violetmay Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 (edited) I took a short video Dogs is a maltese, approximately 9-10 years. He has been on cartophen injections for years. Had spleen cancer just over a year ago, but recovered (spleen was removed). He has been diagnosed with kidney disease and is on hills k/d (not that he eats it). He wont walk or move much (if you put a lead on him to take him for a walk, he wont move at all), but always comes looking for food around dinner time, even though he will only eat a few little bits. With his lack of appetite, we were at the vets two weeks ago and she suggested roast chicken from woolies - he was having 4 chickens shards a day (not breast meat though, he refuses to eat that), but wont eat that anymore. Last night he ate about 1/3 of a my dog, and half a smacko (hubby said first time he has eaten one in months). He had dental surgery about a month ago (clean and some removals) as we thought it was tooth pain that was preventing him from eating. Hubby and one daughter think he is just cold. Sometimes you can stop the shaking by warming him up. Oddly, you can carry to warm places around the house, cover him up, but he will always wonder back to this spot and sleep on the cold tiles. Other daughter thinks it's a nervous condition. I'm thinking that it is a sign of his progressing kidney disease. We were at the vets two weeks ago and was told that he seemed fine. I'm thinking the lack of eating is nausea. I've also been researching and have heard that giving calcium is important for dogs with kidney disease (I can buy calcium carbonate from the produce store, so easy to purchase if I need to). Anyone got any ideas? I just don't want to go back to the vet and be told he is fine again. Edited May 8, 2014 by violetmay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I would be going back to the vet - see another one if necessary. I have discovered that you need to be a strong advocate for your pet when they are unwell. I know my dogs and cats best and my vets have learnt to damn well listen. I have picked nausea, pain, constipation and discomfort when my vets haven't. I would not be supplementing without veterinary advice though. Does he wear a coat to keep warm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetmay Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 I would be going back to the vet - see another one if necessary. I have discovered that you need to be a strong advocate for your pet when they are unwell. I know my dogs and cats best and my vets have learnt to damn well listen. I have picked nausea, pain, constipation and discomfort when my vets haven't. I would not be supplementing without veterinary advice though. Does he wear a coat to keep warm? Thanks, yes, his red coat was taken off him for the photo (shows the shaking better). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 shivering /seeking a cool spot .. what is his temperature ? he may have a fever ..or his poor little body's thermostat may not be working, due to problems . Did your vet do blood/urine tests- or suggest them? if not, I strongly that you should write down all history /meds etc and find a new vet. ..and yes, this is 'shivering'..not so much shaking ... that ,plus loss of appetite signals a very unwell little boy . All I can do is urge you to get a vet appointment very soon ..have bloods tested for infections/kidney function .. everything, really ..and then make plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetmay Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 (edited) Thanks you both. I just got a 2.40 appointment (only one available). I'll update afterwards. Edit: No idea of his temp sorry. Edited May 8, 2014 by violetmay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 be FIRM . the vet is taking YOUR money .... and you are entitled to seek whatever procedures necessary to help find out what is wrong. please read this page CLICK HERE.. it explains just HOW much info can be obtained from a little blood !! excerpt: CREA (creatinine) reveals kidney function. This test helps distinguish between kidney and non-kidney causes of elevated BUN Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases. Tumours, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium. PHOS (phosphorus) elevations are often associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and bleeding disorders. AMYL (amylase) elevation may indicate pancreatitis or kidney disease. LIP (lipase) is an enzyme that may indicate pancreatitis. TP (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides additional information about the liver, kidneys and infectious diseases. ALB (albumin) is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, haemorrhage, intestinal, liver, and kidney disease. GLOB (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with chronic inflammation and certain disease states, including some cancers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetmay Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 Update.. He is having a heap of blood tests. Will get the results in about 30 minutes. His temperate was 0.1 off a high temp, so pretty high, but still in the normal range. He last lost 900 grams in the two weeks since he'd last been to the vet. He has a heart murmur and will start on heart medication immediately. He is dehydrated and will most likely go on a drip depending on blood test results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 While the news isn't wonderful - I am SO glad he is getting care , and that you may have some answers soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetmay Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 Update again.. red blood cells low, white blood cells high. He had a seizure while at the vets. She thinks he is bleeding internally. She is pretty sure it is cancer again. Maybe even brain cancer (because of the seizure). Otherwise it could be liver or kidney cancer (which we still see if we do another ultrasound - he had one last year when he had spleen cancer). I guess we were really lucky to get another year out of him when he had spleen cancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I'm very sorry to hear this but so good he is getting the care he needs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 poor little fella . I hope he can be kept comfortable , and that you look after each other . