Oliver's Bloodtest Update

[Fitmaltesemom]

The following is a progress report on Oliver who is 15 years old.  As you all know he went into severe kidney failure on April 5th, three days prior to his 15th birthday. Dr. Shultz was very impressed and happy with Oliver's results :) His next check up is February 7th.  He is on the KD prescription diet and only is given fish oil  and Pepcid AC in the morning.

2014 BLOOD RESULTS

April 5     BUN 157   CREAT 2.1
April 8     BUN   75   CREAT 1.4  After three days of fluid therapy
April 20   BUN   65   CREAT 1.5
May 22   BUN   24   CREAT 1.7
Aug  3    BUN   24   CREAT 1.8
Nov  7    BUN   23   CREAT 1.4

[Misfits4Me]

WOW!! Great Job!!!!  That's a wonderful report.....Would you mind sharing his Phosphorus Levels throughout??? Thank you......

[tonyb286]

Hi Elsa. I am so pleased ... for little Olliver and for you. Oliver continues to wow us all. This is fabulous. Tony Xxx

[DogBlog]

THIS IS SO GREAT.  Great caregiving Mom!!  Keep doing what you do!!

[Fitmaltesemom]

I had to look up the Phosphorus levels last night:

April 5    5.8
April 8    5.9
April 20  5.7
May 22  5.7
Aug 3    4.8
Aug 22  4.7
Nov 7    3.6

Normal levels are between 2.5 - 6.1

[Fitmaltesemom]

Thank you. I am very happy with the results. Will be celebrating this weekend :)
What amazes Dr. Schultz the most is the Oliver is 15 years old !! An amazing accomplishment.

Hugs
Elsa & Oliver

[Fitmaltesemom]

Thank you Tony ! We are elated that Oliver is doing just wonderfully.
Hugs,
Elsa & Oliver

[Misfits4Me]

Thank you...I'm really excited for you....Enjoy your celebration......Karla

[DarbiesMom]

Elsa!

Fantastic numbers!! I can't get over the BUN from April! Truly amazing!!

Congratulations to Mom & Oliver:)

Fondly,
Lynne & Darbie:)

[Fitmaltesemom]

I know its amazing :)
Can hardly believe it.

Hugs
Elsa

[Misfits4Me]

Hello Fitmaltesemom.....I'm wondering about something & curious if your Vet has addressed it?

From your Charts, Oliver's levels have fallen very quickly over the last 7 months....Now that they are all in normal range, what happens if they continue to fall & everything goes into below normal range? Wouldn't that be dangerous &  lead to more health issues?

I'm not trying to cause a conflict! I truly am curious & wonder if your Vet has mentioned any of this.....

The Prescription Diet is not made for long term feeding AND has way too low protein for any normal dog (Even a Senior) to live on.....It appears that the only protein source is a dried egg product (Whatever that is) in the dry food & a small amount of Pork Liver in the canned.....If there is not enough (Or any) Protein, wouldn't a dog's Albumin start falling, along with phosphorus and cause even more serious problems?

My concern is if Oliver doesn't have a recheck until Feb. (Which is wonderful by-the-way), and these levels continue to plummet for 3 more months & something happens to Oliver; are they going to blame it on his Kidney disease when it's very possible that it's the food & he was not getting any nutrition????

Anyway, this has been bothering me, so I thought I'd ask...Thank you, Karla

[tonyb286]

Karla, that's a very valid point. It is so rare for a dog to have the extraordinary success that Oliver has had (even more so given his age) and for levels to fall back into the normal range with such consistency. I agree, I think it may be very worthwhile having the levels checked again maybe at the end of December. I think it's unlikely for the levels to go into below average levels, because the kidney disease is still active, albeit in a maintained and perhaps stasis condition, but nonetheless it's worth being cautious. Tony

[Misfits4Me]

Thank you Tony...I was hoping you would see this.....This particular case seems different to me.......Was it ever true Kidney disease??? How do we really know?? Kidney failure is always a result of something else.....Maybe a toxin, poison, chemical??? Flushed out & the body has had time to heal???

I'd love to know what Oliver has eaten all these years, including treats & was anything different prior to April????

I AM delighted for him & his momma!!! He is so DARLING!!!!.......Karla

[tonyb286]

You are right, Karla, sometimes it's a tricky diagnosis. These days I tend to suggest people not only have full blood panel tests but both urinalysis and blood pressure too. The underlying cause is much more difficult to identify in a longstanding condition - and by that stage it may well be inconsequential. Recent findings suggest dental health is one of the big ones, as the bacteria from poor mouth and dental hygiene becomes chronically toxic over a long time. But with so many potential causes, it's not an easy thing to pin down.

I do know that in Oliver's case, his very diligent mom has been keeping a record of the illness and treatments and eventually it will be interesting to have the details concisely reported.

