Do pets get diabetes?

The answer is – YES. Dogs and cats can develop diabetes. Luckily, treatment is available.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin (Type I) or is unable to effectively use the insulin is does produce (Type II). In either case, serious health disturbances result.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, necessary for processing blood sugar (glucose). Without insulin, blood sugar passes into the urine, rather than being used by body tissues.

When body tissues are starved for sugar, they begin to break down and no longer function normally, resulting in:

• cataracts


• skin sores and infections


• urinary and respiratory infections


• pancreatitis


• neuropathy


• vomiting and dehydration


• coma and death

The kidneys, liver, heart, and nervous system can also suffer as a result of diabetes.

Type I diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and is often seen in older, overweight female dogs and in cats.

Type II diabetes, also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is often seen in cats, but is rare in dogs.

What signs should I look for in my pet?

• excessive thirst and urination


• weight loss


• poor appetite


• weakness, inactivity


• vomiting


• dandruff and unkempt appearance (scruffy coat)


• muscle wasting


• 
  plantigrade stance in cats (see photo)
  
  
  
  
  

  Click to enlarge. Photo by Jennifer Miele.

  
  
  
  

What causes diabetes?

• genetic predisposition


• viral infection


• pancreatitis and other diseases


• hormone-type drugs


• obesity

Is there a cure?
No, diabetes is not curable, but it can be controlled.

What kind of treatment is available?
Insulin injections and a specialized diet are indicated for Type I diabetes. You will learn how to give your pet its insulin injections at home. You may also need to monitor its blood sugar and urine sugar levels.

Type II diabetic patients may require a specialized diet and feeding schedule, along with blood sugar monitoring.

Nearly all diabetic patients require some amount of exercise, and female patients should be spayed to prevent hormone fluctuations from disturbing blood sugar levels.

As for diet, low carbohydrate, low fat, high fiber, high protein diets work best. Your pet’s veterinarian or vet specialist will recommend a suitable diet to manage glucose levels and weight. Hill’s Pet Nutrition has formulated m/d, r/d, and w/d to address various issues concerning diabetic dogs and cats.

Will pet insurance help me manage the cost of treatment?
Yes.*  In fact Veterinary Pet Insurance reported in 2010 that its fifth most common health claim for cats was diabetes. In 2011, diabetes dropped to number six on the list, but still represented a large number of claims.
*Important: if your pet is diagnosed with diabetes before you sign up for pet insurance, it is considered a pre-existing condition and may not be covered. Pet health insurance is best started when your pet is young and healthy.

Note: The information above is a partial explanation of diabetes, its symptoms, and treatment. There are other types of diabetes that are not mentioned here.
This article is not a substitute for medical care. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. If you believe your pet has an illness, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian today.

*******************************************************************
Resources:
Hill’s Pet Nutrition publication
Instructions for Veterinary Clients
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary
Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice
The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult

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Holiday Dangers for Pets

The holidays are here!  And while this is a joyous time of year, we need to be aware that there can be added dangers for our pets this time of year.  Here is a list of some common things that can pose a threat to our four-legged friends around the holidays. 

Food

• 
  Chocolate-  Most people are aware that chocolate is toxic to pets.  Dogs are most susceptible since they are known to eat just about anything.  The toxins in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine.  The darker and richer the chocolate (Baker’s chocolate), the higher the risk of poisoning.  Milk chocolate is the least toxic.  The toxins in chocolate stimulate the central nervous system, increase urine output and cause a rapid heartbeat.  The animal may vomit and have diarrhea, may become very thirsty, become restless and hyperactive.  This may progress to a lack of coordination, tremors and seizures.  In some cases coma and death are the outcome. 

   

• 
   Xylitol- Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugarless gum, candies and baked goods.  It is highly toxic to pets.  It causes a rapid decrease in blood sugar and signs usually seen are vomiting, weakness, ataxia (lack of coordination), depression, seizures, coma and liver dysfunction and/or liver failure. 

         

• 
  Grapes and raisins- This is most common in dogs but has been reported in cats as well.  Dogs develop vomiting and/or diarrhea.  You may also notice loss of appetite, weakness, abdominal pain, excessive thirst and dehydration and tremors.  Kidney failure usually develops and usually ends in death. 

