Hey gorgeous people, welcome to my (Hamish's) diabetic dog blog. You're welcome to pull up a chair and hang out. Barking is welcome and I keep low fat treats if you'd like a snack. This blog is a way to share my info, experiences and concerns. I will tell you about my life, I hope you will comment back so you can tell me about your experiences as a diabetic dog, the family of a diabetic dog, or even a vet with something inspiring or helpful to say. I'll write a Bio in a bit, but for now I'll give you a brief introduction to who I am and why I'm forcing my owner/mommy to start a blog about my life and experiences since diagnosis. Since I have paws and not opposable thumbs, I will tell my mom what to write.
As I said, my name is Hamish. That's pronounced, Hame -ish, and for short, my people call me Hame, like game with an H. . I'm 11 1/2 years old and I'm half wire haird Dachshund and half Jack Russell. I was born on the Isle of Lewis in a little area called Achmore. That makes me Scottish and proud of it. My human mom is American. I have a good family both doggy and human. I was born in my grandma's house in October 2001. My doggy momma is a Jack Russell who my grandparents rescued. My dad is a wire haired Dachshund who they also rescued. They were told my mom couldn't get pregnant at that particular time. I'm living proof that just ain't true. Of all of the dogs, I am the tallest and the prettiest. I started life as the runt of my litter so Grandma had to hand feed me to save my life. I will always love my grandma for that. Without her, I wouldn't be here to tell you about my life. At Grandma and Grandpa's house, my doggy mom and dad (Tara and Seamus, pronounced Shay-muss) and two of my sisters (Rusty and Meg) live. I like to see them but it's not too often these days since Gran and Grandpa moved to Dubai. I'll see them in a few months, I can't wait.
I've always been a good dog. I'm so lucky that my people love me and will do anything for me. In my life I've been hit by a car, attacked by another dog (I did not fight back, I'm a lover, not a fighter) and survived a long infection of lung worm. I was diagnosed as one of the first doggies in Scotland with lung worm, hence the reason why it took so so long to find out what was wrong with me. I'm so lucky to be alive and aside from these events, I've been happy, lucky, healthy and loved.
About 5 years ago, my dad Angus met an American woman named Cari. Eventually, they fell in love. To be honest I was in love with Cari from the day we met. I knew she'd be my mommy. I am so very lucky to have her, she takes the best care of me. Now, after spending almost half of my life with Cari-Mommy, I can't be without her. She takes such good care of me and I know my life is better with her here. I love my dad lots, but he has to work so instead of being alone all day, Mom takes me out to walk and play. She cares for me and my every need. When Dad gets home, I get really excited and bark at him for leaving for so long. I guess he has to work, how else could he afford to take care of me and my needs. You're forgiven Dad. This time...
June of this year, I was having a lot of pain in my belly. It was awful. Mom was very worried so we went to the vet. The very nice vet, Susanna, thought for sure I had gastritis or an ulcer. Two weeks later when I was still in pain, she scheduled an endoscopy to see what was wrong in my tummy. A few days before my scope was to be done, I got even sicker. I could hardly walk or eat, jump up on the bed or couch and I fell over while peeing. I was losing lots of weight, almost 7lbs which is a lot for a dog my size. I wanted to drop a few lbs, this wasn't the way to do that. Oops.
Because I was so weak and unwell, I kept drinking tons of water and going out to pee pee. Mom and Dad took me to the vet where they did some blood tests and it turns out I am diabetic and the pain in my tummy was because I have pancreatitis. My blood glucose was 35. That is a UK number, in US standards, I was well over 600.
That's you up to date. It has been almost 3 weeks since I was diagnosed and my insulin levels are still not where they ought to be. I've also not been very good at eating which scares Mommy because to get a full dose of my insulin, I have to eat enough food. I know I worry her...what's a doggy to do? Have you tasted the vet prescribed dog food I have to eat? Pretty gross. Where's the hot sauce man?
You know, I feel really good compared to when this all began. It is however, a permanent condition and a work in progress to get the old blood glucose managed. Momma is concerned about me very much and she feels really bad when she gives me my shots. I don't like them either, but I know my mom is trying to help me and that she loves me. I wish she knew that it really doesn't hurt me so much. Poor Momma, she has a good heart. I'd do almost anything for her.
