Good Sunday Blogville! A few of you have been checking in on Nina so I thought I had better update everyone on how she is doing.
We have settled into a nice routine for the administration of subcutaneous fluid for her. Twice a day, about 12 hours apart, I set up the IV bag of lactated ringers. The bedroom is the most convenient place for the treatment as we have a couple of doors to hang the bag from depending on where Nina is laying on our king sized bed.
We try to catch her when she is very settled and sleepy so she will be fairly calm. I have gotten much better at inserting the needle so as not to cause her any discomfort. The vet gave us large 18 gauge needles so the flow rate is about as fast as it could possibly be. She gets between 300 to 350 ml of fluid twice a day and it only takes about 10 minutes for each session.
On the culinary front Nina seems to be getting enough food in her system although not exactly what you might call high quality nutrition. The appetite stimulant definitely peaks her interest, but it is still a guessing game as to what will wet her appetite from one feeding to another.
She has settled on a few favorites. The above picture is of Wegmans Barbeque Flavor Rotisserie Chicken which has become a mainstay of her diet. She especially enjoys the dark meat and some of the breast meat too. She usually prefers me to hand feed her small pieces until she has had her fill. Charlie and I also get to have some of the chicken too as after a couple of days it isn’t fresh enough for the Queen. Luckily at only $5.50 each it isn’t a bad deal for a few meals for her and us.
Another favorite of Nina’s is a McDonald’s double hamburger. Okay so the picture isn’t a double, but I couldn’t find one so the single will have to do for illustration purposes. We take off the top bun and all the condiments leaving the two burgers and the bottom bun. Cut up into small pieces she usually snarfs it down pretty quickly. At under $1 each also not too bad a deal (except for the gas to get there).
Last but not least she also will eat a variety of dog treats. One of her favorite is the Three Dog Bakery Lick’n Crunch. She gets to eat all the dog cookies that she desires. Every time we take her out she gets a cookie or two (although she isn’t always in the mood so we save it for later). We figure that at least the dog treats are a more balanced food and since we try to find the “all natural” type there isn’t a lot of junk in them.
Nina seems to have a bit more energy than she did a couple of weeks ago. She still is a 14 1/2-year-old dog so that isn’t saying much. She enjoys spending time out in her yard exploring around all the plantings and going through her cave. For now we have settled into a routine. We have no idea how long we have left with Nina, but as you can see we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep her as happy as possible. She will never be healthy again, but we can keep her kidneys going as well as we can be for now.
In closing I want to thank everyone for the kind words, prayers and power of the paw you have sent our way. Many of you have been emailing and commenting to check up on us and we appreciate it immensely. By the way, did you see the great Power of the Paw web site that Roo and his mom set up so we can always know who is in need. I put a link on my side bar so you can check it out. Thanks Roo and Mom. We know the POTP really helps.
I have to tell you I have tears in my doggie eyes at your commitment, deadication and compasion for sweet NIna. We will keep her in our prayers and you too. I must say I do like her meal selections.
Blessings,
Goose
Thank you so much fur da update on sweet Nina. Boxer puppy prayers will continue to flow from us to her and to you. Her is so lucky to have such wunderful pawrents to take care of her. 🙂
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae and Max
I have been thinking of you, and am so glad to read this post at the end of the weekend! You are right about giving Nina anything she wants–I’ve done that many times too, and I always say a prayer of thanks when I’ve found something they’ll eat! I have to admit to also hoping that when I am a respectable age like your girl Nina, (and my girl Wendy) that someone will get me a McDonalds hamburger too–And maybe a Hershey bar! 🙂
I’m continuing to keep you all in our prayers for many more good days together making memories!! 🙂
YAYYAYYAYYAY,
Nina we are thrilled to read your update. Amazing what a lot of TLC and wegman’s chicken and mickey Ds can do for a girl!
Mom and Dad went to a Wegman’s many years ago when my uncle lived in Syracuse. Mom said It was a wonderful full service store. Now she wishes she had tried their chicken!
Many hugs to you all
Madi and mom
Ps this was the same uncle who treated his kitty with sub fluids.
Sounds like you are doing a great job with Nina. Amazing what fluids and TLC can do. Paws crossed for more good news.
