I wanted to share another note I received from a diabetic pet owner:

Dear Dr. Carol,

You are so kind and dedicated to your field to even email me as a total stranger. I congratulate you for this- you are obviously one of the few whom are truly dedicated to your practice.

I am an emergency room, registered nurse of 27 years. It has been extremely hard on me and my husband this past year with Winston. When you are use to treating and healing others, it truly is hard when your own are sick and your hands are tied and you want to help. I never was comfortable with Vetsulin and wondered why not the other insulin. Felt like I could get a human’s insulin under control within hours, why can’t I get Winston’s better controlled?

If only we were informed as soon as this FDA warning came out 11/2/09, this possibly could have been prevented. Whose responsibility is this? I think it is the manufacturer and the prescribing veterinarian and dispensing facility, whether the pharmacy or the vet’s office.
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I wanted to share another success story with all of the loving diabetic pet owners searching the web for information on how to deal with diabetic pets still taking Vetsulin and trying to get answers on how to switch their dogs over from Vetsulin to DNA based insulin. It is not difficult at all.

Here is a pet owner who’s little dog was suffering from unregulated diabetes with secondary kidney and liver failure resulting from tainted Vetsulin, in addition to arthritis. He almost gave up on his dog but decided to give it a try and got his best friend back.

Hi Dr Carol,

Spike is doing very, very well on his new insulin and his urine sugar readings are consistent.

We gave Spike the the coffee enema yesterday and my wife
commented today when she combed him out that she thought his
coat was improving. That would be a great event if his liver and coat both improve.

His mobility has increased quite a bit in the last day. Not sure if the 1/2 tablet of the hip/joint pill has
kicked in already or if the Adequan shot on Tuesday made the difference.
I suspect it’s the hip/joint pill. I intend to continue to finish up the Adequan,
then will keep him on on the hip/joint supplement, kidney essentials and PAAWS vitamins forever.
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In the midst of working with a variety of worried diabetic pet owners, I wanted to share a story with all of you about a dog named Jock.

I got a call from a man who owns a 9 year old, 8 pound toy poodle, named Jock. Jock has diabetes and had been taking Vetsulin for a couple years to regulate his blood sugar, when all of the sudden, about a month ago, Jock started rapidly going down hill. In fact Jock got so bad, he had to get IV fluids and stay at the vets for 3 days.

Eddie was upset. He had just come home from the vet, who handed him Jock’s latest blood work and explained that unfortunately, Jock’s condition had become even worse. Now he had liver in addition to kidney failure and there was nothing else that could be done. The vets final words were “love your dog for his last few days.”

After talking for a while, I told him it was possible that the liver and kidney problems were both related to the Vetsulin. Eddie was unaware of the Vetsulin recall. I explained the Vetsulin issue and told him he would need a prescription from his vet for DNA based insulin. He would need to make a decision quickly if he was going to try to save Jock. He was going to think about it and hung up.
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Hello Dr. Carol,

I recently wrote to thank you for PAAWS and all your personal assistance with my 14 (nearly 15) year old Lhasa Apso Samson. I wanted to tell you some of the additional great results we’ve seen in the past few weeks.

Not only was I able to take him off prescription Tramadol that had him sleeping all the time and reduce the Rimadyl that negatively affects his kidneys, but I’ve noticed that his thinning hair has grown full again! Rogaine’s got nothing on PAAWS!

Best of all, I took Samson to his cardiologist and there was a significant lowering in his kidney levels, both the BUN and creatinine levels are down a significant 5 points! The BUN is down from 107 to 102.

The doctor was very pleased and I told him all about your PAAWS vitamins. I also forgot to tell you that his hair was thinning and since he’s been on PAAWS vitamins it has filled out again!

Thank you again for giving Samson his energy and joy back!

Hope all is well with you and thanks again for all the time you spent helping me and your wonderful advice.

Warm regards,
Jan A.
Bogota, New Jersey

The kidneys serve many vital functions. They filter and remove toxic wastes from the body via the urine, regulate calcium and vitamin D levels, maintain fluid levels, and secrete the hormone responsible for red blood cell production.

Anything that interferes with the kidneys’ ability to function properly can cause kidney disease, which is the second only to cancer as a leading cause of death in dogs. In most cases, progressive age-related deterioration is responsible, with no apparent cause.

Other causes of kidney disease include bacterial and viral infections, nutritional factors, immune system defects, toxins, and inherited breed disorders.

