 120 carbs, a lot of sugar, and about a weeks supply of fat! But, I'll only do that like a couple or three times a year.
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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 9, 2008 0:06:31 GMT 12.75
Paws, I know we have drifted a bit from the original question, about Deuce.But just for a moment I would like to get back to him.Even during feeding while giving him his shots,he yips like we are hurting him.We give him his shots just behind his collar line in the neck on his back.What can we do to help with this discomfort to him ???Any thoughts? snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 9, 2008 1:15:08 GMT 12.75
Well just like people you want to use the smallest needle you can. Also since the syrum doesn't need to penetrate muscle if you can get it just under his skin that would be good. What I do is pull the skin up about an inch or so and inject sort of sideways into that fold of skin I have elevated, coming from the tail to the head with the needle. The needles penetrate easier and the whole thing is over with more quickly. Insert the needle gently rather than poke it in or stabbing quickly. Depress the plunger smoothly and slowly rather than quickly. Too quick a release might generate a bolus which is painful kind of like a bruise and can also force the syrum back out the entrance. Oh, and don't let the wife read this cause for some reason these instructions make women hot!
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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 9, 2008 22:46:20 GMT 12.75
Thanks, Of course the first thing I did was say,Honey, come read this ;D Well she gives him his evening shots and I give him his morning shots.Following your instructions last nights shot went off without a hitch.My turn this morning.We shall see. Thanks again, snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 10, 2008 6:58:35 GMT 12.75
Welcome! (You might want have her sit out on the back porch for a while till she cools off!)
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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 15, 2008 17:31:38 GMT 12.75
Paws, Had deuce back to the vet again today.B/S still too high, so she increased his insulin to 13. His weight is remaining steady so far at 47lbs. She stated he will most likely live another 5 or 6 years but at sometime will go blind . Guess I will be a seeing/eye person..... snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 15, 2008 19:36:44 GMT 12.75
Get his sugar down and you will stay the retinopothy and cataracts. Now there is opthalmic surgery available for dogs at the University of Kentucky. I do not know how expensive it may have become over the years but they are equipped to do lasar surgery to remove clots, seal vessels, and to do cornea planing and replacements. Of course she may already see indications that there is damage. Odd thing; cats do not suffer the complications from diabetes like us and dogs do. If he does go blind does he get a tin cup and white cane?
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Post by Snake Eyes on Mar 22, 2008 18:07:37 GMT 12.75
Paws, Had him back to the vet again yesterday.She increased his insulin from 13 to 14 units.She thinks this may put him in the safe zone. Weight is holding steady at 47#,so I guess his diet is right on. He is taking his shots much better.I don't know if it's him or us just getting better at it.Maybe a bit of both.I hope it works itself out soon.It is getting expensive to go to the vet every week.Although they have been great about taking the money when we have it. Just thought you would be interested in an update. snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Mar 23, 2008 0:41:03 GMT 12.75
Yep, sure am thanks SE. Sounds like things are getting a bit better.
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Post by Snake Eyes on Apr 4, 2008 23:22:35 GMT 12.75
Paws, Well, had deuce back to the Vet yesterday.They increased his insulin to 15 units from 14 and advised us to give him absolutely no meat.Prior to this they told us we could give him occasional meat treats. Its funny but there are times,I think he feels he is being punished for something he has no control over. I will tell you one thing,I have gained a lot more respect for people that have to deal with this problem. snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Apr 5, 2008 0:08:06 GMT 12.75
I don't like the sound of that SE. They say anything about his kidney function? Has he lost a bunch of weight or does he seem to be drinking more water or losing interest in his food? Has the vet recommended spreading his feeding out over two or three times a day?
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Post by Snake Eyes on Apr 5, 2008 18:11:02 GMT 12.75
Paws, First I would like to thank you for the advise and concern you have shown for my situation. As to your questions: Vet has never indicated any kidney or liver problems.He is fed twice a day. 5am and 5pm and then given his insulin shots at 5:30.His appetite is great, and he has actually gained a 1/2# since we discovered the problem.Actually he acts just like a healthy active 5 year old dog.This was not the case prior to the insulin. His water intake is normal and he hasn't peed in the house sense the insulin was started.He is getting fed nothing but dog food...No table food at all.He goes back to the Vet in two weeks.Sure hope his B/S in getting down to an acceptable level. Again Thanks snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Apr 6, 2008 0:56:39 GMT 12.75
That looks pretty right on to me Snake. You might take a look at your elapsed time between his shot and vet visit and ask the vet if that is allowing for good readings just to make sure. I sure hope you can get a handle on it. I know how hard it is trying to care for an animal that can't tell you where it hurts. I would think that he is getting plenty of insulin but that he is very resistant. If you do any research concentrate on the "insulin resistance" side of the problem for ideas to pose to your vet. Thanks for keeping us updated.
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Post by Snake Eyes on Apr 19, 2008 14:40:31 GMT 12.75
Phil, Well finally some good news to report!! Had him back to the vet again today, and his blood/sugar has gone from 396 down to 102!!!!!Yippee They wanted it between 80-200 so it looks like we have made the turn.They even checked it twice as I think they doubted it themselves.Came up 102 both times. Thanks again for all your advise, snake-eyes
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Post by Paws on Apr 19, 2008 15:16:48 GMT 12.75
Man that's terrific! Now if I can do that I'll get my doctor off my ass!
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