Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[Cebarmlds]

I am so very sorry about the loss of your son. I cannot imagine the pain.

I have been a type 1 diabetic since age 10. I cannot remember anything else. It's an exhausting thing that consumes your life and never goes away.

My dog is 10. She was diagnosed at 9. My friend had a diabetic dog diagnosed at age 10. Her dog didn't do well and she put her down.

Thank you, it has been very difficult, I’m a bit better about talking about it now.

It’s a way of life for you, I get that. You’ve never known another way. I’m sorry.

My dog is a mini Aussie , she is 10 years old. I hope I’m imagining the problem, if that makes sense… she drinks water more than she used to but that could just be because she’s getting older. She eats like she’s starving then goes and licks the other dogs bowl. Constantly checking the cat bowl. She has always loved eating and was maybe a pound overweight when she was younger. She dribbles urine, I always thought it was from being spayed ?? That could be part or all of the reason. Aside from all that she seems pretty healthy.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you, it has been very difficult, I’m a bit better about talking about it now.

It’s a way of life for you, I get that. You’ve never known another way. I’m sorry.

My dog is a mini Aussie , she is 10 years old. I hope I’m imagining the problem, if that makes sense… she drinks water more than she used to but that could just be because she’s getting older. She eats like she’s starving then goes and licks the other dogs bowl. Constantly checking the cat bowl. She has always loved eating and was maybe a pound overweight when she was younger. She dribbles urine, I always thought it was from being spayed ?? That could be part or all of the reason. Aside from all that she seems pretty healthy.

Mine has been incontinent for years so the leaking didn't send up a red flag at first because it was normal for her. Mine always liked eating. I think all Aussie do. I've had a total of 4. I had switched mine to a weight management formula. A few months later she had lost a lot of weight and I thought it was the food. We got into a week where she kept wetting, so on a whim I checked her blood sugar and it was in the 500's.

The other thing that can cause increase water consumption and urinating more is cushings disease. That I hate worse than diabetes. They usually develop a pot belly with that one. I've lost 2 dogs to that horrible condition.

Your vet should be able to check your dogs glucose, or you could always get those urine test strips and see if your dog is spilling any glucose if you want to avoid a vet visit.

Hopefully it's nothing with your dog. Some older female spayed dogs develop incontinence. Mine is on a med called Proin. She also gets UTI's constantly so she's on antibiotics constantly too. She's a mess, she's show bred. We love her so we keep going.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Mine has been incontinent for years so the leaking didn't send up a red flag at first because it was normal for her. Mine always liked eating. I think all Aussie do. I've had a total of 4. I had switched mine to a weight management formula. A few months later she had lost a lot of weight and I thought it was the food. We got into a week where she kept wetting, so on a whim I checked her blood sugar and it was in the 500's.

The other thing that can cause increase water consumption and urinating more is cushings disease. That I hate worse than diabetes. They usually develop a pot belly with that one. I've lost 2 dogs to that horrible condition.

Your vet should be able to check your dogs glucose, or you could always get those urine test strips and see if your dog is spilling any glucose if you want to avoid a vet visit.

Hopefully it's nothing with your dog. Some older female spayed dogs develop incontinence. Mine is on a med called Proin. She also gets UTI's constantly so she's on antibiotics constantly too. She's a mess, she's show bred. We love her so we keep going.

Thank you for all the information. The incontinence has been over a year but has gotten worse, the vet suggested proin but I declined after looking up the possible side effects.

She's the first Aussie I've ever had and she's the smartest ever, we love her

You have and have had a lot of dogs!

I had her at the vet in early summer, I know they suggest twice a year visits but I believe once a year is enough unless something comes up, so I'll get some test strips and see what that shows first. Thanks for suggesting that.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you for all the information. The incontinence has been over a year but has gotten worse, the vet suggested proin but I declined after looking up the possible side effects.

She's the first Aussie I've ever had and she's the smartest ever, we love her

You have and have had a lot of dogs!

