Need prayers and good thoughts- Nikki may be passing on Saturday

Oh, I'm so sorry you're going thru this and I can only imagine how much more difficult it is being away from her. I will keep her and you in my thoughts and prayers. {{{HUGS}}}

 I'll be thinking of her, and you.

I'm so sorry  . . . . what a heartbreaking time.  It's so agonizing to know a goodbye is possibly coming.  Not being there must be unbearable.  Keep hanging on to the hope that she'll rally soon.

What a treasure to have the photo of you together when you were so young.  That last photo is gorgeous - the way the wind is blowing Nikki's fur is beautiful.  My heart goes out to you as you look for signs of Nikki's improvement.  You've got lots of prayers and thoughts here.

Saying prayers and keeping our paws crossed.

 When I read your words I heard my own heart speaking of my Dancer.  I hope that things work out for the better, but if they don't, I know you have had that once in a lifetime heart dog...and it's so especially hard to let them go.  I'm praying for her, and for you.

I'm so sorry...this is so hard I know.  But I do want to say that you paid such a beautiful tribute to her with the pictures you posted.   She is beautiful!

I wish you luck.. I hope she can pull thru for you...but if not...please try to hang in there and keep peace in your heart.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Nikki. I'm very sorry this is happening.

Thanks so much everyone for your prayers and well wishes.  I am sorry I didn't get to update all of you, but I have some good news!

 Nikki is now home, the vet and I are both shocked but she finally responded to the treatment and her kidney levels are functioning in the normal range.  She's still having pancreas issues, but it's looking alright so far.  She is refusing to eat her new perscription diet though.  She'll eat a little bit, then not want anymore.  Of course, the other three all want it and she wants what they're eating!  *sigh*

 I'm so thrilled for you!  If she really won't give in and eat the rx stuff, I have a link to someone who does nutrition counseling for dogs - PM if you need it.

  That's wonderful; I hope she recovers completely. Could you encourage her to eat by adding a small amount of cooked food to the Rx diet?

I am so happy to hear the good news! I'll continue to keep her in my prayers for the pancreas issues and her diet. 

Is there *any* possible way you could get her to a TCVM vet? http://www.tcvm.com - That's the Chi Institute's website and they have a locator that works both by state and by zip code.

When Muffin was in renal failure man, some of the stuff they did helped ease him SO much.  AND when we caught Foxy in 'early' renal failure we were literally able to push it back for the rest of his life.  (sheltie/corgi mix -- shelties are SO prone to kidney stuff)

Did the vet explain to you that kidney toxins shunt to the stomach -- he is very likely just plain feeling SOO sick to his stomach it's unreal.  They can actually wind up with ulcers.

Did the vet tell you (and this is SOOOOOOOO important Laurelin -- if I could have done ANYthing different this would have been it) -- *****watch his blood pressure****

Not many vets have a blood pressure cuff for a dog.  Call around as far as you have to to FIND one.  And then take him a.s.a.p. -- There is something about kidney issues that gives them hypertension -- and THAT will **artificially** exacerbate the kidney toxicity.  It can cut everything far too short.

By the time I knew how important it was Muffin's bp was 288 (and yeah, it's VERY comparable to ours) and he was SO toxic that he couldn't keep down the hypertension meds that could have meant months and months and months to him.

Don't let your vet blow this off -- often if they don't have a cuff they don't see the necessity in this. 

As far as food -- the more toxic they are the less they eat.  Often a dog will eat something, get sick and think "NEVER eating THAT again!!" and they'll completely avoid a particular food. 

Even using a syringe (like a baby medicine syringe) with babyfood can get nutrition in them. 

There were a lot of the Chinese herbs that really helped the nausea.  Don't be afraid to ask for Reglan if you need to in order to keep her eating.

Has the vet talked to you about doing subcutaneous fluids at home?  It's not that hard and it brings them SO much relief. 

Please feel free to email me if I can help you with anything.  Callie