Diary of a Diabetic Dachshund

30/04/2024

Keep getting asked if Beignet’s labs from Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital have come back so thought I’d post the screenshots.

Dr. Brad called today. As expected, Beignet’s fasting triglycerides were extremely high at 1107 (26-108 normal range). He is contacting a vet in Dallas that specializes in hypertriglyceridemia and is currently involved in extensive research in this area to see her thoughts.

The surprise other abnormality was she has CDiff. Apparently she has 2 of the 3 most common causes in dogs: having a pet parent in healthcare and having chronic GI issues. Poor Bennie can’t catch a break! Looks like its some metronidazole for our girl. I’m so thankful she doesn’t have CDiff human-style!

At what point do I earn an honorary nonsurgical vet degree to go with my MD!?!? Surely I’m close😂🤦‍♀️

25/04/2024

I know thats right!!! 😂😂😂

24/04/2024

Beignet’s been doing so great! She’s had tons of energy, kisses and tail wags for everyone. Her response to Levemir is taking some getting used to, but she seems to love it. She’s pouting currently because I told her she couldn’t have a treat right now🤦‍♀️.

Tomorrow she’s going to be hangry, because she has to be at Southern Hills first thing for fasting lab work that will be sent off to Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. I think we’re checking for causes of her lipidemia, checking her vitamin levels, and her cortisol to rule out Addison’s disease. Other than maybe the lipid testing, she had most of these drawn when she was hospitalized with the internal medicine team at TAMU back in 2018, so we’ll probably be able to compare values. TAMU’s GI lab is known to be the best. I can’t remember if I mentioned that Bennie’s serum looked like strawberry milk when she was sick in early March because of the lipedemia. I’m not sure there would be any treatment available for her. With her diabetes, small bowel IBD, & chronic pancreatitis - we already know her treatment options for just about anything are limited.

Lol - TAMU & LSU should probably pay Bennie to come teach a lecture series on complex dogs, but it would never end and no one could explain why theres no textbook for a dog with all these ailments that remains the happiest, most resilient, most vet-loving patient after 6.5 years of having all the things, so we’d either inspire everyone or stress them all out.

18/04/2024

Happy 17th Boudin!!

12/04/2024

Bennie & I have been blessed with so many wonderful people who have loved her through the years. She was reunited with Dr. Nancy Treadwell today of Shreveport Veterinary Internal Medicine. Dr. Treadwell spent most of the day with Beignet going over her recent struggles and doing a thorough abdominal ultrasound. She’ll have a report to us in a few days. But we do know her ultrasound showed signs consistent with IBD in the jejunum & duodenum. I was worried she might have a mass somewhere but none were seen. She will likely need to be on a med for that and she’s going to decide if she can resume the pentoxifylline or another med. She obviously can’t be on steroids. Bennie has eaten a few bites of her regular dog food the last 2 days so we’re hoping to transition her back to her normal diet because until that happens we cannot get her diabetes under control. And uncontrolled diabetes is definitely not good for humans or pets.
Bennie’s a complex dog. Dr. Brad & Dr Treadwell both said that Bennie could never be a case report because it would never end and no one would publish something so long. But Bennie says she’s aiming to have her own textbook one day…. I mean she definitely has enough conditions for a textbook😂

I definitely feel like the anxiety I’ve felt the last month is significantly decreased. Bennie is definitely slowed down with old age but she is still my happy girl. Its just amazing to think of all she’s been through and she’s still here and still loving life. Thankful for my little Energizer Bunny! And again we are so thankful for all the care she’s received past and present. I’m not the social butterfly that Beignet is and I love seeing how many lives she’s touched over the last 13.5 years.
Dr. T mentioned today that parasite infections can lead to IBD. Most of you probably don’t know that Bennie had very resistant worms from the time I got her. 110% I would choose this girl over and over again. However most people didn’t directly pick up their doxie pups from the breeder I got her from. I’ve never actually admitted this to anyone. But if I had seen the home/kennel area of the breeder before I saw Beignet, she would have ended up elsewhere. Never have I been so relieved as when I had her and was away from that place. And before anyone comes at me, Annie was short hair red brindle. I saw the dark hair red brindle Bennie online and immediately knew she had to be mine. I know rescues have dogs but I also know I love my doxie puppies, I always spay/neuter and I always take care of my pets. But on that note my point is buying a puppy from a breeder especially if you have the puppy shipped - could be with risks. The online pics didn’t show what I saw that day. But if thats what screwed up her gut, I’ve more than paid the price and can’t stand to think what would have happened to her if I hadn’t decided to make her mine (in 2018 it was just her jejunum)

06/04/2024

Never a dull moment. Working on our glucose control with the new insulin. The low glucose alarm woke me from a dead sleep 30 minutes before my alarm went off. Man that thing is loud. I shot out of bed and went flying to check on her - Bennie looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Her blood glucose was 80 and the sensor was showing 67. She was happy to eat an early breakfast and go back to bed. I do love the option to know where her sugar is overnight with the FSL. So far sensor #4 is working since I used all the new tips from the website!

