Diesel's Cancer Care Fund
Donation protected
Diesel went down a week ago this past Tues (5.17.16) with a major seizure and spent days at our primary vet (Britt Animal Hospital) and then we would transfer him to Emergency Pet Care for overnight monitoring and constant IV dextrose to keep his glucose level up... as his glucose levels were a roller coaster. The lowest he got was 21 and that was scary. As of last Thursday (5.19.16), we went to pick him up from Britt and he could not walk and we had to carry him into his appointment with the Veterinarian internist (Dr. Lothrop) He did an ultrasound of the abdomen to check for internal bleeding, tumors, and any signs of metastasis (which is very common with certain cancers). Everything looked good. Based on his in-house glucose tests, clinical signs, hypoglycemia and the way he bounced back after being given a steroid shot and dextrose shot - all signs led to insulinoma. We did a full blood panel and got it back Tuesday (5.24.16) and it showed insulin levels extremely high which again is a dead ringer for the nasty and deadly insulinoma. He had his second seizure on Sunday (5.22.16) and we got him snapped back with Karo syrup, staying calm and talking/petting him through it. I took him into Britt this past Monday (5.23.16) and they tested his glucose and it was 66. We were happy with that. I have not tested it since. I'm trying to back off the Karo syrup throughout the day, I'm just so terrified of him going through the hypoglycemia and seizure again.
Diesel is a 9.5 yr old Great Dane that is pretty healthy besides cancer. My boy already has a history of mast cell tumor with successful margin removal when he was 5 yrs old. He's a real survivor and he is my world, which I think you all know this already I'm sure. ☺️ I want to do all I can to keep him comfortable since we have been blessed to have a little time to spend with him while he still feels good. He is not a good candidate for surgery. He is on 40 mg of prednisone twice a day (started pred last Thurs), plus Karo syrup every few hours to keep his glucose up (since we can't test it accurately) and he honestly doesn't care to eat anything BUT Answers goats milk. He loves it and it has so many benefits that I'm so thankful for. Plus the raw honey helps keep blood sugar up.
Dr. Lothrop wants to start him on oral suspension Diazoxide, 2ml twice a day to give him a little more time. It is a difficult drug to find and we learned quick that it was extremely expensive!! After tons of support from friends and then reaching out to Dr. Randy Britt, we have found the medication at a much better price, and with a little help we can afford to start it and give it atleast a month to see if it helps. That is a blessing! However, we are suffering with high medical bills from all of Diesel's vetting and emergency medical care. Once he starts the medication he will have to have several glucose tests and blood test to monitor insulin and his other organs.
Diesel only has an appetite for Answers Raw Goats Milk so with him having to consume 10.5 cups a day is really adding up too. The very last thing I wanted to do was ask for help, but I have to swallow my pride in order to do what's best for my boy. He is having GOOD days and he is happy. All we want is for that to continue as long as his body is comfortable & pain free. Right now, we are winning. ❤️
It was very difficult for me to ask for help, normally we are prepared but with our girl Tabby having mast cell last year and her multiple surgeries, it just set us back. Please feel no pressure to donate, many friends suggested I set this page up so we could try to raise some money to help offset costs.
Whether you donate or not, THANK YOU for your continued thoughts, prayers and comfort. We are truly blessed!
Diesel is a 9.5 yr old Great Dane that is pretty healthy besides cancer. My boy already has a history of mast cell tumor with successful margin removal when he was 5 yrs old. He's a real survivor and he is my world, which I think you all know this already I'm sure. ☺️ I want to do all I can to keep him comfortable since we have been blessed to have a little time to spend with him while he still feels good. He is not a good candidate for surgery. He is on 40 mg of prednisone twice a day (started pred last Thurs), plus Karo syrup every few hours to keep his glucose up (since we can't test it accurately) and he honestly doesn't care to eat anything BUT Answers goats milk. He loves it and it has so many benefits that I'm so thankful for. Plus the raw honey helps keep blood sugar up.
Dr. Lothrop wants to start him on oral suspension Diazoxide, 2ml twice a day to give him a little more time. It is a difficult drug to find and we learned quick that it was extremely expensive!! After tons of support from friends and then reaching out to Dr. Randy Britt, we have found the medication at a much better price, and with a little help we can afford to start it and give it atleast a month to see if it helps. That is a blessing! However, we are suffering with high medical bills from all of Diesel's vetting and emergency medical care. Once he starts the medication he will have to have several glucose tests and blood test to monitor insulin and his other organs.
Diesel only has an appetite for Answers Raw Goats Milk so with him having to consume 10.5 cups a day is really adding up too. The very last thing I wanted to do was ask for help, but I have to swallow my pride in order to do what's best for my boy. He is having GOOD days and he is happy. All we want is for that to continue as long as his body is comfortable & pain free. Right now, we are winning. ❤️
It was very difficult for me to ask for help, normally we are prepared but with our girl Tabby having mast cell last year and her multiple surgeries, it just set us back. Please feel no pressure to donate, many friends suggested I set this page up so we could try to raise some money to help offset costs.
Whether you donate or not, THANK YOU for your continued thoughts, prayers and comfort. We are truly blessed!
Organizer
Alison Potts Shirley
Organizer
Hoover, AL