[wendylaw]

I began using glucosebuddy a few weeks ago to help track my Yellow Lab, Sophie's, BGL. She was diagnosed in March '08. I didn't begin home testing until last month because things had been going smoothly with her diet of WD and insulin. On July 23rd she refused to eat her dinner for the first time EVER. I was beside myself. After a couple days of her being picky I took her to the vet and they kept her for over a week. She's 11 and also experiences pain from arthritic hips (not dysplasia). Lab work indicated that she has some kidney damage, not unexpected with an elderly diabetic dog. The vet increased her insulin doses from 30 units to 35! When I initially brought her home she ate OK but not eagerly as she did before. Then her lack of appetite worsened, I couldn't give her normal insulin doses and her BGL has been a rollercoaster. I still haven't gotten her stabilized. We've been to the vet twice since she was released. It quickly became clear that 35 units was way too much and I've been slowly trying to increase it from 28 units. Her numbers have been horrible, Sunday she reached an all time high of 649! It's always on a weekend. I gave her more insulin and it slowly went down during the day but it has continued to be way too high despite her refusal to eat. We saw the Dr. today and he wants me to give her 30 units regardless of whether she eats. I'll go with my gut based on her BGL before injection time. She also has a bladder infection that we're treating. I hope that is what has been affecting her appetite. He gave her vitamin B injections to stimulate her appetite. I'll learn whether it worked later tonight when I offer her dinner. I've tried baby food, chicken breast and broth mixed with her food, you name it. She no longer eats WD, canned or kibble, but seems to like Royal Canin kibble IF she's inclined to eat. PS, I began testing her urine for ketones and there isn't any trace. Strips are reasonably inexpensive and available at most pharmacies.