Forum: General Topic: Well, my doggie is very sick Author Message RGirl #1 posted February 23, 2008 at 5:08pm (EST) edited February 23, 2008 at 5:09pm (EST)   A lot of our talking was about us getting prepared mentally for the possibility. We vacillate back and forth a little. Money is not a concern. Loki is back home. Even though his blood sugar levels didn't change with the insulin he is more alert and seems more interested in things, more able to move on his own so we are going to continue with this treatment for a few more days and see how it goes. We are supposed to call the vet Monday to touch base. I'll be giving him his insulin twice a day. It really is nice that I had experience in nursing so it all isn't as overwhelming as it might be to some one who had never given an insulin shot before or knew what to expect. RGirl #2 posted February 22, 2008 at 7:18pm (EST)   The vet said not to give up just yet, that it isn't too unusual for the animal to not respond the first time. She is going to call in the morning and we will probably pick him up at noon. He may have to go back but the vet has a seminar and she figured we'd want him at home for Sunday instead of depending on the small staff to do the stuff he needs. RGirl #3 posted February 22, 2008 at 6:33pm (EST)   Well, they gave him a big dose of insulin and his sugars stayed high. Looks like it is insulin resistant. We had already decided not to put him through a bunch of tests. I am waiting for the vet to call me back. We don't want to put him through any more misery and will probably have him put down, put to sleep, whatever term you use. RGirl #4 posted February 22, 2008 at 2:18am (EST)   I have been preoccupied with this. About a week ago he started acting, just not right, lethargic, not eating, not wanting to do the things he loved doing, depressed. I really believed it would be one of those things where we'd take him to the vet and they say 'Oh, he looks ok, must be something he ate.' You know, how it usually goes, gets better on its own or something but not so. When they wouldn't discuss his blood work over the phone and asked for a urine specimen I knew something was wrong. Well, he's got diabetes. He's the 170 lb Rotty/Shepherd mix. He had other things going on with his labs that gave the vet the impression that the diabetes was secondary to something else, like Cushing's. We had to make a decision regarding testing and treatment and quality of life. We finally decided on just treating the diabetes. We'll have a go at it anyway but if at any point we feel it isn't improving his quality of life, is just causing him more misery we will have him put to sleep. So, very early in the am he is going to the vet and will stay until Saturday evening where they can have him on hand to check is blood sugar and establish a daily dose. It would be one, maybe two shots a day. We can monitor him by checking his urine. Not nearly as involved as it is for a human. Since I've got experience as an RN this isn't a real big deal but I certainly would not do this just to keep him around if it isn't making him feel any better. We shall see. We joke that we run an assisted living center for elderly dogs. Loki has just turned 7 and for a dog his age that is old. This is the dog I got from my brother that had him in the tiny basement. It took us a year to get him healthy and happy, so I know he has had a great home and would end on a good note if that is what we have to do.

Forum: General Topic: Cats DO have 9 lives Author Message RGirl #5 posted February 18, 2008 at 5:15pm (EST)   That is so sweet that your efforts are being rewarded but I think that even though the others didn't make it through their ordeal they still appreciated your love and help in those last days. What a survivor!

Forum: General Topic: My elegy Author Message RGirl #6 posted February 15, 2008 at 7:03pm (EST)   I loved it!

Forum: General Topic: Cats DO have 9 lives Author Message RGirl #7 posted February 15, 2008 at 7:01pm (EST)   Huge urine balls, YES!!!!!

Forum: General Topic: Some one here once told me Author Message RGirl #8 posted February 14, 2008 at 10:37pm (EST)   I see! Thanks!

Forum: General Topic: Cats DO have 9 lives Author Message RGirl #9 posted February 14, 2008 at 10:35pm (EST)   Oh my you love your cats! They look so happy and pampered.

Forum: General Topic: Some one here once told me Author Message RGirl #10 posted February 13, 2008 at 6:43pm (EST)   When I try the Alt+Tab it goes too fast for me to make a selection. The Windows logo key works for this window. Hope it works for my game, thanks. Next page (only 10 shown here)