Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

Hyperlipidemia is not something I want to add to the mix!

From one who knows....you can say that again!!!!

Hopefully it was the temporary use of higher fat canned food that caused a problem. After only a little over a week of being on the Rx higher fat dry food last year and Mr. M's triglycerides skyrocketed, but he's a bit of a weird case. Anyway, I'll be peeling those potatoes (arrrrrrrgh) and cooking fish for as long as he's with me. Good luck with the blood draw tomorrow.

Glad that all is ok with the breathing. Gosh, I hope a screw in her leg isn't working its way loose. Poor Squirty! If her thyroid results end up low, maybe that's why she gained weight?

I'll be watching and waiting for that update!

Louise

[AlisonandMia]

Leslie - if her blood comes up fatty again you might want to ask about getting her amylase and lipase checked out - I believe that fatty blood can be a result of pancreatitis.

If you still have to feed the canned at the moment you could try adding some rice/potato to cut the total percentage of fat in the meal.

I can relate to the canned thing - I always give Zac raw/homecooked food but I do keep some cans in the cupboard for if I'm just not up to cooking or whatever because of illness or something. Hasn't happened yet but I like to be prepared - especially with this Swine Flu on the rampage.

Alison

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Leslie,

I'm going to post here about the hyperlipidemia, I already did in Nathalie and Phillip's, Phillip had the same problem your Squirt did with fatty blood, I found this in the merck vet manual.

"This can be primary or secondary to hypothyroidism, pancreatitis, hepatic disease, diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome, hyperadrenalism, or high-fat diets. Hyperlipidemia is present when blood lipids are increased with or without gross lipemia and probably results from abnormalities in the synthesis or use of plasma lipoproteins. In primary hyperlipidemia, the abnormalities can be familial and might be genetic, as has been suggested in Miniature Schnauzers. Some dogs with hyperlipidemia are asymptomatic. Clinically affected dogs may have recurrent seizures, depression, recurrent pancreatitis, vomiting, acute blindness, corneal opacity, and xanthogranulomas. The goal of dietary management is to decrease the digestion and absorption of fat by feeding a diet restricted in fat (<10% dry-matter basis). The use of fish oil capsule supplements at a dosage of 1 g/4.5 kg body wt either once a day or in divided doses, depending on the number of capsules needed, help reduce serum triglyceride concentrations. Although fish oil supplements generally do not return serum triglycerides to normal values, partial reduction is believed to mitigate the risk of pancreatitis or other problems related to marked elevations of this lipid."

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/182907.htm

I sure can relate to Squirt and her screws, my right leg from my hip to my ankle is full of plates, screws and my thigh has a rod that goes thru it...bad motorcycle accident , I know 2 days in advance when it's going to rain.

Best of luck tomorrow with the blood draw at the vets, and I'll be watching for your update too.

Love and hugs.
Lori

[Tamarah]

Leslie & Squirt -

We wanted to wish you both well today with your visit to the vet. Hoping that there will be only good news to report. (thought you could use a few extra smilies to start your day)
Thinking of you and Squirt and I'll check in when I get home from school this afternoon.

Tammy, Crash, & Darby

[corgipallie]

Thinking of you
((((lotsahugs))))))

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi ya'll,

What a great way to start the day!!!

Squirt's blood was "beautiful" this morning after a 26 hr fast tho she was rather PO'd. Her T4 is 2.8 ug/dl, norms = 1.1-4.0 ug/dl. Right back in the smack dab middle where she was before Dec.! YIPEE!!!!

I was trying to figure out why her values dropped so much in Dec. and I think I know. That was prior to her current diet when she was on the first one that was so bad. It included Brassicas, which are veggies like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli which can cause thyroid levels to drop. Hypothyroid pups should avoid this class of food. Before the bad diet she got from that vet, I was making do on my own (STUPID!!) and it was even worse plus I used some of those same veggies. So that could explain why the drop in Dec. She is no longer eating those types of veggies and her values are normal once again so it makes sense.

So, now I am going to concentrate on her hormone levels and the pain in her legs as the cause for the things I have been seeing that bother me - like the panting. And, no matter what, she will not be eating any more commercial feed as long as I am able to move and cook for her. If I don't have time to cook the whole menu, she will get something fresh and home-made. More convinced than ever that proper feeding is the way to good health! And what's proper for Squirt is her mama's cooking!

Thanks for the smilies and all the good wishes! Ya'll are the best of the best!

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt
She had some diarrhea last nite so the possibility of pancreatitis was really on my mind. Dr C ran full blood work and check her out just in case. Everything is great! No pain in the belly, no swelling noticed, and labs are all normal except for the liver values which is expected in cush pups, and hers aren't too bad - ALP =451 (norm= 20-150 U/L), ALT = 76 (norm= 10-118 U/L). So all in all, I am HAPPY with today's results!

[Wylie's Mom]

Squirt's blood was "beautiful" this morning after a 26 hr fast tho she was rather PO'd.

Such wonderful news! 26hr fast, Wylie would be PO'd too... I feel bad even doing a 12 hr fast - I try to get him to sleep through most of it by turning off all the lights and pretending to go to sleep myself and then in the morning, wisking him out the door and to the vet before he can think, "hey, what about breakfast".

I didn't know about the Brassicas family and them lowering T4 levels... for years, I used to regularly give Wylie brussels sprouts & broccoli as treats, but about the end of last year, he seemed to be getting too gassey, so they were stopped.

Her T4 & bloodwork, even with those "great for a cushpup" liver enzymes... I would say that beats Sharon's winnings on the slot machine - CONGRATULATIONS!!

-Susy

[Harley PoMMom]

Leslie,

What great news!

Her T4 is 2.8 ug/dl, norms = 1.1-4.0 ug/dl, and ALT = 76 (norm= 10-118 U/L)

YAHOO!!

I didn't know about the "Brassicas" family either, and Cheryl and I just went to a farmers market today and I bought a bunch of broccoli for Harley...well it looks like I'm making broccoli for myself tonight! Thanks for that info bc Harley's T4 was low.

Again, I am so happy for you and Squirt.

Love and hugs.
Lori

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

Leslie,

Congratulations on Squirt's good report! Hope the pain in her legs will subside soon.

Louise

[gpgscott]

Hey Leslie,

Very glad the bloodwork came back in normal ranges, I'd be irritated too if I couldn't eat for 26 hours. (why so long?)

I have always believed a properly prepared homemade diet is better but I have never found the time.

Best to you and the girls

Scott