Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Day At the Docs Part Deux
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Day At the Docs Part Deux
Monday we told you about Henry's stellar visit to the eye vet. Yay Henry! Well, his visit to his general vet was not quite as terrific. His xray was good. No signs of cancer (although his heart is a touch enlarged). His sonogram was ok but shows more signs of his IBD. We had blood work done and we knew that was not going to be perfect but we did not expect it to be as bad as it turned out to be.
It is funny but not funny, how a short time ago, Susan left a comment about how to clear up loose poop. We had commented back that loose poop is usually sign of some bigger problem. And while it can be a laughing matter, the cause is usually very unfunny. In Susan's case, we are happy to hear that only a tweak in medication was necessary. In Henry's case, though, his IBD is giving him a lot of grief. His protein levels have dropped dramatically. What is happening is that his body is not absorbing protein through his digestive track. Without this absorption, he is at risk for retaining fluids, lethargy, overall malaise and if not corrected it can cause his parts not to work right (and not working parts can mean a not working Henry!) So we really have to get this right.
The vet recommended that we change up his meds and move him to a an easy to digest food. We really can't stand canned and kibble food. It has never worked well over the years for any of our pugs. We have always cooked for them and have had the support of our vets until now. I feel like if we can just refine his food that we would again be able to make his diet work. Right now our vet does not hold a lot of stock in us. Mainly because we are in kind of a do or die situation and we need results fast since any more protein loss will be extremely harmful.
Again, loose poops have been the indicator to Henry's bigger issues. And now on this lovely canned and kibble diet he is not only not getting better poops, they are getting worse. I think we will "play a vet on TV" and move him back to a different home cooked diet and go from there. We will keep you posted. For now, just positive pug juju, please! Seriously, this dog beats cancer, goes blind, loses all his siblings and he cant' get his poop together?! C'mon Hank! You've got this! #HenryStrong #GetYourShitTogetherBoy! #SorryForTheExpletive #Don'tWantThisToBeWhatDoesHimIn #Don'tWantAnythingToDoHimIn
19 Comments
Sometimes you really know what is best for your dog! Glad you are listening to your heart on this!
Prayers for Henry.
Oh goodness!! Sending Henry and his peeps lots and lots of JuJu!!!!
As well as prayers that Henry will get his poop togetehr xoxo
I’m sending all the good juju and vibes I can! Hope it all gets better soon. #HenryStrong #C’monHenryBoy
Hugs.
Patty
Henry, you’ve totally got this. No worries. A tweak in your food, I’m sure, will get you back on track in a flash.
Positive protien vibes going your way!
hoping Henry gets better poop I think momma knows best
Oh dear…praying for good poop!!! Maybe it’s the kind/brand of kibble and soft food??? We give our kidz Nature’s Variety for both kibble and canned food…we also give them fruits and veggies. They especially like peas and bananas…just putting it out there:)
Btw…we also give them freeze dried…you add hot water and let it sit for 3 minutes…Grandma Lucy makes it.
Sending tons of JUJU to Henry…oh my. I will pray for good poop
Hope you start absorbing protein NOW.
One more thing…ANY time we change their food they get loose poopy…we just had it happen with Luigi when we changed him to our food…try to transition them slowly…it just takes time. So, don’t think it is uncommon for Henry’s poop to be worse right now if you switched him cold turkey…might just need more time…praying…
Sending positive waves your direction, Henry and peeps!
Would adding a whey or protein powder (like gym rats use) help make the home cooked food better for protein absorption?
May not translate to Doggie digestion, but just a thought.
#HOPEHENRYGETSFIRMPOOPSSOON!
I understand your desire to keep the Hankster on homemade food, and I don’t know what what diet your vet recommended. My Frankie (sorry—not a pug but a toy poodle) has severe IBD, and I almost lost him about a year ago. Against my better intuition, I put him on a combination of vet-sold hydrolyzed protein kibble and canned (both Hills and Royal Canin), he has gained back the tremendous amount of weight that he lost, and his test results are normal. I know every dog is different, and I thank the deity looking out for older dogs every day that Frankie finishes his bowl of food.
Congratulations for sticking with your own head and heart on this one. Surely there are vets with home-cooked nutrition as their focus? High protein, high absorption, highly digestible?
Oh Henry-we were told to use pepto bismol for Beauty when she had tummy issues AKA pupaherra. Protein powder could help-ask vet of course, but you know this-just singing to the choir. Prayers & sending good protein levels & solid poop juju Henry’s way. Daisey continues to be squirt free with giving her heart pill in am. Pug hugs from pastor sue & the Colorado 2
Henry strong!!!
What a quandary. Although more protein is what he needs to boost his levels, more protein would be bad for his fragile kidney. C’mon hank, get you poop together!
Hank can do this! With his peeps behind him he WILL beat this obstacle like all the others!!! Love you Hank!
I’m really unhappy to hear that Henry’s IBD has reared its head. And on one hand, I can understand his vet suggesting a change in food to help boost his absorption of protein. But on the other hand, I think that could sure be hard for Henry’s digestive system to make such a huge change to store-bought food. No matter what brand. Plus the fact that Henry is used to homemade meals. Plus the most important fact that it
Do you think it’s possible that more frequent, smaller meals could possibly be helpful? Also, I’m very intrigued with Sue States’ idea about protein powder. At our house, we keep it in the pantry and it’s used almost daily for a blender protein drink (Mark, not me).
#DamnedIfYouDo #DamnedIfYouDon’t
Lordy Mercy !! I have been out of pocket most of the week so I have a lot to catch up on. I sure hope Henry’s little tummy decides to get straightened out. Know how worried yall must be. If it’s not one thing it’s something else. Believe me I know. Genevieve has been to the vet 3 times since last Friday.
Just keeping an eye on her cough. Just cant quite get it cleared up.
My prayers are with Henry and his fam. I have a feeling yall really know what to do when all is said and done.
I have read a lot online about homemade food for dogs with IBD, but none of them give any recipes.
#HenryStrongAllDayLong needs to rebound once again. I have all of you in my prayers, and once again, with St. Francis on speed dial, I am keeping him busy.