Maggie’s doing pretty well. Yesterday at the vet she had her usual laser(one more treatment then on to probably monthly maintenance or more if needed). I got a lesson yesterday on giving her subQ fluids. I flunked the first time as the fluids were coming out instead of in! Needle probably up in dermal layer the Tech told me…so my second poke I got it right. Lucky for me, Maggie doesn’t even flinch at the pokes of an 18 gauge needle. After we were done, Dr. Adrian came in as I wanted to know how much I should do fluids at home. She said let’s run her blood work again on Tuesday as it will be two weeks since first blood draw. That way we can see where she’s at and what/how much fluids she should get. She’s also been on Azodyl (probiotic supplement that can help reduce urea nitrogen levels in the blood) and Epakitin(phosphorus binder) and Standard Process Arginex and Renafood for two weeks as well. I told her I need a prescription for Royal Canin kidney diet kibble. Maggie is preferring kibble as part of her diet now and refuses to eat her usual Honest Kitchen foods with raw meat added. Dr. Adrian suggested I wait until blood work to decide which kibble to get as they have an early stage kidney diet and an advanced stage kidney diet kibble. She didn’t realize Royal Canin had a prescription food(they sell Science Diet but I don’t want to use that on Maggie). I told her I go to http://www.dogaware.com/ for all sorts of medical information – of which she wrote the website down 🙂
I have also ordered the Canine Caviar Special Needs one on this list – zoom down to kibbles:
Saw a friend of mine yesterday during training practice with Haley and she said Maggie looked better than 3 weeks prior when she saw her. Stronger and in better weight behind her ribcage. What I noticed just before I started going to the vet with this condition was that Maggie was loosing muscle in her rear end – now I have since read that kidney dogs will start to “use” their own protein – muscle in their system. I’m sure that is what was(is?) happening. The Azodyl and Epakitin will slow that down along w/ low phosphorus foods. I also have her on Parotid SP supplement as that helped Maggie when she was so sick after amputation and didn’t want to eat.
Her appetite is better but not 100%. She is eating approximately 1/2 kibble(Acana Chicken/Potato as that is what I have right now) and 1/2 cooked diet I got off Lew Olsen’s website:
Recipe #1 Mix 1/2 cooked sticky rice (sushi rice) cooked in unsalted butter with 1/2 HIGH fat hamburger or dark meat chicken (lower in phosphorus than white meat). Add two cooked egg whites (no yolk) per cup. You can make as large a batch as needed and freeze for daily portions. Save the egg shells, and add back one teaspoon of egg shell (dry overnight, grind in a coffee bean grinder) per two pounds of food. The egg shell is good for calcium and also act as a phosphorus binder.
I’m feeling better now as it seems Maggie is getting more stable now. The Epakitin is a powder but she won’t eat supplements in her food, so I have been making capsules out of the powder(got a pill maker from Nature’s Farmacy a while back – putting it to use now!) I hate pilling her but she got “wise” to the pill pockets and won’t eat them now. So I have to pill her about 16 times morning and night. 🙁 Good thing she’s a good girl and compliant in all of this!
‘Til next time, Maggie says she’ll keep on hoppin’!
Tracy & Maggie
Author: maggie
Maggie was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma on her left knee. She had amputation done on October 20, 2009. Four days after surgery she had a low grade fever and was off her food for two weeks! Trying times.. I am grateful and so pleased with how she is progressing now.
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Wow, somehow I missed your original post about Maggies CKD and had to go back and read it. I’m really sorry to hear this has come up, but it sounds like you and Maggie have a treatment plan, and are handling it in stride. Maggie is an amazing girl, and I have a feeling that she can handle just about anything that gets thrown at her. Sending positive thoughts to your girl!
Thank you Maximutt for keeping up with Maggie’s blog and updates 🙂 It means a lot to me as you always have such great insight on subjects and wise words 🙂
Thank you for the positive thoughts to Maggie!
Tracy
Keep on hoping Maggie. Keep on rockin Tracy. What a dedicated dog owner you are! Love to you both.
Great job with the food. I also baked eggshells as a phosphorus binder for one of my other dogs. And to add extra
Fluids I continue to serve him his cooked meal with water poured in it just as a means of providing extra fluid into his system incase he isn’t drinking it on his own. Glad to hear Maggie is doing well.
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Let me tell you what—that Maggie girl could not have a better advocate than you!! Please take a second to give your own self a pat on the back for a great job of doing everything possible to keep her strong and feeling good! She is a beautiful soul and so are you!
You really have some great plans in action AND you’ve shared some great information with everyone, Thank you.
Look forward to continue to follow Maggie’s journey and all the joy she is experiencing just by being so loved.
Sally and Happy Hannah
Thank you all!!! I just finished cooking up a storm for Maggie and putting her Epakitin powder in capsules(she won’t eat it in her food). I’m tired now and hoping Miss Maggie will give me a massage?!?! Hahaha… What this dog has taught me and remains to teach me….endless…
Tracy
So glad to hear things are going better. What a great Mom you are and Maggie knows that for sure. Will be watching for her next update.
Tracy,
We are sorry to hear about Maggie’s kidney disease but it is obvious you have embraced this new challenge with courage and great skill, as usual :). Your love for Maggie shines bright in the amazing depth of the care you give her. Thank you for the detailed posts on all you are doing for Maggie (again, as usual!). You are charting a path that others can follow should they meet the same foe!
Thirteen paws crossed here and sending you and Maggie all our love and strength!
Martha and the Oaktown Pack
Thank you so much Martha! Keep those 13 paws crossed!
One of my goals with Maggie’s blog is to help others with issues – whether it be cancer, diet, exercise or now kidney disease… I hope I can pay it forward in some manner..
Tracy
Maggie you are made of tougher stuff than i am. I’m so glad you’re feeling good (and your momma too).
Hey did you see the dog food made by this company we mentioned last week:
http://nutrition.tripawds.com/2013/03/18/just-food-for-dogs-delivers-home-cooked-goodness-to-your-door/
THeir food ROCKS and they make a kidney disease recipe, and will even work with your vet to create a custom formula.
My momma said to tell you that. I don’t know what that means but I hope it helps Maggie feel good! xoxo
<3 you are awesome tracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Wyatt for the diet information! My Mom is looking into it..
Maggie
Awe, thank you Chrissy 🙂
Tracy