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Oliver - Maltese
My 15 year old Maltese Oliver was diagnosed with kidney failure on April 7th, 2014. He spent two in a half days at the pet clinic being flushed of all the toxins and hooked up to IV's. His BUN was 157 at the time he was admitted, but bloodwork was done the morning of his release- BUN now is 75 (still too high), leveled back to normal. Vet told me to make him comfortable and that he basically had 2-3 months left. I am heartbroken. Since I brought Oliver home on April 9th, he has been eating, drinking water, walking and acting normal. He is more active than ever before. He even looks better. He is only a KD diet, and a supplement. He will see the vet this weekend for a recheck. I am also taking a holistic approach to this and already have a script drawn up for him for the vet to review. He is not throwing up and does not have ulcers. The day I actually rushed him to the vet he was looking sick and limp. Realistically I understand that Oliver is 15 and I have been blessed to have a dog this long. I want to take the holistic approach to make him more comfortable and for the progression of this disease to slow down. I have been doing major research since he was diagnosed. It breaks my heart to read the stories.
Oliver's doing pretty well then with his levels being somewhat normal. I hate to use the word normal because the ER vet made me so mad when Daisy was in their care. He'd say "we'll try to get her back to normal"... unfortunately, her normal was nowhere close to their 'normal'...
When I lost Daisy, her creatinine had somewhat plateaued at 4.0, but her phosphorus was over 16. She had a rough month.. when we admitted her to the ER hospital, her creatinine was 6.6. Then down to 4.2 then back up a day later to 5.4. That's when I decided to stop pumping her with fluids and bring her home for SQ treatment and lots of love. I'm lucky that my vet treated Daisy and not just her number.
When I lost Daisy, her creatinine had somewhat plateaued at 4.0, but her phosphorus was over 16. She had a rough month.. when we admitted her to the ER hospital, her creatinine was 6.6. Then down to 4.2 then back up a day later to 5.4. That's when I decided to stop pumping her with fluids and bring her home for SQ treatment and lots of love. I'm lucky that my vet treated Daisy and not just her number.
Well, Oliver is acting better than ever before. His vet actually thought he was not going to make it the first night at the clinic. She said it was a miracle and was amazed that his numbers changed. He is a small Maltese, only weighs 2.9 lbs. I am hoping with his great appetite right now and drinking lots of water....that he will show he has gained some weight by Saturday when he sees the vet. I picked up some KD diet from the vet on Tuesday and of course brought Oliver with me.....everyone was amazed on how different he looked. The tech said he looked like a "new dog"!!
Thank you so much for your feedback. I'm not ready to lose Oliver yet.
When I lost my other Maltese (Rio) it was horrible. Its been six years and I do think of him often. The pain lessens but the memories live on forever. Oliver's vet even called me to see how he was doing two days after being released from the pet clinic. She was very concerned about him. We want what is best for him.
Thank you so much for your feedback. I'm not ready to lose Oliver yet.
When I lost my other Maltese (Rio) it was horrible. Its been six years and I do think of him often. The pain lessens but the memories live on forever. Oliver's vet even called me to see how he was doing two days after being released from the pet clinic. She was very concerned about him. We want what is best for him.
Tony,
I feel better after reading your comment :) I'm making notes and have a list of supplements I want to talk to the vet about. She mentioned Fish Oil...so I will definitely bring that up. Everything happened so quickly, that I literally could not concentrate. As I mentioned before I am more focus now and know how to proceed. Spoonful of chopped cabbage....will try that.
I will definitely stay on this forum. I am learning from all of you and you have all provided emotional support. Oliver is napping here in my office at work - a huge plus that we are together 24/7 and his vet is a few minutes away. He had a huge appetite this morning and lunch as well. I will report back on Saturday after his vet visit. Hugs to all.
I feel better after reading your comment :) I'm making notes and have a list of supplements I want to talk to the vet about. She mentioned Fish Oil...so I will definitely bring that up. Everything happened so quickly, that I literally could not concentrate. As I mentioned before I am more focus now and know how to proceed. Spoonful of chopped cabbage....will try that.
I will definitely stay on this forum. I am learning from all of you and you have all provided emotional support. Oliver is napping here in my office at work - a huge plus that we are together 24/7 and his vet is a few minutes away. He had a huge appetite this morning and lunch as well. I will report back on Saturday after his vet visit. Hugs to all.
