pawsibilities unleashed...

[pandeia]

... is a non-profit org. that trains dogs, including dogs for diabetics. the dogs alert the owner they're about to have a hypo or hyper. i've been looking into this because i'm constantly getting lows, especially since i've upped my training in running to 13 miles 5 times a week. i was just wondering though, does anyone on here have one? if so, what is it like? if you don't have one, would you get one?

[notme]

Probably not yet. I still am able to detect my lows so I doubt I would invest in this yet. If I was not able to feel lows, it would definitely be a consideration.

[BlueSky]

... if you don't have one, would you get one?
The important question IMO is: Do you really need a dog to tell you when you BG is dropping? If blood glucose is fluctuating widely and quickly, there certainly is a need. But as long as there are things you could do to reduce this BG volatility, getting a dog that alerts you to hypos really doesn't make sense. Getting a dog won't do anything to improve your control. And all the running you are doing should make it even easier for you to keep those blood sugars in the target range. So my question to you is : have you done everything possible to stabilise your blood sugars? Like cutting out carbo and reducing your insulin dosages. If you have exhausted these possibilities and still have a major problem with hypos, then consider getting a dog.

[pandeia]

The important question IMO is: Do you really need a dog to tell you when you BG is dropping? If blood glucose is fluctuating widely and quickly, there certainly is a need. But as long as there are things you could do to reduce this BG volatility, getting a dog that alerts you to hypos really doesn't make sense. Getting a dog won't do anything to improve your control. And all the running you are doing should make it even easier for you to keep those blood sugars in the target range. So my question to you is : have you done everything possible to stabilise your blood sugars? Like cutting out carbo and reducing your insulin dosages. If you have exhausted these possibilities and still have a major problem with hypos, then consider getting a dog.

yes, i've tried everything, from low-carb dieting, normal-range-of-carb dieting, reducing insulin and everything in-between.
and when I run a lot, I noticed my blood sugar usually drops at least 5 times that day and within the week, even when I eat more carbs and lower the insulin dosage to practically nothing- but if i don't take the insulin at all, my bg shoots up like no other-and yes i've tried that, pretty dumb, huh? :(
plus because i've had so many hypos, I no longer feel one coming on save for about 3 times out of the 20-25 hypos that week.
But if you have any more suggestions? i'd appreciate it, because then I wouldn't have to spend money on a dog...
thank you! :o

[BlueSky]

... But if you have any more suggestions? i'd appreciate it, because then I wouldn't have to spend money on a dog... .
It sounds like you have done all the right things. Have you considered getting a pump? You are able to program your basal rates so they suit you perfectly. And you can have basal profiles for different levels of insulin sensitivity (after exercise). Using a pump would make doing what has to be done to improve control a lot easier.

I love dogs, but if I had your problem, I think I would spend the money on getting a pump rather than on a dog. ;)

[pandeia]

hmmm. i've honestly not thought about a pump... before i didn't like the idea of having something sticking out of me for a long period of time... but if it works better than shots? i'll give it a try. thank you!

[Lizzie G]

Hi there

Im a swimmer and have a couple of suggestions which may or may not work for you:

1) i take a minimal dose of basal insulin (lantus), 6 to 8 units for 24 period. I supplement this with 3 or 4 units of medium acting insulin to cover my night-time rise. if you have recently increased your training your basal will probably drop quite significantly (when i upped from 4 to 10 hours a week i went from about 14-16 units to 6-8). i would suggest the first thing you do is some basal testing, a lot of lows is often a sign the basal is out of whack...

2) after much trial and error have found that during the training itself i need to start with a blood sugar or 8 or 9 (144 to 162) at a time where there is no fast acting insulin in my system, and then to consume approx 30-40g rapid acting carbs per hour (depending on intensity). if i know i still have a novorapid tail in action i will lean towards 40-50g.

3) when training heavily (10 plus hours per week) my carb ratios vary immensely. for example, i can be on 1:10 in the morning, but after a two hour swim 1:30 might be more accurate. this can be a constantly moving target...

Basically, in my experience there are several factors at play and its by trial and error and testing testing and testing some more that i have figured out how this works.