05/04/2024

Beignet and I have always been so bonded. I know she’s been through more than most dogs all the while wagging her tail and giving everyone kisses. I’ve just been so emotional today. Everyone just seems to be making comments like they know its over. I would never prolong her life for me and I’ve always been ready to let her go when she tells me its time. But even with her eating like a champ, and just starting this new insulin, I just feel like no one expects her to come through this but me. I know theres no right thing to tell someone during tough times. My #1 greatest fear is for her to go without me there by her side after all she’s done for me. So the worst thing anyone can tell me is to go out and live my life because thats probably what will happen.

Check out Beignet & Megan’s video.

04/04/2024

So I joined the Freestyle Libre for Dogs and Cats group. I always say I want to love this option. I definitely discovered from this group that a big problem with my issues were improper technique. I learned so much last night. I definitely think you need to use a glucometer - you have to make sure your sensor readings compare. But I foresee being able to use the FSL and getting my money’s worth with all the new info! I have all the stuff to get started but no lie I’m so nervous to put on this 4th sensor since I’ve wasted 2 of 4.
So if anyone’s looking for FSL advice for sure join this group. My vet was even excited when I sent their protocol to him!
We still are big fans of the CDSI group as always because they are there to help with advice and teach you to hometest. We wouldn’t have survived 2018 without their support. They aren’t huge fans of the FSL but with so many like me not following proper techniques and many solely basing care on a sensor they don’t validate with blood sugars - it can be a very dangerous game.

03/04/2024

After a night at the ER and a day with Dr Brad, Beignet is home tonight. She ate great and got her first dose of Levemir (or at least I think she did - a 1/2 U dose is kind of scary to draw up. Heather Ulrich - you now have my sympathies).

If she looks annoyed in the pic its because she realized we were not at Mon Ami Pharmacy or Line Avenue Compounding Pharmacy - the only 2 pharmacies that get her seal of approval. She said she thought she was 💯 done with chains. But I’m not gonna lie, I kind of enjoy when the automatic system calls and tells me theres a prescription ready for Beg Net Dash Dog Gardner.

In other news she had low blood pressure today off her telmarten and amlodipine (the enalapril was stopped Friday). We’re still not to resume the pentoxifylline & to hold the BP meds tomorrow. He said he thinks she’s having periodic surges in blood pressure. I’m not gonna lie the no pills is music to my ears. Originally he said when he figured out her exact blood pressure needs, he’d get Line Ave to compound them since my girl will take liquids any day but pills are my personal nightmare.

She is also slightly anemic but otherwise her labs looked great. Is anyone surprised Bennie was fed steak while spending the day at Southern Hills? She is supposed to be getting red meat which he said her body is craving and why she ate the ground venison so well last night because of some deficiencies. He has some thoughts on all her stuff but isn’t sure he can prove them.

I’ve had maybe 2 hours of sleep in the last 2 nights. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind with my best girl. I’m exhausted but then can’t sleep tonight because I hate I gave a new med tonight and don’t want to zonk out. Fingers crossed it works.

Last night the ER vet told me that after 6-8 years of diabetes, the dogs stop responding to insulin and go into DKA and die. Well she also mentioned their only options were NPH, Vetsulin & ProZinc. I feel like after over 6 years, diabetes is not going to be what takes out my girl. I will not allow that. She’s the only living creature thats been through it all with me and there’s nothing I won’t do for her as long as she needs me to.

02/04/2024

This Diabetic baby needs a good home!!

Jazzy
Male
Jazzy is a 10-year-old Maltipoo. He weighs 20 pounds. Jazzy is a precious boy, but he does have insulin-dependent diabetes. He requires 1 injection per day and handles them like a champ 💕. Jazzy would love a home of his own with a family comfortable giving his daily injections. He is neutered, up to date on vaccinations, on heartworm/flea/tick prevention, and microchipped. Applications can be completed at hsnwla.com/adopt. A vet reference with a history of consistent vaccinations and medical care is required to adopt. Adoption fee $150.