Tony x

[Fitmaltesemom]

Oliver was diagnosed with renal disease in 2009 by a vet who did not recommend KD Prescription diet but a homemade diet that consisted of Ground Beef/ White Bread/Rice/Tums. Oliver has always had full blood panels and two thorough physical exams since 2009 to be sure everything was fine. His levels never reached the numbers that caused severe kidney failure.  His heart is in good condition and so are his lungs.
He has had his teeth cleaned every year until just about last year.  I clean his teeth now since I do not want to have him put under at his age.  Dr. Schultz specializes in geriatric dogs and has been taking care of Oliver.  She has already checked for other potential illnesses and he does not have any.  I will ask her about the lack of protein in his diet.
Thank you all for your concerns !

[Fitmaltesemom]

I meant that Oliver has had two physical exams/ urinalysis etc every year since 2009.  I will check about the concern of his levels dropping due to lack of protein in his diet.  I never really gave it much thought. Thank you all for your insight.

Hugs
Elsa

[tonyb286]

Hi Elsa. This isn't a worry just yet, but yeah, ask your excellent vet about it and enquire whether an interim blood test might be useful in December to see whether the levels are falling to sub-average. Personally, I don't think they will, but it's worth doing just to be sure.

Give the magic man a hug from me.

Tony x

[Fitmaltesemom]

Better to be on the safe side and I will discuss with her this week.
Will let you know.

Hugs from Oliver....

[Fitmaltesemom]

Karla,
I'll be ordering more KD food for Oliver this week and will be discussing all the concerns with Dr. Schultz.  As  I mentioned before her specialty is geriatric dogs. Oliver was diagnosed with renal disease since 2009 and was on a ground beef/white bread/eggs/tums diet for several years. His BUN & CREAT remained steady never high. Oliver has always had a superb appetite and I prepared all his meals - boiled chicken with rice and veggies.  The severe kidney failure he went into was quite a surprise.  Since he reached his senior years he has always had two physicals a year and a dental cleaning too. Oliver has been checked for any other illnesses and we have been blessed he is fine.  I will report back as to what Dr. Schultz has to say.....Oliver just may be a Miracle Maltese !!!
Hugs
Elsa

[Misfits4Me]

I like that!! "Miracle Maltese"!!!  :)

Your Oliver is precious!!! I have a poodle Named, Oliver.....He is the spawn of Satan!! Meanest dog I have ever encountered, unfortunately.....Been that way since I adopted him.....He's been here 11 years.....

Also, have a a senior Maltese , "Charm" here in our Rescue.....We pulled her in April from our city pound the day she was to be euthanized....She's 10 and still looking for a home......We have spent thousands getting all of her medical needs addressed....She is perfectly healthy now, bloodwork perfect, etc., so I'm hoping for a miracle for her & someone will step up and give this cutie patootie a home of her own.....Gotta Love those Malteses!!!!

I will be following....I delighted to hear some good news today!!! Thank you for the update....Karla

[tonyb286]

Hi Elsa. How are things with you and Oliver. I'm hoping he stays well enough to enjoy the upcoming holidays and (no doubt) a few treats you have planned for him. As always, you and the little man are in my thoughts. Sending you both some warm cyber hugs from across the pond. Tony x

[Fitmaltesemom]

Greetings Tony !
Oliver and I have been on vacation :)
He has just been fine. He is at the groomers right now.  Oliver has been relishing the holidays.
Hope you have enjoying the holidays as much as us. You are so sweet in thinking about us. Take care of yourself and we will be in touch.

Hugs !!!
Elsa & Oliver

[tonyb286]

Oh excellent news, Elsa. I'm so pleased. To be honest, it's been a bad week, with four dogs whose owners I have been supporting for some time having succumbed to CKF. It is always that much sadder when dogs pass just before the festive season gets underway, I think.

Anyway, apart from that, my own two are fine and looking forward to the big day. They start to get quite excited when the tree goes up, ha, and tend to sniff each day, wondering whether one of the presents underneath are for them. Sssshhhhh ... don't tell them, but they are actually all for them. Ha, ha.

Great to hear Oliver is keeping so well.

Hugs from across the pond,

Tony x

[DarbiesMom]

Beautiful Oliver:)

God speed to you both:)

Elsa, I hope your M&D are well:)

Fondly,
Lynne & Darbie

[Fitmaltesemom]

Hi Tony,

Oliver is doing fantastic. His appetite is super and he continues to thrive.
Now, I don't want to jinx Oliver and I especially since his next visit with Dr. Schultz is next Friday. Since April 2014 he has never vomited or missed a meal :)  He sleeps all night, tinkles after he eats, barks when he wants more KD Canned food.  I find it rather amazing that he actually LOVES this prescription food. He also LOVES KD biscuits. I had inquired if they made special treats for dogs with CKF and they do.  Looks like he is maintaining his current weight of 3.07 lbs and he looks healthy. I will pop in again once we he has his blood test.....Fingers crossed.