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
Very happy to hear that Nina is holding her own and doing well. Oh yes…McDonalds came to our rescue too 3 years ago when our Doxie, Tara, was feeling too ill and too old to year. She was nearly 17 years old. But give her a McDonalds cheeseburger and she turned into a young pup again. We always asked for a “plain” cheeseburger so we wouldn’t have to try and pick everything off (they normally put onions on it so asking for “plain” we were fairly certain she wouldn’t get any of the onion residue.
Prayers and crossed paws continue for Nina.
Ooops…meant to say “too ill and too old to eat”. Think I better start thinking about heading for bed.
I’m glad to hear that she’s doing better! I remember worrying a lot as Lilac got older, but also knowing that some things were just going to be out of my control. The girls all give the Three Dog Bakery treats two dew claws up!
Nina, I am so glad to read that things seem to be going ok for you right now. Your foodable choices look yummy. I am keeping paws crossed for you and Mommy is praying. I hope you keep getting better and better. I like McDonalds hamburgers too.
Loveys Sasha
Paws crossed. Just enjoy every moment you have with your girl.
XXXOOO Daisy,Bella & Roxy
My mom person & I will be praying for continued improvement
Nubbin wiggles & hugs,
Oskar & Pam
You get McDonalds?!!! OMD! I luv your pawrents 🙂 So glad to know you are eating better and enjoying your yard 🙂 Continuing to send tons of wellness vibes your way.
Waggin at ya,
Roo
PeeS: This post has been linked in as a Health Update on the POTP site 🙂
Nina is SOOOOO lucky to have a mom and dad that are so good to her. I’ll bet the Chicken and Burgers are really delicious to her.
Glad that she is doing so well.
Happy to hear things are going better. Have a restful week….
Mom has been bad about helping me get around to visit my furends lately so I didn’t know abouts sweet Nina until just now. I’m glad she’s doing pretty good and I’m even more glad that she has two Most Wonderful pawrents who are willing to do so much for her. I know you all feel super lucky to have HER but she’s Most Lucky to have you, too!
Sending pawsitive vibes and the Power of the Paw to all of you.
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
lol Nina is eating better than me! … I did the same for my old cat Sidney who struggled to eat when he got a throat tumor … I would feed him pieces of fillet steak and shrimps! Enjoy the BBQ and the quarter pounders Nina 🙂
It is very good to hear that Nina is responding well to her treatment. That must be quite nerve-wracking, doing the IV every day. Bet she is enjoying the special ‘diet’ since she was poorly 🙂
Lynne x
Pssst! Hey, Nina! I had a double Freddy’s burger with cheese last night! Wooooo!
Luv from your fellow 14 and a halfer,
Dave
And tonight Nina got a helping of the sloppy Joe’s we were having! You guys are the envy of the dog world I think 😉
Cindy
Thanks for the updates. I did a lot of MacDonalds bacon cheese burgers for one of my dogs. One dog did really well with that Benefuls “Stew.” Kind of dog junk food…a bit fortified. I just looked it up, it is considered their wet food and comes in more of a plastic container rather than a can. Looks like stew.
A lot of dog treats have at least some nutritional value to them too. I wouldn’t sweat the diet too much at this point the calories probably matter more.
I hope she continues to gain some strength and appetite!
Dropping off some extra healing woofies & huggies!! ❤
~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)
Glad that Nina’s feeling better! 24 paws up here (plus Doug’s 4 lizard feet, they should count for something). We found you through Dachshund Nola’s blog.
When our Daisy had kidney failure we did the IV treatments for months and they helped her feel much better. Our vet recommended ordering the ringer’s solution by the case online. http://www.valleyvet.com seems to have slightly better prices than http://www.drsfostersmith.com/, but I didn’t compare the shipping costs.
Daisy’s favorite thing to eat after the IV was low sodium ham or turkey ham. Another thing the dogs like is pulled pork or chicken made in the crock pot, which is super easy and less expensive than the ham. Baked sweet potatoes are a favorite too. Hope Nina keeps eating whatever she wants!
So glad to hear Nina is doing better with the special food she gets. Paw crossed.
Sweet William The Scot
Loving the diet! That would make me feel wonderful!
Hugs to you, Nina. Feel better soon.
Wyatt
Oh Nina, you remind us so much of our time with Miss jamie and how precious these moments are. Glad you are feeling better, eating a little and taking your fluids.
Love
Bert and My Vickie