Can Diabetic Dogs Use Rimadyl?

Prior to Zekes cataract surgery he was laying around and acting depressed.  I thought it was because he had lost his eyesight.  Zeke's diabetes had made him blind due to cataracts almost immediately after he was diagnosed in July 2007.     Once Zeke had cataract surgery in January 2008 the veterinary opthamologist put him on Rimadyl to reduce swelling in his eyes.  He immediately started acting alot perkier and  I thought it was because he was so happy he got his eyesight back.  

Zeke had been on 25mg of Rimadyl twice a day.  Ten days 10 days after the surgery Zeke deveoped some stomach issues from the Rimadyl so the veterinarian took Zeke off of the Rimadyl and I noticed he was not as perky as he had been.  It was then that I realized that Zeke probably had arthritis and was benefitting from the Rimadyl.  After a few days the stomach problems resolved and we put Zeke back on 25mg once a day.  He did well on that dose and seemed perky and happy.  He has been on Rimadyl about 4 years now and is doing well.

Years ago I had an older arthritic dog that we had tried the Rimadyl on and it did not do anything at all for her.  After 3 or 4 months we discontinued it.   So every dog is different.

Zeke The Diabetic Dog Turns 15 On Dec 1, 2011

I am so happy to report that Zeke turned 15 on Dec. 1, 2011. He is really doing well overall. We recently took Zeke to his vet for a routine glucose check.   He was high at 400 so we increased his NPH to 15 frm 14. A few weeks later his vet checked his glucose level.   It was 168 and his vet was happy with it so we will keep him at 15 units and check him in another month or so.

Zeke was diagnosed in July 2007.  At the time I was very worried and thought his lifespan would be shortened.  By with the excellent veterinary care and medications he has received he is living a full and normal life by dog standards.

Update on Zeke

I am glad to report that Zeke is doing well with his diabetes.  With the last batch of Vetsulin that I purchased through the Critical Need Program I had to increase his Vetsulin dosage to 15.   When I check his urine with the Bayer diastix he measures at exactly the middle of the stick when it is time for his next injection so for Zeke this is perfect.  Whenever I start a new vial of Vetsulin I am always careful about giving Zeke more than the 14 units that his veterinarian prescribes.  It takes me a few days to a week to get the right dose and then after another week or two that vial is empty and I start the process all over again.  This is because of the strength of the Vetsulin being inconsistent which is the reason that the FDA banned Vetsulin from being sold in the US in November of 2009.  Fortunately they have allowed it again only for diabetic dogs who cannot be regulated with any other type of insulin.

So with all of the animals healthy I have started my Christmas shopping and of course that includes presents for both of the dogs and the cat.  Our other dog is 13 and 1/2 year old Baile.  He is a Rottweiler Doberman mix and other than some arthritis he has no health problems.   I was doing some online shopping the other day and came across some great pet beds and pet toys at become.com.   I was also looking at new pet carriers for our cat.  After a while I got confused by all of the choices and decided to save the task for another day.








 

Vetsulin Critical Need Program - Second Order of Vetsulin Received

I recently received my second order of Vetsulin through the Vetsulin Criticial Need program. This time I purchased 3 vials and the cost with UPS overnight shipping was about $140. The Vetsulin arrived 2 days after my veterinarian ordered it for me just like it did last time.


I have always had to monitor Zekes glucose output in his urine with Bayer Diastix which are urine dip sticks that tell you how much sugar is being put out in the dogs urine. With the Vetsulin I am obtaining through the Vetsulin Critical Need program there does seem to be the difference in strength between the vials like there always was before The only difference is now we know it is because of the inconsistency of strength in the Vetsulin itself.


When Zeke measures high for glucose on the Diastix I adjust his Vetsulin dose up a half or whole unit,. If he measures negative for glucose when it is time for his next Vetsulin injection then I lower his dose by a half unit or a whole unit.

As always I take Zeke to his veterinarian about every month or two to have his blood glucose checked. Zeke is one of those diabetic dogs who seems to always either be a little too low or a little too high when the vet checks his blood glucose levels.

Top 10 Dog Diabetes Online Resources

I have done alot of online research on dog diabetes so that I can educate myself on how to manage Zekes' dog diabetes.  Below are some websites that I feel are very helpful and contain alot of information on dog diabetes.

K9 Diabetes (great forum on dog diabetes)

Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM

Vet Info Dog Diabetes

Pet Diabetes

Pets Web MD

Diabetes in Dogs

Washington State Univ Veterinary College

Merck Vet Manual

Pets With Diabetes Forum

Canine Diabetes

Have you come across some great online resources for managing your dogs diabetes?  If so please feel free to post them in the comments below.