theSurlyMermaid
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2004
- Messages
- 2,517
I'm sorry, but I have been snivelling all day at the pet threads here. My DH has threatened to revoke my DIS privileges if I keep reading the pet loss threads, but I can't help it...and I can't stop crying either!!
I thought I would post my happy pet story. About a year ago, my maltese Amelia was having strange shivering episodes...almost like tremors....in the middle of the night. Soon it stretched into the day. We couldn't guess what was wrong but we decided to go get some bloodwork and urine work done to see how her general health was (a good idea, in any case).
The news was awful. She was losing protein in her urine at such an astounding rate, it was unbelievable. I'll put it this way...she had a protein/creatinine ratio done...now, normal is less than 0.3.....1 means you have kidney troubles, 2 means something is really wrong and 3 is just a terrible number. She was a 10.6...yes, a 10.6. And she was 2 1/2 years old.
The vet diagnosed her with PLN (protein losing nepropathy) which is a fatal in every instance. She said she didn't know how long she would hang on, but she suggested putting her on enalapril, which I googled and found to be a heart medication with some kidney assisting side effects (but also the possibility of kidney failure in rare instances!!!)
I was a zombie for a week (and I had a closing at work...but believe me, I sat in my office and cried all day and none of the other attorneys or partners dared to speak to me...they knew to leave me alone!) I made myself so ill with grief, my mother actually suggested putting the dog down now so I wouldn't have to suffer! Well, I freaked out at the thought and she never mentioned it again.
We decided to treat Amelia holistically, and my holistic vet gave her a homeopathic remedy you could only get in England that ancient Chinese doctors used to assist protein loss. She does not believe in antibiotics...especially ones with harmful side effects, like enalapril. We listened to her advice and decided to give Amelia a blood and urine test every three months to monitor her progress.
Her first blood and urine test was three months later....and wouldn't you know it, the symptoms were gone. The vets were so stunned, they actually asked me if I had taken another dog's urine in to be analyzed (WHY would I do that???). No one knew what to make of the "exciting" development. Anyway, its been a year, and Amelia is still tested every three months. Nothing has been abnormal since.
I feel like I got a second chance, and it cemented my firm belief in natural medicine. A year ago at this time I was contemplating saying goodbye to my dog and this year, she is is as healthy and happy as can be. Who knows why these things happen, but I sure am happy it happened to me!
I thought I would post my happy pet story. About a year ago, my maltese Amelia was having strange shivering episodes...almost like tremors....in the middle of the night. Soon it stretched into the day. We couldn't guess what was wrong but we decided to go get some bloodwork and urine work done to see how her general health was (a good idea, in any case).
The news was awful. She was losing protein in her urine at such an astounding rate, it was unbelievable. I'll put it this way...she had a protein/creatinine ratio done...now, normal is less than 0.3.....1 means you have kidney troubles, 2 means something is really wrong and 3 is just a terrible number. She was a 10.6...yes, a 10.6. And she was 2 1/2 years old.
The vet diagnosed her with PLN (protein losing nepropathy) which is a fatal in every instance. She said she didn't know how long she would hang on, but she suggested putting her on enalapril, which I googled and found to be a heart medication with some kidney assisting side effects (but also the possibility of kidney failure in rare instances!!!)
I was a zombie for a week (and I had a closing at work...but believe me, I sat in my office and cried all day and none of the other attorneys or partners dared to speak to me...they knew to leave me alone!) I made myself so ill with grief, my mother actually suggested putting the dog down now so I wouldn't have to suffer! Well, I freaked out at the thought and she never mentioned it again.
We decided to treat Amelia holistically, and my holistic vet gave her a homeopathic remedy you could only get in England that ancient Chinese doctors used to assist protein loss. She does not believe in antibiotics...especially ones with harmful side effects, like enalapril. We listened to her advice and decided to give Amelia a blood and urine test every three months to monitor her progress.
Her first blood and urine test was three months later....and wouldn't you know it, the symptoms were gone. The vets were so stunned, they actually asked me if I had taken another dog's urine in to be analyzed (WHY would I do that???). No one knew what to make of the "exciting" development. Anyway, its been a year, and Amelia is still tested every three months. Nothing has been abnormal since.
I feel like I got a second chance, and it cemented my firm belief in natural medicine. A year ago at this time I was contemplating saying goodbye to my dog and this year, she is is as healthy and happy as can be. Who knows why these things happen, but I sure am happy it happened to me!
