Kirby is Taking Ace Inhibitors...

This was an exhausting day (yesterday) Our appointment was at 10:00.  It's an hour and a half drive.  We had blood tests done and some other tests and waited for the results (usually about 35-40 minutes).  We got out at 2:40 and were so hungry our brains were not processing most of what was being said to us.
There was a lot going on and the first thing is the BUN and creatitine levels were slightly higher but not much.  Last time the creatinine was 4.2.  This time is was 4.6.  We would have all loved for it to have been reduced but this is staying close.

I had to stop writing last night because our server was having problems and it just would not cooperate.  So I've picked up a day later.

He was diagnosed with renal tube acidosis which is a disease that occurs when the kidneys don't remove acid properly into the urine, leaving the too much acid in the blood (called acidosis). If identifed (as our vet at MSU did) it can usually be easily corrected by giving him tablets of bicarbonate of sodium (baking soda tablets).  He can't use tums or similar products because they contain calcium which he doesn't need more of.

He is also losing a lot of protein. The cells that researchers zero in on in declining kidney function are the podocytes (the cells in the kidney's filtering apparatus that underlies it's blood-cleansing abilities).  This is the exciting news for us sine there is considerable evidence that medications called ACE inhibiotrs can slow that loss.  In fact, ACE inhibitors might acutally restore or aid in renal repair.  The one our vet chose was benazepril (Lotensin).

A bi product of protein is phosphorus and it is harmful to dogs with kidney disease.  Phosphorus binders can block the absorption of phosphorus from the dog's foods while it is still within the digestive system so Kirby is taking these and his last blood test showed that his phosphorus level was a little lower so the binders are helping and the vet increased them from twice a day to three times a day.  It's actually for cats.  LOL  But can be used for dogs, too.

So we have added an ace inhibitor, benazepril;  bicarbonate of soda or the acidity along with the prilosec he was taking for the acid production and he's taking three phosphorus binders a day.  Kidney disease is not curable or reversible but some of the symptoms like the acidosis can often be reversed and can increase the quality of life and logevity.  And, none of these new medications are expensive.  Praise the Lord.

We go back next Tuesday to MSU to do more tests to see how the medications are working to reduce the problems they are prescribed for.  The number one factor that decreases the detrimental affects of kidney failure is adhering to a kidney diet which is low in protein and therefore lowers the phosphorus in the dog's blood.  He has been on the Kidney Diet since he went to MSU and also receiving subcutaneous IV hydration therapy daily.

It's a lot.  It's not for the faint of heart because since Kirby is weak and blind, he cannot always know when he is outside and inside thereby having lots more accidents.  Our washing machine is constantly going washing sheets and towels.  We have spent many hours doing iv therapy and dispensing his medications.  But it doesn't take but one look at Kirby trying so hard to go up and down the steps without being able to see.  Navigating the outside and kissing our hands when we rub his back...he's trying so hard to get back on his feet. 

He has vomited both times he went back to MSU for blood work and tests.  We can't go back with him due to policies at the MSU vet school.  It's obvious that it is stressful to him after having spend a week and a half.  Next week's tests won't be so extensive and they bring him out to us just as soon as they are finished.

He barked at other dogs while in the waiting room Tuesday.  The Alpha seems to be returning.  I guess it's frustrating for him to not be able to "size a dog up" visually.  We love our vet and vet student and they love Kirby and are so concerned that he gets sick when he comes.  They gave him a shot and treats to try and pair something pleasant with them again.  I told them it wasn't them, it was the fear of being left again.

This is our need for prayer this week.  We are adding several new things to his body that are supposed to help overcome some of the toxins that he can't filter.  Even things designed to help can be a stress to his system.  Pray that they all work together in harmony to help him get better.  The research for all we are doing is good.  It often increases the life of a dog by a couple of YEARS not just months.  Even as far along as Kirby's kidney disease has progressed.

We are hopeful but more importantly we are trusting God who is leading us to the treatments we are acquiring and utilizing.  Pray that the vets who care for Kirby will has wisdom and God's guidance to make decisions for him.  Pray that he continues to gain strength.  Pray that Russ and I will continue to feel the peace with our decisions for Kirby and our other two dogs, Kasidy and Kada-Joy.

We praise God for providing the remaining money needed to pay for Kirby's medical bills.  We give God the glory for all he has done for our family.

Kirby Has Been Home From ICC For A Week...

Today marks a week since we brought Kirby home from the ICC unit at the Mississippi State Vet Hospital.  It has been a long and hard week for all of us...especially our white doggie.  I can't imagine how hard it's been for him as weak as he's been but he has been a trooper.  Yesterday was not a good day for him.  He had very little energy and about four hours after he ate, he vomited.  We learned from that experience that the prilosec he was taking for acid suppression due to the kidney failure was not dissolving because I saw two days' pills.  So, this was good to know.  Apparently with the time release version there are little granules and a tablet within the capsule.  With the delayed release, there is just granules.  My daughter-in-law Brenda takes the delayed release version and she opened one and showed it to me this afternoon.  THIS is what we thought we were getting so tomorrow we will be buying the delayed release version that will actually help his problem.

Today, however he began the day with a lot more energy.  When Russ went out of the bedroom to get breakfast, there were three little puppy heads at the end of the bed waiting for him to come back in the room.  We took Kirby outside and Russ turned around and there was Kirby already up the steps at the top one waiting to come back in the den!  All day he has walked around...down the hall and into the bedroom door without bumping into anything.  Outside, he still has bumped into boundary objects but has gotten around with a lot more energy and purpose.  When we came back from church, he was at the door with the other two dogs waiting as usual.  In fact, the second time we came home Kirby just about slipped out the door which would have been a real disaster since he's not wearing a collar or tags due to the healing jugular catheter spot.

