diabetic dog

[daisybee]

my dog bailey has been diabetic for about a year and a half, he was well controlled for the longest time and then starting in November suddenly his blood sugar went up to465 and at one point it was off the charts. Does anybody know if purina milk bones have sugar in them. I threw the box away before this came up. Any help will be appreciated

[pomtzu]

I don't know about sugar in Milk Bones, but I had 2 Lhasas years ago that had diabetes and were on insulin, and as they got older, they were more difficult to regulate. Your dog's aging may have something to do with it. They were both diagnosed at around 10 years of age, and one lived to be 14, and the other was 16. The one that passed at 16 was ALWAYS more difficult to control tho. She had readings in the 600's at times, and other times she would bottom out and I'd have to give her Kayro Syrup to bring her back up.

Hope you can find out what's causing the problem, tho it's something that you may never be able to pinpoint. Good luck!

[daisybee]

your sparky looks a lot like bailey, but bailey is curlier, anyway, bailey was only 4 years old when he was diagnosed, so he's kind of young for this, i think, i worry that diabetes if going to shorten his life. besides the diabetes he's very healthy

[Freedom]

Diabetics have to watch carbohydrates -- sugar is just ONE of many, many carbs.

Carbohydrates include:
- fruits
- grains and grain products
- oats, wheat, rice, barley, corn
- breads, cookies, cakes, pancakes, waffles, anything containing flour
- certain vegetables: peas are quite high in carbs.

Beans and most veggies are great for diabetics.

So Milk Bones do need to be limited, but it doesn't matter if they contain sugar or not! It is because they include flour, a grain.

[pomtzu]

Unfortunately, diabetes does take it's toll. The one of mine that lived with it for 4 years was rather healthy in spite of it, but in the end, it was kidney failure that took him, and it did come on rather suddenly. My more difficult "child" - the older one, went blind, and the last year suffered from seizures. When they became more frequent, I knew she had no quality life in her, and I finally let her go at 16. I know now that I should have let her go sooner..........

With Bailey being younger, he probably will fare very well for a lot of years to come. Let us know if you find out what is causing him to spike like that all of a sudden.

And if he looks like Sparky - then I know he's a real cutie. Sparky's hair would be long - if I let it grow - but it's Mat City when I do!

[Marigold2]

My friend has a dog Buddy who also has diabetes. He went blind very quickly. Please stay in close contac with the vet on diets for your pup.