Guest baileybarrett Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with diabetes in Greys? My 10 year old Jake hasn't been himself lately. His energy level is lower than usual; he's drinking quite a bit more; and he's not eating that much, only about 3 cups of food a day. He weighs in at 70 lbs, a drop of about 4 lbs in a span of about a month and a half. In my mind, if he were human, he's exhibiting all the signs. I've done a little research. My findings say his thyroid may be the problem but I'm not quite certain. I have him scheduled for a vet appointment next week. I'd appreciate any help or advice that anyone can offer prior to his appointment. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LynnM Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Best to wait until you see the vet before worrying about anything in particular. Diabetes is not common in greyhounds. It could be lots of things... or nothing. Best wishes, Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcR Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 I agree with LynnM. Since you've got the vet appointment scheduled already, see what your vet says. Quote Marc and Myun plus Starbuck (the cat)Pinky my AWOL girl, wherever you are, I miss you.Angels Honey (6/30/99-11/3/11) Nadia (5/11/99-6/4/12) Kara (6/5/99-7/17/12) Cleo (4/13/2000-4/19/2014) Antnee (12/1/2002=2/20/17) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baileybarrett Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Hi Lyn, My research told me the same thing.....that it's not common in Greys but I am worried about him. He's also been fighting a nasty eye infection for the last couple of months. I don't believe his current problem is related to it but I'm trying to cover the bases. I lost my first grey just over a year ago. Since then, I tend to look at the worst case scenario and hope for the better. I don't want to take any chances with my buddy Jake. Thanks so much for your response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Is he taking antibiotics for the eye infection? If so, that could account for both drinking more and eating less. Could try adding pepcid (or ask your vet about carafate or sucralfate) to soothe his tummy. Give 10mg pepcid, wait 30 minutes, feed meal, give antibiotics. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baileybarrett Posted August 18, 2007 Share Posted August 18, 2007 Yes he is. We have him on eyedrops that are a corticosteroid called "Pred Mild". According to the bottle, it contains a prednisolne acetate. He gets 1 drop twice a day. When I think about it, he has been eating grass quite a bit lately. I'll certainly mention this to the vet. My experience is steroids will increase thirst but should also increase appetite. In this low dosage, it may not be the case. This makes perfectly good sense This is why I love this group. It is an absolute wealth of collective knowledge. Thank you sooo much Batmom. I will consult with the vet as per your info. Is he taking antibiotics for the eye infection? If so, that could account for both drinking more and eating less. Could try adding pepcid (or ask your vet about carafate or sucralfate) to soothe his tummy. Give 10mg pepcid, wait 30 minutes, feed meal, give antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baileybarrett Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Since I replied to this post, I've done some research on the med Jake's been prescribed. I've found out that it's usually used for Pannus. The thought never occured to me until I read your message re: his eye infection. I then followed up on some related posted threads here in GreyTalk. Jake's right eye was "weeping" quite a bit. He was also scratching at it and it seemed cloudy to my wife and I. This is why we brought him to the vet in the first place. I've viewed some pics on the net with Greys who have this affliction. Although I've found that it's more common in German Shepherds and not typical in Greys, Jakes' eye has all the symptoms, especially his "third eyelid". Corticosteroids are a prescribed management for Pannus, which is what he's currently receiving. Considering that is a steroid, even in the low dosage that he's on, it may account for his ailments as of late. Once again, the group has put me on a new path of questions for the vet. Thank you. Derrick Is he taking antibiotics for the eye infection? If so, that could account for both drinking more and eating less. Could try adding pepcid (or ask your vet about carafate or sucralfate) to soothe his tummy. Give 10mg pepcid, wait 30 minutes, feed meal, give antibiotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 If you have a specialist near, I'd take him there for his eye. Also, have a urine specimen done. Could be the eye drops and increased drinking are unrelated and he has a UTI. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytlady94 Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 You are doing absolutely the right thing by taking Jake to the vet for a full check up. In addition to the urinalysis I would also request a comprehensive senior blood panel and a thyroid panel. This is something I have done annually until age 7, and every six months thereafter. Perdnisolone is prescribed for pannus and if that is the problem with Jake's eyes, these drops should keep it under control. I also would recommend taking Jake to an eye specialist. As Lynn said it It could be lots of things... or nothing. Quote Greyhound angels at the bridge- Casey, Charlie, Maggie, Molly, Renie, Lucy & Teddy. Beagle angels Peanut and Charlie. And to all the 4 legged Bridge souls who have touched my heart, thank you. When a greyhound looks into you eyes it seems they touch your very soul. "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more then he loves himself". Josh Billings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest baileybarrett Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Hi Dianne, You may not remember me but I certainly do remember you!!!!! A specialist is not in the cards. The only specialist is a 3 hour plane ride away at the Atlantic Veterinary Hospital......and Jake couldn't handle that. He's deathly afraid of my cell-phone ringing, let alone a plane ride. His eye seems to be coming around. The meds appear to be working, although I've continued them for longer than the vet's suggestion. What is scaring me the most is the loss of weight and the thirst/peeing and lack of interest in eating. He'd normally eat around 5 cups a day. Now he's down to 3. It could be because it's too warm around here lately. It could be a lot of things and maybe I am grasping at straws and making a big deal out of nothing. I don't want to take chances. I can intice him to eat a "special" concoction of fish and wet/dry food with some encouragement. He has been eating late at night as well. The issue that is concerning me is the related symtoms to diabetes or thryoid problems. He's going to the vet on Tuesday. I have a ton of questions to ask her; Pannus and the effects of the steroid he's receiving being a number one given the info I've received from greyTalk. Diabetes/thyroid is also high on the list. I also grab this oppotunity to say a grey't big thank you for all your help when my Bailey was sick. You may not remember but I do. You offered me tremendous options and advice and for that I am eternally grateful. Many thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Jake. Also for including Bailey the "BridgeKids" section on your website. If I can help it, Jake won't be included there for many years yet. I'm not finished loving him yet!!! Peace be with you, Derrick If you have a specialist near, I'd take him there for his eye. Also, have a urine specimen done. Could be the eye drops and increased drinking are unrelated and he has a UTI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Do a urine culture if nothing shows at the vet office. Anything is possible, but I've not had greys react with increased thirst from eye drops. I know my guys have increased water consumption since it got so hot the last few weeks. Can you try a different food? Any chance the food changed formula wise? Are you using filtered water? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CindiLuvsGreys Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 If you want to check for high blood sugar there are strips you can buy at any drug store that you can use to test his urine. It is simple and cheap. I have a Diabetic cat and I use them to spot check. They are called Keto-Diastix strips but you can use any generic form your store carries. They check for amount of Glucose and also Ketones. I hope your boy is feeling better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with diabetes in Greys? My 10 year old Jake hasn't been himself lately. His energy level is lower than usual; he's drinking quite a bit more; and he's not eating that much, only about 3 cups of food a day. He weighs in at 70 lbs, a drop of about 4 lbs in a span of about a month and a half. In my mind, if he were human, he's exhibiting all the signs. I've done a little research. My findings say his thyroid may be the problem but I'm not quite certain. I have him scheduled for a vet appointment next week. I'd appreciate any help or advice that anyone can offer prior to his appointment. Many thanks. My boys only get 3 cups a day and they are fine. That sounds normal to me. At 10 maybe he is just slowing down. It has been so hot here that now of my hounds want to go outside to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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