02/04/2024

Bennie heard Pamela was working at Animal Emergency Clinic & Intensive Care Facility and wanted to go say hi. For every win these days theres a loss. She ate so well her sugar was unreadable on the meter. They said she’s very dehydrated. So she’s spending the night getting IV fluids. I’m going to try to get some sleep before I have to pick her up in the morning and figure out how to get her to the vet and to do mh rounds. Never a dull moment (or much sleep) these days.

02/04/2024

Standing by the stove giving me the evil eye because she wants more dinner…. I stopped by Whole Foods on the way home and picked up some ground venison and mixed it with her dry food. She hasn’t eaten this well without a ton of time and coaxing in forever. None of my usual go to picky and/or sick eater tricks have worked.
I know a large part of the reason is she’s felt bad from her glucose fluctuations. I’ve felt so defeated. I feel like her deteriorating because of a condition I feel like I should be able to control is not okay.

Being a single pet parent of a dog with so many conditions is overwhelming at times. I truly do not feel like anyone can help me when it comes to getting her to eat because I have the best chance of getting her to eat.

I came home today to a large pile of undigested food puke on the kitchen floor. I almost lost it. And I feel guilty because I suddenly realized there was cat food in the pile so it belonged to Boudin & not Beignet. Boudin who when I was so stressed last night had followed me outside and apparently got locked in the garage for almost 12 hours😭🫣🤯🤦‍♀️

Tonight venison for the win though (& also Boudin has gotten a ton of snuggles and apologies). Who knows what the next few days will bring. I think I’m going to see about doing a specialist visit because I think I need the thorough evaluation for me to understand more of whats going on. I hate feeling helpless. I feel like I’ve known for years every little thing and what to do in all the situations and now I feel like I’ve been transported back to February/March 2018 and I hate it

01/04/2024

Once again I am weirded out by the Freestyle Libre 3. Its giving me vibes from the original FSL. So I didn’t use VetBond on the 1st one - so it lasted 2 hours. The 2nd last 10-11 days and was super close to my AlphaTrak3. It fell off last night and I put on #3. Stayed up even though I was exhausted because it takes an hour to activate. After an hour it came on and said she was 50. Rushed to take a sugar (she didn’t appear low) and her sugar was 501. I went to sleep annoyed. Woke up at 1:30am and it said sensor not available and to check back in 9 hours🤔. I was curious and the sensor is definitely still in place so I waited the 8 hours. We’ve been in the 80’s all day but thats not what the AT3 says. So again this is why I stress home testing. I’m not scared of a sugar in the 80’s on Bennie but many would be treating for a lower sugar all day if they didn’t check with a meter. Its so annoying that these sensors cost so much and since its used on a dog they won’t replace the ones that malfunction like they do in humans.
Anyways let this be a lesson to all, never completely rely on a device that gives data even when its malfunctioning - disappointing this problem continues on the newest version

31/03/2024

Happy Easter to everyone! So far our sugars have improved with increasing our Humalin N dose. She’s getting her appetite back. They said when I had Boudin in yesterday that there was a note we could stop Enalapril, so now we’re just on Amlodipine and Telmisarten. He’s mentioned her heart murmur multiple times but haven’t gotten the report he’s typing up for me yet. I took Bennie to a vet cardiologist in New Orleans back in 2018. He acted like I was a moron for bringing her. Said she had mild mitral regurg that wouldn’t ever cause her an issue. Dr Brad mentioned something about diabetics getting vegetations in their heart? Anyways waiting for the update. My first goal is to get the diabetes back on track. Not sure if we’ll be sent back to cardiology or if we can see Dr. Treadwell or if we just keep on keeping on. These teen ween years are tough!

Boudin got his 4th monthly Solensia shot yesterday. We were a little late on it and I could tell he was being super cranky. It must have already kicked in, because he’s already back to being obsessed with me.

30/03/2024

I guess when you’re 6 years in, you get your first sugar in the 600’s😩🫣🤯😱🥴😭.
So pretty sure if she was human she’d be in PICU on a DKA protocol. 3 days of the lower dose to see if she’s rebounding has led to her sugars increasing a little each day. I think we get our new insulin options on Monday. Meanwhile I upped her dose because I have to get her sugar down or we’ll be in the ER for fluids, etc tomorrow. Since she got her blood pressure in check she’s been so happy until we started the lower dose and you can just tell as her sugar remains high - she feels terrible.

