Life lately and my babies.....

I guess I really don’t need an excuse for not updating my blog… after all, it is my blog! HA. Between normal life chores, volunteer work at the library, and the biggest issue of all — our dogs — things have been a little overwhelming.

Kalee has had health issues for the past 10 years due to pancreatitis. She recently went in for her yearly wellness visit (yes, dogs get wellness exams too! 😂) and lab work. Unfortunately, her results came back with elevated kidney values (BUN, creatinine, etc.). UGH. On top of that, she’s been having a few different episodes than her “normal” pancreatitis symptoms, vet thinks this could be the beginning of kidney disease.

I picked up some new kibble and started mixing it in slowly with her regular food and ground turkey, but it hasn’t gone well. She seems nauseous and uncomfortable within a day of eating it, so I’ve stopped it for now. I’ll have to figure out a better diet plan for her.

I started researching the nutritional value of the ground turkey and veggie mix I cook for her. It’s helped her pancreatitis tremendously, but now I have to watch protein, phosphorus, and other levels because of her kidneys. OMG… I even used AI to research nutrition info for different kidney kibbles and compare them to my homemade mix. I still don’t know what the right answer is.

Then, on Thanksgiving morning, Gigi stopped eating. Completely. She has never done that — and even Kalee has never stopped eating or drinking, even when sick. I was a wreck. I managed to get her to nibble on some turkey mix before we went to the kids’ house, which helped me breathe a little easier. But the next morning, she still didn’t want to eat.

I got her into the vet, and her bloodwork showed very high liver enzymes. The recommendation was an abdominal ultrasound, which we did yesterday. I probably won’t get those results until tomorrow.  In addition, we discovered a heart murmur in September at a Grade 3, last exam it's closer to a Grade 4.  

Honestly, I’ve been sick to my stomach with worry over both of these girls and trying to figure out diets that will work for them. But thankfully, for reasons I don’t understand, Gigi started eating her four small meals again as of Sunday. I’m so grateful… and cautiously hopeful. 

So prayers for my girls, please....they are seniors (Kalee 14 & Gigi 12-13) so I know we'll have health issues..just want them to have a good life....