4My2Greys
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Posts posted by 4My2Greys
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While I am very happy with the way Nadir's corn removals turned out I would be remiss in not sharing with you that it was in the beginning very rough on him. I wish I could remember how long it was before he was able to put weight on that foot without his backend collapsing. Honestly with Sid being a tripod I wonder how he even could manage unless some kind of cart was made for him to use while the foot healed. I know hulling won't solve the problem if there is a foreign body and it may not even help if it is just a corn, but it is much less invasive and if it works there is no healing time to worry about. You really have nothing to lose by hulling first. If it doesn't help you can then go forward with surgical removal of the corn.
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I tried the hulling first, which for him actually made matters worse. I ended up having it surgically removed and the surgeon that did it did a deep excision with wide margins. It took some time to heal, but it was so worth the good results we got. No corns have ever returned to that foot. He did have another corn come up on another foot several years later, which I also had surgically removed.
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Judy, I don't even have to see the video to know exactly what your talking about when you mention his back end going down as soon as he hits the tarmac. I went through the same thing with Nadir several years ago.
It would definitely be worth mentioning, I wonder though if it would be able to even do thai considering they have a problem even seeing it on the surface.What our vet did was first (and important, I think) hulled the corn -- this is a bloodless procedure -- and then lightly "kissed" the hulled surface (the cavity where the corn had been removed) with the surgical laser.
The dog was able to walk without a limp immediately upon waking from anaesthesia. I put a sock on the foot for a few days because it was tender on *prickly/uneven* surfaces like grass. There was no tenderness to speak of on carpet or non-gravelly concrete.
That particular corn never regrew. After 9 months, she did develop 2-3 smaller corns; we hulled those and they never came back in the couple years prior to her death.
Judy, whatever you decide to do I wish your boy speedy healing and pain-free walks again.
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Sending out healing thoughts for Maya that you find what is ailing her and it be treatable.
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I've been checking back for updates every hour until I went to bed after reading your post early yesterday morning. It was through tears I read of Dr. Couto's confirmation of osteo and the thought of Nell's pain and you and your wife's impending loss and then a smile as I read of your decision to amputate. I will be keeping your family close in my thoughts and Nell even closer as she goes through her surgery and recovery.
Hopefully Charlie'sDad will share photos of his Charlie and the joy in life he had living as a tri-pawd. To me Charlie, although now gone will always remain a true inspiration for those that thought amputation is the end of a dog's life.
Judy
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Nadir and Chase want to come visit and stay.
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In my unprofessional opinion she will do just fine. She will still have both weight bearing toes on that foot. If it had been a simple fracture or break I would feel different about amputation, but for a shattered bone my thought is that it would be best. I think I would even opt for amputation with a fracture like you describe even if it had been one of her weight bearing toes.
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We are heading to do a pressure test for glaucoma in about 30 min, if it's not glaucoma then we'll see the specialist. However, I've been throwing small treats at her and she catches 95% of them. So here's for hoping the vet (that originally said 80% of it being PRA) was drunk or something along those lines!
Maggie, have you learned anything more?
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You might want to call the Poison Control Center to see if there is anything toxic in those dryer sheet she may have absorbed prior to vomiting them up.
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Good point, 4My2Greys. I've had several long talks with my vet and she mentioned toxin build up as well. Since the lab results have been stable, she's given us to OK to continue as we are now.
Ducky, I hope it didn't sound as if I was being judgemental. I really need to take Nadir in for a more current urinalysis and bloodwork. His drinking and urination have increased significantly and I suspect he is in the beginning stages of kidney failure. I hadn't realized the role fiber could play in eliminating toxins when I started adding it to Nadir's food, but I have seen a significant change for the good since I have.
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What Ducky said. Seamus also has beginning-mod stage kidney disease. He is not a dog who enjoys many foods, he is very, very picky and always has been. At 13.7+, he can have whatever he wants, my focus is to try to keep his lumbar stenosis in check and to try to keep him upright.
If my dog and yours were younger, I'd do whatever my vet told me to maintain good kidney health. At the age mine is now, I just want her to be happy for the time she has left. This.
I agree with this, however I think a person should first address the cause of inappetance, which is often due to a build up of toxins due to the kidneys failing to filter properly, and what can be done to minimize it such as adding fiber to the diet or starting fluid therapy, which one can learn to do and administer at home. By doing this you are helping the dog to eat, not just because the food is tempting, but because he/she feels better.
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I've pasted information from the following website you might find helpful and consider discussing with your vet about implenting if you haven't already.
http://www.2ndchance.info/kidney.htm
What Treatment Options Do I have For My Pet?
In the future, we may be able to regenerate failing organs. But for now, there is no known way to mend damaged kidneys. What veterinarians can do is to try to slow the rate at which your pet's kidney tissue is lost and deal with the side effects of the loss. Kidney failure is progressive that means that with time it will get worse. The key to gaining time for your pet is to use the its remaining kidney tissue as efficiently as possible. We try to do this through diet, medications and, when necessary, fluid injections (diuresis).
