Lucy too skinny

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (Ricksma) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:46:36 PST

Dee, I don't have any suggestions, (the others have had some great ones) but I just wanted to say that when our kids get older, they do tend to lose muscle mass, and look "scrawny" as a natural age progression trait. But, if Goose is eating, then I would do what you are doing, and keep on keeping on. As always, you are on the money.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:06:19 PST

Hi Dawn, Lucy is running a bit high this week with the extra food. I only raised her .5U and didn't really expect her to adjust very quickly. I may take her up another .5U on Tuesday or Wed. and see where that takes us. Don't want to raise her too quickly and miss my mark.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (Brandy mom) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:46:45 PST

Dee

How is the Goose doing with the new diet?

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (lindsay write) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:29:16 PST

Dee, it sounds like Lucy is doing well. And - hey - I get restless, too, when food is cooking!

I think you're smart to stick with the additional food with slightly increased insulin to cover everything. It's true that Jenny's B/G didn't change when I added whole wheat pasta and bread to her diet. But she was much bigger than the Goose at around 65-75 pounds while she had diabetes. And don't forget that everyone's metabolisms/body chemistry are different, so what works for one won't work for another.

But it's definitely worth a try.

Goose is a big eater, right? If you want to stray from W/D, have you checked the dog food meant for senior dogs or "weight management"? They're lower in protein and higher in fiber. I know you want to increase Goose's weight so those diets may not make any sense. But I'm thinking that since she's got such a great appetite, she might eat even more of it but won't...

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (Johanna13) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:33:14 PST

Hummmm Isn't that called joint custody?

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (rhodesian46) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:25:29 PST

I still say that the goose can come for a visit!!!Maybe spend 6 mos with you and 6 mos with me??

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:58:51 PST

No, not an additional shot...never! I've increased her by only a .5 U to accomodate the food increase. I meant 6.5 U AGAIN- since I started this yesterday morning. I was thinking I may have to take that up another .5U but for now I'm leaving it to see what she does with it. So far good, but she may run a bit high in a day or two after the body realizes how much more food it has to deal with. I'm just checking her today off and on. She seems restless this morning but it may be because I was cooking breakfast for us.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (Johanna13) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:07 PST

Dee was the 6.5U a increase in insulin or a additional shot?
I only ask this because you said"Ate a ton of breakfast and had another 6.5U????

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:08:42 PST

I did check out some of the premium puppy foods and all are packed with massive amounts of protein! That won't work for the diabetic senior dog. Jac, how interesting that the whole wheat pasta and bread didn't effect bgs. in Jenny. Really? That is something I can do if this doesn't pan out. Actually, she seems good just getting more of her normal diet and 1/2U increase in insulin. I think I'll stick with this for a few days and see how it goes.

Her bg. this morning was 238, perfect! for a fasting reading for the goose. Ate a ton of breakfast and had another 6.5U and is happily snoozing on her big dog bed with mommas all around. Thanks for the ideas.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (lindsay write) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:29:31 PST

I agree with Jerri - older dogs often lose weight, just like a lot of older people. It's probably normal for the Goose at this stage in her life but, of course, we can't help but worry! Your extra food idea sounds like it's working, she's satisfied and if the B/G's don't run amok, everything is fine.

When Jenny lost weight, vet suggested adding whole wheat bread and whole wheat pasta to her meals. It didn't seem to affect her B/G and I didn't adjust insulin but she definitely gained weight. Could have been coincidence, though, since she was just plain feeling better all around at that time.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (Johanna13) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:22:02 PST

Dee
I agree with Barbara if you want to put some meat on the goose.
I just told Jody in her post about the dog she is caring for that she also wants to fatten up...
Puppy food will help you do that....
Just be careful of the fat content with Lucy's ability to get Pancreatitis in a blink....

