Monday 7 January 2013

Still Looking for the Perfect Curve


We were back at the vet’s today with Indy’s latest glucose curve results which weren’t good. He starts off with his glucose readings near normal, then after insulin and breakfast the reading shoots up by 20 or more points.

Worryingly he was off the scale a couple of times. What should happen is that his blood glucose drops slightly during the day and rises again towards evening in a gentle curve. What actually happens is that his glucose levels go up and up, then drop in the late afternoon. He has his tea and his second insulin dose and up goes his glucose again.

This seems to suggest that his body is going into rebound and making glucose. The insulin appears to have an effect about ten hours after he has it. So we are going to try dosing him once a day. Apparently this works in about a third of dogs, but he will be at greater risk of a hypo.

What complicates matters is his EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency).

Apart from that he seems fine. I know it can take a very long time to find the right balance and that it can be a constant juggling act, but while I worry and fret, he takes everything in his stride and is perfectly happy.

The day after the first time I did a glucose curve with the hourly blood tests back in October, he avoided me and stayed downstairs all day. I was terrified he’d end up hating me. Now when I do his blood tests, he waits patiently, then once it’s done, he settles back to sleep with his head in my lap or on my feet.

At insulin time, he runs to sit beside the fridge and waits for the injection – it’s almost as if he looks forward to it. He couldn’t be more cooperative if he tried, bless him.

In case anyone was wondering, this is how the chart looks.



You can see where he's gone right off the top of the chart.

An ideal curve would look like this (if you follow the link and scroll down to the bottom of the page there's an example). You can see we've a long way to go still!

I start testing at 7 am and do a blood test every hour till 10 pm, or later if I can stay up!

So far I’ve done five of these curves and he’s had one done at the vet’s.

So from tomorrow instead of 6.5 units twice daily, he’ll be on 10 units once daily. Wish us luck!


46 comments:

  1. Good luck Indy and Teresa. So happy that Indy is happy. Now stop worrying because it's catching and you don't want Indy worrying about you, do you?

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    1. Yes, you're right Lynne, I mustn't let him see I'm worried. That he's happy is the main thing isn't it :-) x

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  2. Poor Indy. Bonnie's step nrother Bobby has to go to vets tomorrow as he's lost half a kilo and may be overactive thyroid or diabetes - pets eh!

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    1. Poor Bobby. Good luck at the vet's tomorrow. My last cat, Sammy, had an over active thyroid. It's always a worry when they start losing weight isn't it. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you x

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    2. Thanks Teresa.I saw a different vet when I took him today for his blood test and he was so unfriendly and made me feel as though I was a bad cat owner. Grr

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    3. How horrible, Wendy. We used to have a vet like that when our poor old cat had his thyroid problem which was why we changed to a different one - and so glad we did. It's upsetting enough without them being mean to you :-( x

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  3. What a good boy! I hope you get it sorted soon.

    By the way, when I first read the title of this post I thought it was going to be one of those lose weight and get in shape after Christmas things (but you have far too much sense for that, I sure!).

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    1. Thanks, Frances!

      I hadn't thought of that when I did the title! I don't think there's any danger of a lose weight and get into shape post here :-) x

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  4. He knows how much you love him, that's all that matters.xx

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    1. Yes, I think you're right, Sue - thank you :-) x

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  5. What a lovely cooperative little boy. Isn't amazing how dogs adapt to new routines even when they aren't exactly puppies? (No offence Indy.) Thinking about you and wishing you and Indy all the best - tons of positive thoughts coming your way! Happy New Year by the way - lots of health and happiness for you and all yours for 2013. x

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    1. They never grow up though do they, Lydia? Even when their bodies start to let them down, they're still pups at heart! We were warned there might be a wobble at first and he had an unsettled night, but just hoping this will all settle. And thank you for your New Year wishes, I wish the same for you and yours x

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  6. Tim 'n' Ted are so proud of Indy for being so sensible and clever and knowing his herself does what she has to with love in her heart.
    Licks and tail wags to all of you and...
    Hugs, love and positive vibes from our herself who is having trouble keying this in because everything keeps jumping about. And, no,she hasn't had a drink! xxx

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    1. Thanks Pat and Tim 'n' Ted for your kind, positive thoughts :-) Hope things have stopped jumping about, Pat! :-) xx

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  7. Sounds as though in some way he realises you need to to this and aren't just sticking pins in him for fun.

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    1. Yes, he really does, Patsy. He was very confused last night when I didn't give him his injection x

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  8. Awwww Hugs Indie (and mum too). Hope he gets well soon. Caroline x

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  9. Indy is so lucky he has you to care for him. He sounds like such a lovely dog, bless him being so helpful. Best of luck, I hope he gets better soon x

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    1. He is lovely, penandpaints and I feel like the lucky one to have him. Thank you :-) x

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  10. Lots of luck and love to you both. xx

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  11. Aw poor furbaby. Love and luck to you both :)

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  12. He has the most marvellous, loving care and if anyone can sort out the chart and smooth out the kinks in that curve, it's you, Teresa. I think you've done so well to get him used to the procedure. Wishing you both all the very best. x

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    1. Thank you, Joanna - it really helps having positive and kind thoughts coming our way and I do appreciate it so much. I know that a lot of people have problems finding the right balance and it can take months x

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  13. Hope you find the perfect curve soon Teresa, you and Indy deserve some good results after all your hard work and his patience. Good luck!

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  14. What a terribly worrying time for you, Teresa. What a brave dog Indy is - I do hope you get some good news soon.

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  15. You're both so brave! I would be hopeless at this and I know Grumps would be a hysterical if he had to be injected so much.

    Good luck, I hope you get the gentle curve you're aiming for.x

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    1. I am extremely lucky that he's never minded injections, Debs. It must be a nightmare if they don't like needles x

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  16. Who ever said a dog's life was easy didn't know what they were talking about... Bless Indy for being so understanding.

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  17. Hi Teresa and Indy,

    Penny and myself are so hoping that Indy's curve gets to the level that can bring you all some relief. Indy is so brave and we send many hopeful wishes to you both.

    In kindness,

    Penny and Gary x

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    1. Thank you, Gary and Penny, your kind wishes are very much appreciated x

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  18. I'm always amazed at how accepting dogs are - but then, they trust us to do what is best for them - Indy knows you're on his side (as it were) and helps you by his encouraging behaviour. There is nothing quite like this bond, although it then leads to periods of acute worry on the part of the human, but I guess that is the price we pay. Worth it, though! Sending you both shedloads of positive vibes and cyber hugs. Susan and Jeff-Dog

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    1. Thank you for the positive vibes and cyber hugs, Susan and Jeff-Dog. You're right, they're worth all the worry :-) x

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  19. I don't have a dog,because it wouldn't be fair to keep one for lots of reasons, but if I did I'd feel blessed to have a dog like your Indy. What terrible trauma, for all of you! Yet he soldiers on...

    I do hope things improve.

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    1. Thank you, Maria. I'm wary about posting progress reports as it's going to take a while to settle him into this new dosage, but so far so good and last night was better :-) x

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  20. Poor old Indy! Let's hope you find the right formula for him soon. xx

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    1. Thanks, Rena. Every time I do the curve I get very disheartened, but we'll keep trying till we get it right :-) x

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  21. All the best to you and Indy. Hopefully things will sort themselves out soon.

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    1. Thank you, Colette. I hope so too, but he's getting very used to going to the vet now - sits himself on the scales to be weighed (last time he made himself comfortable and didn't want to get off) then trots in to be examined. It's all become part of his routine :-) x

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  22. The things we go through with our beloved companions! Hope Indy soon settles down on the altered dose. x

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