 

• 
  Fatty meat scraps and other fatty foods- while dogs may love these scraps, they aren’t used to eating them all the time, and they can sure cause problems.  Human food is a lot richer than dog food.  It is not uncommon for dogs who get table scraps to not want to eat dog food.  Most veterinary clinics see a rise in the cases of gastroenteritis and pancreatitis after the holidays.  Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, which is a gland that secretes enzymes into the intestines for the digestion of foods.  It also manufactures insulin. Pancreatitis is often seen in an animal who has gotten into the trash, or eaten a large amount of fatty table scraps.  Signs you often see are an animal with a very painful abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and sometimes death.   One case in particular I remember seeing a few days after Christmas was a very sick labrador retriever who had gotten in the trash and eaten scraps of all kinds but also tin foil and the skin from a country ham.  The dog died from a case of acute necrotizing pancreatitis, also called hemorrhagic pancreatitis. 

    

•  Macadamia Nuts- these nuts are toxic to dogs.  Dogs may vomit and show weakness, become depressed, and uncoordinated.  You may also see a fever and tremors. 

Plants

• 
  Holly- the berries and leaves of this plant can be moderately to very toxic.  Signs usually seen are vomiting and diarrhea, depression, and abdominal pain. 

• 
  Mistletoe-  all parts of this plant are highly toxic, especially the berries.  Signs seen are vomiting, profuse diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, dilated pupils, shock and death from cardiovascular collapse.

• 
  Poinsettia- The poinsettia plant is not as toxic as once thought.  But the milky sap can be very irritating.  The sap irritates the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach and you usually will see drooling, vomiting, but not death.

• 
  Lilies-  Most varieties of lilies are toxic to cats and can cause them to go into kidney failure. 

Alcoholic beverages-  There is nothing funny or entertaining in feeding a dog alcohol.  Most people are aware of alcohol poisoning in humans.  It can happen in animals too, and it doesn’t take much in a small cat or dog.  The animal experiences a dangerous drop in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature.  You may see vomiting, diarrhea, ataxia, drooling, depression and tremors.  The animal may have seizures and respiratory failure and coma. 

Bones-  Bones can be very dangerous when animals ingest them, especially poultry bones which can splinter easily.  They can cause gastrointestinal tears, obstructions, punctures, and inflammation.  Signs usually seen are vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and death.

Batteries-   Be very careful about leaving batteries for all those Christmas toys and electronics lying around under the Christmas tree.  Puppies are known to like to play with batteries.  Chewing on batteries can cause acid burns in the mouth as well as physical damage from the jagged metal from the battery.  Button batteries can cause esophageal obstruction as well as ulcers in the esophagus.  Small batteries can also pose a choking hazard.  Signs of an obstruction include vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and unsuccessful attempts to defecate.  The tongue, mucous membranes of the mouth, stomach, and esophagus may get burns. 

Holiday decorations

• 
  Tinsel/Garland and ribbon-  Cats and kittens love to play with shiny objects.  If chewed on and swallowed, these objects can become lodged in the intestines where they cause the intestines to bunch up, which causes intestinal obstruction, making surgery a necessity.  I would recommend not having any icicle type tinsel in the house if you have pets, particularly cats and kittens. 

   

• 
  Electrical cords- young animals, especially puppies and kittens will chew on electrical cords and can suffer electrocution.  Always hide or cover your cords.  You can also try spraying the cord with a bitter-tasting pet repellant (like bitter apple).   I might also mention that certain exotic pets, especially rabbits and other rodents, and ferrets love to chew on cords. 

• 
  Glass ornaments- I have a cat who loves to walk by the Christmas tree and swat at any low-hanging ornaments within his reach.  One year he knocked some glass ornaments off the tree and batted them through the living room to the dining room where they hit the leg of the dining room table and shattered.  While he wasn’t hurt, it could have been a disaster waiting to happen.  Shards of glass can injure paws and worse yet, if ingested can slice the G.I. tissues.  Keep glass ornaments out of reach of pets. 

                                                          

• 
  Angel hair-  Angel hair is spun glass.  It can be very irritating to the eyes and skin and can produce an intestinal obstruction if ingested.

• 
  Christmas tree- the ingestion of pine needles can upset the digestive tract and cause vomiting and diarrhea.  Keep dead pine needles swept up.  Also some cats like to climb the Christmas tree and can knock it over.  If pets are around, don’t add preservatives or fertilizers to the Christmas tree water as this seems to be a favorite place to drink for a lot of dogs and cats.  Also make sure that the water doesn’t become stagnant, as it often will. 