I had her at the vet in early summer, I know they suggest twice a year visits but I believe once a year is enough unless something comes up, so I'll get some test strips and see what that shows first. Thanks for suggesting that.

I was afraid of the side effects of Proin for a long time. I finally gave in and haven't looked back. I tried cutting her dose back a bit a few months ago because she had lost so much weight, but it was like Niagara falls.

I currently have 7 dogs, and have had 25 over my lifetime. Hopefully I can squeeze a few more in. Not sure if I can do another Aussie. Our younger one is pretty reactive and is always getting in the way trying to stay ahead of us. They are very intelligent dogs. My first Aussie showed me they have a sense of humor and they love a good joke. My second was my best friend. Sunny is funny and happy. Pepper is still in the dork stage.

I have a good country vet. Plus he's just a mile away. I am there a lot. Mostly because of all the tick diseases in this area.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

well, the sun is shining. If it gets up into the 40's today I want to grade the driveway before it snows.
getting anxious to try some sauerkraut.
have pork ribs in the freezer, just waiting..

How's the kraut doing? How do you know when it's done?

 

[Sequel]

How old is your dog?

My son died from a diabetic coma.
Diabetes is a horrible thing.

I’m so sorry for your loss! Yes diabetes is horrible. I’m not having a horrible experience with it at least not yet. Both my skinny grandfathers had it and both lived into their late seventies.

My neighbors daughter has a mini Aussie who had chronic bladder infections leaking etc. They did surgery on her to remove a flap of skin or something down there that was preventing her from completely emptying her bladder. It cost a fortune but she’s a lovely dog and there was no question whether to do it or not.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I’m so sorry for your loss! Yes diabetes is horrible. I’m not having a horrible experience with it at least not yet. Both my skinny grandfathers had it and both lived into their late seventies.

My neighbors daughter has a mini Aussie who had chronic bladder infections leaking etc. They did surgery on her to remove a flap of skin or something down there that was preventing her from completely emptying her bladder. It cost a fortune but she’s a lovely dog and there was no question whether to do it or not.

Mine it was determined she had a downward sloping urethra and never completely empties. My first Aussie had a misshapen bladder and never could empty it either. I mostly keep female dogs, and have had 3 incontinent dogs. Two were structural and aussies.

Do you have type 1 or 2? I have no idea how type 2 handle theirs. Seems more restrictive as far as diet.

 

[Sequel]

Mine it was determined she had a downward sloping urethra and never completely empties. My first Aussie had a misshapen bladder and never could empty it either. I mostly keep female dogs, and have had 3 incontinent dogs. Two were structural and aussies.

Do you have type 1 or 2? I have no idea how type 2 handle theirs. Seems more restrictive as far as diet.

I have type II. It’s strange. For years and years I’d get my bloodwork done and they would say “ You’re pre diabetic! “ send me home with brochures. It was like this huge deal. Then I had a knee injury which kept me off my feet at the very beginning of the pandemic. I gained at least 40 pounds, became officially a type II diabetic and now they praise my A1C because it’s less than 7. They all act like I’m managing it so well!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have type II. It’s strange. For years and years I’d get my bloodwork done and they would say “ You’re pre diabetic! “ send me home with brochures. It was like this huge deal. Then I had a knee injury which kept me off my feet at the very beginning of the pandemic. I gained at least 40 pounds, became officially a type II diabetic and now they praise my A1C because it’s less than 7. They all act like I’m managing it so well!

I think compared to most you are at least trying and succeeding. Less than 7 is good. I'm sure plenty do nothing while it gets worse. My husband is prediabetic too. I keep cracking the whip.

 

[Sequel]

I think compared to most you are at least trying and succeeding. Less than 7 is good. I'm sure plenty do nothing while it gets worse. My husband is prediabetic too. I keep cracking the whip.

We are big vegetable eaters. I cook from scratch. My DH has a fasting glucose of 80 to 84. I think genetically I don’t process carbs efficiently. I’ve never been overweight either so it’s been a very humbling experience.