Guest KennelMom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) It seems the roller coaster we've been on for the last few days is pulling to a stop. I took Quilty to the vet with a "brace for the worst, hope and pray for the best" mindset. Concerns: Weight (obviously) Large tumor-like growth in her belly Small growth under her chin Heavy sounding breathing Assessment of general health I tried to prepare our vet staff before we arrived, but, well...you really can't prepare someone for Quilty. After they got over their shock and got down to business we got some relieving answers. Her belly tumor is most likely a mammary tumor, which we can't do anything about until she's at a better weight. Same with the small growth on her chin. The good news is that that tumore feels well localized, so it's not a huge, pressing concern at the moment. It would also lend us to believe she's never been spayed. We did a quick chest x-ray b/c of her breathing and it was.....CLEAR! Her insides look good. I was really expecting her bloodwork to be an absolute mess, but she shocked us all and all her values are......NORMAL! (slightly elevated BUN, but nothing alarming). She's even HW negative! No intestinal parasites (no surprise since she'd just been wormed at the kennel). The only diagnosis our vet had to make was that she's diabetic. That would explain the severe weight loss/wasting, excessive drinking and pee'ing. The GOOD news is that we can regulate that. She'll get an insulin shot twice a day and her feeding times will be three times a day, rather than four that we'd planned on. The diet we put her on once she came home is actually perfect for a diabetic. High proten and low/no carb (raw diet of muscle meat and some ground chicken/bone). Just a smidge of veggie mash, which the vet said is no problem. When she first got here, her urine was pretty much clear and voluminous...this morning when I caught her pee I was thrilled to see it had color and she'd actually been able to sleep through the night w/o needing us to let her out. It seems the diet is already helping her. She's spending today at the vet while they administer the first insulin injection and monitor her blood levels. This afternoon, Ken and I will learn how to give her shots and monitor all this at home. Anyone have doggy diabetes experience? Care of the racing greyhound really doesn't say much at all except that it's rare in greyhounds (which our vet already told us) and that it sometimes happens in older hounds. I'm so glad we have some answers for Quilty and we can now really help her start to get well and PLUMP! Unfortunately, no more 'mushies' for her...but we'd pretty much stopped those 'empty calories' already. I think she prefers the meat anyway Edited July 14, 2009 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MyBoys Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 What GREAT news, sounds like she will be okay with your love and care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyscot Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 That's great news . Sorry I don't have any experience with doggie diabetes but I'm sure you will cope just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Looks like the start of GREYT news for Quilty! Now you know what is wrong, and can go from there. I have experience with Human Diabetes Type 1. First, my son, and of course, as a paramedic for many years. Some experience with my vet/employer, in Florida. He used Vetsulin (insulin for dogs and cats). The syringes are marked well, and the needles, TINY. Quilty will have to go to the vets periodically and spend the day, to get her "levels" drawn, which show that she is on the right OR wrong amount of insulin. My friend's diabetic cat lived to be 16 :-)) This will become routine in a few days! Good luck, love and prayers from here. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Great news about her checkup! I don't have diabetes experience either. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PhillyPups Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I AM SO EXCITED :confetti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 GREAT news!! I like to have a care plan and now you have one and can go forward with Quilty. I am looking forward to seeing lots of progress photos for this young lady! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Oh Heather, this is great news! I'm so relieved and I'm sure you and Ken are! I would imagine canine diabetes is much like human diabetes. High protein, low carb diet. Instead of mooshies she'll just have to get used to have treats with protein in them. I'm sure she'll adjust. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greymama002 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Hurray that Quilty is on her way to health! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddiesmom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 That is Greyt news. Quote Amy Human Mommy to fur baby Maddie (Doobiesaurus) TDI certified. May 5, 2002-September 12, 2014 and Mille (Mac's Bayou Baby)CGC, TDI certified. http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj93/Chillyhorse/siggies/maddie.jpg"]http://i270. photobucket.com/albums/jj93/Chillyhorse/siggies/maddie.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DoofBert Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 YIPPEE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysandmollie Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Congrats to you all and Quilty!! Diabetes is manageable!! Quote Donna and...Lucy and Chubb Rascal H 10/1/91-5/22/04 My best friend and Bounty Boon 1/23/99-6/25/07 My boy with the biggest heart Cody 7/28/99-8/1/13 My boy that always made me laugh and Dylan 5/12/04-12/29/2017 The sweetest boy ever Miss Mollie 1/1/99-1/30/15 and Pixie -10/10/2017 Lincoln -2/14/2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 So happy to hear that everything with Quilty is going to be pretty easily manageable! I can't wait to see pics of her as she fattens up over time!! Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I'm so glad that Quilty had a good vet visit! I don't know anything about dog diabetes but from what I read, it seems very manageable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Just to give you a better idea of where we're starting from...here's Quilty a week ago (a soft, fluffy bed is about 2 feet away, but she preferred the concrete for some reason ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Just to give you a better idea of where we're starting from...here's Quilty a week ago (a soft, fluffy bed is about 2 feet away, but she preferred the concrete for some reason ) Once you get on the right track, and get her Diabetes under control, she will start feeling better, and put on the pounds, I am sure :-)) Make sure the vet tells you what to keep on hand if she needs quick sugar. I know dogs and cats can get hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) like humans, but not as quickly. I know Karo Syrup is good. Just be SURE the vet gives you a good care plan you can understand. