Sharon7
Moderator
Holding her own
For a small, sensitive Sheltie, Ally is a tough cookie in many ways. Her latest lab work showed improved BUN, creatinine at 1.8 (high end of normal), phosphorous still the same, so her kidneys are hanging in there. Her urine did show increased protein loss and some red blood cells which is a worry - but incredibly, her albumin (blood protein) is not only still normal, it actually went UP a little - a very good thing.
Her blood sugar was very low so we will recheck that, but she had vomited her dinner the night before and then was fasted 15 hours before her lab work, so we figure that's why. Although with her pancreas issues, it is a bit of a concern. We are checking her B12 and folate levels, as this can be depleted in kidney dogs, and can be a cause of depressed appetite. If all that is normal, my vet (who just went to a GI conference) thinks we should try a course of steriods to knock down the chronic inflammation in her pancreas. If it works, it may mean she will eat on her own again.
We're afraid to be too hopeful since nothing has really worked, but the holy grail is certainly just to have her eat her own meals again. Otherwise, Ally is acting her normal spunky self. We walk 2 miles a day, 3 on Sundays, and she is trotting along at the end of the walk in good form. Of course we are thrilled that she seems to feel that good, and my vet is too, but we are all still puzzled. Her quality of life is so good except for meal time, so we will carry on.
And by tough I mean: a few days ago Faith accidentally bowled Ally over while they were chasing their stick, and she did a complete roll over, picked herself up and went at it again.
Not bad for an almost 14 year old "sick" doggie!!!
For a small, sensitive Sheltie, Ally is a tough cookie in many ways. Her latest lab work showed improved BUN, creatinine at 1.8 (high end of normal), phosphorous still the same, so her kidneys are hanging in there. Her urine did show increased protein loss and some red blood cells which is a worry - but incredibly, her albumin (blood protein) is not only still normal, it actually went UP a little - a very good thing.
Her blood sugar was very low so we will recheck that, but she had vomited her dinner the night before and then was fasted 15 hours before her lab work, so we figure that's why. Although with her pancreas issues, it is a bit of a concern. We are checking her B12 and folate levels, as this can be depleted in kidney dogs, and can be a cause of depressed appetite. If all that is normal, my vet (who just went to a GI conference) thinks we should try a course of steriods to knock down the chronic inflammation in her pancreas. If it works, it may mean she will eat on her own again.
We're afraid to be too hopeful since nothing has really worked, but the holy grail is certainly just to have her eat her own meals again. Otherwise, Ally is acting her normal spunky self. We walk 2 miles a day, 3 on Sundays, and she is trotting along at the end of the walk in good form. Of course we are thrilled that she seems to feel that good, and my vet is too, but we are all still puzzled. Her quality of life is so good except for meal time, so we will carry on.
And by tough I mean: a few days ago Faith accidentally bowled Ally over while they were chasing their stick, and she did a complete roll over, picked herself up and went at it again.
Not bad for an almost 14 year old "sick" doggie!!!
