My dog is diabetic.

**Valigarmander** · 05-07-2008, 07:26 PM

I figured I'd put this in the Relationships forum, since a dog really is family.

Story is... lately my dog Maya's been very sick. She's been vomitting, drinking excessively, not eating at all, and losing weight. In the past couple months, she's lost about 30 pounds (mind you, she was a very fat dog before). So, today we took her in for a checkup.

The diagnosis is she has very bad diabetes. It's come to a point at which we now have two decisions for her. We can start giving her shots, which would cost the family more, and that's still a problem because my mother is still in chemotherapy and it would conflict with much of the plans our family already has for the summer and this coming year. The other option is to put her down.

If we wait too long, she'll probably die. Things aren't looking good for her at all.

So, long story short, life for my dog is going to change drastically in the coming days. We could begin administering drugs to her every day, or we would have her put down. Either way, it's going to be rather tough for me and the family. Just letting y'all know.

User Name · 05-07-2008, 07:33 PM

Oh, Val...*hugs* I know exactly what you're going through. My dog had diabetes as well, as you know. He went blind and we gave him shots every day. He had to stay in a room all day because he would run into things and get nasty bumps on his head. It's not easy because dogs can be some of the best humans out there some days. Just know that whatever the outcome, you don't want Maya to suffer. It will be hard, but just keep in mind that she'll be happier if you don't have her suffer. My family let my dog drag a tumor the size of a tennis ball on her stomach for a couple of months because we were too sad to let her go. If you need anything, IM me.

I hope for the best, bud.

**Valigarmander** · 05-07-2008, 07:37 PM

Thanks, UN. You're always here to cheer me up.

Panfan · 05-07-2008, 07:48 PM

Sorry to hear about this, Val. I think our dog when I was like 4 had diabetes, but I don't remember him that much.

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 05-07-2008, 09:26 PM

I'm sorry to hear it, and understand what it's like very well. My grandparents had a diabetic dog they cared for for many years, and my oldest cat has diabeties, too. I give her two shots every day, and I do have to agree that it's changed our lives a bit. The initial cost of running bloodtests to find the correct dose for her insulin was tough, but she has a good quality of life and I don't mind having to be home at the same time morning and night to care for her.

*hugs tight*

***Booyakasha*** · 05-07-2008, 10:41 PM

*considers making obligatory "my dog has asperger's" joke; chickens out*

Tough when your pets get sick or old. Hope things turn out all right.

Eagle Eye · 05-08-2008, 12:07 AM

It's never good to have a sick member of your family. At the same time, if you have serious summer plans, and your family is dealing with what they are dealing with, I would either find someone willing to take the challenge, or put her down.

**Valigarmander** · 05-10-2008, 03:27 PM

Well, Maya's just come back from the hospital, and she's feeling much better now. She's been eating and everything. We'll need to start giving her insulin shots in the morning and evening, but other than that she should be fine.

Heh, a few months ago I was yelling at her to get out of the kitchen and stop begging for food. Now, her whining is music to my ears.

CuccoLady · 05-10-2008, 07:06 PM

That is so great!!! Losing a dog is really tough and I'm SOOO glad you didn't have to put her down... putting a dog down is really really tough.

I'm so glad!

Seeking Attention · 05-10-2008, 07:20 PM

I had no idea Dogs could get diabetes. Well at least she's feeling better.

***Heroine of the Dragon*** · 05-11-2008, 09:17 PM

It's always wonderful to hear happy things... and I, too, am glad your dog is doing so well. We get so attached to our pets... I still miss Zar.

05-07-2008, 07:26 PM	#1
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	My dog is diabetic. I figured I'd put this in the Relationships forum, since a dog really is family. Story is... lately my dog Maya's been very sick. She's been vomitting, drinking excessively, not eating at all, and losing weight. In the past couple months, she's lost about 30 pounds (mind you, she was a very fat dog before). So, today we took her in for a checkup. The diagnosis is she has very bad diabetes. It's come to a point at which we now have two decisions for her. We can start giving her shots, which would cost the family more, and that's still a problem because my mother is still in chemotherapy and it would conflict with much of the plans our family already has for the summer and this coming year. The other option is to put her down. If we wait too long, she'll probably die. Things aren't looking good for her at all. So, long story short, life for my dog is going to change drastically in the coming days. We could begin administering drugs to her every day, or we would have her put down. Either way, it's going to be rather tough for me and the family. Just letting y'all know.

