Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Maggie was diagnosed yesterday with Chronic Renal Failure, or Canine Kidney Failure. Its not as dire as it sounds, at least not yet. In fact my vet called it kidney insufficiency - but I think they call it that so not to scare you.
Over the past couple of months she has lost weight and been a bit picky about eating, both pretty unusual for a pug. She would always eat chicken, so I thought when she didn't eat her breakfast she was being obstinate and didn't want to eat dog food. Occasionally she would throw up in the mornings on an empty stomach. Then last week she started having accidents and I was thinking incontinence, maybe a bladder infection.
You know you are in trouble when you are hoping your dog has a bladder infection 
My Vet had called me Wednesday night to talk about Maggie's tumors and Tani's blood work (last weeks crisis) -I was able to ask her about Mag's incontinence- and she said to bring Mag in the next day with Tani. We did a urine sample, and because she was almost due a complete blood work up. Linda (my vet) called me at 9:00 Friday night to tell me about Mag's results.
So we are not at the -go to the hospital immediately for fluids- stage. From what I have researched so far it appears that while some of her numbers are high, they are not yet in the really scary zone. I will probably have to change her diet some, and maybe put her on some supplements. While it is not cure-able and it will progress, it appears to be manageable for awhile - and we have gotten pretty good at managing the incurable (with both pug girls).
I will talk more with Linda on Monday when I take Maggie in to get her stitches out. We are going to recheck her workup in two weeks to see how she is doing. We are talking about doing an ultrasound as well to see what the kidneys look like. Mag is due for an annual check up with the oncologist in March. I was debating doing the checkup- but maybe I'll do the ultrasound and look at all the internal stuff. There is not much chance that her mast cell cancer has anything to do with this as it does not usually affect the kidneys.
I have to hand it to the pug girls, I am sure learning a lot about chronic diseases in dogs.
Karen
Offline
Hey, Little Buddy, hang in there. We're hoping your numbers stay in the Good range for a long time. Let us know the outcome of the Monday appointment and talks.
We're pulling for you!
Love, Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Keep us advised about what's going on, sending pawsitive thoughts your way for great numbers on Monday!
Shelby, the P.P.
Many good thoughts for Monday.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Gosh Maggie - you sure are keeping your Mum busy these days!
Kidneys. Gosh. I have a bit of experience with kidneys, because I scarfed up a big bottle of sugar-coated Advil pills as a teenager in 2001. More common than you might think. Mine was ARF (acute renal failure) vs. yours is CRF. We got things under control that year, however, my CREA remained borderline toward the high and moved well into the high zone during chemo treatment this year. Still, we were able to manage it okay and my kidney values were all fine when I moved on for other reasons. I never developed incontinence so am not making a direct comparison with Maggie.
One website you should know about (as if you need to spend more time surfing for doggy health info) is the K9Kidney group on Yahoo. They were a terrific source of information and well-established group back then, so I assume they still are. People on that site managed their dog's CRF far longer than you would think possible from speaking to a vet, and might have some tricks up their muzzles that you won't hear about elsewhere. (We were the oddballs having ARF; most on that site had CRF).
Depending on what pills Maggie is on, I expect they might be adjusted. Was there any sign that a kidney problem was developing earlier in the year (based on the bloodwork)?
One thing that seem to have helped bring Tazzie's kidney values down was a vegie flush we did for 10 weeks this fall (only stopping when Tazzie stopped). The reason we did the flush had nothing to do with the kidneys, but was to avoid bladder problems related to Cytoxan, a low dose chemo drug. We did not see an improvement two weeks after starting the flush, but we saw a significant improvement four weeks later, even though he was still on two pills known to be bad for kidneys (metacam and cytoxan to a lesser extent). By four weeks post flush, the kidney values were fully normal (the CREA was Tazzie's main problem). I boiled copious amounts of vegies (broccolli, a bit of cabbage, carrot) nearly to a pulp, and gave him that water to drink. The point was to get him to drink more to flush his bladder, but the vet also said that it could not hurt his kidneys and seemed really happy that we kept it up. It was flavourful enough to him that he drank a lot, about 2 liters per day. (Even the cat started to drink the vegie water by the end, which seemed a bit peculiar.) The vegie water was preferable to prepared broths, because most broths have lots of salt. This had no salt other than what would have been in the vegies.
Let us know how the tests go on Monday.
Susan and messenger Tazzie
Mag & Tani,
Your Mommie has learned enough. It is time for her to take a break from her "medical school".
Angel Emily
Karen,
I will be praying for you on Monday. I'm sorry you are now dealing with yet another issue. Stay strong.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Never underestimate the Power of the Pug! Thanks for the update. We're hoping all goes well, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Maggie, maggie...I hope Monday goes well for you AND your Mom!!! I agree, it's time for your Mom to take a break from 'vet school' training! 🙂
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
My first dog had kidney failure for a while, at least a year, maybe two, and that wasn't what finally ended her life either. But Oi! Glad it isn't worse, but so many challenges lately. Not fair! More thoughts and prayers are coming your way!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Oh poor Maggie -
Enough already! Get well and soon!!! We want to hear that our little Pugster is feeling good!
Mommy, go get some chocolate for yourself and eat it all. (a big chocolate cake or something!) That will keep you feeling good and off the Google! You can't Google if you are stuffing your face with a chocolate cake!
Wishing for good results!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Maggie we are hoping come Monday your mom has good news to share with all of us. Thoughts and prayers for good news.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Oh Karen! Oh Maggie! We are over here sending many many positive thoughts down towards Livermore and surrounding you and the pug girls. Keep us updated.
mary
May 2001-Jan 21, 2010.....I'm a dog and I'm AWESOME!..... Always.
Hi all, an update such as it is...
We went to the vet today and Mag got her stitches out- yea!! However the mass from her nose is still wandering in the wilderness... So that pretty much closes out last week's fun.
Today Maggie got her blood pressure taken to rule out hypertension- which we did. I wanted to watch but they did it in the back right after they took her stitches out. We decided to re-run the blood and urine tests in two weeks to see where we are. If the numbers are worse then we will know we have a fast progressing problem.
Linda wants to run a 'free catch' urine sample next time- yes that means I have to follow Mag around and try to catch some fresh from the tap. Should be fun for all.
Other than not wanting to eat sometimes Maggie is fine. She walked to the park yesterday, is fairly playful- pretty much normal. But she barley ate any breakfast, would eat no lunch, and had maybe 1/5 of her dinner (which I fed before the vet). After the vet I stopped by my parents house since it is on the way home. I had my dad fix her dinner which she ate up- like, well like she hadn't eaten all day. And all weekend she ate fine.
Susan- thanks for the tip on K9Kidney- I have signed up and sent them some info on Mag. They are going to help me sort out a diet and supplements. I'll take that back to my vet and see what she thinks. Today she gave me a prescription food for kidney dogs which I will try but $$$$$!!!!!. I am also going to try the veggie broth. And Mags blood work and ultrasound from the oncologist visit last April were normal (I think)
Thanks to all for the kind words and support- Hopefully Spud power will get us through again.
Special thanks to Comet dog for the chocolate cake suggestion- best advice ever!!!!
I will post a new topic update when we do the next round of tests.
Karen and the spud girls
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