I have had to become a quick study with advanced Fanconi in a dog that was unfamiliar to me and was reported to be finicky. Maybe some of this will help:
1. If you haven't already done this, have your vet email Lily's lab results to Dr. Gonto - his email address is on the bottom of the 2003 Protocol. There are changes coming to the protocol that will simplify the amount of bicarbs recommended. It is possible, assuming your vet used the 2003 Protocol to recommend the number of bicarbs, that Lily is getting more bicarbs than she needs. Given that it is not always easy to get stuff into a b, if fewer will work, life will be better. Per Dr. G: "99% of dogs we start at 3 to 4 bicarbs, twice a day, and that seems to get them corrected. If it is a "late catch", we may see five or six tabs twice a day, but not very often anymore."
2. If Lily is cooperative, you might try using a pill gun for the bicarbs and potassium. I try to get multiple pills down with each use, so I'm not 'jamming' something down the throat repetitively. Multiple bicarbs may go down more easily by cutting the bicarbs in half and stuffing them into gel caps (we order online - bacon-flavored http://www.capsuline.com/ecom-prodshow/115.html ). The potassium tablets barely fit in a gel cap, but it can be done if it helps to get the pills down. Everything but the bicarbs and potassium can be crushed and blended in with canned food. The Calcium Phosphorus by Pet Ag resembles the powdered cheese in Mac 'n' Cheese boxes - and seems to appeal to this picky boy as much as Mac 'n' Cheese appeals to kids.
3. If Lily isn't so cooperative, you may have better luck with meatballs. Get her used to 'dummy' meatballs first - no pills inside. I've found size is important - it is best to keep the meatball at ~ one teaspoon in size - large enough to hide the pill, small enough to swallow whole (which may need to be smaller for a tiny b). I use a measuring spoon to get a better, firm shape to the meatball and another spoon to work the shape. My fingers never touch the meatball, so no pill powder is transferred to the outside of the meatball. I have been testing different canned for 'packability'. He wrinkles his nose at everything, but it mostly seems to be because he doesn't want to get his lips dirty…
4. I use wire fencing to keep the Fanconi boy separated from the pack while allowing the pack to get close enough to make it obvious that they are interested in what he is getting - and will take it if given the chance. I think the idea of competition has helped his appetite greatly.
5. I think there was a temporary manufacturing backorder on PetTabs Plus. I had no problem getting a couple of 365 count bottles of PetTabs from jefferspet.com recently. They also carry PetTabs CF (the replacement for PetCal), but I've found Calcium Phosphorus from Pet Ag easier to use - and more appealing to get this boy's appetite stimulated.
As already said, joining the FanconiDogs Yahoo group does provide support from those who have 'been there.'
Good Luck!
Pam
