Poor Raustyk girl * update on pg 5, not too good *

[lv4dogs]

Maybe you could consider Chinese herbal pain medicine (is there a local alternative vet?) in light of her kidney function? At the clinic where I work we use a formulation called Body Sore (Chinese Name: Shen Tong Zhu Yu). We get it from Shen Xie, DVM PhD of the Chi Institute in Florida. Here is how he describes the Body Sore: Half of the ingredients are to resolve Qi-blood stagnation and relieve pain, and another half ingredients are to tonify Kidney and strengthen the bones and ligament/tendons.

Just another pain management idea. I have tried using it for my dog's pain, but he has a very sensitive stomach and the herbs depress his appetite too much. However, it works wonders for some dogs.

I am researching alternative methods now. Body Sore sounds like a wonderful product, thanks for mentioning it. I will keep it in mind that's for sure. At this point I don't want to chance using it right now though as her appetite is already close to nothing. If I can get that back up I'll be prepared!

[k9krazee]

Oh Raustyk I've been thinking of you guys all day. (((hugs)))

[Daisy and Delilah]

Oh Raustyk I've been thinking of you guys all day. (((hugs)))

Same here, Sue. I keep hoping and praying for better news. Get well sweetie!!

[K9karen]

Still thinking of you and Raustyk, Sue, and praying for the best. So sad and frustrating. Poor Baby.
My heart is breaking for you. *Sigh* Gentle kisses to Raustyk.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Poor baby girl - sending extra prayers for you sweetheart

[crow_noir]

Poor girl. *hugs*

The protein dilemma reminds me of some of the reading i was doing in King's last year. Whether or not the protein issue is real is actually a huge topic online. You might want to try looking into the difference between protein strands. I read something that dogs needing a diet of low protein supposedly actually did well on non-red meat proteins. I couldn't find any studies done using nuts as a substitute. (I can't imagine feeding a dog as a vegetarian, but if it would help a dog with these problems I'd be interested.)

[pitc9]

Thinking of you!
{hugs}

[lv4dogs]

Raustyk's appetite is starting to come back. I can get her to eat some of her regular diet (raw) and she'll even eat some EVO. So for now, no more cooking or "spicing" up her meals. She's also beginning to drink more, so no more broth added to the water to entice her to eat.
The bad news, her gait is not any better. We have an appointment with a specialist on Monday, 4/16. That's the soonest they could get me in. (Or at least with one of the doctors I preferred). She goes back to my work Friday to see a Dr that hasn't looked at her lameness problem yet, but she did do the ultrasound. Then she will come back again with me on Tuesday to see yet another Dr., one that hasn't even sen her yet.
I pray and hope they find something that is curable, if not curable at least something we can treat the symptoms for her to make her more comfortable & so she can enjoy a little more time here.

We think that her 3 main problems (lameness, kidney/liver/appetite) are most likely unrelated. Although we still need to keep all three in mind & try to treat them so they can all work together again to make her healthier overall.

Poor girl. *hugs*
The protein dilemma reminds me of some of the reading i was doing in King's last year. Whether or not the protein issue is real is actually a huge topic online. You might want to try looking into the difference between protein strands. I read something that dogs needing a diet of low protein supposedly actually did well on non-red meat proteins. I couldn't find any studies done using nuts as a substitute. (I can't imagine feeding a dog as a vegetarian, but if it would help a dog with these problems I'd be interested.)

Thank you for the well wishes (and everyone else too!). And thanks for the advice too! I have been researching my butt off, about everything that is going on with her. lol I've actually (re)discovered that it is not really the amount of protein they get, rather than the type of protein. Genreally speaking; useful protein (coming from meat rather than fillers), moist protein (fresh meats), etc... are examples of quality protein. Commercial diets are dry and are filled with filler (corn, etc..) like proteins because it is easier to mass produce and non meats offer lower protein levels, making those types of diets lower protein diets.

[crow_noir]

That's good news!

Wishing you continued success in the testing, the research, and Raustyk's returning health.

Raustyk's appetite is starting to come back. I can get her to eat some of her regular diet (raw) and she'll even eat some EVO.

[anna_66]

Some good news is better than none. I'll be saying a prayer that you get some good results from the upcoming vet visits.

More {{{HUGS}}} on the way.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Still hoping and praying for you and Raustyk, Sue. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[k9krazee]

It's good to hear she's eating better!! You'll still be in our thoughts and prayers!

[luvofallhorses]

I am glad her appetite is coming back. You will still be in my thoughts and prayers. (((HUGS))) please give her a gentle hug for me.

[lv4dogs]

Thanks a million for all the good thoughts. I don't have much time but I wanted to let yous know that she's not doing much better (besides her increased appetite) so I moved her appointment with the specialist to next thursday the 12th instead of the of the 16th. It's the very soonest they could get me in. She's still very unstable. It's so hard watching her be like this without being able to do more.
I love you guys, thanks again for all the good thoughts.

[chocolatepuppy]

Keeping Raustyk in my prayers. I hope the specialist can help.