Health Update

Boscoe has been doing well. We held off on the Addison's test and ended up doing a biopsy of the kidney instead. The vet at Cornell spoke with the renal specialist there, who recommended a transcutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsy. After a little deliberation about risks vs. benefits and cost and funding, I opted to do the biopsy. It was done Friday 10/06/06. The procedure went well, he responded to the anesthia normally, and everything was fine. He stayed the night at Cornell Friday, at his dinner, had IV fluids and pain meds. I picked him up Saturday morning 10/07/06 and he was alert and active. He was acting like his normal self, although whining for no apparent reason at times. He has been acting like himself since he's been home. I was instructed to keep him quiet, which hasn't been too hard since I have been sick for a week. He did get to play some with Zoey and Rico yesterday and I was surprised he didn't tire out quickly because when they ran a blood test on Friday before the procedure he was showing even more anemic, which is bad. I keep checking his gums, if they are pink it's good, if they are pale and more white then that is bad. So far they're still pale but showing a touch of pink color so we'll keep monitoring. He goes in Wednesday 10/11/06 to the regular vet to check his blood again to make sure there was no internal bleed from the biopsy.

The bloodwork at Cornell on Friday showed his numbers around the same as the last test ( I need to get the actual numbers when I talk to them next). His ionized calcium had come down a little, which is good. Also, the specific gravity of his urine went up ever so slightly, but that's a move in the right direction. His first test was 1.006, then 1.008, and now 1.010. This is still low and out of the normal range showing he cannot concentrate his urine adequately but we're moving in the right direction if the number keeps going up and he can concentrate even a little bit better.

We should have the results of the biopsy sometime this week. They sent the tissue sampe to a lab in Texas that specializes in renal disease. They thought we would have the results Wednesday but it may be later in the week. Either way I am extremely nervous because this should tell us a true diagnosis and tell us what caused the failure. So basically I'll find out if I'm a horrible owner and caused it by letting him get into the lysol water lol. I'm praying it comes back that there isn't actually any kidney damage. They only biopsied the left kidney, which I'm not sure why and I forgot to ask. But in any event, I'm nervous about finding out the resutlts.

He's been acting normal and like himself though. He seems to drink a little less now than when this whole thing started. I'm considering starting to homecook his foods more vs giving him the prescription diet. I feel like it would be better for him and he would get some variety, which is a big deal with renal dogs. And it may end up being cheaper in the long run. In any event, we should have some answers by the end of this week.

As far as training goes, I have been sick since last Monday so we haven't gotten out much. I'm trying to beat this darn head cold and stomach bug thing and it's just not happening. Hopefully by next week we'll know if we can continue moderate training with his condition and hopefully I will be over this illness and ready to get outside! As of right now I can only be up and going for just a few hours at a time before I need a break and then I'm trying to get a few hours in at work or make myself or Boscoe some food. What I'd like to see up working on in training is distance marks, some light cover. I want to get back to doubles again and start working left and right over casts. I also am going to start some drive training with him which I hope to eventually clean up some mouth issues as we progress.

One thing I've done for helping him learn to hold the bumper when he is near me is to just let him have it and run around then call him to me and NOT take it away from him. If he drops it I just tell him to fetch it up.

Alright, well, that's enough for now. Just to let everyone know where he's at healthwise. Hopefully I will have some good news to report by the end of the week.