Well, funny how Maggie’s blog was supposed to be about her cancer journey and now
it’s turned into a kidney disease journey….
On Saturday, she spiked a fever of 104.3. She was shivering and remained like that
for 5 hours or so but it lessened that night and by morning, her temperature was
back to normal of 101.6 and then later in the day, 101.3. This was with the help, of
yet again, my dear sister, Gina, who is also a Vet Tech(for a holistic practice now).
We dosed her with Belladonna 200C 4 times on Saturday night. Her gums were
also very red and tacky. I have been giving her daily subQ fluids and when I realized
she was shivering, I did her fluids early that day thinking it was her kidneys causing it.
Her urine that I collected seemed to be OK via a picture I sent to Gina in color.
Her appetite has been extremely picky but I have been able to get into her on most
days her total amount she normally would eat but it is a HUGE array of variety.
From chicken, to kibble, to freeze dried Primal or Stella and Chewy’s, to canned
foods like Science Diet A/D(high calorie critical care food) and Royal Canin Kidney diet
to Wellness Fish. Chicken has been her mainstay but not since her fever Saturday
night. Since the fever, it’s been a real struggle to get a good amount of food into her
during the course of a day.
So, I took her to the vet today – she’s still there as I write this – and here’s what I have
for news & rehash of her kidney values:
1st check – March 15th – BUN: 63 CREA: 2.3
2nd check – April 2nd – BUN: 77 CREA: 2.8
3rd check – April 23rd – BUN: 90 CREA: 4.8
Her BUN and CREA numbers mean she is quite uremic which is why she “feels like
crud”, my vet’s words… Her bad breath is the kidney toxins(that has been going on
for a while now since the get go).
Did another urinalysis on her that shows also worsening protein and kidney/bladder
values poor.
I had them do a chest film to check for lung mets or any other type of growth and
that is clear(to the naked eye). She doesn’t react on physical exam to any pain in
her abdomen etc.
Her fever is a mystery – caused by what? Inflammation from the disease or something
else? Could be from the cancer but we’re doubting that at this point. Gina has been
wondering about Addison’s disease and I mentioned that to my vet. She said that
her bloodwork isn’t typical of Addison’s but that Addison’s can also be very vague.
They would have to special order the test but in her words “if she were my dog, it might
not be a bad idea to try prednisone tablets”. And if she responds, then we can just keep her
on those and still not do the test(it is an expensive test, I think Gina said $200).
But basically, at this point, at best we hope the prednisone will improve her eating and make
her feel better for a while.
They are giving her IV fluids right now as I requested it(per my dear sister Gina) as
that will give her a ‘boost’ of fluids and maybe make her feel better and feel like
eating more.
She still was very interested at the vet to bark at people driving into the driveway and
sniffing the office desk where I’m sure a male dog peed…so she is still acting “like
Maggie”. She had “happy feet” for Norm last night when he drove in after work.
She was perky this morning. It’s just eating that is a huge struggle right now.
Amazingly, I’ve kept weight on her through this. Her weight on April 2nd was 64#
and now she is 63.8#. She has lost some muscling with the lack of exercise in the
past couple weeks. But last night, she wanted to go with Haley & I downtown for
a walk, so I took her for a short jaunt around the field and she seemed totally fine.
Soooo….Haley & I are headed downstate this weekend to a trial where I’m judging
and competing. Part of me wants to stay home but the other part of me says “you
need a break”. Norm will take good care of her while I’m gone and I will tell my vet
tonight when I pick Maggie up that he is “in charge” of her this weekend. Part of
me will feel guilty and HUGELY sad as I drive out but….such is life I guess….
I did also just start an appetite stimulant remedy from Dr. Loops yesterday and I
did manage to get some food into her last night as well as this morning. So maybe
that will give her a boost too…and the more fluids to drain out that toxic CRAP in
her 🙁
Well, I guess that’s all the update I can give right now…not a pretty picture but
this one below sure as hell is! Love you Maggie!