“Acute” kidney disease occurs suddenly, is rare in dogs, and with prompt treatment is generally reversible. Long-term “chronic” kidney disease is also called chronic renal disease and is the most common form in dogs. It is usually the result of slow age-related deterioration of the kidneys.

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Dear Dr. Carol,

I can’t thank you enough for your caring, all the time you spent talking with us and your help. Regarding our 15 year old dog, Presley’s kidney failure, I wanted to give you a quick update.

Since we spoke, we found a new vet and now Presley is doing quite well. We are giving him your Paaws vitamins and kidney product, along with the 300 cc of Sub-Q fluids every day successfully.

Our vet agreed with you about using the product you suggested to lower his phosphorus. We also stopped trying to get him to eat the prescription K/D diet and switched him over to your homemade recipe which he enjoys.

We are so thankful we found you and will send along a recent photo soon.

Thanks again for all you do to help others. You are truly an angel for pets.

Deborah K.
Phoenix, Arizona

Dr. Carol,

Thanks for your help with my cattle dog Rigby! As you know, she lost a kidney as a result of an accident. Your advice really helped me understand specifically what was happening with her lab tests. At just two years old when this happened, Rigby still has many years ahead of her. You know, I spent nearly $10,000.00 when Rigby had her accident almost a year ago. So I want to do the best I can for her.

I have always been a proponent of vitamins, and take them myself. Why not do the same for the pups?
Now, with only one kidney, it’s important for me to give her the best diet and supplements I can to maintain optimal kidney function.

With your PAAWS supplements, the Kidney Complex and the diet you recommended I believe we are on the right path to helping Rigby have the best, and longest life she can.

I am feeding the Neumans Own dry food along with their canned as the base diet. I add canned salmon and an egg white for Rigby and typically give Lucy some as well. Then will add chicken, brown rice, or any left over’s that are healthy.

Our new pup, Lucy was just spayed at 6 months, and is taking PAAWS as well. I believe this is the best way for them to maintain a healthy life.

I am really pleased with the improved blood test results for her kidney function, and most importantly the thoroughness of your helping me understanding these tests. I feel now like I can help Rigby enjoy a full life in spite of only having just one kidney.

Thanks again,

Brian
Los Alamitos, California

Convulsions or seizures are defined as sudden, uncontrolled bursts of abnormal activity that last from one to three minutes. Signs may include anything from a slight twitch to salivating and foaming at the mouth. Shaking, jerking, stiffening of the legs or entire body as well as loss of urine and/or bowels may also occur. Epilepsy is the medical term used for dogs that suffer from seizures.

Certain dog breeds seem to be predisposed such as Golden Retrievers and Poodles, as well as male Siamese cats. Others pet breeds develop Epilepsy as a result of various diseases like Diabetes. In most cases, the cause is not known. Vets call this Idiopathic Epilepsy.

CAUSES
* Unknown (Idiopathic Epilepsy):the most common cause of seizures and epilepsy is unknown
* Low blood sugar (for example Diabetes)
* Poison (for example, antifreeze).* Kidney failure
* Liver failure
* Hereditary predisposition – Golden Retrievers, Poodles and male Siamese Cats.
*Tainted Pet Food and Treats: such as chicken jerkey strips and certain recalled pet foods

WHAT YOU CAN DO
* Dogs that have had a seizure may appear dazed or might look fine once the episode is over. Don’t move a dog during the episode, leave him alone until it is over. Then put him in a calm quiet, dark room and call your vet.

* Rub one to two teaspoons of karo syrup or honey onto his gums. This raises his blood sugar instantly and may provide relief if low blood sugar or Diabetes is the cause.

WHAT YOUR VET CAN DO
* Your vet will examine your dog and take blood and urine tests to try to determine the underlying cause. Specific recommendations will be made accordingly.

COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS
Natural Pet Vitamin Supplements such as Paaws and VitaLife often decrease and occasionally eliminate seizures in dogs and cats.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
* Silicea 30c (Silicon dioxide) three pellets crushed to powder or two whole pellets under the tongue.

* Bach’s 5 Flower Rescue Remedyand is soothing for dogs cats that are scared or disoriented. Two drops in the mouth or on the tongue every 15 minutes for three doses while on the way to the vet.

* Acupuncture is useful to control seizures in certain cases.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news, tips and information.

Holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for pet health questions and pet health consultations for dogs and cats. Call Dr. Carol’s office toll free at 1-866-372-2765.