Ally is ill

Great news! We do need a happy dance emoji. I would be using it right now too.:lol: So glad Ally is feeling better. I know you said she was not eating well before the antibiotics, so maybe her being sick caused her not to eat. Then the antibiotics cured the original problem but then caused more tummy upset from just being on them. That is my theory. :lol: Update us with results on the doctors appointment. Hope it all goes well. :biggrin2: :fl:hugs
 
Thanks so much for asking about Ally. I wish I had better news. We had a work-up with the board certified internal medicine vet. She was great and very thorough, and best of all she fell in love with Ally. I think we were lucky to get her back at the end of the visit!

No test results as yet since we were there New Year's Eve. I hope to hear Tuesday about her blood work and a special urine protein/creatinine test. The good news was, her blood pressure is normal, not increased like some kidney dogs. And the vet took a look for herself at her kidneys via an ultrasound without charge, to be able to visualize how affected they are vs just reading the radiologist report. They don't look too horrible she said.

Unforutnately, Ally has gone off her food again. They gave us 3 different kidney diets to try as samples. A few bites of any of them was it. Then we put down the lamb and rice she had been eating, and she didn't want that either. Back on the merry-go-round to find something she will eat!

Tried oatmeal, pasta, chicken, peas, cheerios, eggs. She did eat some raw carrots but there's no calories in that! Today it was a few bites of dog food, some carrots, a dog jerky strip and small slice of broccoli.

The worst part is, she will appear in the kitchen, with big eyes, obviously hungry, but when we offer her something, a few licks and she's done. The Cerenia med doesn't seem to help much. I am going to ask the vet about Phenergan which we use in people for nausea.

They talked to us about an esophogeal feeding tube that would be inserted into her neck to allow us to give her nutrition directly into her esophagus near the stomach. Yowza, at first I thought "no way" but now, with her acting so normally otherwise, we are re-thinking. She still goes on walks, chases her stick, barks and attacks the vacuum.... she's not listless or depressed, just anorexic. Of course without enough calories she will eventually fade. The vet isn't in until Tuesday so we won't know anything before then. It's just very, very, very hard. :cry:
 
Thanks for the update... I am still shocked to hear she has any energy at all without eating! I really hoped getting of the antibiotics could help!

A feeding tube does sound extreme at first but if it gets her strength back and then can be removed it would be worth it. I just wish I could offer that magic bullet to get her to eat. Have you tried risotto? If you make it with chicken broth it may tempt her? I know you can add all sorts of things in it to further the taste and caloric content. Grabbing at straws here I know.

Please let us know when you get additional feedback from the specialist.
God speed little Ally... We are all pulling for you dear one!
Your mommy needs you!
 
Oh, Sharon...my heart just aches for you...it is so devastating to see a little dog you love having health issues. But the fact that except for eating Ally is acting normally is very encouraging and if there is a way to get good nutrition into her it may be worth trying the feeding tube to give her a chance to get her appetite back. Please know my thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and Ally for a good outcome for your sweet girl. :hugs

Trini
 
I am so sorry to hear Ally is not eating again :(
I wish we could dream up a magic pill to make everything be all right.

Wet cat food is high in protein and is usually smelly and appetizing.

My previous Sheltie, towards the end, got home made chicken and rice. I hand fed him because he would eat to make me happy. Such a sweet little soul.
 
I am so very sorry to hear that she is not eating again. I really hope they can figure something out soon. I just can't believe it. :cry:
 
Tried oatmeal, pasta, chicken, peas, cheerios, eggs. She did eat some raw carrots but there's no calories in that! Today it was a few bites of dog food, some carrots, a dog jerky strip and small slice of broccoli.

Sharon, I'm so sorry to hear this. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to get a dog to eat. We see it frequently when our pregnant girls go off their food and we try everything possible to get some food into them.

If you haven't tried these yet, something that might work is the little jars of baby food meat...maybe turkey or beef, with a stronger smell, lots of nutrition and easy to digest. Another idea is tripe, which is almost irresistible. You can get it canned for dogs in most good pet food stores. I've also had some luck with canned tuna which has a strong smell.

I hope you can find something that sparks her appetite soon! Sending good thoughts and prayers. :hugs
 
Update

Well, I spoke with the vet yesterday afternoon, which was a surprise. She called with lab results that weren't what I was expecting. Her kidney values continue to go DOWN, now at BUN 51 and creatinine of 1.7, which is great! However, she does have protein in her urine and now her blood protein (albumin) is low.

Her pancreatic lipase is still elevated, and the specialist vet thinks that pancreatitis is behind her anorexia now. Good grief. Of course we had started feeding her kidney diet food which is higher in fat.... and anything else she'd eat so we may not have helped that. So.... I suggested a human med for nausea that she agreed could help in conjunction with the Cerenia and pepcid. I know if she wasn't nauseated she would eat. She's never been a picky eater. And she will start benazapril to keep the protein in her bloodstream rather than going into her urine and being lost. I sure hate to load her up on meds but hoping we can ease off the nausea med eventually.

So this morning she did eat a little lowfat intestinal diet, the rest I just had to force feed to her. She's really good about it, I just put a fingerful at a time in her cheek pocket.

Counting my blessings that her spirit is still good and she seems "normal". Also counting my blessings that we can afford this care which is really adding up fast.

And lastly, REALLY counting you all in my blessings, because when I read your supportive messages it helps more than you know. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. :hugs
 
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