Bug is an angel April 2018

[Crazy Daisy]

I'm so sorry he's not doing well! Can you get him in to another vet for a second opinion?

[molly muffin]

My first thought was perhaps pancreatis too, or blood sugar being low causing the vomiting.
I definitely think he needs to be tested to see if either of those two is the issue.

You have done so well for Bug for many many years, I'm glad to hear that you have had this time with him. It may not be the end yet either, so get those checked out and see whats up with him. Something is causing this.

[k9diabetes]

As far as cortisol level goes, the symptoms you describe would be signs of low cortisol rather than high... but it's hard to say if it is related to cortisol at all.

I hope that treating it as pancreatitis or colitis and resting the digestive system, feeding a bland diet, and stopping any unnecessary supplements will improve things since he was eager to eat today.

If not and he gets worse again, he really must see the vet.

Natalie

[bugsmom]

I was wondering if anyone knows what the last days of a dogs life with Cushing's and Diabetes looks like? My little dog Bug has been sick these last few days, he is much better today, but I have started looking into euthenasia, what a racket, (whole other story there). Anyways, I don't want to be selfish, and I want him to be comfortable, HOW do you know when? Thanks to some wonderful people, I have already had him much longer than I had hoped. He was diagnosed with Cushing's in Dec 2012 or Jan 2013. It was not managed properly and he acquired diabetes. In the spring and summer he lost both of his eyes and has been blind ever since. He adapted remarkedly well. This winter has been very hard on him. Recently the Dr. put him back on science diet low fat formula due to a very high tryglyceride level. But he does not do well on this food. He is hungry all the time, eating everything off the floor and rug. He has lost most of his body fat and looks emaciated. When he eats off the floor like he gets hair in his mouth (we have a neufie mix that sheds a lot0, this leads to vomiting spells. The last spell he had like this was back in Oct. It didn't last long and he was fine. The spell he had this time lasted about 3 days, longer than normal and it totally incapacitated him. I really thought it was time, but he bounced back and is almost his old self this morning. Eating and drinking as usual, out to potty etc. I was worried with no fat on his body, and the cold that he had no reserves and called the Vet to see if we could change dog food, so we are going to try science diet weight loss / mobility formula. Maybe has more fat and calories the reduced fat? Will check labels when I bring home the new bag. Anyways..... how do I know when it is time? My family thinks it is now, but I'm not sure. Please help?

[bugsmom]

Thankyou everyone for your response. I am going to try to get Bug in for more tests next week. Money is a problem, and his Vet is a specialist so the prices are high. It has been well worth it to have my sweet Bug all these years.

[Squirt's Mom]

I knew Squirt was ready when she stopped eating and drinking. Even when I would syringe water or put food in her mouth it just dribbled back out - she was not interested at all. She was ready - I was not. But we had enjoyed a great life together and had been talking for a while about the the phase of her journey. I promised her when she had had enough, I would be brave and let her move on...and I did.

I think we all know our babies well enough to know and to understand when they tell us they are ready to move on and leave this life behind. If it were up to us, that day would never come - I would have fought to keep Squirt with me til *my* dying day if I could have but that would not have been fair to her. So I promised her I would listen and do as she wanted. Her utter lack of desire to eat or drink was her telling me it was time. Bug will tell you in his own way...and I know you are listening to him just as I listened to Squirt. No one else can tell us when that day is here, only our babies can tell us that story. So keep listening to Bug and no one else and you will know.

When that day does come, you family here will be with you.

You are a great mom; Bug knows this and trusts you implicitly.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[bugsmom]

Thankyou for your kind words, this is the hardest part, I have been thru it before with "family" pets. But Bug is my very own baby. I walked into pet store to buy Koi food, and there he was, I didn't have the money to buy him, but bought him anyway! From the very first time I saw him, he was MY dog, not the kids, not the ex, but mine, all mine. And it has been a love affair from the heart ever since. He is eating and drinking today. Going out to go potty. But you can tell the cold and loss of body fat are wearing on him. He is sleeping a lot in front of the heater. My daughter thinks the time is now, but I don't think so now that he is not throwing and back to eating again. I know the time is coming, sooner as opposed to later, I have had more time with him than I ever expected or dreamed of. God has been especially kind. He was born in 2004 it is now 2017. That is 13 yrs with the last 4 having Cushings and Diabetes.

[bugsmom]

Thankyou so much for all of your input everyone! I can test Bugs sugars here at home, but sometimes getting a spot to bleed enough is hard to find and I end sticking him repeated and I hate that. His last ATch was at the end of Oct, so he is due again. My only problem is that these tests costs about 500.00, my last visit in Oct cost 550.00, and on a fixed income I have to really save up. But I do want to get him to the vet in the week or so, so the house payment may have to wait. My biggest fear is that he go into convulsions or something. The Dr. said with high tryglycerides there is potential ..... that is why I was inquiring how to know when the end is near. I do not want him to suffer. The trylostane he is on is 40mg/ml, .6ml morning and night.

[molly muffin]

My experience was similiar to Leslies. When my molly stopped eating, didn't want water even, and then I started noticing what could be the beginning of seizures well that was it. I was never going to be ready but I also couldn't let my her suffer, so that was when I knew and then it became a matter of making the arrangements to have it done as soon as possible before anything got worse for her.

My heart goes out to you as we all understand how much our heart dogs mean to us.

[k9diabetes]

I am sad to report that Bug passed away Sunday, April 8, 2018, after becoming very ill abruptly the night before. He had been doing well since that last episode, definitely aging and slowing down, but lived every moment of his life to fullest and had a mostly wonderful five years once his Cushing's and diabetes were treated.

Natalie