Darla Update

She didn't have a very good weekend.  She couldn't keep down the meds the vet sent us home with on Friday.  Even when we used the stomach coater first.  Yesterday we spent our Mother's Day mostly worrying about and caring for her.  She was quite pathetic, truly.  We even got baby food for her.  Poached chicken and cut it into the teeniest bites ever.  We felt encouraged that she had kept it all down until 4 this morning when she woke us up vomiting.  Nothing was even digested.

We haven't slept much the past 3 nights.  Duff not at all for the last two.  He sits up with her on our bed and keeps vigil in the dark.  Petting her while she cuddles up to my legs.

I called the vet first thing this morning.  He got right on the phone.  The test results confirmed the kidney diagnosis.  The toxin levels are very high and the good levels are very low.  Every time he gave me a number that it should be and then told me what her stats were, the reality of the situation was layed out.  He asked me how the weekend went.  I told him.  He told me to bring her to him asap. 

This is the plan:  She needs to be on a fluids IV, antibiotic IV, and IV to treat the nausea and toxins.  They are also giving her something to get rid of all the phosphorus and replenish the proteins that she is eliminating instead of retaining.  They are feeding her nutrition orally.  She literally hasn't eaten in about 10-12 days.  She has gone from 10 pounds to 6 pounds in the last 2 months.  The nutrition is called Nutri-cal, and is a gel.  They use about a quarters size and put it gently on the roof of her mouth.  She has to lick it off and swallows it.  It is high calorie and vitamin packed.  They do this about 4-5 times a day.  When the tech called tonight to give us a report he told us she has kept it down all day!  This is good news!  After 48-72 hours, they will do more blood work and if her levels have improved, then we can take her home and treat her here.  She will need to take a pill each day for the renal condition, and we get to help her gain her weight back.  The Dr. says we could have her several more years if this is the direction it goes.  If her levels are the same or worse, then we will have to discuss the 'other' option.   We will probably bring her home and let her enjoy her familiar things for a few days and give us all a chance to say our good-byes.

She has one of her favorite blankets (a penguin fleece of Christine's) and my pajama top with her.  The nurse was glad we had brought them.  She said so many pet parents forget those kinds of things that make a scary stay a little easier.  When the nurse took her from me, Darla gave me a panicked look and put her arms out to me to take her back.  I lost it.  Duff did too, and we bawled the whole way home.

We're such boobs.

I'll keep you posted tomorrow.  They are going to call in the morning and want us to come and visit her a couple of times.  They said it will be good for her.  I like that.  I think vet medicine has come a long way.