Have a safe and happy Christmas holiday and remember to watch out for the four-legged members of the family! 

Gail ♥

  



Holiday Hazards For Pets From ‘Behavior Dogtor’ Dr. Rachel Malamed - CBS Los Angeles

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STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Should the host’s pet be a guest at a dinner party?

Dr. Rachel Malamed stopped by KCAL9 Friday to talk about the holiday hazard for pets and how to pet proof the house.

These are the tips she shared:

Table scraps

• Mother was right; don’t feed the dog under the table. Fat, gravies, rich meats, and other savory table scraps can be very dangerous for your pets, particularly dogs. It’s not unusual for dogs to come down with a life-threatening disease called pancreatitis after being offered too many “treats” by misguided, but loving, owners or after the animal has raided the garbage following a holiday feast. Pancreatitis causes profuse vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and in servere cases, death. Bring your dog into the veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has pancreatitis.

Candy

• There are a number of things in candy that is bad for pets, but among the worst is the wrapper. Dogs and cats won’t bother to un-wrap the candy, they’ll just swallow it, and the wrapper can cause an intestinal blockage. In fact, animals have been known to eat the wrapper by itself, because it smells good, and get a blockage. Keep candy out of a pets’ reach, and clean up those delicious wrappers.

Decorative injuries

• Your pets may enjoy seeing the new decorations in your home as much as you do.  Trees to climb, garland to hang from, extension cords to chew—the introduction of festive decor can cause potential injuries.  In a house with pets, a good method of avoiding tree climbing injuries for pets is to mount the Christmas tree to the ceiling or wall very securely using fishing line.  Hide extension cords away and don’t let your pets near them, along with other decorations.

Tasty decorations

• Some decorations are so pretty that they look good enough to eat.  Unfortunately, dogs and cats often take this sentiment literally.  Cats often eat tinsel, leading to severe intestinal problems that could require surgery.  Potpourri smells wonderful and people love to use it to  create  holiday ambiance.  Unfortunately, it smells so good that pets have been known to drink from the potpourri pot or even eat the wet, fragrant wood chips.  This can make an animal sick.

Flowers and plants

• Many times we put out new plants, flowers or trimmings, depending on the holiday, and these can be poisonous and deadly.  For example, poinsettias and mistletoe, common in Christmas celebrations, are dangerous if swallowed by a dog.  Don’t let your pet eat Christmas tree needles and don’t add any toxic chemicals to your Christmas tree water, because your pet may decide to take a drink under the tree.

Sugar-free snacks

• Xylitol is a common artificial sweetener in baked goods and sugar-free gum and candy.  It’s also poisonous for dogs.  It can be deadly, particularly if the animal gets into a lot of it, or it’s a small dog.  Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs includes depression, loss of coordination and seizures, and they can start in as little as 30 minutes after the animal has ingested the sweetener.  This is another reason to make sure you keep your pets away from holiday treats, table scraps and candy.

Chocolate

• Chocolate is a big part of many holiday celebrations, but not for pets.  The chemical that is poisonous to dogs is in the cocoa of chocolate, theobromine, so the darker the chocolate the deadlier. Be wary of pets sniffing around the new and popular extra-dark chocolates. Baking chocolate has by far the most theobromine, and can be deadly in small amounts.  Symptoms of theobromine poisoning can set in in just a couple hours, so call your veterinarian immediately if you discover your pet has consumed chocolate.  Save the wrappers of any chocolates consumed, because your veterinarian will want to know how much your pooch has consumed.

Guests

• Many pets can become downright panicked when faced with a lot of new visitors.  Some dogs and cats can become so upset that they can do damage your furniture and walls, themselves or your guest.  If you know your pet is uneasy about houseguests and you have some friends coming over, don’t not panic; consult with your veterinarian to find a solution.

Candles

• A lit candle can provide a real hazard.  Your animals could knock it down and set their fur, or your home, on fire.  Never leave a pet alone with a lit candle.

Pets as presents

• The American Veterinary Medical Association advises against giving pets as presents, because the recipient doesn’t have the opportunity to have an active role in selecting the animal … or the opportunity to consider the responsibilities of owning that particular pet.  Pets need healthy food, exercise, love, training, attention, and they need regular veterinary visits to keep them healthy and free of pain and distress.  Rather than giving a living pet on a busy holiday where the noise and activity may cause them distress, consider giving a “certificate” entitling them to help select a pet or wrap a water bowl or other item the new pet will need.

