Posted Mar 10 2011 4:54 PM by
Angie Baldwin Rudy Dye
We chose “Rudy” Dye as our February pet of the month because of his sweet disposition and strong will to live. Rudy was presented to Post Pet Hospital January 17, 2011, because the owner reported that Rudy wasn’t eating and was having trouble getting around. They had also noticed blood in the water bowl. Rudy had a 36 lb weight loss since we had last seen him in March 2005.
Physical exam findings were pale mucous membranes with a decreased refill time, dehydration, bleeding from the nose and ataxia. Radiographs were taken to rule out a foreign body, a blood sample was submitted to the lab and supportive care was initiated. An IV catheter was placed and fluid therapy started, medications were administered for shock & bleeding. In house urinalysis showed blood in the urine as well as glucose and ketones. Insulin treatment was started at that time. Initial bloodwork showed elevated pancreatic enzymes, liver enzymes and blood glucose.
Our diagnosis and treatment for Rudy was multilayered and complicated. We gave the owner a guarded prognosis as it seemed Rudy was not responding. Rudy was hospitalized for 4 days before being released to his owners. The owners continued struggling to get Rudy to eat but did a great job accomplishing that goal after a few days of different food trials! The owners were administering twice daily insulin and reported constipation at home and Rudy seemed a little wobbly.
At our one week recheck Rudy’s blood glucose was still significantly elevated. Dr. Grosser did a gradual increase of the insulin amount over a period of time and recommended a blood glucose curve. Approximately one month after Rudy’s initial presentation we kept him for the day to perform a blood glucose curve. Rudy’s curve could not be completed due to his response to insulin, his blood glucose continued to increase despite treatment. We rechecked a urine at that time and he still had glucose and ketones testing positive in the urine.
Despite the test results Rudy seemed to be improving. He was eating well and had an increase in his activity level and was putting on some weight. His only symptom at this point was an increase in water intake and urination.
Rudy continues to have an elevated blood glucose to this day even on two types of insulin twice daily. His spirits are good and we continue to monitor him on a regular basis. We would like to take this time to thank the owners for their patience and persistence in treating Rudy. He is one of the most good-natured patients here at Post Pet Hospital.
