WONDERFUL Vet News & Other Updates

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I will try to keep this as short as possible, but I will start out with: I AM SO HAPPY I AM IN TEARS! The good kind!

Many of you know that Peri's "big" brother Taquito barely lived through the dog food/treat recalls during 2007. Barely. During a dental cleaning and bloodwork about 6 months ago, my vet found his kidney function to be at a dangerous level...not kidney failure...but early stages. We are about 99.9999% sure this is a long term after effect of his being so sick that summer.

Anyway, after getting the dire news and hearing that he would have to be on Hill's Vetrinary diet, I was pretty upset. With the help of Food Group (Karen most of all!), I found a great alternative to the k/d Vet diet (yuck - just read those low quality ingredients). SOLID GOLD Holistique. Sodium, phosphorous and other values were in line (% wise) to the k/d, but the ingredients are way better. I have cut back on all treats, especially salty ones. Carrots are a big "treat" to my dogs these days!

Yesterday was the day. The day to get his levels checked. My vet told me if his creatinine and BUM levels even stayed the same, that would be positive. Guess what? They are better than the same - they are lower (as they should be). Creatinine level was 2.1 in September.....1.8 today. Normal levels are .4-1.4 so he is heading in the right direction. My vet told me this is directly related to his food. She was so happy.

BUN level (hydration really) is not where it should be - he needs to be getting more water. BUT it is still 83 vs. 100 in September. I am going to start adding a bit of H20 to his food and she gave me some ideas for some "popsicles" using water and a canned version of his food (highly diluted).

He is moving in the right direction! Dr. B wants to check him again in 6 months. She says after 2 more results of him moving in the right direction, we can move to 1x/year (during his titers/vaccinations). So thank you, thank you to all of you for your support and prayers - you know who you are!

And to top it off, Peri is at daycare today with her sister Bella - a real littermate, she has not seen her since they were 9 weeks old! Just checked out webcam and they are totally inseperable. Life is good!

Taquito is a happy 6-year old chihuahua and is saying "oh yeah, I can keep playing with my crazy doodle of a sister":

[Leigh & Allie]

So happy to hear your great news. Way to go Tacky!!!! You have one great mom!

[Laura & Chewie]

Wow! I missed this yesterday. That is absolutely the most fantastic news. Yeah for good food and positive outcomes. Keep up the great work!

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Awesome!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Woo Hoo! This is tremendous news. Hugs and kisses to you and your pack.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Just added about 1 T of water to his food and he went to town...I am going to continue doing that...I think he likes it anyway because it is softer. Remember: 1 T is a lot for a little 6 pounder.
I love my DK friends and cannot explain how much you have ALL made me feel so much better about everything. Thank you!

[shelly]

Yeah! I am so glad for ALL of you. I truly believe TFG knows better than some vets do. Enjoy your happy night!!!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I know you were so scared for him - I am thrilled that you found an alternative (yeah Karen!!) to k/d. My vet wanted Charli on that stuff because of UTI with crystals. We didn't but put her on Fromm's homecooking and by golly it all went away. Probably outgrew it but who cares why!
Maybe try cooking the carrots and giving her the carrot broth to drink. Maybe the 'flavored' water will entice her to drink more. I don't know if you can use the broth from boiling chicken for Taquito but I know when my girls don't drink enought I dilute some of it and they just go to town!
Hugs and kisses from all of us!!

[Patty]

Great news! I am a fan of Solid Gold, going back to its Hundenflocken days - so glad you found a food that helps your boy!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

So happy to hear the good news!!! Pats and hugs to the furbabies!