Yesterday, we didn't get the needle into the right depth of the subcutaneous spot in the nap of his neck and the fluid went in but just a little bit.  We tried and tried and it just dripped a slow drip even though we squeezed the bag.  We searched the internet.  We appeared to be doing everything right and up until yesterday, it had worked.  Kirby had begun to express some discomfort when we stuck him so we were worried.  Then on the way to church I remembered the vet student telling us that if we didn't go deep enough the fluid would just barely go in.  When we got home from church we tried it again and sure enough that was the problem.  The fluid went in quickly and effortlessly and Kirby napped while we did it.  Thank you God for answering our prayers.

Tonight while we were finishing watching the news in the den, Kirby barked for us to go back to the bedroom.  Anytime he is barking orders, we know he's feeling better and are thrilled that he is.  If we can just get out of this one bad day, one good day routine and have several good days in a row...things will begin to look up significantly.  Of course, it has only been seven days out of ICC so he's doing very well.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be cool again so we can spend more time outside.  We take him back to the vet at MSU on Tuesday to do repeat blood work to see how his kidney values (BUN and creatinine) are doing.  We are sure praying that they have decreased and that we might be able to decrease the amount of ringers lactate we are giving daily.  It's hard to stick needles in him multiple times a day in the same spot without the area getting tender and the cost of the bag of ringer's lactate is about $15 a day.  If his kidneys can keep his toxins flushed out more efficiently, we will be able to reduce the amount over time.  With the cost of the prescription dog food and the frequent blood tests and vet visits, we could use a little break.  We are going to begin making his special food just as soon as we get a consultation with the Ohio State Vet School referred by MSU to learn exactly how much protein to use for his body weight and all the vitamins and other ingredients we need.  That will be both less expensive and we will use organic foods without preservatives.  His kidneys need as few things to filter as possible.

If you are working with a dog with kidney failure, we will be sure to post what we learn about creating a special diet.  We hope that our blog will help others going through a similar experience.  We have been blessed by our facebook friends praying for Kirby's recovery.  I think most everyone who reads Kirby's blog is an animal lover and understands why he is so important to our family.  Before we had Kirby nine and a half years ago we had no idea how much we could love a pet.  We had no idea why people would refuse to leave their pets during Katrina.  We just had no idea.  Period.  Now we've become those people.

We have experienced that bond that is pretty indescribable with mere words.  I totally agree with Charlie Brown.  Happiness IS a warm puppy!!!!

Miracles...

This is the thought that I am going to sleep with tonight for our Kirby Dog.  I am trusting God and knowing that regardless of how the morning finds our sweet dog, God is right there with him.  God created the dogs that we have come to love and he loves them as only their creator can.  If he knows when a sparrow falls from the sky we know that he knows when our sweet Kirby is struggling to fight off an infection in his body.

We saw a miracle two days ago when Kirby rebounded in a way that had him practically running around the Mississippi State Vet School Campus.  We saw a miracle when he was able to orient toward the two glass doors that showed us he had some vision for light and dark although Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) has recently robbed him of his sight.

We believe that God led the vets to find the jugular catheter infection just as his temperature was beginning to rise.  We praise him for his attention to the details of our life.  We give him the glory for the hope he gives us each day.

Tonight as our hearts are saddened by Kirby's additional infection and pain, we are not discouraged because we serve a risen savior and a powerful God.  With all of the heartache that has happened in Charleston and our country we lift these grieving families up to our God who teaches us every day to never stop believing in hope.  That's what satan wants us to do.  God reminds us that miracles happen everyday!  The hope is in Christ Jesus.

Keeps Getting Better and Better...

KIRBY UPDATE:
It just keeps getting better and better! When Kirby's IV fluids were decreased and he was encouraged to drink on his own AND they ran his BUN and Creatinine levels again...they had dropped from 2.9 to 2.4!!! This is such good news. They are dropping the IV even more and going to begin doing subcutaneous IV hydration today in preparation for him going home on Friday! We will learn how to do the subcutaneous IV therapy today or tomorrow. He's getting the catheter out today. Look out! Accident on Aisle 1-1000 at the MSU Vet Clinic!

We are going with our running shoes on today because we KNOW that we will not be sitting. All very exciting for these puppy parents to see that for now at least as he transitions out of the full force every day high level hydration, his body seems to be able to continue to flush the toxins out of his system.
We came home last night and worked on the backyard to "Kirby Proof" it for navigating without vision. Friday morning while it's a little bit cool, we will be able to pick up the rest of the sticks and get all of the bushes cut back to keep them from poking him in his eyes. It's quite a different thing to look at your yard with the idea of a non-sighted pet having no reflex blinking to protect eyes or vision to prevent running into things that might cause concussions. Think we've got it but when we are out with him the first days, we will know for sure.
Pray for his transition home to be as seamless as possible for he and Kasidy and Kada-Joy. They are still anxiously awaiting his return. Last night, Kasidy just knew Kirby was in the blanket we had brought back from him laying on it. She kept sniffing and trying to unroll the blanket like she thought he was tangled up in it somehow. I finally took it and washed it so she wouldn't be confused. She was trying to find where we had been hiding him all these days! LOL Bless their hearts. Animals are so much smarter than most humans give them credit. They're probably sitting around laughing at us all the time. It's obvious who is in control for sure.
Praising God for his mercies and giving him the glory for Kirby's progress!