My Nipo is getting some intensive care

I held off a bit in sharing this with PT as I did not want to jinx it - but now it is safe to say that the force feeding portion of Nipo's recovery is OVER!!!

On Friday she ate a whole 1/3 c. of kibble in the evening and her appetite has only improved since then. Prior to that I had taken her down to one large force feeding daily as she was eating about half of her kibble serving. I think the Rosie's Rosedust and bonito flakes really helped stimulate appetite...but then again I was trying so many different things, it is hard to isolate which one had the largest impact. All I know is that the hundreds of dollars, stress and piles of stinky A/D encrusted laundry was WORTH IT!!!

I plan to take her to get her blood work rechecked in 1-2 weeks depending on how things are going. Her behavior continues to improve too...more friendly, loves lappie-time, is grooming well again, etc.... Ahhhh, SUCH A RELIEFFFFF!!!!!

I will continue her on the milk thistle for liver support as well as supplementation with Nutri-Cal (I still have 3 tubes!!). However, I will be putting away that syringe with GLEE!!!!

Thank you a million times over for your support, advice, and good thoughts. You all helped keep me sane!!

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Kate & Little Miss Bonito Breath :D

This is wonderful news!!! :D I hope that she'll continue to improve and be able to live many many more happy and healthy years with you. :)

I weighed Nipo tonight on a new scale we just bought this weekend. It says she is 7.8 lbs. If this is true, then she gained little over 0.6 lbs since 2/25!! :D Regardless of the specific amount, I am POSITIVE she gained weight!!

I will get a more accurate value for her weight gain when I take her in for blood work, but this is encouraging news for now. I am setting a goal of 9.0 lbs. for my girl. Nine pounds is at the lower end of her normal weight range before she got sick. I will also ask Dr. A's opinion on this goal.

Another sign that she is getting better...more feistiness during pill-poppy-time. Eesh! :eek: :D Good thing I've had a few weeks to perfect my technique, haha!

Kate :D & the yowling dervish wrapped burrito style ;)

Great news Nipo. Keep up the great work. :)

Yippeeee!! Nipo weighed in on Tuesday at 8 lbs. 3oz !! I WAS SOO HAPPY!! :D I baked celebratory oatmeal/choc chip/walnut cookies that night and we toasted to Nipo. :D

We also took blood for another standard panel Tuesday. I stayed to spin the blood in the centrifuge and noticed the serum was tinged yellow- indicative of some liver distress. I'm not sure what the regeneration time frame is, but I will be happy with any improvements in her liver values. I will see the results tomorrow at work. Good thoughts, please!

The important thing is - she is happy and as bratty as ever!! Honestly, the force feeding seems to have brought us closer...she just might prefer me over my Dad now. :D Which is strange cause she hated the whole ordeal... :confused:

My spring break is this coming week and I leave town on Sunday. My Mom will be here at home and can take care of Nipo. I will be typing up some very detailed notes about monitoring her food intake and rotating all her food toppers (SO SPOILED). I know my Mom can't be expected to force feed her or even pill her, so if anything is amiss I want her taken straight to the clinic. I think my Mom can handle the task though, plus I will call her daily to check in.

Anyway, that is my update for now and I hope to have more (good) news after work on Saturday. :)

Kate

What wonderful news for Nipo and you! All your love and attention really made the difference to her. You must be so relieved. I'm so happy for both of you!

EXCELLENT! I'll be waiting for any news on the blood work. Prayers for improvement.