A Special Diet
Commercial diets, designed for kidney failure are considerably lower in protein (1/3 - 1/2 the amount) and sodium than ordinary pet foods. They also have added omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and compounds like potassium citrate to counteract body "over-acidity" and they are drastically lower in phosphorus.
But your pet's health on protein restricted diets needs to be monitored carefully. Blood tests need to be done periodically to be sure that its blood protein levels have not dropped too low and that the pet's body weight remains stable. When you do that, and the pets BUN and Creatinine levels drop or remain stable, protein restriction is a very positive step. But there are periods in a pet's ongoing fight with renal disease when restricting protein might not be a good thing to do. (For example, when 7/8th of its kidney's filtering apparatus has been lost) (ref 1 ) (ref 2)
Cats do not tolerate low protein diets as well as dogs. And they do not metabolize added carbohydrates as well. (ref) It may be wiser to depend more on added fat and fiber for dilution of the cat's protein consumption rather than a large amount of added plant carbohydrates. (Higher fat diets can be beneficial to kidneys. (ref)) Ketoacids, as sold through body building outlets, can also act as a substitute for dietary protein in certain instances (ref) (But I know of no veterinarians that use them in dogs and cats).
Always make your pet's dietary changes gradually.
No matter what you decide to feed, we always want to limit your pet's consumption of phosphorus. The foods naturally highest in phosphorus are the common high-protein foods, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, peas and beans.
Limiting the amount of sodium your pets ingests is also wise when its kidneys are failing -so commercial-prepared kidney diets limit the amount of sodium-rich ingredients in their foods. They also add omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are found in cold-water fish and fish oils combined with flax seed.
In advanced kidney disease, when your pet's BUN is over 60 mg/dl, most vets believe that moderately restricting protein in your pet's diet does become important.
Vitamin Supplements
Pets with kidney problems often have poor appetites, weight loss and anemia. They may suffer digestive disturbances as well that could limit the absorption of vitamins. So B-vitamins are often given as appetite stimulant and to ward off any deficiency.
ACE Inhibitor Medications
An organ as basic as the kidney does not appear to vary much between mammals. Experiments in kidneys disease are most acceptable to animal welfare advocates these days when they are done in rats. The cells that researches zero in on in declining kidney function are the podocytes , cells in the kidney's filtering apparatus that underlies its blood-cleansing abilities. Once podocytes loss begins, like a tree, bent to a severe angle by a storm - it will continue to slowly fall even after the wind ceases even though the remaining filers "super nephrons" enlarge (hypertrophy) and work harder. There is considerable evidence that medications called ACE inhibitors can slow that loss. (ref) In fact, ACE inhibitors might actually restore or aid in renal (kidney) repair. (ref) The ones most often chosen in pets are benazepril. and enalapril
If your pet is placed on an ACE inhibitor, it is wise to be sure that its blood creatinine levels do not increase. In later kidney failure when the remaining kidney filters (glomeruli) are filtering way above their normal capacity, ACE inhibitors occasionally drop the kidney's internal pressure so low that the pet's uremia actually worsens. The best monitoring test in those situations is a 24 hours creatinine clearance test or another test that estimates the pet's GFR.
The most common side effect of ACE inhibitors in pets are stomach/intestinal upsets, constipation and weakness do to too low a blood pressure. In those cases, the dose needs to be reduced. Sometimes these side effects can be lessened if you begin these medications at a low dose and gradually increase them to the desired dose.
Phosphorus binders
Certain compounds called phosphate binders can block the absorption of phosphorus from your cat's foods while it is still within its digestive system. At one time, aluminum hydroxide was suggested. Dieticians now think that more modern products that are free of aluminum are safer. Some common ones are calcium acetate (PhosLo) and sevelamer (Renagel).
Calcitriol
Since pets with advanced kidney disease may not produce adequate amounts of active vitamin D in their kidneys, the preformed compound, calcitriol, can be given to them. It is generally given when blood calcium/phosphorus levels and ratios become abnormal.
Potassium Supplements
Potassium supplements (Tumil K, etc.) help when the pets blood potassium level drops too low. This sometimes helps combat the listlessness and weakness that accompanies advanced kidney failure.
Erythropoetin Red Blood Cell Growth Factors
Sold as Epogen, Betapoietin or Eporel, these compounds encourage your pet to produce red blood cells and so combat anemia. Because these compounds were engineered for humans , dogs and cats eventually cease responding to them. But they often do raise the pets PVC for a time. There is a danger in giving this product. When the pet's immune system decides to attack human erythropoetin as a foreign protein, it not only destroys the human erythropoetin that was given -it also destroys the pets natural erythropoetin. So it can make the anemia even worse. It should only be used as a last ditch effort.
