I'm really starting to freak out now

[MamaAndi]

Dogs having a way of letting you know what they want and need. Abby will come through for you and tell you how she is feeling in her own special way I'm sure. Keep your chin up and value her for exactly the sweet girl she is right now. Good luck with everything.

 

[JeannieCO]

Oh gezzz, words cannot express how sorry I am to hear the news. Abby has so much personality. My heart breaks for you!!! .

 

[Twice]

I am taking all that I have learned tonight to bed with me. All of the bookmarks are safely transferred to my kindle

I have a game plan. Abby has to be at the vet's office tomorrow morning for her ultrasound and IV fluid treatment. While she is there I will be on the phone with the specialist in Tinton Falls making an appointment for a second opinion. The only thing I don't know yet is when I can make that appointment for. I don't know if they will be keeping Abby for 24 hours or 48.

Tonight I called an old friend who I went to HS with. He lives in MO and he and his sister have been breeding EB's for over 15 years. They have beautiful puppies! What I didn't know until tonight was that his mother is a bulldog vet. His mother called me with some questions. While most of her questions centered around who and where I got Abby from, she did say something I took as positive. Abby pee's a lot. I mean a LOT! She said this could be taken as a sign that the kidneys are still capable of producing urine and there may still be a little hope. Her condition will never be curable, but it might at least be manageable for a little while longer. She asked me to fax her a copy of Abby's results as soon as I get them. She wants to take a look. So that's THREE opinions.

Thank you all again for your support. I don't know what tomorrow will bring. What I do know is that I know that I have a bunch of new friends out here praying for us. People who are willing to go above and beyond, taking time out of their nights to research things and provide encouragement for someone who they just met and (lets be honest) they will most likely never share a cup of coffee with. Those are some truly amazing people if you ask me You're all angels.

And I know that I am going to love that sweety head up until she is sick of looking at me. No matter what happens, if the worst happens, she will know she was deeply loved and was important to so many people.

 

[Vicaroo1000]

I've read through the seven pages of the thread with my heart in my throat.

[MENTION=4225]Twice[/MENTION]; you've gotten some great advice and the universe is smiling upon you and Abby: What's the likelihood of your MO friend's mom being a EB vet AND willing to provide some guidance? I mean REALLY! That's amazing. And she's right: if Abby is peeing, she's processing and that's fantastic. When they stop peeing is when we gotta really worry, right?

Hang in there. You will know a lot more tomorrow and then even more the day or so after that. Many of us have loved some super sick and nearly dying pups thru one thing or another and there's no reason in the world that Abby can't have that miracle too. She has you. And you love her. That's all she needs.

 

[Cooper11]

Stay Strong!!! I was also wondering about the breeder......Poor little girl! She is such a spunky little thing!!! I am so sad for you. But just be positive and have her live her life to the fullest! These dogs really touch your heart and fast! :crying: Good Luck Hun!!!

 

[acarabias]

[MENTION=4225]Twice[/MENTION] I am so sorry to be joining this thread so late. I read all pages and I just want to say what a great momma you are to Abby. Most people just give up, but you are such a fighter. I really feel for you and I send you a big hug, you are doing everything you are doing for her right now, especially love her so much! I think you need to see a kidney specialist, nephrologist so he can tell you exactly what needs to be done, he will be able to give you more answers. I am sorry you are going through this. I send you and Abby a big big hug!!

 

[bullmama]

Oh I just read this, I first want to say how wonderful of a bully mom you are, you remind me of bella'smom and sheshistory, libra926, who also never gave up. You are simply amazing. I hope tomorrow gives you a better insight on what steps can be taken next.

Thank you for allowing us into your heart so we can offer support. I apologize for not reading this sooner. Big hugs and prayers coming your way. Xxoo

 

[Libra926]

I know they are centered around kidney failure and I'm sure they have their reasoning why, but what did her glucose levels run? I was confused when you said kidney failure. I have no experience with this at all, only I thought if they were peeing alot, their kidneys were working. I'm a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic diagnosed at 11 years old. When I was diagnosed, I went from a healthy 100 pound athletic girl, to a 63 pound bag of bones in 2 short months. My thirst was intense. I would drink whatever I could......non stop. It had to pee all the time. It was to the point that my body was exhausted and I would not wake up during the night. The first time I woke up with a wet bed..my parents took me to the Dr. The Drs said I was within a day of being in a diabetic coma. Found this on google

"Excessive urination and extreme thirst (especially for cold water and sometimes ice or ice water) are typical for DI. Symptoms of diabetes insipidus are quite similar to those of untreated diabetes mellitus, with the distinction that the urine does not contain glucose and there is no hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose). Blurred vision is a rarity. Signs of dehydration may also appear in some individuals since the body cannot conserve much (if any) of the water it takes in.

