[Sheri257]

Originally Posted by Baptized_By_Fire

Lizz- on a side note: I used to have a Shar Pei, and I remember my vet telling me that lots of Shar Peis are allergic to soy, so I just had to feed him soy-free dog food (it did cost more). He also said that this breed is prone to immune-mediated renal disease, so he did UAs on him during visits. Do you think your dog's problem may be immune-mediated, considering his previous symptoms?

Yeah ... that would also probably explain why he's gotten sick and other dogs didn't eating the same food.

Still ... we were trying to prevent all of this by changing food and, now, this? His renal labs were fine just two weeks ago so, it has to be the food as far as we know.

I am so angry and frustrated. You try to do the right thing and do what the vets tell you to do and spare no expense yet, you end up making your baby sicker.

It's just horrible.

[Sheri257]

I went in this morning and his BUN is now up to 160, creatinine is 10 and phosphorus is 15 so ... I just drove two hours to get him to an emergency animal hospital. It's going to cost me $3-5K but, I think it's worth it since this vet really seemed to know what she's doing.

She's not totally sure it's the pet food because now his liver enzymes are up ... not as bad as the renal labs but still not good. His blood sugar is way down at 28 and his K is at 6. At least this is a state of the art facility and maybe they can save him.

He's still voiding a lot so ... he seems to be in the polyuric phase of renal failure so, she said that's good. She's going to be a lot more aggressive with the fluid treatment, and give him antiemetics and appetite stimulants so hopefully he can eat.

I told them to do everything they could ... TPN, dialysis ... whatever they need to do.

I just hope he lives.

[Tweety]

I'm glad to hear he's getting state of the art care. I'm continuing to hope he'll be o.k.

[Suesquatch]

Fingers crossed, Lizz.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Hang in there Lizz.

[DutchgirlRN]

I'm so sorry about your dog. Prayers to you and your dog. (((((((HUGS)))))))

Everytime I hear that more foods have been added to the recall I just cringe. My dogs eat Purina Premium Kibble. So far, so good. I used to feed them one of the dry foods included in the recall. Scary stuff.

[Sheri257]

Well ... it was cancer: lymphoma of the kidneys which had metastasized. Usually lymphoma is treatable with chemotherapy but, in the kidneys the prognosis is very bad even if it's caught very early. The oncologist didn't think chemotherapy would help and, would probably worsen his suffering.

He was in really bad shape, losing control of his bowels, etc. and he really seemed to be suffering so ... we euthanized him today. I feel such deep sadness. I thought I'd have another ten years with him at least. He was only eight years old.

This particular vet doesn't think it was the food recall but, I've been reading that some of the contaminants were carcinogens so ... who knows. If it wasn't the food then ... the timing is uncanny.

Thanks for everyone's support and concern.

[Kim O'Therapy]

Originally Posted by lizz

Well ... it was cancer: lymphoma of the kidneys which had metastasized. Usually lymphoma is treatable with chemotherapy but, in the kidneys the prognosis is very bad even if it's caught very early. The oncologist didn't think chemotherapy would help and, would probably worsen his suffering.

He was in really bad shape, losing control of his bowels, etc. and he really seemed to be suffering so ... we euthanized him today. I feel such deep sadness. I thought I'd have another ten years with him at least. He was only eight years old.

This particular vet doesn't think it was the food recall but, I've been reading that some of the contaminants were carcinogens so ... who knows. If it wasn't the food then ... the timing is uncanny.

Thanks for everyone's support and concern.

I'm so very sorry for you loss. I'm sending you cyber hugs and prayers.

[tnbutterfly]

Oh Lizz.....I'm so terribly sorry about your dog. I know how hard it was....but you did the best thing for him....and you did it out of love. You didn't want him to suffer any more. I know how difficult that was for you and I know the pain and heartache you now feel....... wondering if you did all you could.....wondering if it was the food or what. But the good thing is.....he is no longer suffering. I went through the same thing just a few weeks ago.....and it was one of the hardest things I've ever been through. Again, let me say how sorry I am.

[loricatus]

Originally Posted by lizz

Well ... it was cancer: lymphoma of the kidneys which had metastasized. Usually lymphoma is treatable with chemotherapy but, in the kidneys the prognosis is very bad even if it's caught very early. The oncologist didn't think chemotherapy would help and, would probably worsen his suffering.

He was in really bad shape, losing control of his bowels, etc. and he really seemed to be suffering so ... we euthanized him today. I feel such deep sadness. I thought I'd have another ten years with him at least. He was only eight years old.

This particular vet doesn't think it was the food recall but, I've been reading that some of the contaminants were carcinogens so ... who knows. If it wasn't the food then ... the timing is uncanny.

Thanks for everyone's support and concern.

My heart goes out to you right now. This poem was sent to me when I was faced with a similar situation a couple of years ago. I hope it provides some comfort. [And, yes, I do believe carcinogens play a factor (experience is a great teacher]

The Power of the Dog
There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Rudyard Kipling