28/03/2024

Bennie’s bestie picked her up from Southern Hills yesterday after I got stuck at work. Her Bestie tried to kidnap for a road trip to New Orleans. Lucky for our South Louisiana friends, her bestie doesn’t have a drivers license so mission aborted.
Right now, Dr Brad thinks that either Bennie is rebounding due to too high a dose of insulin or after over 6 years of NPH insulin, she could have formed a resistance. Theres never going to be as much data on a dog thats been diabetic this long. He wants us to do a lower dose consistently regardless of her sugar. Today she was 576. I’ve never once seen her in the 500’s until this last week and I have to admit its making me crazy. I may have even bothered him again today already with the second day in a row of upper 500’s fasting sugars. At this point he doesn’t think this is associated with her illness 2 weeks ago. I’ve gotten spoiled with her control being amazing for years. I almost feel like I’m back in 2018 starting over- I’ll probably spend the weekend scouring our favorite resource we recommend to all diabetic dog parents - Canine Diabetes Support and Information. I always say, I post on this page as Bennie’s blog and its our personal journey through all her conditions - the CDSI crew are the true heroes for those needing real help with their diabetics.

27/03/2024

Bennie is at her recheck appointment all day today. Gotta figure out whats going on with her diabetes because we are no longer well controlled as well as recheck her blood pressure.

26/03/2024

Check out Beignet & Megan’s video.

23/03/2024

Not sure whats up with our best girl. All week she’s been super high until she decided she wanted to switch gears today. I’m so tired but she apparently thinks I need to stay up and party with her tonight

22/03/2024

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Meet our newest Mon Ami model, Beignet Gardner!! 🕶️ How cute is she?

Have a look at the super soft blanket that Beignet is modeling for us during her recent visit at Mon Ami. 🐶

Beignet was a previous patient at a big box pharmacy and followed me to Mon Ami 💙

She is helping us model the Royal Standard line. Drop by and see for yourself at Mon Ami Pharmacy!

Do you think Beignet has what it takes to be a model?

19/03/2024

Asking for prayers for 2 of our friends who are struggling like we were last week.

Magnolia aka “Maggie” was adopted from Ninna's Road to Rescue as a hospice dog due to pulmonary hypertension. She has thoroughly enjoyed being spoiled. However yesterday she was diagnosed as likely have a tumor on her heart that was not there on the xrays and echo the vet cardiologist did just prior to her adoption 3 months ago. Dr. Brad said the emergent spay she had for pyometria could have been uterine cancer and this is a metastasis. So adding this as a reminder to spay and neuter your pets!!!

Bella is a beloved 18yo senior lady dealing with pancreatitis and renal failure. We recommended our favorite local internal medicine vet, Dr. Treadwell to help Bella. Hopefully she can see her tomorrow and bring some comfort to Bella and her mom.

Fortunately, Bennie is still doing great. I have my VetBond ready and going to reattempt the FreeStyle Libre 3 tonight. She cried so loud last time if anyone wants to volunteer to apply it for me, I won’t say no….

Update: Maggie passed away in her mom’s arms shortly after this post was made. Extra prayers to Liz, Maggie and family. RIP Magnolia

Update 3/21/24: Bella crossed over the rainbow bridge this morning. Pray for Joyce & Chad.

16/03/2024

What an expensive week. Between vet bills, medications, blood pressure monitor, & the Freestyle Libre 3 - Bennie is draining my bank account. And after I shaved her & used a dermaplaner blade to ensure absolutely no hair - I just managed to keep the first FSL3 sensor on for only 3 hours😭😭😭😭. Not to mention she cried when I put it on. I am so happy she’s doing well but so defeated by wasting even more money (but of course I’d bankrupt myself for that sweet thang)

16/03/2024

Diary of a Hypertensive Dachshund.
She’s on amlodipine, enalapril & telmisarten🤦‍♀️

14/03/2024

Bennie’s had a pretty decent day. She’s felt pretty good give or take some moments of higher blood pressure. She ate well. She got to go by Mon Ami, pick up all her new prescriptions, and snuggle with her fave pharmacist. The Mon Ami team loved that Bennie doesn’t sleep without a Royal Standard throw which are sold at Mon Ami!
Our prescriptions includes the Freestyle Libre 3 continuous glucose monitor. Anyone who’s followed Beignet since the beginning knows how much I hated and felt deceived by the FSL. Dr. Brad assures me the FSL 3 has a smaller sensor and is much better suited for dogs. He really wants the 24 hour logs because he thinks when she’s recovered from the pancreatitis and her blood sugar is stable that we’re going to find she needs an insulin switch. We will still be using the AlphaTrak 3 - our favorite pet glucometer. Any FSL 3 tips are appreciated.