For more information, visit Behavior Dogtor.

Pancreatitis, A Common Holiday Danger for Pets

Thanksgiving is traditionally a holiday of giving – giving thanks for all we have, giving turkey, gravy, pies and other goodies to family and friends. With the abundance of food, it’s natural to want to show our love towards our cats and dogs by sharing some of the bounty. What better way to indulge our beloved pets than by sharing our food?

Most “people” food is not harmful to our four-legged friends, but moderation is the key! Small amounts of turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes and green beans are fine – large amounts can cause anything from stomach upset and vomiting, to diarrhea or worse. What can be worse?

Pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas and is very painful. If not treated promptly, it can even be fatal. There are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood of your pet developing pancreatitis, but during the holiday season, the typical reason is being too generous with the holiday feast, as high levels of fat are a trigger. Other factors include: age – middle-aged animals are more prone, obesity, a high-fat diet, some medications, and past cases of Pancreatitis.

Symptoms to look for:

• Refusal to eat


• Dehydration


• Lethargy


• Vomiting


• Diarrhea (often yellow)


• Distended stomach


• A hunched posture when standing or walking

If you suspect Pancreatitis, rush your pet to the vet, don’t wait. It is extremely painful and can be fatal.

If it’s suspected your dog is suffering from Pancreatitis, your vet will diagnose by doing blood work, an ultrasound and/or x-rays and a physical examination. Typically, liver enzymes are elevated. Treatment includes I.V. fluids, withholding food, and pain medications. Expect your pet to have to stay at least overnight, and possibly for a couple of days. Once recovered, future prognosis is fairly good, but there may be further complications – diabetes can develop as a result, and your pet will now be more prone to developing Pancreatitis, so will need to be on a low-fat diet for the rest of its life.

It’s up to us to protect our pets, even from our own kindness. It’s fine to share the goodies – just do it in moderation and spread it out over a few days rather than giving a huge feast at once. Mix it with your pet’s normal food instead of giving a bowlful of food your pet is not accustomed to eating. Your pet will appreciate the change of pace, and you can rest assured that your pet will get through the holidays without a medical emergency.

About Deb Runyan

Deb Runyan loves animals, especially dogs. She is a graduate of Fairmont State University and did her graduate work at Marshall University. Deb is actively involved with dog rescue, she’s the Donation Director of her rescue and often has foster dogs living in her home. She lives in Michigan with her family and their 4 dogs.

Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats: Digestive Enzymes Can Help Pets Digest Fat Better

 Lypozyme For Pets

If your dog or cat has pancreatitis, diabetes, PLE or elevated liver enzymes, it is essential that you give your pet special enzymes that help break down protein and fat while increasing absorption of nutrients. Pets with these health conditions, especially, must be on an enzyme that helps them digest their food.  Cats and dogs with pancreatitis are very sensitive to fats in their diet.  Using the Lypozyme enables them to eat a reasonable amount of fat without discomfort.

Symptoms of poor digestion related to fat absorption can include gas, bloating, swollen abdomen and elevated pancreatitic enzymes. Lypozyme for Pets is a a veterinary-approved, easy-to-use digestive enzyme that is well tolerated by cats and dogs. Great for even tiny pets. The powdered contents in the pill can be sprinkled directly into the foods and pets don’t seem to notice the taste. This is a must for pets with pancreatitis, diabetes and elevated liver enzymes.

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Holiday Cheer

December 19, 2009 in Uncategorized | Tags: holiday pets illnesses pancreatitis gastroenteritis colitis anthropomorphize | Leave a comment

With the holidays upon us, I just wanted to remind all pet owners to be vigilant in preventing DOGsasters and CATastrophies. Every pet owner is a Jewish mother at heart, but giving in to those instincts can result in serious illnesses. Offering our pets holiday food, meats, sweets, and whatever else might “fall from the table”, can result in such diseases as pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, colitis, and even intestinal obstruction, all potentially life threatening problems. Little wonder that the busiest times of the year for veterinarians are holidays. So my fellow pet lovers, do your pets and yourselves a favor and do not give in to your primal urges to further anthropomorphize them by feeding them your own high fat, high calorie diet. This way, I can spend my professional time saving the lives of those other unfortunate pets that have had the misfortune of colliding with a Mack Truck or some other calamity. Happy and Healthy holidays to all my fellow pet lovers.

