Max is in pain, newly diagnosed with diabetes, ataxia and more

[MaxIsAGoodBoy]

Hola everyone!!! I'm new to this board. Looking to see if anyone can relate or shed some light. We don't know what to do, and are worried we may have to put our baby down because we cannot further afford the testing to find out the root of all this mess. This is going to be a long one....

A week and a half ago our 8 year old Lab seemed to be in a lot of pain. He was super whinny and couldn't get comfortable in one spot. He was up, down all around our apartment trying to get comfortable between our couches and the floor. We brought him into a vet thinking it could possibly early on set arthritis or some hip dysplasia because he had a slight limp. The vet agreed and put him on Tramadol and Vet Profin for the pain as well as some joint supplements. However the next day, the vet called saying that there were elevated liver enzymes so we needed to stop the Vet profin. We continued with the Tramadol to no avail. The pain never subsided and we wound up taking him to another vet five days later after I happened to hear Max's rear pads dragging on the floor after one of his walks.

There they ran their own blood work and x-rays. This new vet, found that his sugar levels were at 377 while the ones taken just 5 days before were 128. We have no clue how Max's level could spike so high, but basically my dog is now a diabetic. He has been placed on insulin (Levemir) and Gabapentin and discontinued the Tramadol. Since then, which was a Friday Max has had an even harder time walking, especially making it up and down stairs (we're on the 2nd floor of a building). My wife got really scared on Saturday night when Max went to poop and his hind legs kind of gave out on him. At first we believed it was just the effects of the gabapentin, but after talking it over with our vet, they said he the medication shouldn't effect his mobility like that and urged us to take Max to a neurologist. Now mind you, his x-rays never showed any issues with the spine, he said his spine was perfectly in tact. There was no hip dysplasia, the x-ray did not make them worry about anything.

So yesterday we met with a neurologist that says that Gabapentin could certainly make Max ataxic and she believes he is just super uncomfortable and put him back on the Tramadol. She says we should see an improvement within a week of being on both Tramadol and Gabapentin. At first the neurologist didn't' realize we had discontinued the Tramadol and wanted to go the route of obtaining an MRI to see if they see slip discs or any cysts. That could cost upwards of $3000. My wife lost it when she heard that because we have already spent $2000 in the last week and a half. She has had Max since he was a puppy before we met, and she is just besides herself. She hasn't been the same since Max starting slowing down and I know if we have to put Max down at such a young age, a piece of her is going to die as well.

I really hope this combination of meds works sooner rather than later. We haven't had a good night's sleep in two weeks. Max seems to be in a lot of pain and we feel it. It is so sad. We lucked out with some amazing neighbors that have helped with carrying him (all 85 lbs of him) up and down the steps. We just want our good boy back. We don't understand how he could get diabetes within 5 days and why isn't the pain subsiding??? The Gabaentin wears off within 6 to 8 hours meanwhile it should last 12 hours.

In addition to all this, he is not eating normally. He doesn't want his dry food and we've rotated chicken, chopped turkey and chopped beef because he really doesn't want to eat. If he has chicken today, he won't want it tomorrow.

If you are still reading congrats and thanks!! Has anyone experienced anything like this???? Also, any suggestions on where to get Levemir for cheap? We bought it at Walgreens for $211 for 28 days. Ugh this is all a nightmare.

[Snowshoe]

You have investigated already the things we went through with our old girl's back, I have nothing new to add or suggest. I'm sorry, all I can offer is lots of good thoughts.

[SunDance]

I have no worthwhile experience or suggestions but wanted to welcome you to the board. I'm so sorry for what you're going through...sending all good thoughts that you can get to the bottom of this and give Max the relief he deserves.

[Maxx&Emma]

I don't have any experience either, my heart is breaking for you. I do know a person with a diabetic Lab and his diabetes is managed very well, he lives a very normal life. If you can get your post count up, I believe to 10 posts, I can PM you some contact info. One thing I would suggest is checking Walmart for insulin prices. Find out which ones fall under their "affordable" program, take the list to your vet and see if one would be appropriate. The person I know was able to do this and drop their insulin cost per month significantly.

Sending good thoughts and prayers and hoping things turn around for your sweet Max.

[Charlotte K.]

You said that you spent $2K in the last couple weeks. Did thoracic ultrasounds rule out masses?
The liver is a remarkably regenerative organ. Have the vets suggested liver support nutraceuticals such as Denamarin? It helps our family's older dogs when they show liver disease. Liver disease can cause ataxia and nausea.

I hope he feels better fast. I would consider the risk:benefit ratio. MRIs for dogs generally require general anesthesia, which is hard on the liver. What real benefit would he get from the MRI?

[Woofie]

My first question to U - what dry food are U feeding? There have been known cases for the last 10-15yrs of dry dog foods causing sudden illnesses, even deaths quite often. So it's worth the question.

[Berna]

No suggestions but sending good thoughts. 8 is really young...

[POPTOP]

Hello and Welcome!

So sorry Max is having so many problems. My first thought is some type of abdominal/chest tumor. That could cause a lot of pain. Sorry, just trying to think of anything to suggest.

Sending prayers. Please keep us updated.

[janedoe]

My first response is always to try a holistic vet but those kinds of therapies can take some time.

All good thoughts.

[Snowco Labradors]

x-rays were done. Are they sure your dog does not have some sort of blockage that could put him off food and cause enough pain that he can not walk, do stairs.

Liver elevation can be brought into check with natural supplements or denamarin as someone else suggested.

Here is info on what I did for liver disease.....

Liver Disease In Dogs/Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH) | Hearty Pet Talkin' Tails Blog


praying you find the answer and turn your baby around. 8 is not old. Follow your gut and keep asking questions of the vet to hopefully find the answer. Consider seeing an internal specialist if you haven't already.