Muffin Pals

B-Bear was diagnosed in August 2000.  We had noticed weight loss and she had started having accident in the house.  B-Bear’s fur started to feel lifeless and had a dull look to it.  My husband and I sat in shock when the vet told us she was diabetic.  I came home and got on the internet reading everything I could about diabetes in dogs and this is how I found the Muffin Group.  I knew then I was not along in trying to fight this disease.  Everything I read was a 3 year life span.  B-Bear developed cataracts fast and this caused a state of depression in her.  She started losing interest in everything.  B-Bear’s vet suggested cataract surgery.  She had cataract surgery in February 14, 2001 in Charlotte, NC.  Dr. Glover her eye opth told me I must follow his instruction strictly on the eye meds for us to have a success story.  B-Bear had to wear the big white lamp shade E-Collar for several weeks.  It was amazing B-Bear could see right after her surgery.  B-Bear hated the E-Collar and she would bounce her head up and down on the ground to see if she could knock the collar off.  I will say my nerves were frazzle during this time.  We went along fine for a couple of years then B-Bear develop pancreatitis.  She was upchucking so much she got the dry heaves.  She was so sick during this time I thought I was going to loose her.  B-Bear vet put her on IVs for a couple of days with no food and small amounts of water.  The vet said the stomach had to rest.  We are now approaching the point in B-Bear’s life where several things are starting to go wrong.  B-Bear has CHF she started with a funny cough at night and sometimes has labor breathing.  The vet had already warned me if I noticed this cough to let her know.  She is on Lasix and Enalapril for this condition.  B-Bear has developed Cushings.  B-Bear alkaline phosphates in her blood work kept being off the chart.  The vet did an ACTH test and it did come back positive.  B-Bear has not lost any hair.  B-Bear is taking Lysodren for this. Lysodren is a drug with side effects so I must stay alert to any changes in B-Bear.  She now has developed a low thyroid so now she in on thyroid medicine.  My counter looks like a medicine cabinet when I line her meds up.  B-Bear energy level is down now.  When we go on a walk I listen to how she is breathing.  I feel her time with me is getting close at hand and my heart wants to break.  I think when a dog gets to this stage in life they need “Hospice” like humans receive Hospice when they come to certain stage in life.  I work at a hospital so I am always asking the Hospice nurse if they are taking animals now since my B-Bear would qualify.

Life with B-Bear has taught my husband and me how to stop, listen and observe the things around us.  B-Bear has always traveled with us so my husband and I have had some exciting adventures.

My comment or advice to all new owners who have a diabetic pet; find a vet you can talk to and ask questions and feel comfortable doing so.  A pet having diabetes is a long road because the animal can go off course at any time, but it is also a rewarding road because you can jump through many hurdles.

Love and Furry Hugs,
B-Bear dd 8-00
Linda 

B-Bear is 7 years old.  She is part Samoyed and part Siberian Husky.  B-Bear was diagnosed as being a diabetic in August of 2000.  B-Bear had lost a lot of weight and was having accidents in the house. 

When I made B-Bear an appointment with the vet, I figure the vet was going to tell me she had cancer.  I was shocked when the
vet told my husband and me she was diabetic.

 My husband who is a diabetic told the vet the dog was acting just like he was.  We didn't realize animals could become diabetics.  The vet reassured us that diabetes in animals could be treated. 

I had to to find out all I could to help my baby girl.  I came home from the vet and got on the web and there I found the Muffin Group.
With the group's help and B-Bear's vet I started feeling better on how to help B-Bear.

 The first time I gave B-Bear a shot I was shaking all over. 

I was so afraid I would hurt
her.  B-Bear developed cataracts early.  B-Bear got very depressed when she lost her sight.  B-Bear's vet noticed the change in her and suggested that we try the cataract surgery.  B-Bear had cataract surgery on February 13, 2001. 

Everything had been going pretty good until
February 2003.  B-Bear started up chucking and couldn't keep anything on her stomach.  I took her to the vet. She had pancreatis.  After a day and 1/2 of IV's and meds we got back on track again. 

What I have learned with this disease is that it can throw you for a loop at any given moment.
    How our lives has changed since B-Bear was diagnosed.

We are more on a schedule now.  We have gotten back to nature.  We go camping a lot so B-Bear can always go with us.  B-Bear loves to strut her stuff in the camp- grounds everyone is always telling B-Bear how pretty she is. 

In these busy times B-Bear makes us stop and smell the roses and notice things we might just pass by.  B-Bear is a good fitness trainer.  B-Bear loves to go for walks and run in the fields so I get my exercise too.

Here comes a big furry hug from us.

B-Bear dd 8-00
Linda

March, 2003