Updates
Looking for a Long Future
UpdatesMaking this web site was a labor of love and celebration for me. 1997 was one of the most difficult years of our lives. We faced family health problems as well as Tyler's. At one point in Oct. our vet had tried to prepare us for the probability Tyler would die within the year. However, Tyler's vet is amazed how well and healthy he is now. He now talks of Tyler's future.
Tyler still has some nagging and confusing concerns. He has had many Blood Profiles done over the last year +. Each time his levels have been elevated. Each time a Blood Profile is done, his levels have also come down from the previous one. Tyler's vet said he didn't want to push any panic buttons-because Tyler is healthy. His internist has said he has seen the effects of prednisone stay in a dogs system for as much as a year. So for now we are doing Blood Profiles every 3 months.
Sept 1998
Tyler has continued having blood profiles every 3 months. The last profile done showed Tyler's levels were still elevated. The main concern was his cholesterol, alk phosphate and steroid levels (there were other levels elevated-but these were the ones Tyler's vet was concerned about). Tyler's vet wanted to "revisit" the idea Tyler had Cushings. However, as before, Tyler has no symptoms related to Cushings. In fact he's VERY healthy.
I know that mini schnauzers have a problem digesting fat and are prone to high cholesterol and high triglycerides (or hyperlipidemia i.e.-fat in the blood) normally. I therefore asked if Tyler's cholesterol could be elevating the other levels, causing the problem. His vet said it could-since one thing is related and effected by the other. We decided to try controlling this through reducing the fat in his diet.
As for the high steroid level--Tyler suffers from EXTREME stress when at any vets office. Cortisol (or steroid) is stored in the adrenal glands and is released in times of stress. Tyler shakes out of control-as if having a seizure. Interestingly enough, usually 2 days after a vet visit Tyler does display some Cushings symptoms. After Tyler comes off his "steroid high" he's back to normal.
So for now we're working on his diet. We are also going to do a blood draw at home--when Tyler is less stressed. Tyler is very healthy at this point. His diabetes is well controlled.
His vet did consult with Tyler's internist on the blood panel results in Oct 98. He recommended redoing the low dex test (for Cushings) and thyroid (TSH) test. However, Tyler has NONE of the symptoms associated with Cushings or Thyroid problems (either hypo or hyperthyroidism) After much research, talking to other owners and soul searching etc I have come to the decision not to allow the tests right now. As I've stated before Tyler's diabetes has been so well controlled (actually since Nov 97) I'm not prepared to possibly "mess" that up.
March 99
Tyler had his 6 month eyevet check. The fat (lipid) deposits in his eye where a lot worse than last visit. His eyevet said Tyler is "making" fat from something in his diet even though he is on a all natural, no preservative 8% fat dog food. He also said if he had that much fat in his eyes than he also had it throughout his body-which I know is true. Tyler's eyevet was surprised his glaucoma/inflammation was still under control, based on the amount of fat in his eyes. We will have to make some diet changes to try stop the progression of more fat. The fat deposits he has now, his eyevet said can't be dissolved.
April 99
Took Tyler in for his checkup. His blood panel levels were still going lower-but most the levels we have been concerned were still higher than normal. The improvement we feel maybe due to his diet change (Dr. Pitcairn's low fat diet). We will redo blood work in 6 months.
Tyler's cortisol baseline was 7.7 ug/dl --which was really better than when he was tested in Sept 98--when his cortisol was 28.8 ug/dl. To me this proves the effect of stress has on Tyler. This visit Tyler was taken right in to the exam room. In Sept we had to wait in the waiting room for at least a half-hour.
Since we put him on his new diet we have been able to drop his insulin by about 2 units a day.
Tyler went past 2 years being diabetic at the start of April. He is doing wonderful-he is feisty/spunky and as my vet said "he looks fabulous".
Aug 99
Tyler had his 6 month check up at his eyevet. I was extremely nervous. Two days before the appointment (which of course was a weekend) Tyler's left eye had become red and a little watery. We of course couldn't find the Pred-Forte, we hadn't used it for almost 2 years, and wasn't sure if the strength would be affected. However, we found it and used it for the next 2 days.
Tyler's eye appointment went EXTREMELY well. His eyevet said his eyes looked the best he had ever seen them. In fact Tyler's eye pressure was barely readable-which his eyevet couldn't believe it had never been that low before.
He also said the fat deposits hadn't progressed, in fact they didn't look as prominent. He could see more brown in Tyler's eyes also.
I had told him about the diet change and he said whatever I was doing was working for him, because he could see the difference in him.
So it was a happy day!!!
Feb 2000
Tyler had his 6 month checkup at the eyevets and he continues to do well.
His eyevet advised us to make sure when the drug store fills Tyler's Voltaren eyedrops they NEVER give us a generic. He said it has been found that the generic of both Voltaren and Ocufen has caused hemorrhaging in dogs (and humans) This must be new information, since 6 months ago he never mentioned it.
April 2000
Tyler just past his 3rd year as a diabetic!!! He is now heading towards his 4th. It is a milestone that we thought he would never get to. In a lot of ways he is healthier today than he was pre-diabetes. He's also finally lost the extra weight he needed to.
Our next challenge will be changing his insulin. He has been on NPH Iletin I since the start. Lilly discontinued this insulin about a year ago, but it has been still available. I have been buying it ahead and now have only about 5 months worth left.
I have learned a lot of valuable lessons over the last few years. On top of the list-I play a critical role in my dogs' health care. It's my responsibility to do the research and ask questions of my vet. As with a human doctor-it's ok to seek a second opinion. If you have a feeling that your animal isn't getting the correct care, and your vet is not willing to listen or work with you--then do what you need to do to get them the best care.
I've also learned the importance of having a vet who puts your animal's life above his own pride. Even though Tyler's present vet made a misdiagnosis, he knew when he was "in over his head" and referred me to an internist. He also confers with other vets on how they would provide treatment. Tyler's first vet would never admit he was wrong. In fact when we had concerns his attitude was "let me be the vet- stop reading all this information".
There has to be teamwork between you and your vet. Our vet once told me, that he has the easy part-he does what he's trained to do. We, on the other hand-live and administer care to Tyler 24 hours a day. Adjusting insulin, controlling his diet and exercise are things that can only be done on a daily basis. Your vet can give you guidelines-but only you can find the correct balance for your animal and monitor them.
Thank you for caring enough to visit Tyler's Site.
Hugs to all your furry people!
Linda and Tyler
"Thanks for visiting my web page- now you know why
everyone tells me I'm the best little puppy (and cute too!)"
P.S.-If you haven't seen my new "action" after
I went blind pictures--I think you'll agree I'm a happy little guy!
Take me to
Tyler's Action Pictures
The following pages have moved to
the Owners
of Blind Dogs site
The following page has moved to the
Pet-Diabetes site:
cajones_2000@yahoo.com
Last Date Updated
6/2/2000