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Billy needs prayers & good thots please

Posted : 9/1/2010 5:09:31 PM

I stopped to get a urinalysis done yesterday b/c the last one came out so funky. We've resolved a problem only to have a more serious one crop up.

Billy's urine has shown microalbuminaria ever since the IMHA -- it's been minimal but rising all along and we've been monitoring it CAREFULLY. But it's stayed pretty low overall -- 3-4,000 -- but we've also had him tested like four times for Cushings just to be "sure".

Suddenly with the last urinalysis a month ago it zoomed up to 14,000 *sigh* so we wanted to re-check it soon. So I took him up yesterday and uh oh ... it's 29,000 just in 3 weeks.

Not good. At this rate of rise we have "something" causing this -- now it could be anything from Cushings to Cancer to just plain an accelleration of renal failure (the IMHA drugs were HARD on the kidneys -- we knew that and that's why I've been so careful to monitor this in the last 2 1/2 years he's been off the drugs).

It could also be something 'easy' like diet, but unfortunately I kinda doubt it. He's asymptomatic for renal failure SO FAR -- no nausea, etc.

But the vet is panicking -- (regular vet) and we've got an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow (Wed) at 8:00 a.m.

I'm on my way out of the house right now (6 p.m.) to see Dr. Demers - the homotoxicology vet. He's been working on this all the way thru so it's his input that I really want tonight.

Right now, I need prayers and good thots. I walked into a firestorm of work today and I just plain can *NOT* go to UF right now. Both David and I are seriously and unbelievably slammed and I gotta keep my boss happy to pay for all of this. My vet really wanted me to go to UF and right now I just can't. In a couple of weeks, sure ... but not THIS week. And we should be catching this *early* I HOPE.

I don't want to see this sort of downward slide -- it's been there, and I've been aware but I don't like this sudden severe increase.

I'm also really battling myself. Those of you who know me know I am NOT NOT NOT fond of high protein food for dogs with a tendency to renal problems. I have let myself be dragged, kicking and screaming, by all 3 vets saying its OK to give him higher protein and that it would resolve other issues. So I have.

Now this. Now I want to smack myself for not holding firm to my low protein stance. We'll see -- but it just sucks that this is rearing it's ugly head after I caved and started giving him 40%-45% meat -- it really sucks.

Tonight I'm tired and a bit over-wrought because of the day ... will post when I know more and when I can formulate something intelligent I'll put it in health. But right now -- we just need prayer and good thots.

oh yeah -- and Tink's sick and SHE doesn't want to eat. ugh.

Truley

Posted : 9/1/2010 5:23:54 PM

You have them!

FrisbyPI

Posted : 9/1/2010 5:38:57 PM

Sending tons of positive energy, prayers and good thots your way. Good you've kept such a close eye on things. Off to the candles now.

glenmar

Posted : 9/1/2010 5:47:47 PM

Billy boy, you've GOT to feel better, and BE better. Good thots, healing vibes and lots of prayers coming your way from all of us!

kpwlee

Posted : 9/1/2010 6:13:40 PM

sending our very best Callie!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 9/1/2010 6:29:56 PM

Oh, nooo!!! Tink not eating? Billy sick, too? You've got those thoughts and prayers, Callie. Did they tell you the results of the ultrasound today, or will they send that off?

calliecritturs

Posted : 9/1/2010 7:28:29 PM

short update -

Dr. Demers isn't as wigged as Dr. Bailey was -- mostly because Dr Demers KNOWS that we've been working hard to resolve some other urinary issues (first he was too alkaline with struvite crystals, and THEN we swung to too acid with OXALATES *ugh*) and with this urinalysis we're showing bang in the middle, specific gravity is danged near perfection and everything *but* the microalbuminaria is wonderful.

sooooooooooo -- he thinks this is part of the natural body swinging "back" to norm and that some of this may resolve itself. ALSO -- he's also wanting me to dial back the protein in the food (altho AFTER the ultrasound -- he doesn't want me to change ANYTHING right now til we get the test results tomorrow)

He's also mindful of the fact I've had to feed more commerical food in the past 6 weeks than I have in YEARS (because work has been so insane and I've been working 7 days a week and then gone for a week). AND he's inflamed skin-wise which can actually change kidney results because we've got some systemic inflammation going on here ... more the holistic way to see it but .... I've seen it be SO right.

Now -- beyond all that -- Megan calls me and tells me if Dr. Demers also figured UF was important that she would be willing to take Billy up there for me Friday.

folks -- this kind of friendship is so wonderful and so rare ... and I met Meg thru I-Dog. I think we're fine with the ultrasound we've set up for tomorrow morning -- no, we won't have the specialty vets interpretation but I honestly don't think they're gonna find much. Now ... maybe they will. And if they do we'll need to head for UF *anyway* but for right now this is a good compromise.

He's a mystery right now ... and I'll do a post for Health (again I'm racing back out to meet Davey).

Ms. Tinkerbell, however, told Dr. Demers (and everbuddy's favorite tech, Tom) the WHOLE sad sad story about how Mom and Dad **LEFT HER** at this place where everbuddy loves **LUNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA** but the pug didn't get NEAR enough attention ... and and and ...

Dr. Demers seriously thinks she just worried her liddle pug self into a tummy ache -- she got acupuncture, she got aquapuncture (to make the tummy feel bedder) and she got TONS of attention and she's feeling far better now.

So answers? we're already experiencing much relief ... now I seriously am truly asking for continued good thots and prayers for Billy ... .this level of microalbuminaria is NOT good ... and it could be a true portent of major problems. But ... hopefully we can balance it back out. But I'd love to see that ultrasound tomorrow show good things, not bad. And particularly nothing nasty ...

Thanks ... thanks SO much folks. You guys rock!!!

outdoorschik

Posted : 9/1/2010 8:21:44 PM

You've got all the good thoughts we can muster coming from up here in NH! Oli-vah says, "Billy, I's sending Oli-kisses, an' wags, an' butt waggles to cheer ya up."

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 9/1/2010 8:31:28 PM

We're sending good thoughts to both Billy & Tink!

stardog85

Posted : 9/1/2010 8:55:24 PM

Loads of good vibes from us here in NC and Kes and foster Chet have their bentleys glowing for your whole crew!

daisyprincess

Posted : 9/1/2010 10:48:07 PM

Sending vibes

willowchow

Posted : 9/1/2010 11:00:42 PM

Praying for the SpanYELL and you and Dave too, Callie. I think Tink is just trying to get attention, LOL, but lots of good vibes for her too! Willow sends lots of purple kisses to you all!