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:15:39 PST

Thanks, that is a thought Barbara. I'll look into that. I'm not quite up on the puppy foods and their content as I haven't had a puppy in over 13 years and even then I wasn't quite into reading labels. But it's an idea and I'll check it out- thank you.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (Aprilgirlsmom) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:09:09 PST

Just a thought , but could you add some puppy food because of its higher caloric content maybe even a large breed type so it doesnt have too much extra protein to put stress on the kidneys..I really don't know much about the w/d as I kept April on Merricks and Natures logic with the boiled chicken and rice..the Evo was too rich for her and she would end up with jurassic poo under my bed (how a german shepherd could do that I will never understand) her butt barely fit under there.LOL

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:00:34 PST

HA!!!! I knew I'd get to you Marianne. Well you'll all be happy to know that 2 things happened today.

1) I added to her food, instead of 3/4 C, she got 1 1/4C of the chicken, rice, and veggie, plus 3 heaping tsps. of the W/D. I put plenty of warm broth on it and Lucy ate every crumb and licked the bowl for 10 minutes, the floor near the bowl, and the wall near the bowl. Her tummy was bulging like a starving child in Biafra.

Instead of 6U, I gave her 6.5 U of insulin. These are her numbers for today (just spot checks, no curve yet)

fasting 7:15am 247 food/6.5U
10:00 am 179
1:30 pm 93 snack, 1/2 chx.tender
3:00 pm 112
6:00 pm 187

2) Here's the interesting thing. At 12:00 when she is usually begging for food, she never even came into the kitchen. At 1:15, she meandered in and got a little drink of water,...

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (rhodesian46) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:33:28 PST

I am coming to get " Gummie" Dee!!!! She needs her Aunt Marianne!! I WILL PUT SOME MEAT ON HER BONES!!

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (mommytoNash) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:29:03 PST

Dee, I remember you saying you had to adjust Lucy's insulin 'down' after the teeth cleaning, because her numbers kept shooting down. So, I think you're on the right path by adding more food, and adjusting the insulin as needed. But, maybe the W/D isn't the best thought for her. I would certainly talk to Dr. Rick. You've always been thrilled with her in the past.

Let us know how things go. Poor baby, cold in California. Thank God she doesn't live in Michigan.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (pug) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:27:31 PST

Too bad that we as humans didn't lose weight as eaily. Feed Lucy, she's a pug after all, and as we discussed earlier, a beautiful one.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (angelsissy) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:32:36 PST

Wasting is s very common occurrence in elderly dogs. Just one more thing to deal with.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:47:51 PST

Wow , what a thought Dawn. Hmm, some good deep thinking. Maybe she isn't getting all the nutrition she needs. I think I'll call Dr, Rick tomorrow and see what he thinks. Will let you know.

Re: Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:46:13 PST

Tonight my girl will eat!! She does clean her bowl Johanna, but you know Lucy, she's never left as much as a grain of rice. She always acts hungry at mealtime, like she's famished, but seems satisfied after she finishes eating. I wouldn't let her go hungry! I'll just dust off the meter and let her eat till her hearts content. (HA!- knew that would get to you Marianne, and no, you can't have her!!).

Lucy too skinny

feeds@yuku.com (debbuna) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:48:46 PST

Despite everything else seeming to be ok, Lucy has lost more weight. She has had a sweater on nearly all the time now but this morning we have a fire going and Lucy loves to have her bed near the heat and I took her sweater off and noticed right away she has lost more weight. She just looks so gaunt...if you can describe a dog that way. Wasted muscles maybe --but I did weigh her and she is down a full pound to 10 pounds.

I want to give her more food and then adjust insulin to match. What do you think? I would like to just increase the W/D by another Tbsp. at each feeding and increase the chicken a tiny bit. Anything else that could help her maintain her weight? You know how she loves to eat and never misses a drop of food. I was thinking of asking Dr. Rick to change from the W/D (weight management formula) to another one but am afraid to go too far off of what she's getting now.