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Thanks for sharing your good report. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greylyn Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I am so glad that Quilty doesn't have more serious problems - not that diabetes isn't serious, but at least it is manageable. My 11 year old cat had lost about 3 pounds (from 10 lbs. to 7) so I took her to the vet and we discovered that her blood glucose levels were too high. Now I give her an insulin shot twice a day and she is eating Ralston-Purina DM food for diabetic cats. After a few months, her weight was back at 10 pounds and her attitude was back! After the first month or so, I had to take her in to spend a day with the vet so they could do a glucose curve (check the blood sugar every hour) to make sure the insulin dosage was correct. I am a type 2 diabetic myself so I occasionally check her blood sugar with my meter and so far, so good. I'm looking forward to seeing beautiful Quilty gain some weight; she really lucked out ending up living with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jodiesmom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Heather, Would you let me know which vet you use...We live in Fountain Inn, and I currently use Cleveland Park in Simpsonville. I would like to have another just in case, and yours obviously has greyhound experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Heather, Would you let me know which vet you use...We live in Fountain Inn, and I currently use Cleveland Park in Simpsonville. I would like to have another just in case, and yours obviously has greyhound experience. We use Poinsett Animal Hospital in Greenville. They are wonderful and they do have quite a few greyhound patients...even after you consider our crew. Plus they do a bit of spay/neuter work for Greyhound Crossroads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheUnrulyHound Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 WOW that is wonderful news!!!!! thanks for keeping us updated! It makes me feel so good about her prognosis!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TurnerMiller01 Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 YAY Heather... I'm so happy for Quilty... although her pics make me sad when i see how skinny she is.. I'm so glad you found her and she has found you!!! thanks for keeping us posted with some great news... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundlov Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) It seems the roller coaster we've been on for the last few days is pulling to a stop. I took Quilty to the vet with a "brace for the worst, hope and pray for the best" mindset. Concerns: Weight (obviously) Large tumor-like growth in her belly Small growth under her chin Heavy sounding breathing Assessment of general health I tried to prepare our vet staff before we arrived, but, well...you really can't prepare someone for Quilty. After they got over their shock and got down to business we got some relieving answers. Her belly tumor is most likely a mammary tumor, which we can't do anything about until she's at a better weight. Same with the small growth on her chin. The good news is that that tumore feels well localized, so it's not a huge, pressing concern at the moment. It would also lend us to believe she's never been spayed. We did a quick chest x-ray b/c of her breathing and it was.....CLEAR! Her insides look good. I was really expecting her bloodwork to be an absolute mess, but she shocked us all and all her values are......NORMAL! (slightly elevated BUN, but nothing alarming). She's even HW negative! No intestinal parasites (no surprise since she'd just been wormed at the kennel). The only diagnosis our vet had to make was that she's diabetic. That would explain the severe weight loss/wasting, excessive drinking and pee'ing. The GOOD news is that we can regulate that. She'll get an insulin shot twice a day and her feeding times will be three times a day, rather than four that we'd planned on. The diet we put her on once she came home is actually perfect for a diabetic. High proten and low/no carb (raw diet of muscle meat and some ground chicken/bone). Just a smidge of veggie mash, which the vet said is no problem. When she first got here, her urine was pretty much clear and voluminous...this morning when I caught her pee I was thrilled to see it had color and she'd actually been able to sleep through the night w/o needing us to let her out. It seems the diet is already helping her. She's spending today at the vet while they administer the first insulin injection and monitor her blood levels. This afternoon, Ken and I will learn how to give her shots and monitor all this at home. Anyone have doggy diabetes experience? Care of the racing greyhound really doesn't say much at all except that it's rare in greyhounds (which our vet already told us) and that it sometimes happens in older hounds. I'm so glad we have some answers for Quilty and we can now really help her start to get well and PLUMP! Unfortunately, no more 'mushies' for her...but we'd pretty much stopped those 'empty calories' already. I think she prefers the meat anyway No experience with diabetic dogs. Our Siamese cat was diabetic. We gave him shots twice a day (once a day was too much insulin at one time for him). He lived to be nearly 23 years old. Good luck. Give her a smooch from me. Edited July 13, 2009 by greyhoundlov Quote Mary in Houston Everyone has a photographic memory, but not everyone has film. LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rycezmom Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 If diabetes is all you and Quilty have to deal with you are both doing good. There are a thousand good articles online to use as reference as well as what your vet gives you. You may do well to learn the signs and symptoms of hypo and hyperglycemia (high or low glucose levels). Thank you for giving Miss Quilty a responsible, loving and caring forever home. L. Quote The more I see of man, the more I like dogs. ~Mme. de Staël Missing my Bridge Angels Ryce, Bo, Jim, Miss Millie, Miss Rose, Gustopher P Jones (Pimpmaster G), Miss Isabella and Miss Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mom2Gr8dawgs Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 That's great news! I'm sure she'll be feeling much better real soon under your care. I can't wait to see the pics as she gains weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.