Hi,

I am concerned about my dog.

She was diagnosed with mellitus in Sept. 1999 after
developing cateracts.
I wondered whether there was something that would
increase the effectiveness of the insulin so that she
would either need less or get more benefit from what
she takes (*/- 9ml per day).
I was told brewers' yeast could help that.
Can anything dissolve the cateracts?
I was told that cranberry/blueberry juice can lessen
the chances of urinary tract infections, is that true?

Regards,
Owen.

------------------
Owen Jones
Marlyn Construction Services Ltd.

Dear Owen, I would answer you if I can but unfortuantely I don't know any answers for you. I had a post on here about my dog too but no one responded so I deleted the entire post. Best of luck to you. Dessie

Thanks, Dessie.
I use a BB called Blind Dogs, if that's any help to you - it is very good on all canine aspects.

blinddogs@egroups.com

Regards,
Owen.
owenjones@clara.net

Thanks Owen, I bookmarked it.

Hi Dessie,

I forgot to mention that blinddogs is a list, so, if you want to join, you'd have to send an email with the word 'subscribe' in the header or/and message (can't remember which.

Regards,
Owen.

ok, thanks again Owen. Happy New Year!!

Hi.

Will you conside providing us with a description of your dog's personality, disposition, eating and drinking behaviors, preference for cold versus heat, etc etc???

If you do this, perhaps a suggestion of a homeopathic remedy could be made.

Let us know!!!!

Hi Kevin,
Becky is a very lively 8 yr old, as playful now as she ever was as a sighted pup. She used to catch a ball, for hours on end, now I bounce the ball and she goes looking for it, tail wagging for all it's worth.
She has been blind since Sept. 1999, when we discovered that she had become diabetic. (I appreciate what GM has written, but she went blind, because of a LACK of insulin, or so I understand it).
She eats Chappie dry biscuits - the complete meal - from Masterfoods, and always has done; about 240 grams per day.
She consumes about 2 litres of water a day. She doesn't seem to have a preference for warmth or cold, but I should imagine she prefers the warm.
She prefers not to go for a wee in the morning if it's raining, but I've never understood that, because I used to take her swimming before, and she loved it.
As I said, she's very active, loves going for walks and playing and doesn't seem to get at all depressed - 'though I'm not sure how canine depression would be expressed.
GM seems to think I'm looking for a miracle cure - it's not that, I assure you. It's just that I thought there may be a way of 'lessening' the cateracts. Or even of giving her something with would 'boost' the insulin, so that she doesn't need so much (currently, 0.9mm / day subcutaneously).
I've heard that brewers yeast and leicithin (?) can help in this respect; but dosage is never discussed.
If you need any more details, please ask.
Thanks for your interest,
Regards,
Owen.

Hi. Good to hear from you!!

Could you try and study a bit closer and see if perhaps your dear dog does have a preference for hot over cold? It is not always something you would think of. For example, where does she prefer to sleep? Cool/cold spot, or warm/hot spot? Covered or uncovered? What is your geographic climate? Do you have heat and air conditioning where your dog lives? Does she snuggle up against a heat source? What is the temperature of her food? What happens if you give her very warm water...as compared to room temperature or cool or cold water (or food)? Note, some animals will vomit water or food if it is on the too-warm side. You may have to experiment and see. Some animals are totally unconcerned about temperature, but most usually have a distinct preference for hot versus cold, once you begin to make a point of observing this. With pets it is good to try and ascertain this hot vs. cold point because it is important in differentiating the various homeopathic remedies from each other...

Obviously, she has a happy disposition. No biting, or anger episodes? Does she LOVE being petted and kissed and touched? It seems that she does crave affection, yes? If not, please explain.

Any particularly noted fear of thunderstorms or loud noises?

From what you are saying, you have only begun the insulin, yes?

Homeopathy and "herbology, vitamins, supplements, etc" are very very different. Information on the benefits of any "supplements" such as lecithin CANNOT be obtained at this website. Homeopathic philosophy is a totally different thing. Of course you may make your own decision to read up on many different means/avenues of assisting your dog. Just for your own information I wanted to let you know that here in this forum, though, you will find only homeopathic assistance. Now, having said that, I believe it is well worth your perserverance to keep posting here in this forum until a reasonable match can be found between your dog and a homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy can assist her. It may take a little time and carefullness to decide what remedy might best benefit her. Would you like to continue?

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for replying.
From the questions you have asked, I can state quite categorically that she prefers 'cold' to 'warm' - the only exception being that she sleeps on the bed at night, rather than in a doorway, although this probably has more to do with her need for affection. She even prefers to drink from a running tap, rather than her bowl, although the water is changed several times per day. Her main food source is dried biscuits - again cold and she deffinitely does not seek out heat sources such as fires or radiators - she seems to ignore them.
She craves attention in the extreme alright! And has never ever bitten anyone or shown any anger - except, perhaps, to someone knocking the door, but soon disipates once the door is openned.
You have picked on her greatest fear, unexpected noises. 'Unexpected' is how I've always thought of it, as she hates the 'phone, thunderstorms (even heavy rain on the roof), strong wind, fireworks etc. But she trembles and quakes is a door moves on its own. Do you know what I mean? Say there's a window open at both ends of the house and a draught blows through moving a door a little, then Becky moans and whines and either ends up behind the couch or on my lap - it really is quite pathetic after seeing her do her 'raging bull' act at the postman in the mornings!
She went blind 'over night' on Sept. 19th 1999. I got home from a meal at 1am and played catch with her, when I got up at 8am, she couldn't see anything anymore. I took her to the vets and she was diagnosed diabetic and has been on insulin, injected subcutaneously since then. We started on 0.6ml, bvased on her weight of 24kg, but the dosage has risen to 9.5ml, although she is now at her 'fighting weight' of 20kg. It's possible that being overweight caused the diabetes and it is probable that the cateracts were a while informing, but that I didn't notice.
As far as what is homeopathic and what is not goes, I have a lot to learn. I mentioned lecithin, because I had heard the term on another BB (blind-dogs), same goes for brewers yeast..
I appreciate you taking time with me and Becky and if you have any further questions, fire away!
Best Wishes,
Owen.
PS: Climatewise, it may be useful to know that I live in on the coast in S. Wales, UK, where the weather is usually mild, but often damp.