In June/08 I found Bella, a ten year old blind pug at a rescue online. A week later I picked her up, and fell totally in love by the time I arrived back home, a six hour car trip. Bella had been owned by one person since puppyhood, but when she lost her sight, he left her off at a rescue, apparently completely unconcerned with her fate.
It took some time for her to acclimatize here with no sight and 7 sibling pugs, but adapt she did. In Sept/08 she stopped eating regualrly (alarming for a pug) and blood tests and a liver biopsy confirmed CAH, Chronic Active Hepatitis. After specialized diets, and meds she rallied and had a good Christmas, and then in early January/09 the same symptoms re-ocurred. Back to the vet, but this time it was confirmed my beautiful Bella was diabetic. She was in severe keto-acidosis, and after 2 IV series, she was back to reasonable health once again, but diabetic.
I have had experience with giving injections etc, so that part was easy. What I was not prepared for was the absolute imcompetency of my vet. She did not know about home blood testing, and I ended up showing her about it instead of the other way around. She actually told me at one point "Joan most people don't want to spend the last few days of their pets llife giving them meds, you should let her go" I decided I would much rather let HER go! That was over a year ago!!
Today, with the help of friends found online, Bella is bouncing with good health. I tell people, yes she is a diabetic and so????? She loves life, eats well, and does not let the diabetes, blindness, or the liver issues slow her down. Don't ever think it was easy or quick....Bella was a real bear to regulate, complicated somewhat by her liver disease, and many times of wondering if she would ever settle into a good pattern of glucose control.
But eventually she did, and it was worth every single thing that we both went through. We were helped along the waywith medical issues, and moral support by diabetic forums and friends. Eventually I did find, on my third try, a knowledgable vet, who confirmed all the info I had gathered here.
Wonderfully and miraculously, despite all my mis-steps and mistakes Bella has thrived, and we are looking forward to many more years of good health, happiness and most of all sharing with our friends here. I encourage you to persevere, accept the help offered here, and beat this thing called Diabetes.
Pug Hugs from Bella and I
It took some time for her to acclimatize here with no sight and 7 sibling pugs, but adapt she did. In Sept/08 she stopped eating regualrly (alarming for a pug) and blood tests and a liver biopsy confirmed CAH, Chronic Active Hepatitis. After specialized diets, and meds she rallied and had a good Christmas, and then in early January/09 the same symptoms re-ocurred. Back to the vet, but this time it was confirmed my beautiful Bella was diabetic. She was in severe keto-acidosis, and after 2 IV series, she was back to reasonable health once again, but diabetic.
I have had experience with giving injections etc, so that part was easy. What I was not prepared for was the absolute imcompetency of my vet. She did not know about home blood testing, and I ended up showing her about it instead of the other way around. She actually told me at one point "Joan most people don't want to spend the last few days of their pets llife giving them meds, you should let her go" I decided I would much rather let HER go! That was over a year ago!!
Today, with the help of friends found online, Bella is bouncing with good health. I tell people, yes she is a diabetic and so????? She loves life, eats well, and does not let the diabetes, blindness, or the liver issues slow her down. Don't ever think it was easy or quick....Bella was a real bear to regulate, complicated somewhat by her liver disease, and many times of wondering if she would ever settle into a good pattern of glucose control.
But eventually she did, and it was worth every single thing that we both went through. We were helped along the waywith medical issues, and moral support by diabetic forums and friends. Eventually I did find, on my third try, a knowledgable vet, who confirmed all the info I had gathered here.
Wonderfully and miraculously, despite all my mis-steps and mistakes Bella has thrived, and we are looking forward to many more years of good health, happiness and most of all sharing with our friends here. I encourage you to persevere, accept the help offered here, and beat this thing called Diabetes.
Pug Hugs from Bella and I