05-07-2008, 07:33 PM	#2
User Name Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gotham City Gender: Posts: 7,209 Thanks: 701 Thanked 536 Times in 367 Posts	Oh, Val...hugs I know exactly what you're going through. My dog had diabetes as well, as you know. He went blind and we gave him shots every day. He had to stay in a room all day because he would run into things and get nasty bumps on his head. It's not easy because dogs can be some of the best humans out there some days. Just know that whatever the outcome, you don't want Maya to suffer. It will be hard, but just keep in mind that she'll be happier if you don't have her suffer. My family let my dog drag a tumor the size of a tennis ball on her stomach for a couple of months because we were too sad to let her go. If you need anything, IM me. I hope for the best, bud.

05-07-2008, 07:37 PM	#3
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Thanks, UN. You're always here to cheer me up.

05-07-2008, 07:48 PM	#4
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,337 Posts Blog Entries: 15	Sorry to hear about this, Val. I think our dog when I was like 4 had diabetes, but I don't remember him that much.

05-07-2008, 09:26 PM	#5
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 28,504 Thanks: 1,658 Thanked 1,820 Times in 1,042 Posts	I'm sorry to hear it, and understand what it's like very well. My grandparents had a diabetic dog they cared for for many years, and my oldest cat has diabeties, too. I give her two shots every day, and I do have to agree that it's changed our lives a bit. The initial cost of running bloodtests to find the correct dose for her insulin was tough, but she has a good quality of life and I don't mind having to be home at the same time morning and night to care for her. hugs tight

05-07-2008, 10:41 PM	#6
*Booyakasha* SuperMod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 9,945 Thanks: 157 Thanked 1,481 Times in 763 Posts	considers making obligatory "my dog has asperger's" joke; chickens out Tough when your pets get sick or old. Hope things turn out all right.

05-08-2008, 12:07 AM	#7
Eagle Eye Diddy bops Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Gender: Posts: 15,014 Thanks: 1,616 Thanked 1,084 Times in 597 Posts	It's never good to have a sick member of your family. At the same time, if you have serious summer plans, and your family is dealing with what they are dealing with, I would either find someone willing to take the challenge, or put her down.

05-10-2008, 03:27 PM	#8
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,700 Times in 2,580 Posts Blog Entries: 20	Well, Maya's just come back from the hospital, and she's feeling much better now. She's been eating and everything. We'll need to start giving her insulin shots in the morning and evening, but other than that she should be fine. Heh, a few months ago I was yelling at her to get out of the kitchen and stop begging for food. Now, her whining is music to my ears.

05-10-2008, 07:06 PM	#9
CuccoLady Anime and Cartoons Mod Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: THIS LOCATION REMINDS ME OF A PUZZLE, LUKE Gender: Posts: 9,077 Thanks: 2,825 Thanked 1,222 Times in 822 Posts	That is so great!!! Losing a dog is really tough and I'm SOOO glad you didn't have to put her down... putting a dog down is really really tough. I'm so glad!

05-10-2008, 07:20 PM	#10
Seeking Attention Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Posts: 0 Thanks: 489 Thanked 185 Times in 153 Posts	I had no idea Dogs could get diabetes. Well at least she's feeling better.

05-11-2008, 09:17 PM	#11
*Heroine of the Dragon* The Grinnie Fool! ♥♥♥ VGFCodes Staff Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Twinklebutton Wintersprout Gender: Posts: 31,454 Thanks: 864 Thanked 851 Times in 632 Posts Blog Entries: 1	It's always wonderful to hear happy things... and I, too, am glad your dog is doing so well. We get so attached to our pets... I still miss Zar.