So thrilled my girl is almost back to normal. Truly a miracle. Thrilled I could remove her IV (ummm I do want to have words with whoever taped that sucker in😂) and give that stinky thang a bath. Also happy I did not hit purchase on the birthday beach vacation I was looking at last weekend. Thanks to Bennie, the pandemic, & my back injury, I haven’t seen a beach in over 6 years😭😭😭. And my trip allowance has been spent. Bennie’s gonna need to be in the market for a sugar doxie daddy if these tricks continue.

14/03/2024

Truly didn’t expect to bring this hot mess home tonight or ever again when we left home this morning. Thanks to Dr. Brad and the Southern Hills Animal Hospital LLC crew for pulling off yet another Beignet miracle. Bennie’s home and begging for treats like nothing ever happened. To her long list of diagnoses, this week we’re adding acute on chronic pancreatitis, hypertensive crisis, hypertension, suspected stroke/TIA, resolved sudden blindness, & hyperlipidemia (because lets face it diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, jejunal IBD, allergies, and dry eye weren’t enough). Also thanks to the also amazing, Dr. Welch at Animal Emergency Clinic & Intensive Care Facility and Dr. Pierce at Veterinary Vision Center for all your help with my girl this week. Special thanks to Bennie’s longtime favorite pharmacist, Jude, for getting all her new meds filled at Mon Ami Pharmacy. Thanks for all the love and prayers. She felt them and now that she’s back to normal, she’s ready for all the tummy rubs and kisses.

13/03/2024

Midday Update:

She received IV blood pressure meds to normalize her blood pressure & a few other medications. Her ocular pressures are high normal. Dr. Brad spoke with Dr. Pierce, her vet ophtho, and Dr P called me as well which I really appreciated. Beignet has been so incredibly blessed to have so many wonderful vets in her life.
Currently Bennie is offering everyone kisses which anyone who knows her is her norm and acting more like Bennie, Queen of Southern Hills Animal Hospital.
She sure is good at making life a roller coaster of emotions. All the prayers seem to be helping and she’s said today is not the day. She also enjoyed a quick visit from her fellow troublemaker bestie.
(Recap of diagnoses: pancreatitis, possible stroke, sudden blindness, hypertension, lipidemia🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️)

13/03/2024

She wagged her tail when she heard Dr Brad’s voice which her typical tail wagging self hasn’t been doing. He’s calling Dr Pierce, her eye doctor to see if he can do a neuro-ophthalmologic exam to get a better picture of whats going on. He is not convinced its time yet unless the specialists suspect otherwise.

13/03/2024

I will let Dr Brad assess her neurological status this morning and see if he has any hope that things can improve. I know she has to be exhausted. We’ve been up all night. I won’t make her go through this any longer if we can’t help her.

With that said, several of her besties have asked about saying their goodbyes. I’m not sure if Southern Hills allows people to come love on her while she’s there. I certainly would never deny her getting extra snuggles if they okay it.

I’m so proud to be her mom. She’s truly one of a kind. The sweetest, most loving girl you could ever hope to meet but also the bravest, strongest and smartest. She has taught me so much and if I could take all the bad things she’s endured, I would 1000 times over. She was by my side for the last breaths of Andouille, Etouffee Rae and my dad. I’m not quite sure how I’ll ever be able to handle her last breath. I truly would not have survived without her the last few years. I don’t know what a world looks like without that precious soul. Without her by my side, I will never be the same

13/03/2024

Has this ever not been the week I expected. I’ve always shared the good and the bad on here. I also don’t feel judged on here so this post I’ll make on here but not on my personal page.

Where to begin. This morning hearing Bennie ate etc gave me a lot of hope.
I went to pick her up at the end of the day. I really expected to see my girl back.
So she did eat for them today (not for me this evening), but that was about the only normal thing she did.
They feel she may have had a small stroke last night. She seems to be completely blind &/or disoriented. He’s unable to get a good view of her retinas to make sure they aren’t detached with her keratitis. Also some of the neurologic symptoms could be due to the pain from her pancreatitis.
Her lipidemia could set her up for a stroke. He mentioned sending a panel to Texas A&M and to someone who specializes in lipidemia.
I don’t honestly know. I don’t want her to suffer. It seems so unfair that this precious girl who has generated love and light throughout her 13 years should have to suffer. She is my whole world. She is my family. I just can’t imagine my life without her in it. I feel so completely helpless.
I pray she turns around. I pray she knows how much I love her. I feel like I’m failing her.