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Pancreatitis in Pets

As most things around here are, the Fourth of July was full of adventure and pet health. Lizzi, unfortunately was feeling under the weather all day. She was lethargic, wouldn’t eat, dehydrated, had a very bloated tummy, and just felt down. We hoped it was nothing major, but when she felt bad this morning, I knew it was time for the vet.

After lots of blood work, x rays, and other tests, it looks like Lizzi likely has pancreatitis – an inflammation and swelling of the pancreas.

The exact cause is unknown, but in dogs, obese middle age to older animals have a higher incidence, as do females. Even though exact causes are not known, there are identifiable risk factors. Here are some potential risk factors:

• Hyperlipidemia (high fat content in blood)


• High fat meal (trigger for hyperlipidemia)


• Obesity


• Concurrent disease – i.e. Cushing’s, Diabetes Mellitus


• Contaminated food or water


• Certain drugs and toxins – i.e. some types of diuretics, antibiotics, and organophosphate insecticide


• Bacterial or viral infection

What are the signs of pancreatitis?
The signs can vary from mild gastrointestinal upset to collapse and death. Most animals present with common gastrointestinal signs of upset, such as:

• Vomiting


• Not eating


• Painful abdomen, hunched appearance (more common in dogs


• Fever or below-normal body temperature
  


• Diarrhea


• Depression


• Dehydration, evaluated by noting sunken eyes, dry mouth, and increased skin turgor (skin tents when pinched)

If you suspect something is going on with your pet, get them checked out. Lizzi will be in the hospital on IVs and antibiotics all weekend to get her back in shape. We hope you never have to experience, but if you do, hopefully these warning signs will help you out!

Source: http://vetmedicine.about.com/

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Fur the Love of Pets

Recently, I highlighted a common pancreatic disorder in dogs, pancreatitis. The following day, the New York Times ”Well Pet” blog wrote about a much less common, but equally serious pancreatic disorder, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The article focuses on EPI in dogs, but cats also can suffer from this disease.

Pancreatic function

The pancreas has two main functions: first to produce the hormone insulin to control blood sugar and second to produce digestive enzymes. Production of insulin is the pancreas’ endocrine function and production of digestive enzymes is an exocrine function. Deficiency of insulin is called diabetes.

Deficiency of the digestive enzymes has a much more descriptive name – exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

What a cat with EPI looks like

The classic cat with EPI is skinny, greasy, and has bad diarrhea. The absence of digestive enzymes prevents the gastrointestinal tract from breaking food down into it components, and if they are not broken down, the nutrients cannot be absorbed. If your cat has this disorder, he will eat lots of food and lose weight rapidly. Cats with EPI are greasy because they cannot digest fats without pancreatic enzymes and all the undigested fat in their stool gives them nasty diarrhea.

The causes of feline EPI

This disorder is thought to be inherited in certain dog breeds, most commonly German shepherds. Cats never want to be like dogs. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in cats does not appear to have a genetic component and is more likely to be the result of chronic damage to the pancreas from long standing pancreatitis. These cats may also be diabetic if the pancreatic damage is severe enough to prevent production of both digestive enzymes and insulin.

Testing the skinny cat

When I see a cat with weight loss, I commonly collect blood for what The Animal Medical Center (AMC) calls a GI panel. This quartet of tests looks at the digestive function of the pancreas and small intestine. One of the tests measures trypsin-like immunoreactivity and is the diagnostic test of choice for feline EPI. Another important test on this panel measures vitamin B12 or cobalamin. A study of feline EPI cases at The AMC and Purdue University found all cats with EPI were deficient in this important vitamin.

Replacement therapy

Once lost, the pancreas do not typically regain exocrine pancreatic function. Management of EPI requires lifelong supplementation with pancreatic enzymes and vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 supplementation is simple: a small injection given under the skin once a week. Pancreatic enzymes come as a powder and are sprinkled on the food. This is where cats can be challenging since many cats refuse food that has been embellished. Raw pancreas (which contains the digestive enzymes) has been recommended, but I haven’t tried it on any patients, yet. The good news is our study of feline EPI showed most cats will respond to therapy.

Resources on pancreatic disease

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Pancreatitis

Texas A&M University

WebMD

IDEXX Laboratories

One of my friends was in the hospital last week. Not a human friend, but a dog friend. Happily, I have dog friends who are not dog patients and Decoy is one of those. This lovable lab is a member of a family who are friends of my family.

