Alayne took that photo of blind Sophie sharing a bed with Widget on January 2nd, the day after we found out Sophie is diabetic. Yes, I spent a good part of New Year's Day at the emergency vet clinic in Littleton, trying to figure out what was going on with her.
A couple of days before the holiday, Sophie had started peeing in the house ... sometimes even while walking, leaving a trail of urine behind her. Figuring she had a urinary tract infection, we started her on antibiotics. But on New Year's Day morning, she came into the house, hustled over to the water bowl, and started guzzling water like crazy. She had her fill, turned around and threw it all up. Then she went back to the water bowl, started drinking again ... and threw it up. Uh oh.
Soon I was on my way to the clinic. Dr. Christine Nau, who had spent hours trying to save Bentley for us last June, was on duty that day. A blood panel and urinalysis soon gave us the answer: diabetes. We've been down this road before, though our last two diabetes cases were real heartbreakers -- Sammy in 2006 and Teddy in 2009. Both had come to us late in life, after suffering from long untreated diabetes. At least with Sophie, we were catching it early, and because of our previous experience, we knew what to expect: daily glucose monitoring, insulin injections, urine strips, and the ongoing challenge of trying to regulate the diabetes to keep glucose levels in the safe zone.
I left Sophie at the clinic so Dr. Nau could start her on insulin that evening and monitor her overnight. When I got back to the farm, I emailed our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Marielle Goossens, Sophie's bloodwork and the initial diagnosis by Dr. Nau for her review. In the morning, when I picked Sophie up, Dr. Christopher Burwell was on duty (he had been there when we lost Pip in 2012). Sophie had not responded to the insulin as they expected -- her glucose had come down faster and farther than it should have, given the dose, and thus Dr. Burwell decided not to give her a morning insulin injection. He recommended we take her to our specialists at Peak Veterinary Referral Center in Burlington. It turned out Dr. Burwell had worked with Marielle several years ago, and I called her from the emergency clinic so he could brief her on Sophie's status. By then she had already seen Sophie's bloodwork, too.
After getting the rundown from Dr. Burwell, Marielle told me her treatment plan for Sophie. Dr. Burwell gave me a prescription for insulin so I could pick it up at our local pharmacy on the way home. Every day since then, we've run multiple glucose curves on Sophie with the glucose monitor, check her urine for ketones and glucose, and administer insulin injections. I call Marielle twice a day, just before Sophie's insulin injections at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., to report the glucose levels, and she adjusts the insulin dosage accordingly. We are still at that stage of finding the right dose to keep Sophie regulated, a process that just takes time, but she is doing a lot better.
Meanwhile, Sophie is wondering why we keep pricking her ears to get blood samples throughout the day. She says, "You know, I like extra attention but this isn't the kind of attention I was counting on."
Our Olive has been diabetic for two years now and holding strong and easy going.....wishing the best for Sophie.
Posted by: Kelli | January 08, 2014 at 09:43 PM
Sigh :-( . Sending many prayers and strength to all 3 of you...love you immensely. Hope you get regulated soon Sophie!
Posted by: Darla Dee's Mom | January 07, 2014 at 08:56 PM
Yes! So sorry to hear of Sophie's diagnosis, but nice knowing she is in a place where she will get loving expert care. Much of the battle- figuring out what's going on- is behind you now, knock wood!
I never I thought I would be capable of giving our dear girl twice daily insulin shots (and repeatedly explaining we do so because we love her), and even teaching my dad how to help while we went on vacation, as we were lucky to sustain 2 years of treatment. I know YOU know that better than anyone It's amazing what you can do for your pups. Good luck!
Posted by: Margaret | January 07, 2014 at 12:42 PM
we adopted a sheltie 3 years ago & discovered he had diabetes; went thru 6 months of monitoring and urine/blood tests until we got his dosage right; he's dong great now; took a while but is worth it
Posted by: mary anne berry | January 07, 2014 at 10:29 AM
I'm sending healing thoughts to Sophie. With your loving care, I'm sure she'll get regulated soon and she'll be back to herself in no time!
Don't forget the new Shelter Challenge, everyone!
Posted by: Ann | January 06, 2014 at 11:26 PM
Never a dull moment doing your passionate work. Be well sweet Sophie!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 06, 2014 at 11:21 PM
What a way to start off the new year! :( One of my 'grand-cats', who is about 14 years old, has been on insulin for about 6 years, and he's doing great, so hopefully there will be a good result with Sophie.
Posted by: Linda | January 06, 2014 at 07:34 PM
Poor Sophie! What a way to ring in the New Year. I'm sure she hopes you settle on a dosage soon and stop pricking her ears.
The next Shelter Challenge started today at http://www.shelterchallenge.com, so it's time to start voting again! I know from experience that emergency vet care is super expensive, so Sophie needs your clicks!
Posted by: Tonya Allen | January 06, 2014 at 06:26 PM
I missed your blog. Sorry you spent a holiday with a medical situation. Darn it. Little Sophie, you get better fast girlfriend!
Posted by: Penny | January 06, 2014 at 05:45 PM
Oh how I was glad to see a new post after the break, but so very very sorry for what you are going through. Stay strong and keep warm. Hopefully you aren't experiencing the -25 degrees we are in MN. It's brutal.
Posted by: Betsy | January 06, 2014 at 03:57 PM
Poor little Sophie!
She is lucky that the household staff is so well-trained in so many medical procedures. Thanks to both of you for taking such good care of her!
Posted by: Shirley and dachshunds Dieter the Dude and Phoebe Ann | January 06, 2014 at 03:46 PM
Sophie will work things out and she will be herself in no time. In the early 1990's my basset hound became diabetic. Until we got things leveled out I had to follow him around each morning for a urine sample. I ended up getting a petri dish for him to stand over. The things we do! Dealing with a diabetic cat (just recently diagnosed)has been less complicated due to advances in veterinary medicine. It may take a while to get the correct levels, but as you know, these little heart thieves are worth every minute.
Posted by: Mary H. | January 06, 2014 at 03:38 PM
Those are mighty sweet ears but oh crap on the diagnosis! Give her another piece of wood to carry around the house. Oh, Sweet Sophie, I'm so sorry!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | January 06, 2014 at 02:00 PM
Best wishes to all at RDF and extra pats for Sophie-- and for you both in caring for a diabetic. Sophie is fortunate to have an early diagnosis and to be where she is receiving excellent care at home. We had a diabetic senior and know that Sophie must be feeling so much better now. What a good girl!
Posted by: Jan in Winnipeg. Canada | January 06, 2014 at 01:08 PM
Oh poor Sophie. She is lucky to have you two to keep an eye on her. It is nice to read your blog this morning. Happy New Year to you both and your animal family.
Posted by: Ev | January 06, 2014 at 01:05 PM