[mzteacher]

hi,
i just read an article about this today...the teen in the article has brittle diabetes...his dog will alert him even when he is sleeping...he has been trained if he can not wake the young man to hit his body (the dogs) against the wall to wake his parents....my guess is that there would be no charge for the dog...these are service animals and can go in to places to eat, got to school...every where a dog for the blind could go...i think it is amazing and such a wonderful thing for people that would have improved quality of life with such a pet....the name of the organization is heaven scent paws....heavenscentpaws.com
if some one goes for this please let us know what you find out!
susan

[pandeia]

thanks for input! i'll try some of this out... I've noticed that my ratios are never the same either.... and i can't figure out any of them right now... ugh it's irritating, isn't it?

[JediSkipdogg]

thanks for input! i'll try some of this out... I've noticed that my ratios are never the same either.... and i can't figure out any of them right now... ugh it's irritating, isn't it?

With exercise alot can change. The duration and type of exercise can vary widely. I can lift weights till my face turns blue and not need anything besides a small snack after working out. However, if I run say 3 miles, I continually drop for about 4 hours after working out.

With the dog there's alot to keep in mind. Most think it's simple, and some places that have dogs tell you it is. In reality, I don't recommend anything that doesn't have you at the dog training facility with the dog for about a month. This gives you time to get adequate with the dog and let it learn to work with you under the supervision of the training center. This comes out to hefty costs for living somewhere else for a month. There's also the cost of the dog and since it's serving a medical purpose you can't treat it like a house dog. For example, my pets see the vet only when needed. With a service dog, you need to make sure they get every shot all thae time and have regular annual checkups along with feeding them a more premium food. If you want more info on dogs don't hesitate to ask. Alot think it's something simple, and the problem is, it sounds simple, but many places lack the appropriate training for the dogs and the dogs either don't work out, or don't work out as effectively. I can also refer you to quite a few people I know that have diabetic service dogs.

I'd personally start with a pump first and go from there.

[pandeia]

With the dog there's alot to keep in mind. Most think it's simple, and some places that have dogs tell you it is. In reality, I don't recommend anything that doesn't have you at the dog training facility with the dog for about a month. This gives you time to get adequate with the dog and let it learn to work with you under the supervision of the training center. This comes out to hefty costs for living somewhere else for a month. There's also the cost of the dog and since it's serving a medical purpose you can't treat it like a house dog. For example, my pets see the vet only when needed. With a service dog, you need to make sure they get every shot all thae time and have regular annual checkups along with feeding them a more premium food. If you want more info on dogs don't hesitate to ask. Alot think it's something simple, and the problem is, it sounds simple, but many places lack the appropriate training for the dogs and the dogs either don't work out, or don't work out as effectively. I can also refer you to quite a few people I know that have diabetic service dogs.

I'd personally start with a pump first and go from there.

Yes, I've researched the dog thing quite a bit and found a lot of scammers. but this one organization is pretty legit and they train you with the dog for two months. I know the price can get hefty, but if it saves my life, it's worth it, ya know? But I will look into the pump, a few others have recommended it to me too. thanks for the info, though, I really appreciate it, and would love to speak with your referrals. thanks again :)

[moco89]

... is a non-profit org. that trains dogs, including dogs for diabetics. the dogs alert the owner they're about to have a hypo or hyper. i've been looking into this because i'm constantly getting lows, especially since i've upped my training in running to 13 miles 5 times a week. i was just wondering though, does anyone on here have one? if so, what is it like? if you don't have one, would you get one?

I have read up A TON about diabetes alert dogs, and they are trained to alert for both hypos and hypers through scent discrimination training.

I want to get one, and I plan on eventually training my own. I have a ton of books, a ton of advice from trainers that specialize in this field, and a possible trainer.

I also use a cgms, but the dogs do alert before the cgms shows a low.

Supposedly, the dogs respond to the chemical scent from catecholamines that occur from the body's response to a low.

Do not use Heaven Scent Paws, they have a lawsuit filed against them from the Missouri Attorney General, after 16 complaints were filed to his office.

[pokie]

My dog, who is an 8 year old retired racing greyhound, has been pretty remarkable in alerting me to lows that are "lower than normal" for me (50 or less)... He wakes me up by barking insistently. He's not trained to do this, and I would never rely solely on him to let me know I am going low, but he does it and it is pretty amazing.

[pandeia]

cool, thanks for the info. i'll definitely stay away from HSP, i've heard nothing but bad things about them. also, getting a diabetes service dog for myself isn't only to alert my lows... i'm really interested in becoming a trainer as well. I'm happy to see someone else on here is interested in this field as well! :)