My poor Rikee....It is NOT at all easy to take care of a Diabetic dog but I am determined to have her around longer than my other dog who was a Diabetic. Reko was a Black Lab who at 9 years of age had diabetes. Financially I just couldn't do it plus it is a HUGE commitment to take care of animals with Diabetes. I watched my brother do it for 5 years to his cat. So I put Reko to sleep. Was such a bad time for me...not only Reko but his litter mate Raven was put to sleep just 8 months after he was and 2 months before Reko, my Siamese cat, Samson. But Rikee is only 6 going on 7 years old and I wasn't ready to let her go.
After a year we thought she was doing well after having several Glucose Curves done. Her numbers were still too high. Then I asked the vet if they have such a thing as a glucose monitor for animals. "Funny you ask" she said. I have one now! Imagine that, a Gluocometer for animals. Now I can do those Glucose Curves myself. The first curve was done on the 11th of May. I wanted to use the pads on her paw to prick for the sample but I couldn't get the blood. So the other choices were the inside lip or the ear. I went for the ear. Rikee was good girl because the curve had to be done every 2 hours for 12 hours. How would you like to have your ear pricked every 2 hours?? When I did the curve I did not like the numbers I was getting. Very inconsistent. So I did it again the next day. This time the numbers were more consistent but to Dr's Paul and Anne still a little high. When we thought Rikee had been stable with her Vetsulin (animal insulin) at 8 units she was increased to 8.5 units after a year since she was diagnosed. After I reported the curve to the vets they had me increase it to 9 units. So far so good because I have been lucky enough to see that she is accepting the change and I have not had to go through a Diabetic reaction. If that ever happens I make sure that I have Karo Syrup and Sugar handy. Then I pray! Her next curve will be in a month. Now, the next thing...She is scheduled to have Surgery on her eye on Monday the 21st. I will have to post on that after she has it done. Though I will upload a picture of her with what is on her eye and you see what it is that has to be removed. I am glad it is nothing life threatening but the fact she has to be put under Anesthetics is the scary part.
After a year we thought she was doing well after having several Glucose Curves done. Her numbers were still too high. Then I asked the vet if they have such a thing as a glucose monitor for animals. "Funny you ask" she said. I have one now! Imagine that, a Gluocometer for animals. Now I can do those Glucose Curves myself. The first curve was done on the 11th of May. I wanted to use the pads on her paw to prick for the sample but I couldn't get the blood. So the other choices were the inside lip or the ear. I went for the ear. Rikee was good girl because the curve had to be done every 2 hours for 12 hours. How would you like to have your ear pricked every 2 hours?? When I did the curve I did not like the numbers I was getting. Very inconsistent. So I did it again the next day. This time the numbers were more consistent but to Dr's Paul and Anne still a little high. When we thought Rikee had been stable with her Vetsulin (animal insulin) at 8 units she was increased to 8.5 units after a year since she was diagnosed. After I reported the curve to the vets they had me increase it to 9 units. So far so good because I have been lucky enough to see that she is accepting the change and I have not had to go through a Diabetic reaction. If that ever happens I make sure that I have Karo Syrup and Sugar handy. Then I pray! Her next curve will be in a month. Now, the next thing...She is scheduled to have Surgery on her eye on Monday the 21st. I will have to post on that after she has it done. Though I will upload a picture of her with what is on her eye and you see what it is that has to be removed. I am glad it is nothing life threatening but the fact she has to be put under Anesthetics is the scary part.
This is the hardest thing I have ever gone through with any of my animals.
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