UPDATE: Bailey is turning his nose to Acana!

[Melissa & Wesley]

So, Bailey has been on Acana Grasslands for about 3 weeks now and was gobbling it up like there was no tomorrow.  I currently feed him 2 times per day, in the morning and the evening.  I give Bailey a TBSP of plain yogurt after his morning feeding.  On Thursday & Friday, he did not want to eat his morning meal, but would hesitantly eat the evening meal.  I went to my local natural dog food store and they recommended trying him on the Acana High Prairie. I asked the owner of the store if I should mix the foods as I introduce the new food, High Prairie, to him.  She said that Acana is so similar between the different types, that I would be okay giving him the High Prairie by itself. So, Saturday afternoon I fed him the High Prairie kibble and he gobbled it up.  I gave him a little bit for his evening meal, which he ate as well.  Although, that night when I took him out for his bedtime walk, he came in and "coughed up" a couple undigested pieces of kibble.  Yesterday and today, he was hesitant to eat the High Prairie kibble.  He ate a little bit in the morning, then ate a little bit in the evening.  We tried to give him what little bit we have left of the Grasslands kibble and he turned his nose to that as well.  Could he just be too full from his earlier feedings that he is not hungry?  I know Karen has stated in previous posts that a dog will not starve itself.  Does the Acana not agree with his tummy? 

 

By the way, his poops have been awesome since starting the Acana.  I would really like to keep him on this kibble.

 

Thanks for any advice you can give me!!!

Melissa & Bailey Boop

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

So glad things are improving! I hope you get the answers soon and Bailey continues to feel better! Thank you for the update.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

How is Mr. Bailey Boop doing?

[Melissa & Wesley]

Bailey is doing great!  Has some problems with running right now, but for the most part, the meds have really made him feel better.  He is barking up a storm, playing with the kids, and biting at my ponytail.  I would say about 90% back to himself :)

Now we wait and see if this occurs during his next growth spurt.  I am praying this was a single occurrence.  Our vet has been calling us daily to check in.  His temp has stayed down and no problems with the meds...knock on wood!  We canceled his puppy class (would have started this Monday).  Hopefully, we will be able to get him into the next class!  They fill up rather quickly.

Thank you for asking Suzann!

I will definitely keep you all posted as to how he is doing.  We've got our fingers crossed that he is out of the woods and that this has not permanently affected his front legs.

 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

wow, that is great news about Bailey.  I am confused though.  What was the final diagnosis?  That his bones in his front legs were growing too fast?  Did they say how that can happen and how you prevent it from happening?  I am a bit confused but I am sooooo glad he is doing better.  You must keep all of us posted from time to time.  Hugs and pats to Bailey!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

YAY!! So glad Bailey is feeling better!!  Hopefully they will  hold a place for him in the next class!! 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Great news.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good to hear.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad Bailey is better! We're continuing to send good thoughts your way!

[Melissa & Wesley]

Thank you all!

 

Nancie, I know, we were feeling quite confused too!  We bring him in and they diagnosis a UTI.  Then a couple days later they think it is a kidney infection.  Then a day later, x-rays of his legs show abnormal, rapid growth with calcium deposits growing outside the bone!  The vet actually got a second opinion from their radiology specialist (he comes to the vet's office twice a week for special cases like Bailey) and he is 90% sure Bailey has HOD.  The x-ray is showing a line at the bottom of his tibia where is meets the joint (a possible sign of HOD).  Plus, there is abnormal, rapid growth and bowing of his front legs (another sign of HOD).  The 106 temp, the UTI/kidney infection is pointing to HOD.  The treatment they placed him on (antibiotics plus Rimadyl) have worked out quite well, to where Bailey is feeling about 85% better.  Our vet and the radiology specialist feel they have a good diagnosis and Bailey is responding well to the treatment.  At this time, I feel confident with the diagnosis, especially since Bailey has started to react like well Bailey. 

We are definitely keeping a close eye on him and if there are any changes what-so-ever, he is heading to the vets immediately.  So right now we are being optimistic and hoping that his bones start to slow down their growth a bit. 

Oh, Bailey was scheduled to be neutered in the beginning of May.  But we all agreed to postpone his neuter as we want to make sure that if he does have HOD, it does not occur again during another growth spurt. Plus, he has to finish his antibiotics and make sure his infection has been cleared. And well, we think he has been through quite a bit this passed week that we did not want him to have to go through the neuter.  Give his body some time to rest and recuperate.  We are looking at possibly rescheduling the neuter around 8 - 9 months.

I will definitely keep you all posted!!!

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks for the update....it all sounds so hopeful.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

thank you for explaining it to me and all of us Melissa.  Poor Bailey has been through a lot...you too!  I hope everything stays positive for the little man and he slows his growth down.  I have never heard of HOD so it was all so confusing.  Amazing all the things that puppies and dogs can come up with that we never dreamed of.  Keep all the hugs, pats and few treats coming to him.  Good luck!