by Sandra S.
My 10 year old terrier mix, Mac, was diagnosed with insulinoma in September 2012. I was just devastated. It’s like living with an ax hanging over our heads.
I researched the surgery option but decided not to put him through that as he is an excitable little guy with a great deal of separation anxiety when I’m not with him.
Our vet is great and he is being treated now with prednisone 5 mg 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the PM. I was told to feed him Science Diet LD, but he wouldn’t go near it. They suggested then Science Diet ID which he tolerates.
I boil organic chicken and mix some of it in the ID so he’ll eat it. We still can’t get his blood sugar past 39 and I KNOW this is not good. I understand the vet’s reason for suggesting Science Diet and thinks its best. We’ve been with him for 25 years and I have total faith in him, but not the food.
I am afraid to do the wrong thing if I choose an organic dog food by trying to read the label. His little treats I bake like ‘cookies’ with science diet DD.
I really need a recommendation from a knowledgeable source as to what organic food I can try to help get his blood sugar up and perhaps what organic treats would be safe. I just read that I can give him a little Ensure to help with this that won’t spike his sugar too high.
I can see he has had one or two slight seizures (he suddenly sits and looks around the ceiling as if something was flying up there. When I call his name he doesn’t answer… but in 30 seconds or so he turns around when I call his name, showing no further symptom of the episode.
I know this disease won’t end well, but I’m just desperate to find something that will help with the blood sugar. He can’t stay at 39 for long without going downhill.
Anything you can tell me that might help my little Mac would be of great help. Is organic a good way to go? I could stay on the Science Diet, but it’s not doing the job.
I have set up automatic feeding dishes that open every two hours when I’m at work, but I notice he’s not eating from them if I put his normal Science Diet food and chicken in them. In addition to food, is there anything else at all I can do for him? Feed him? Do you think the Ensure is okay? This is my first venture into organic, but after reading the label on Science Diet, it can’t be worse.
I would very much appreciate any advice you can give me. This little guy has seen me through many dark days including widowhood. I owe him whatever I can do to make him comfortable, yet keep him with me as long as possible.
Thanks very much.
Sandra