Welcome....I too, am sorry about your Oliver...You've done a wonderful job with him!
I have a dog named Oliver, (A small white Poodle). He's actually "The Spawn of Satan!", but we have learned to deal w/it! Never seen a dog this mean, but would never rehome him (Or any other) for any reason! He's mine till death, so to speak!
I'm curious if anything else on his blood panel was out of range? Either too low OR too high?
I'm putting together thoughts (On paper) on KD from Bloodwork panel results, other than BUN, creatinine & phosphorus....When you get time, please, let me know...
Also, can you share what you've fed him all these years? That's also part of my curiousity for comparisons.....Was he regularly vaccinated or not, would help me too...Thanks, Karla
I have a dog named Oliver, (A small white Poodle). He's actually "The Spawn of Satan!", but we have learned to deal w/it! Never seen a dog this mean, but would never rehome him (Or any other) for any reason! He's mine till death, so to speak!
I'm curious if anything else on his blood panel was out of range? Either too low OR too high?
I'm putting together thoughts (On paper) on KD from Bloodwork panel results, other than BUN, creatinine & phosphorus....When you get time, please, let me know...
Also, can you share what you've fed him all these years? That's also part of my curiousity for comparisons.....Was he regularly vaccinated or not, would help me too...Thanks, Karla
Let me gather all my paperwork and I will share the info with you.
I have always feed my Maltese boiled chicken, with veggies. Oliver loves broccoli. Purified water, kibble was Hills Science diet. He was always vaccinated right up until two three years ago. I stopped because he was always with me and never around other dogs. He had his teeth cleaned in September and had a complete blood panel done and the results were great. So, between September and April not sure what happened. He was due for his physical in April but it was bumped up due to what recently happened. Once he turned 10 it was physicals twice a year with dental cleaning. I will check the blood work tonight and provide more info.
Hugs
I have always feed my Maltese boiled chicken, with veggies. Oliver loves broccoli. Purified water, kibble was Hills Science diet. He was always vaccinated right up until two three years ago. I stopped because he was always with me and never around other dogs. He had his teeth cleaned in September and had a complete blood panel done and the results were great. So, between September and April not sure what happened. He was due for his physical in April but it was bumped up due to what recently happened. Once he turned 10 it was physicals twice a year with dental cleaning. I will check the blood work tonight and provide more info.
Hugs
Hope everyone had a lovely Easter.
Well, Oliver had his blood work done last Saturday, this was for his kidney values. His BUN is now 63 and his Creatinine is 1.4. Next month he will have a full blood panel done to check potassium levels, etc.
The vet called me last night, and said she was amazed on how Oliver has bounced back so quickly. She said most dogs don't. Oliver has been eating, drinking water and has been pretty active. She actually said its like he has a new lease on life. She did say she estimates he only has 2-3 months left- in fact she advised me of this when he was hospitalized. She did say that she is only estimating. I give her credit for being cautious. She also said she hopes she is wrong. But, of course its all what shows in the blood tests. I am taking each day as it comes and cherishing each day with Oliver.
Well, Oliver had his blood work done last Saturday, this was for his kidney values. His BUN is now 63 and his Creatinine is 1.4. Next month he will have a full blood panel done to check potassium levels, etc.
The vet called me last night, and said she was amazed on how Oliver has bounced back so quickly. She said most dogs don't. Oliver has been eating, drinking water and has been pretty active. She actually said its like he has a new lease on life. She did say she estimates he only has 2-3 months left- in fact she advised me of this when he was hospitalized. She did say that she is only estimating. I give her credit for being cautious. She also said she hopes she is wrong. But, of course its all what shows in the blood tests. I am taking each day as it comes and cherishing each day with Oliver.
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The blood levels are quite amazingly good, for now, so I think the diet is spot-on. You might want to consider adding some natural supplements ... omega-3 oil is one useful thing - and a spoonful of chopped cabbage every other day (fermentable fiber) which acts as a nitrogen trap. Things like this can be really positive in the early to mid period of canine kidney failure.
Stay with us here on the forum ... we are all on a learning curve here, and occasionally someone else's experience rings a familiar bell, which means we help each other with information and support. So far, I think Oliver is doing very well.
Tony x