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Poor little darling thoughts are with you both at this very worrying time...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Thinking of you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I'm sorry your dog is so unwell. You can ask to be referred to an internal medicine specialist if you wish. The advantage is that they have all the diagnostic toys in house, generally. It seems like there's lots going on, and he might be the wrong age for onset but ask about white shaker syndrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Sorry to hear this. He sounds very much like he is going through what my dog went through when she was in renal failure. Agree with what others have said in terms of make sure you get the tests you want to find out what is going on,our guts tell us a lot about our animals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetmay Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 Bit of an update. The shaking is most like a tumour bleeding. I've now got maxalon to help with the nausea. He is only eating peanut butter. I was talking to the vet yesterday (cat had an issue) and she was telling me that the type of cancer my dog had was hemangiosarcoma. So a bad one. We were very lucky to get 15 extra months. The vet had known it was bad all the time and never let on at all. Just amazed at how nice that was. I really didn't want to know, and am so grateful I didn't know for that 15 months where I thought he had beaten cancer. The people on the spleen cancer forum (what my dog had previously) recommended a product called Yunnan Baiyao. The reviews on amazon for this product are amazing. It stops bleeding and is used on dogs, horses (people too, used during wars) to stop bleeding and is great for internal bleeding for tumours. I found a holistic vet that sold it and paid a small fortune for it - $37 - when people are telling me I should be paying about $10. But definitely seems worth a try. I'm going to have to find cheaper places to buy it. I'll have to take a trip to Sunnybank (chinatown area of brisbane) to ask there. I'll take my box with me so it is easy to ask for it. Has anyone tried yunnan baiyou? What were your experiences? How did you find it cheaply? I'm reading stories of people keeping their dogs alive for years on this stuff when they only had a short time to live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 Was the vet clear about the level of suffering your little fellow is experiencing and whether there will be any improvement? If he is only ingesting a small amount of peanut butter he must be very unwell. I am very sorry he is having such a terrible time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 (edited) The shaking is most like a tumour bleeding. I've now got maxalon to help with the nausea. He is only eating peanut butter. ..So sorry - what is his chance of having a good quality of life ? Is he able to walk now? How are you keeping him hydrated - is he drinking happily again, or has the vet given advice on how to keep his body comfortable ? :) A dog who is bleeding internally , shivering , who cannot walk, and is only eating peanut butter would seem to me to be in a critical and final stage of an illness , I hope you can keep him well hydrated , pain free and nourished while you wait to see the results of the herbal treatment .... and hope it does what it promises quickly. From what I've just googled it has good & not so good reviews ... Edited May 13, 2014 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 13, 2014 Share Posted May 13, 2014 I just read this. The vet had known it was bad all the time and never let on at all. Just amazed at how nice that was. I really didn't want to know, and am so grateful I didn't know for that 15 months where I thought he had beaten cancer. That vet would be called various things by me - and none of them "nice" ....sorry. I know you don't want to face the thought your baby is dying .... and so ill ... Most of us have been there, done that , and it is a harrowing experience ...just so painful ... Sometimes, though , the most loving thing we can do is to keep our little one warm & comfortable, and gently ease their pain forever ..letting them know we love them , and holding them tight .Love is hard ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetmay Posted May 13, 2014 Author Share Posted May 13, 2014 I guess it sounds bad, but he really seems OK. He's always been an extremely fussy eater, so I'm used to him refusing food. He just ate 3 sausages, can't believe it. He refused to eat the My Dog we'd just bought from the shop. Three sausages is the most food he has eaten for years at one time. He walks around (up and down stairs), walks over to everyone to say hello. Looks out the front screen door to watch for us coming home, or to bark at other dogs. He is drinking (I've got water bowls everywhere). He does spend 95% of his time lying down. I think he has some time yet (maybe a week, I don't know) before he gets too bad. The vet said he can go on tramadol for pain if it gets bad. As he has kidney disease he needs to go on kidney safe painkillers. So it's just wait and see at the moment. Actually as he's just eaten I can give him some metacam (only allowed once a week because of the kidney problem). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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