I just got off the phone with Mag's vet with the results of the second round of tests on her kidney failure.  The good news, sort of, is that the numbers are pretty much the same as two weeks ago.  So at least for now we have a sort of stable problem.  This time there was no protein in the urine, which is good, but she is still not concentrating her urine which is not so good.  That means she is not flushing out all the toxins and other gunk that the kidneys are supposed to filter.

On the good side we have her eating pretty regularly again.  Might be a little high in protein still, but the priority right now is to keep her eating and put some weight back on her.  She does not like, and will not drink the veggie broth.  She does like the chicken soup I make for her.  I am boiling chicken parts and baby carrots in water until the chicken meat falls off the bone.  Then I discard the chicken parts, the skin, fat and bones.  I cut up the chicken pieces and carrots.  Each meal now she gets the prescription food with some clear broth, a little bit of chicken, and lots of carrots.

We are also going to try sub-Q fluids starting tomorrow.  The idea is that she may be a bit dehydrated, and she may be slowed a bit by the toxins building up.  So the fluids may help her feel better.  I am going to have the vet do it for a week or so (3 x week).  If it is helping her then they will teach me how to do it and I can do it at home.  I'm guessing this will be the case.

Of course the extra fluids may exacerbate the incontinence problem, although it has been a few days since she had an accident.  Linda (our vet) doesn't want to put her on meds for that until we are sure she is stable, eating, and hydrated.  There is one med that we could use that is not contra-indicated with kidney failure, but at this point less chemicals in her body is the safest approach.

So for now things are OK. Maggie is eating, although it often takes some coaxing.  It looks like I will be learning some new vet tech skills.  And most of my furniture is now water proof so I can safely entertain babies, drunks, and incontinents of all ages and species.

Karen and the pug girls

We'll keep sending pawsitive thoughts to our little Pugster until she is in the clear!  You are doing a great job, Karen! 

Notice no one wanted to know HOW you water proofed your furniture?  Wouldn't want to look like we fall into the drunk category and need help!