I'm writing a blog to share my experience with canine diabetes with other worried moms and dads out there. I'm lucky to have a human dad that is a doctor and he knows a lot about my condition. I also have a mom who is a very good researcher, she looks for ways to help me and she likes to share her found knowledge with anyone who needs it. Mommy would also love some help and support from you all too.
I will try to post every day, but truth is if nothing changes, posts may only be twice per week. I think sharing my story and getting feedback from others in my condition is important. Your constructive advice is welcome in the comments section. I'm already grateful for your help, I hope I do get some. I also hope that I can be helpful to at least one or two dogs.
Right now, I get 10 units of Caninsulin two times per day. If I continue to not eat in the mornings, I only get half of my dose. I see my doctor in three weeks for more blood tests. For now, I feel happy, maybe a bit tired. I miss my old doggy treats but I'm coping well. I have to try to eat more for my mom.
Here's me, aren't I cute? That's my new doggy baby toy. Mom and Dad thought I could use a new baby to cheer me up. I love my new baby.
Signing off now, if I can help or if you want to help with good advice, please comment. I'm always happy to see friends.
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MY BACKGROUND
I've always been a good dog. I'm so lucky that my people love me and will do anything for me. In my life I've been hit by a car, attacked by another dog (I did not fight back, I'm a lover, not a fighter) and survived a long infection of lung worm. I was diagnosed as one of the first doggies in Scotland with lung worm, hence the reason why it took so so long to find out what was wrong with me. I'm so lucky to be alive and aside from these events, I've been happy, lucky, healthy and loved.
About 5 years ago, my dad Angus met an American woman named Cari. Eventually, they fell in love. To be honest I was in love with Cari from the day we met. I knew she'd be my mommy. I am so very lucky to have her, she takes the best care of me. Now, after spending almost half of my life with Cari-Mommy, I can't be without her. She takes such good care of me and I know my life is better with her here. I love my dad lots, but he has to work so instead of being alone all day, Mom takes me out to walk and play. She cares for me and my every need. When Dad gets home, I get really excited and bark at him for leaving for so long. I guess he has to work, how else could he afford to take care of me and my needs. You're forgiven Dad. This time...
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MY DIABETES STORY
Because I was so weak and unwell, I kept drinking tons of water and going out to pee pee. Mom and Dad took me to the vet where they did some blood tests and it turns out I am diabetic and the pain in my tummy was because I have pancreatitis. My blood glucose was 35. That is a UK number, in US standards, I was well over 600.
That's you up to date. It has been almost 3 weeks since I was diagnosed and my insulin levels are still not where they ought to be. I've also not been very good at eating which scares Mommy because to get a full dose of my insulin, I have to eat enough food. I know I worry her...what's a doggy to do? Have you tasted the vet prescribed dog food I have to eat? Pretty gross. Where's the hot sauce man?
You know, I feel really good compared to when this all began. It is however, a permanent condition and a work in progress to get the old blood glucose managed. Momma is concerned about me very much and she feels really bad when she gives me my shots. I don't like them either, but I know my mom is trying to help me and that she loves me. I wish she knew that it really doesn't hurt me so much. Poor Momma, she has a good heart. I'd do almost anything for her.
********************
WHY A DOGGY BLOG?
I will try to post every day, but truth is if nothing changes, posts may only be twice per week. I think sharing my story and getting feedback from others in my condition is important. Your constructive advice is welcome in the comments section. I'm already grateful for your help, I hope I do get some. I also hope that I can be helpful to at least one or two dogs.
Right now, I get 10 units of Caninsulin two times per day. If I continue to not eat in the mornings, I only get half of my dose. I see my doctor in three weeks for more blood tests. For now, I feel happy, maybe a bit tired. I miss my old doggy treats but I'm coping well. I have to try to eat more for my mom.
Here's me, aren't I cute? That's my new doggy baby toy. Mom and Dad thought I could use a new baby to cheer me up. I love my new baby.
Signing off now, if I can help or if you want to help with good advice, please comment. I'm always happy to see friends.
