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":

[Joyce & Wilson]

Great news!! Such a relief to you..tonight you can go to sleep with a big smile and a dog tucked under each arm!! Love the pic!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

How wonderful!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Thanks everyone - I think I was prepared for the worst for some reason. So this good news is really getting me emotional!!! Thank you so much for all of your support.
Also Peri's sister's mom just emailed me and said the owner of our daycare called her to tell her the two of them plus another mini doodle have been hanging all day! Who is it? I will find out!!! Peri has been the only mini dood until now.

[Carol and Banjo]

So happy for you all!!!!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

What wonderful news! Whoooooo HOoooooooo!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so happy for you, Taquito, and Peri. What would we all do without our Food Group and these "happy endings"?

[Adina P]

What great news Allyson! So so wonderful!

[Frannie & Callie]

Wonderful news! I'm so glad that Taquito's numbers and health have improved!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, you just made me burst into tears, Allyson. I can't tell you how overjoyed I am for you and Taquito! And Peri, too, of course. After all, little big brothers don't just grow on trees!
WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BetteB]

That is wonderful! I hope Taquito's condition continues to improve!