Blind Sophie, our newly diagnosed diabetic, was one of the dogs I took to Burlington last week along with Darla. In the photo above is our internal medicine specialist, Dr. Marielle Goossens, examining Sophie. Under Marielle's direction, we started Sophie on insulin injections and have been carefully increasing her dose, bit by bit, to try and get her regulated and stable. The trick is finding just the right dose to keep the blood glucose within a stable range. Alayne and I have been checking her blood glucose levels repeatedly. We ran the last 24-hour "curve" -- or series of tests -- starting at 8 a.m. Monday morning and checking every two hours, including a 2 a.m. test overnight and concluding yesterday morning at 8 a.m.
I emailed the full results of this curve to Marielle yesterday. When she called me yesterday evening to discuss the findings, she sighed and said, "Sophie hasn't read the literature." That's because Sophie's not responding normally to the insulin, and her results just don't make sense. For example, on Monday morning her blood glucose dropped a pretty dramatic 200 points within two hours after her morning injection, then climbed a bit before dropping back again. But following her evening injection, she actually went up 100 points within two hours and climbed throughout the night, topping out at a startling 503 at 8 a.m. yesterday morning. That's just not supposed to happen. (Normal blood glucose range is generally considered between 75-120 mg/Dl.) We're making sure she isn't sneaking any extra snacks that could throw off her values, and we're testing her urine as well, which confirms our blood glucose monitor's findings.
Sophie's been "off" since we started -- even the emergency clinic on New Year's Day was surprised at how she responded to their initial insulin injection. One reason for last week's visit with Marielle was to run some other tests to see if there was something simple that could explain why she wasn't responding like she should. But the tests all came back negative.
After looking at the results from our last curve yesterday, Marielle has called a veterinary endocrinologist at UC-Davis she worked with in the past to see if he has any recommendations. We're just waiting to hear. One thing she's already planning to do is change the type of insulin and see if this generates a different response.
Oddly, despite these blood glucose values and the variations we're seeing, Sophie is acting just fine, thank you very much. Good energy, great appetite, full of her usual zest. "Problem? What problem?," she would ask.
As in:
(Looks like she capsized her "boat," doesn't it?)
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We can learn so much from the furry kids. They keep marching on and enjoying life, no matter what obstacles occur.
Love you Miss Sophie. Thank you Rolling Dog Farm for being such a positive example. Fur kids are not disposable. They need to be cared for too!!!! Hugs to Steve and Alayne!!!!
Posted by: Penny | January 31, 2014 at 02:11 PM
Love you Miss Sophie!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 30, 2014 at 11:15 PM
Well, it's good that Sophie is remaining cheerful throughout all this. She probably loves being visited at 2am for an extra dose of attention, and will wonder why you don't keep doing it. She certainly looks happy. Hope her system settles down soon!
Posted by: Tonya Allen | January 30, 2014 at 05:47 PM
Sophie is so very cute! Just love the 'capsize' picture - very typical for a dachshund.
Blessings to both Steve and Alayne for that they do each and every day for each animal in their care! The world is a better place because of you two!
Posted by: Shirley and dachshunds Dieter the Dude and Phoebe Ann | January 30, 2014 at 03:27 PM
Getting up at 2AM - that reminds me of when I had little babies! But Sophie is a sweet baby too - hope she continues to feel and act well in spite of tests and expectations!
Posted by: Linda | January 30, 2014 at 12:17 PM
sorry about the caps
Posted by: Ev | January 30, 2014 at 03:12 AM
SHE IS A HAPPY GIRL AND THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Posted by: Ev | January 30, 2014 at 03:11 AM
I'm sending healing thoughts for Sophie. With the wonderful care that you and Alayne give to all your furkids, I know that you and the vets will get her insulin situation straightened out soon. It's such a good sign that she's still acting her usual self. That last picture is great...she's sure not concerned! :)
Posted by: Ann | January 30, 2014 at 01:18 AM
I'm glad Sophie is acting fine with her diabetes and it's only the humans that are going crazy with it. You guys are really have a time. My love and thoughts are with you and all the angels that frazzle you.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | January 29, 2014 at 06:44 PM
Her way, indeed! Hope Miss Sophie can get things leveled out. Kudos once more to you and Alayne for being so vigilant in helping these little souls get happy and healthy.
Posted by: Mary H. | January 29, 2014 at 06:36 PM