‘Til next, time…Maggie says I keep on hoppin’!
Tracy & Maggie
That is indeed a beautiful picture and you, indeed, are a beautiful soul!!
I read through your post twice to make sure I got it right…..and from the outside looking in, Ms. Maggie, except for every now and then, seems to be feeling pretty spunky for a girl with a few “issues” going on! Maggie’s personality is definitely shining through!
Doubt that this is the case at all regarding the shivering, but I did find that during and after I would give my dogs with kidney issues fluids, sometimes shivering would be involved. I was constantly checking with vet to make sure Iwasn’t doing it too fast, or the fluids were room temperature….or anything else I could think of. T didn’t last long though and vet didn’t seem concerned. Just thought I’d through that out there.
Maggie would definitely want you to go this weekend!! It’s good for both of you! She’s in good hands with Norm and he will be diligent with her care. 🙂
I’m’ really glad she has a Mom who’s “trainable” on her food preferences:-) 🙂
He fact that she’s only lost a few ounces (heck, that could just be how she wiggled on the scales) is a testament to how well she trained you!!
We’re all cheering for you and Maggie and appreciate the updates when you have time. The dexamethazone will surely help with appetite and any inflammation so that should help her to co to UE to feel better. Glad you have Dr. Loops and your sister in the mix. Okay….in the loop!!
You hang in there…you are really doing a great job as Maggie’s’ advocate and she knows it!
Sending you lovi g support, Sally and Happy Hannah
Aww what an adorable pic of Maggie. Keep up the stellar work on the diet. You ARE a trooper who most certainly has a warrior spirit along with Maggie. She looks great. Surely these are just little bumps in the road. You have done an outstanding job as her bestfriend and caregiver. Hugs and best wishes. Keep us up to date. Look forward to hearing more. Stay strong.
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Sending virtual hugs to you and Maggie. I hope we can help you refresh and recharge this weekend.
Maggie, we are all wishing you appetite……..the late Dilly Dog recommends eating all you can! *wooooo wooooooo* (as only Dilly could say)
Glad you’re home…..
Auntie Gina
Maggie that picture of you in the sun is beautiful 🙂 So glad you got out to enjoy. Enjoy the weekend with your Dad and eat some food so Momma can take a big breath .
Maggie, we are wishing you well all the way from Southern California! Tell Norm to fix you a steak! I hope you feel better real soon girl!!
Great, detailed update. I’m right there with you, cheering you on Maggie! Rest up, girl, you certainly have some battles to fight. But, I’m sure you’ll manage to still enjoy all life offers. Enjoy the sunshine and the upcoming spring air!
Hang in there Maggie and Mom! Maggie you are such a fighter and doing a great job at meeting this challenge head on. Sendig happy thoughts your way.
Hey pretty girl, we are cookin up some yummy bison meat over here just for you. Wyatt Ray will personally deliver it, so look out OK?
All of us here are sending our healing energy. Get strong girl, we love you like nopawdy’s business.
P.S. Tracy, do what you need to do. I think perhaps Maggie wants that for you more than anything. She is not the kind of girl who wants you sitting around staring at her all day, she wants you to live life to the fullest just as she has done all these years. Go, enjoy and know that her energy will accompany you and Haley to the event. Good luck!
Mags, Chloe and I are rooting for you! We know what its like to have some weird things happen and not know a cause….in your case the fever, in our case Chloe’s weird gulps (thankfully mostly subsided). I know we’ve been MIA from tripawds, but I saw the post on FB and decided to drop some positive thoughts your way. Good Luck Mags, fight that fever and disease! We love you!
Tracy- you are doing a great job keeping weight on her, I know how hard it is. I’m sorry her numbers are not looking better- but you are giving your all for her.
Maggie moo is a special girl.
Karen
What a beautiful picture of a beautiful girl 🙂 Many hugs to you and Maggie through this journey. Me and my crew are sending you positive vibes for Maggie all the from Montana.