calliecritturs
Posted : 12/20/2009 1:58:15 PM
They can get anti-freeze from a PUDDLE of it - it is incredibly attractive because it's so sweet. But they can get at it even from a leak (driveway, street, and probably a parking lot at a dog park). It doesn't take much.
Kim -- **please** try TCVM with this -- when the kidneys are *damaged* it is permanent damage, but there can be damage to only a percentage of the kidneys (it's when it gets to the low numbers that they can't survive).
BUT there are herbs that the Chinese medicine uses that can help **a great deal** to help the kidneys function better on what's there. WE **KNOW** Billy's kidneys were damaged by the drugs he took when he had IMHA, but he deals FINE. I know Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie was in early stage renal disease when he was 17. He lived 2 1/2 more years and his kidneys NEVER decreased more because the herbs we gave supported the kidneys SO well.
Believe it or not you have some darned good TCVM vets where you are (you're in horse country -- that tends to draw good TCVM vets). If you go to http://www.tcvm.com there is a locator on the left.
I am NOT saying to leave your vet -- not at all. This is "complementary therapy" -- in addition to what your regular vet is doing.
I am SO sorry to hear this -- losing Lillie was a horrible blow. I lost Muffin the Intrepid to renal failure (he lingered almost 8 weeks -- it was horrible the entire time). The fact that Joker is EATING is a huge huge mega deal. That tends to mean enough toxins are being removed from the kidneys that he's dealing with it.
Please email me -- I can help you cope with this. There are signs to watch for and things to do.
FIRST THING -- talk to your vet tomorrow and ask him if he can read Joker's blood pressure. You **must** monitor that. Decreased renal sufficiency can make their blood pressure high -- THAT makes the renal insufficiency WORSE.
I did *not* know that when Muffin was struggling. Had I known, he likely would have lived longer and far far better.
Not all vets can take a dog's blood pressure. If your vet can't FIND ONE WHO WILL and find out what they'll charge for you to come in weekly (right now -- later you can back off if he stabilizes). Had I been able to get Muffin on blood pressure meds it would have controlled the hypertension and his kidneys wouldn't have worsened so fast. ***I DID NOT KNOW***. I will kick myself forever for not heeding a small word someone said to me.
Will be praying for Joker -- and I'm sure this has caused all SORTS of backlash and problems with Samantha, the family and everything else (and at Christmas). Will be praying for your whole situation, Hon. I'm so sorry.