The extreme urination continues throughout the day and the night. In children, DI can interfere with appetite, eating, weight gain, and growth as well. They may present with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Adults with untreated DI may remain healthy for decades as long as enough water is consumed to offset the urinary losses. However, there is a continuous risk of dehydration and loss of potassium."

Diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are very similar. I'm just looking at the common factors between what you are saying and what has been experienced.
1)extreme thirst
2) a whole lotta pee!
3) Throwing up
4) lack of weight gain or weight loss

It's probably just a coincidence, but I'd be curious to know what her blood reading was. If it was, by chance...diabetes insipidus, you wouldn't have the elevated blood glucose readings.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. This is just heartbreaking. You are a great bully parent and she knows she is loved. She is happy and other than having to pee and being thirsty, she probably doesn't feel ill at all. Bulldogs are very emotional..and aren't afraid to show their feelings (at least in my experience) Follow her lead. Play when she wants to play. Love when she wants to love. Sleep when she wants to sleep. These guys are tough cookies. Real tough.
I've learned a lot from Vegas. I've learned that....he may be sick, but in no way is he SICK. He doesn't slow down and in no way does he want pity.

All my love, thoughts and prayers are heading your way. These next few days are going to be tough and I hope you find comfort in knowing that you have a whole forum of people that are thinking of you and Abby and rooting for positive news.

 

[BulldwgR56]

so sorry to read this thread. Tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I hope you find something that can help and make the best of things.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

 

[cowsmom]

oh im here reading some more and sending more well wishes your way for better news today

 

[Saalwi]

Continuing to send prayers and support your way...the first week I had Schultz he got very ill... 1 day with me and the next 5 days in the emergency vet clinic in isolation and supportive care the 4th night the vet on duty told me to say my goodbyes because he didn't think my puppy would live through the night, as he had gone from 5.5 lbs to under 2 pounds, well I told Schultz if he couldn't hang on it was ok to go but that I really loved him and that wouldn't change if he was in this world or the next....I went home believing that was it but when I called in the morning for the status report the vet tech said it was amazing but this puppy was acting like a puppy and maybe if he continued to improve I could take him home in a day....that was my miracle....and I just know you'll get yours.

 

[karenben]

the guys on dogfood chat forum are fantastic if they can advise you they will ,try and stay positive i know its hard but what else can you do ,please try raw it may/may not help but it certainly wont do anymore harm than all the proscessed foods that are on the market we just do not know what is in them at least with raw we know exactly what our dogs are eating,good luck we are all thinking bout you both,karen

 

[izstigspunks]

Praying and hoping hard that today brings positive news for you and Abby.

 

[Twice]

I just dropped Abby off with her blanket and toys. I also brought her lunch. I thought she should be as comfortable as possible and eating strange food wouldn't be good for her. Last night I made her a big pot of brown rice, ground chicken, ground beef and string beans so I packed her a doggy bag They started the IV therapy while I was there and she said they would call me when the ultrasound tech got there. They would like me to be there to keep her calm and still during the test and because of her poor kidney function they really don't want to sedate her. When I pick her up they are going to give me a copy of her blood panel results to bring home. I told them that I wanted to see a nutritionist. She said that they normally recommend Hills k/d Rx but I think that has grain in it but Abby doesn't do so well with grains. The vet said she would find some recipes for me to make at home too.

@Libra926 They are diagnosing kidney failure because of her BUN and phosphorous levels.

OK. So now the meat of the results. (I hope that I am remembering these numbers correctly) Normal phosphorous levels should be around 4.5. Abby's are at 18.6 Normal Blood Urea Nitrogen should be between 60 and 80 (?). Abbys is close to 200. Her creatine levels are also a little high.

I have since found out that these numbers can be skewed because she should have fasted for at least 12 hours before testing. I was not told to fast so she ate a normal breakfast and had training treats right before the blood was drawn.

What we have in our favor is that Abby does not appear to be sick. She is active, alert and playful with a healthy appetite. She is not showing any outward signs of renal failure. They tell me at this stage of her disease she should not want food, she should be lethargic and vomiting constantly. The vet didn't believe that she had a healthy appetite to I opened the container with her food and Abby right dug in The little sweety head spent the rest of the exam trying to get the container open again. She wanted more! lol She hasn't thrown up since Sunday morning but I'm pretty sure that was because that was when I got to mixing more dog food than rice into her breakfast. Her body couldn't handle all the protein. She has been just fine on 3/4 rice mixture with 1/4 puppy food. She has even gained 2 pounds since Saturday! I know, most of that weight is probably fluids but let me have my moment of hope ok?

The ultrasound this afternoon will tell us more.

edit.. Hills k/d is canned!! She can eat that! She won't like it, but she can eat it lol

 

[Twice]

I am not giving up on this girl. No way No how! Not until she shows me that she doesn't want to fight anymore. This morning when I was trying to get dressed, I had to chase her around the house to get my sock from her. That is NOT a sick dog in my opinion and I don't care what those tests say.