BUDDY IN FLORIDA - 7/28/16

BUDDY'S
TREATMENT BEGINS
13 OCTOBER 2016

Dr. Hathaway writes:
After looking at Buddy's urine,
it does not look like we need any additional medications at this time
(as no infection was present and no protein was seen in his urine).
Our usual next steps from here include:
1) Blood pressure screen to detect hypertension,
as hypertension can worsen kidney changes.
2) Increase fluid consumption at home (i.e., add water to his food)
3) Start subcutaneous (SQ) fluid therapy, which we can teach you to do
or we can see him a few times a week to have it administered here.
Both attempts at increasing fluid consumption help keep the kidneys flushing.

So, on Friday, 14 October,
we go to the vet to have
a blood pressure screening
and to learn how
to administer subcutaeous fluids;
Buddy amuses himself while we wait . . .

Finally, Vet Techs __ & Lynsey bring in the blood pressure machine . . .

Buddy stays nice and quiet while three readings are taken.

His blood pressure is normal.

A good sign.

Lynsey then spent quite a bit of time explaining how to adminster
the fluids Buddy needs, three times a week, to flush his kidneys . . .

Lots of details, including what to do with the needles after they've been used . . .

Anim

Now it's time for me to attempt this, to see if I can do it at home . . .
and you can see the result HERE. (The wait to load will be worth it.)

The upshot is that on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings,
Buddy & I will go to the Vet Clinic and he will receive his infusion.
With none of the discomfort he may experience blamed on me.
(Thank you, Lynsey and Dr. Hathaway, for your patience!)
I will be doing all the easy parts: Adding water to his food;
opening the door so he can go out, opening the door so he can come in
(we're seriously thinking of putting in a doggie door for him);
caring for his eye; taking him to the groomer (Tuesday!),
and whatever else he needs that does NOT involve needles or discomfort,
as I do not want us to be associated with any pain . . .
he is just beginning to trust us.
He is a good little ol' man . . . naps on the couch with me,
sleeps on my bed all night,
lets us know when he has to go outside RIGHT NOW!,
and in general seems to be a pretty happy dog,
considering his background and his current health issues.

17 OCTOBER:
Buddy's second SQ fluid therapy; Vet Tech Vanessa said he did fine,
after the first flinch at the needle insertion.

BUDDY GETS GROOMED, PART 2 HERE

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BUDDY'S TREATMENT BEGINS 13 OCTOBER 2016
Dr. Hathaway writes: After looking at Buddy's urine, it does not look like we need any additional medications at this time (as no infection was present and no protein was seen in his urine). Our usual next steps from here include: 1) Blood pressure screen to detect hypertension, as hypertension can worsen kidney changes. 2) Increase fluid consumption at home (i.e., add water to his food) 3) Start subcutaneous (SQ) fluid therapy, which we can teach you to do or we can see him a few times a week to have it administered here. Both attempts at increasing fluid consumption help keep the kidneys flushing.
So, on Friday, 14 October, we go to the vet to have a blood pressure screening and to learn how to administer subcutaeous fluids; Buddy amuses himself while we wait . . .

Finally, Vet Techs __ & Lynsey bring in the blood pressure machine . . . Buddy stays nice and quiet while three readings are taken. His blood pressure is normal. A good sign. Lynsey then spent quite a bit of time explaining how to adminster the fluids Buddy needs, three times a week, to flush his kidneys . . . Lots of details, including what to do with the needles after they've been used . . . Now it's time for me to attempt this, to see if I can do it at home . . . and you can see the result HERE. (The wait to load will be worth it.) The upshot is that on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, Buddy & I will go to the Vet Clinic and he will receive his infusion. With none of the discomfort he may experience blamed on me. (Thank you, Lynsey and Dr. Hathaway, for your patience!) I will be doing all the easy parts: Adding water to his food; opening the door so he can go out, opening the door so he can come in (we're seriously thinking of putting in a doggie door for him); caring for his eye; taking him to the groomer (Tuesday!), and whatever else he needs that does NOT involve needles or discomfort, as I do not want us to be associated with any pain . . . he is just beginning to trust us. He is a good little ol' man . . . naps on the couch with me, sleeps on my bed all night, lets us know when he has to go outside RIGHT NOW!, and in general seems to be a pretty happy dog, considering his background and his current health issues. 17 OCTOBER: Buddy's second SQ fluid therapy; Vet Tech Vanessa said he did fine, after the first flinch at the needle insertion.