Under the weather

I saw Decoy’s name on the overnight admission list which is emailed to all the veterinarians at The Animal Medical Center at about 5:30 every morning. Decoy came to The AMC ER for vomiting and limping. The ER doctors found abdominal pain, a fever and an elevated heart rate. On my way into the hospital, I stopped by his cage to say hello, but could tell my normally tail-waggin’ friend was a hurtin’ pup; Decoy was living up to his name by looking more like an inert, stuffed dog than a real one.

In the blood tests

Blood tests for AMC patients are available online. To help with interpretation, abnormal results are displayed in red, normal results in black. Decoy’s reports were shockingly red. His illness was impacting his liver, his blood calcium level, and dramatically increasing his infection-fighting white blood cells.

Inside the abdomen

Because Decoy’s blood tests indicated multiple organs within the abdomen were affected by whatever was making him sick, his internal medicine specialists ordered an ultrasound of his abdomen. Ultrasounds let veterinarians look at intra-abdominal structures in a different fashion than x-rays allow. X-rays show bones and lungs very clearly, but we can only see the outline of abdominal organs like the liver and kidneys. The pancreas cannot be seen using x-rays and we rely on ultrasound to help make a diagnosis of pancreatic disease. Because pancreatic disease could account for Decoy’s clinical findings of vomiting and diarrhea and his multiple blood test abnormalities, an ultrasound was done and confirmed the suspicion of pancreatic inflammation or pancreatitis. The ultrasound showed pancreatic swelling. The swollen pancreas displaced the colon out of its normal position and was even causing a small amount of fluid to accumulate in the abdomen.

On the road to recovery

There is no antidote to stop pancreatic inflammation. Veterinarians provide what we call supportive therapies while the inflammation subsides and then we try to decrease risk factors for recurrence. Decoy received intravenous fluids, antiemetic agents, and antibiotics in case the pancreatitis was turning into an abscess. Every day he improved a little bit and he was discharged from the hospital a few days later.

Follow up

To help prevent another bout of pancreatitis, Decoy’s doctors made several recommendations to his family. First, overweight dogs are at greater risk of developing pancreatitis. I suspect a diet will be on Decoy’s list of New Year’s resolutions. High-fat diets increase the risk of pancreatitis. This means he may need to eat a special low-fat diet and certain dog delicacies like bacon will no longer be a menu option for him. In the future, his doctors will avoid certain medications to prevent provoking another serious case of pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is a common disorder of dogs and it can become a recurrent problem. In Decoy’s case, the problem was quickly corrected, but when pancreatitis becomes a chronic problem, seeking input from an internal medicine specialist is a good idea.

The Last Lesson We Learn From Our Pets, Ctd

A reader sends the above photo:

I don’t know you from Adam, but I do subscribe to your blog.  My wife and I just put our dog down yesterday. I attached a picture of him sedated. The vet tech gave him a shot and he went from panting in pain to this peaceful rest.  They gave us 10 or 20 minutes alone with him and then came in and administered the overdose of anesthesia.  We petted him while he passed on.

I often look to your blog to try and find comfort when things happen in the world.  I guess now I am looking for something on a personal level.  Thanks for listening.

Another reader:

I just read your post about Dusty and twice you used the phrase “put down” (the first time without quotes). For the love of God and all that’s holy – I’m an atheist – can we please start a movement to change that horrible phrase? Put down? That’s something you do to a phone or a bottle or a piece of luggage. It’s absolutely NOT what you do with a companion who’s been there through thick and thin; who’s been loved and loved in return. I very recently had to let go of my big Endymion, a gorgeous, amazing, friendly and loving cat of many years and I cry whilst writing this. I most certainly did not “put him down.” I let him go. Let go > put down.

Good luck with Dusty, you have my love and support.

Another:

I’m sure mine will be one hundreds of notes you get on this topic.  It’s one I have been thinking about for many

months now.  My dog, my very first dog, was diagnosed with incurable cancer last October.  With treatment, we were told he would like have a year.  And so treatment it was. It’s been nine months, and I have fought through an extended grieving process.  Beyond the medical treatments, the dog has suffered longbouts of anxiety that we have struggled to manage.  I have often found myself thinking that if it is this much of a struggle with the dog, what will happen when my now 60-year-old parents start to wind down their lives?  My dog, through his illness and eventual death, is teaching me how to plug ahead, and to love, cherish and find grace in a friend whose time is limited.

At the moment, things have normalized.  And we are loving the hell out of our buddy while we can.  His personality is back for the most part, as you can see in the included photo.

