Diabetic dog, any idea of the cost?

Tribulation

He nearly died tonight

Had a massive fit that lasted for 5 mins. I squirted glucose in his mouth as my wife called the vets, but while he was still breathing, he was motionless.

We got him to the vets, he had another fit on the floor and the vet put him straight onto a glucose drip and did a blood test.

His sugar levels were massively too low.

The vet was just starting the talk about how he didn't know how our dog would recover from his fits, when he suddenly lifted his head up and did a little woof. 5 mins later he was trying to stand up

He's being kept in overnight and tomorrow (just got back) and his blood levels monitored all day and they are going to lower the insulin dose.

I honestly thought he wasn't coming home, scared the life out of me.

Tribulation

Not looking very good

Have just had a phone calls from the vets.

He's still fitting even though his levels are now normal. They're running more tests but it doesn't look very hopeful

janeys

Im so sorry to hear that. I hope your dog is ok and please keep us posted. You must have got a terrible fright, good luck and big hugs.

Tribulation

I'm not holding up much hope

The vets just phoned and said he's not looking good at all and if he doesn't pick up, isn't sure that leaving him in that state for a further 24 hrs is a very kind thing to do. He said that there's definitely something more than the diabetes going on.

I said that I can get down at 5pm to come and see him, the vet suggested I come at the end of surgery, I'm not stupid, I know why he said that

foreign_correspondent

oh, I am so sorry to hear that - such a sad time for you, he sounds wonderful, golden retrievers are such fabulous dogs - and much as I know it doesnt help any, 13 is a good age.

All I can do is tell you others have been through it and we know what it's like, so please feel free to talk to us - we will understand!

fc x

Tribulation

We all just cuddled him as he was put to sleep

He was unconscious and continually fitting.

At least he's at peace now

foreign_correspondent

Tribulation, I am so sorry, wish there was something I could do, but grief is just one of these things that takes its own time. When my last dog died I was surprised by the intensity of my feelings - I cried for a week, I cried myself to sleep, I think I even cried in the supermarket!!

However, please take comfort in the fact that he had a good long life with you, and lived and died surrounded by people who loved him - dogs are creatures of few needs really - food, love, warmth and exercise and they are totally content - sadly many dogs do not have those all their life, however, it sounds like your dog did - he was a lucky boy to have you.

What was he called? (my gran, who lived next door had a golden retriever when I was little -he was called Bob!)

Tribulation

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

What was he called? (my gran, who lived next door had a golden retriever when I was little -he was called Bob!)

He was called Fred.

He had a great life, right up to his 13th birthday 3 weeks ago he was still full of beans and people always commented on how he still behaves like a puppy and is so well and healthy.

It was as though he reached 13 and a switch was flicked.

I'm quite a strong person usually, can hide emotions pretty well. Took my wife and teenagers to the vets to say good bye, My daughter was (and still is) in tears. My son, wife and me, while upset, were keeping it in. Then I saw him and guess who burst out crying like a 2 year old, me.

janeys

So sorry to hear of Fred's passing. It is amazing what an effect dogs have on your life. I remember as a teenager taking our dog to the vet with my father (who was a 'stiff upper lip' Royal Marine). My father was in pieces, I never realised he loved our dog so much. It made my father seem more 'human' and made it easier for us children to grieve.

Its a sad time and my thoughts are with you and yours.

tummy_tank

So sorry to hear of Fred's passing. Reading your posts reminded me of my experience and it was 3 years nearly but i still think of my boy and the joy he gave me. The end was at the vets similar to what happened to Fred but i still have photo's round the house to remind me of our 14 years together. It's really tough but all of us here are with you in thoughts