Fermentable Fiber
Fermentable or soluble fiber, when added to a pets diet, also helps remove toxins from its body. Because of this, it is often an ingredient in commercial diets sold to manage kidney failure in pets. In these diets, the source is sugar beet pulp. It is sold in quantity to stables as a horse feed additive.
Fluid Administration
There comes a time with all pets when they no longer drink enough water on their own to fully utilize their remaining kidney capacity. Early in this period, you can give your pet additional fluids orally or add additional liquid to its food.
When that is no longer sufficient, the fluids needs to be give periodically under the pets skin by injection. The effect is called diuresis. Its effect in flushing out lowering blood toxins from your pet can be dramatic. Many owners learn how to administer these subcutaneous fluids at home. In most cases, there is no benefit in giving them intravenously. Pets with failing kidneys do need emergency intravenous fluids when they are presented severely dehydrated to veterinarians.
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I've always looked forward to the pictures you shared of the adventures you took with your pack. My eyes were always drawn to Casper though. Thank you for sharing your beautiful boy with us. He reminds me so much of my Bruiser in that picture of him lying in the green grass.
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Lucas
in Remembrance
Deb, I'm so sorry for your loss
. Thank you for being there to give Lucas a new home and new life. The Life That I Have
The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have
Is yours
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.
A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be yours and yours and yours.
Leo Marks
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Looking for reputable supplement dealers with standardized amounts tested by the USPA is why I began this thread. I can do my own research, and will, but I wanted a place to start.
Thanks everyone!
I don't think you will find standardized amounts for Sam-e. What does U.S.P.A. stand for so I know what to look for before making any more recommendations.
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Well if you get right down to it Denamarin is a nutraceutical. So then I would ask what proof is there that Nutramax Labs, the distributor of Denamarin, is any more ethical than a company like Swanson.
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I wouldn't buy anything from the Life Extension Foundation.
Chris not sure if you feel the same, but if you do here is another Milk Thistle product that is standardized to contain a specific range of silybin.
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What because they sell supplements?
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I wouldn't buy anything from the Life Extension Foundation.
And your reason would be???
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I did a little more reading and it seems the major difference I could find is that Denamarin uses the most potent flavanoid silybin from milk thistle in their product, where as others, although also standardized, use silymarin. Life Extension however, has a milk thistle supplement which provides a higher amount of silybin (90 mg) in one softgel than is in the two tablet recommended dosage of denamarin, which would provide 70mg.I think tbhounds means, Denamarin is said to contain a listed, consistent amount of the active ingredient, S-adenosylmethionine rather than simply "milk thistle seed extract," which may contain varying amounts of the active ingredient you want.
Editing to add the link for the Life Extension Milk Thistle.
http://m.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01817/European-Milk-Thistle.html
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You can buy standardized Milk Thistle. I haven't found any Sam-e supplements to be standardized including that in Denamarin.I wouldn't use anything but Denamarin. I know it's expensive but, it's standardized. As it hers have mentioned try amazon and Costco.
Let me clarify, I could not find any where on the information page for Denamarin that indicates that the Sam-e it contains is standardized.
I get all my human & dog supplements from Swansons (swansonvitamins.com)
This is also where I get a lot of my supplements.
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Rigbt now and hopefully for a long time for Nadir it is Canines Caviar Chicken and Pearl Millet because it is the only thing his stomach and bowels will tolerate. I'm still searching for the best food for Chase. I tried transitioning him to the same food but he doesn't seem to do well with chicken. He produces so much poop on everything I've tried so far including Acana. I'm trying Origen 6 Fish now to see how that goes.
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Nancy
, hope it starts getting better soon. I've had you and Lydia in my thoughts. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to deal with not just going up and down all those steps with an injured dog, but having nasty weather conditions to boot, which also makes it dangerous. You and Doug please be careful and don't get yourselves hurt taking care of her. I also suggest using the Manuka honey. Nadir would like to say something to Lydia.Lydia mah sweetest
, Ah lubs it when yoo are a liddle spitfire. It adds that spice to our relayshunship which keeps it exciting, but yoo have to be a good payshent for yoor momma Miss Nancy and yoor daddyman Mr. Doug and let them take care ob yoo.Nadi®
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How is she feeling today? Not too sore I hope.
Been thinking of her throughout the day and wondering the same thing.
. Thank you for being there to give Lucas a new home and new life. 
, Ah lubs it when yoo are a liddle spitfire. It adds that spice to our relayshunship which keeps it exciting, but yoo have to be a good payshent for yoor momma Miss Nancy and yoor daddyman Mr. Doug and let them take care ob yoo.
Bridge Angels In February 2014
in Remembrance
Posted
tbhounds and MnMdogs I'm so sorry for your losses.