Another was better able to cope with the death of her 92-year-old grandmother after the loss of her pets:

In the last four years, we have had to put three pets to sleep.

Our first was our 12-year-old lab, Max, who suffered from severe hip dysplasia and then got cancer.  We opted not to do chemo because he was already feeble.  We tried some natural remedies that I do believe gave us a few more good months with him.  When we made the decision to put him down, he had stopped eating and could not pick himself up to walk outside.

Our cat got a cancer diagnosis about two years after Max was put down.  He was almost 19 years old and the cancer was in his nasal passage, which caused him to not be able to breathe very well.  We tried some medications to reduce the size of the tumor, but ultimately we had to put him down about a month after diagnosis, when his reduced oxygen intake made him disoriented and very weak.  His kidneys also started failing.

Our second lab, Cooper, who was our first “child” together (Max having come into our marriage from my husband and kitty from me) got a cancer diagnosis about a year after Max was put down, which resulted in us having to amputate one of his hind legs.  He rebounded from that almost immediately and enjoyed life as a tripod until last fall.  I had noticed that it was taking him some extra time to pull himself up to standing position and that he seemed to lose his balance more often.  He was 11, so I did not give it to much thought.  We had not noticed any new tumors in our check-ups.  Cooper always acted like a puppy and was so happy to be around us.  His behavior did not change as he got older; he was always a happy dog and, for some reason, chose me as his favorite person.  I liked to call him my 85-pound lapdog.

When he stopped eating for a few days, I immediately took him to the vet.  It was cancer again, but this time a different, more aggressive form than what led to the earlier amputation.  Hemangiosarcoma.   Cooper had tumors on most of his major organs.  These types of tumors were filled with blood vessels in danger of rupturing at any moment and causing massive internal bleeding.  In fact, it appeared that some of the tumors may have already ruptured, as his abdomen was partially filled with blood (which is why he would not eat). During the time these tumors were growing and spreading, he never act like he was in pain, he just appeared weaker than normal.  I would have to help him into our bed at night (where he normally slept) because he could no longer make the jump.  He needed a little assistance walking up steps.  He never stopped being the most loving dog, furiously wagging his tail anytime one of us was around.

When the vet confirmed the nature of the cancer and the risks of massive internal bleeding if one of the larger tumors ruptured, we made the decision that very day to put Cooper down.  While it had been difficult with Max and the kitty, because they both had seemed so physically and mentally ready to go, the grief in making the choice to end their suffering was somewhat manageable.  With Cooper, his overall personality remained fairly unchanged.  He was still so happy and loving at the time of his last diagnosis.  The staff at the vet hospital even remarked on what a happy tail-wagger he was.  That made it a much more difficult decision because I wanted to take him home and spend more time with him.

Knowing that the tumors on his organs could rupture at any moment and cause him to have a terrible, painful death, however, helped us make our decision.  We could not allow that to happen when we had a chance to ease him into wherever he would next be going.  We brought our kids to the hospital and we spent a good hour just hanging out with Cooper in a room by ourselves and saying our goodbyes.  When it was time, my husband took my kids out, and I laid down next to Cooper and held him and talked to him while the injections were made and for some time thereafter.

I miss him so much, and even though deep down I know we made the right decision for Cooper, I wonder if he could have comfortably lived a few more months.  On the other hand, I also wonder and fear that he had been in pain much longer than we ever knew, and his sweet, loving disposition just masked his pain and discomfort.

All of this is to say that the lives and deaths of Max, kitty, and Cooper have helped me get through other things in my life.  After we had put down Max and kitty, my grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at age 92.  She was at home with hospice care for several months.  I think having gone through the passing of Max and kitty helped me through the passing of my grandmother.  I had not previously lost any human member of my family that I was especially close to.  My grandmother’s passing in some ways helped me through Cooper’s death (she died about three months before he did), and his passing likewise helped me with accepting my grandmother’s death.

I wish the best for you and Dusty and just wanted to relay that, based on my experience with the four (or three)-legged loved ones in our lives, it is true that you will know when it is the right time to let them go.

The real reason I wanted to write to you, though, was to share a picture with you.  During our last moments with Cooper, my husband took a picture of the kids and me with him.  I was so torn up after putting him down that it took me two weeks to even look at the picture:

While the photo is a bit fuzzy, I hope you can see the extra-special twinkle in Cooper’s eye.  This was his last gift to me and so typical of who he was.

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