Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Alivia continues to do fantastic! No symptoms of cushing's...KNOCK ON WOOD! I have been in search of a high protein, low fat, grain free food made in the USA. A couple weeks ago I started giving Ali and Max Evanger's - they both LOVE it. There's one flavor that is actually whole chicken thighs, cooked in a way that the bones are soft and edible. The all meat varieties are not nutritionally complete, but they also have a vegetarian flavor that is, so I add that to their meat. They have a lot of varieties of "complete" dinners, too. You can actually see and recognize the ingredients in this food! It's good to see them get so excited for their dinner now and they have liked all the varieties. I think it is helping Ali some with her itching, but that is still not resolved completely. Wish I would have found this food years ago! Also, I have been giving them unsweetened organic coconut flakes for a treat. They love, love, LOVE it and it is supposed to be good for skin and fur. Alivia's fur is so thick and long now that I had to schedule her for a haircut - first one in about two years!

Happy Spring, everyone!

What a fabulous update! So happy to hear that Alivia is doing so well.

I, too, use Evanger's from time to time...there is a pet store close to me that carries high quality pet food.

Please do keep us posted...sending hugs to you both, Lori

Hi MB,

I am so happy to hear Ali is still doing well and I hope she continues for a long time.

Maxwell and Alli sound like they love their new food!!!!

Kepp up the good work.

love,
addy

Good to hear from you, Mary Beth, especially with such a great update! :D I hope things stay the same or get even better for you all.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Thanks, Lori, Addy and Leslie! 14+ years and I am stilll learning about what's best for them! A new store opened near me called "Healthy Pets". It was opened by a woman who worked with pets and kept seeing the same illnesses over and over so she started doing a lot of nutritional research and believes it has a lot to do with poor quality diets. They have all the highest quality products in one place and she is very selective on what she carries. Anyway, it makes things a lot easier for me!

Even though Ali is doing well, I still can't completely relax and probably never will. I worry that something could set things off again. I try to keep things as stress-free as possible for her. I still watch her like a hawk for any changes. But, mostly, I try to appreciate every day I have with her and I make sure that she knows she is loved.

I am sitting in a coffee shop waiting for Alivia and Maxwell to finish at the groomers! Wow...it has been so long since I've done this. Alivia's fur did not grow at all for nearly 2 years, so there was no reason for haircuts. She had a bald belly from being shaved for ultrasounds for so long. But, she has gotten so shaggy in the last few months!

I'm thrilled that she is doing so well, but I never take it for granted. On one hand, I'm thrilled she needs a good haircut, but on the other, nervous that the stress of the groomer visit could "trigger" something. That fear stays. Which is why I am sitting here waiting to pick her up as soon as possible! I'll have to post a picture of Ali with her new 'do!

Even though I am not here very much, I think of all you and your babies often.

Well, girlfriend, I want to see a picture of Ali with a new do!!!!!!!!

Happy beyond words she is doing so well. Just enjoy.

love,
addy

Well, Alivia has been doing so well but unfortunately there has been a bit of a change in her in the past week or so. She uses puppy pads if she gets up during the night or has to go before I get home from work - I noticed bright red blood on the pad about week ago. Not a lot but definitely noticeable. That only happened once, but her appetite was off for a couple of days, too. She seems to be walking a little differently - subtle and hard to explain but I see a change. And she is panting more. She is just not herself. I worry that her kidneys are failing. She saw her internist today. She lost one pound since she was last there 6 months ago. She did blood work and a urine culture. Said it could be a UTI and some symptoms could be her showing her age. Won't know much until we get test results. 6 months ago she amazed everyone when her blood tests were normal...I'm afraid we won' t be that lucky again but, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is just a little blip that a round of antibiotics will take care of.

So sorry to hear that Alivia is not feeling well, an UTI can make a dog not want to eat and feel lousy. An urine culture will show what antibiotic to use and will be hoping that this issue will clear real soon. Please keep us updated.

Love and hugs,
Lori

Hi Mary Beth,

I am sorry to hear Ali is not feeling well. Hopefully it is an UTI and a dose of antibiotics will set her right.

She is our miracle dog:):):) So give her lots of love from Addy.

Try not to worry, I know, easier said then done and let us know the results of the urine test.

love,
addy