Pee pee and more pee

[RockysWoman]

Thanks everyone. While I hope for the best, I'm preparing for the worst. It's a bit of a stress right now as I have to explain to my daughter (4 years old) that no, the vet can't fix Rocky. Add to this, my dh is on active duty with the National Guard and won't be home until his leave in April. Argh…

It's hard when a dog is definatively your dog. Yes, the dh loves him dearly and can't stand the fact that this is happening (and has been happening), but Rock's always been my baby. This is the part of owning a dog that truly and utterly sucks.

[red and white furever]

This is the part of owning a dog that truly and utterly sucks.

Agreed - it's heart breaking to be so helpless with this disease. Knowing that no matter what you do, eventually it will take it's toll. I just am thankful for everyday that Stormie is with me to share his basenji wisdom and wit - and to give me more gray hairs!

[sharronhurlbut]

I remember the advice I was given when I was so sad re the fanconis boy I had..
someone sent me the post that, hey, the dog doesn't know its headed toward the rainbow bridge.
I should take my clues from the dog and have as good a day as he was.
It took a bit of doing, but yes, it was the perfect advice for me.
I doubt your being blue around your boy like I was, but really, the dogs just enjoy each day don't they?
Hugs

[RockysWoman]

Somedays definately more than others. This morning was bad but tonight has had its good momments. It's hard not to smile when he does that play pose and boxes with his front feet on my toes. grin And the smiles… ever notice how they smile not only with their lips but with their ears and eyes too??

[RockysWoman]

UPDATE!!!
Talked to our vet. Rocky's blood work came back absolutely normal! yippee! happy dance ensues! However, this fantastic news is tempered with the news that his kidneys are no longer responding to ADH (anti-diuretic hormone). Therefore, we will continue to see a ten-fold increase in his urine output. This also accounts for why he pees in his sleep without realizing it. This portion of the syndrome will steadily get worse as it progresses. unfortunately.

But the great news is that he isn't in Kidney/Renal failure yet! Yippee!! Yes, he has a chronic UTI & bladder infection (no, he does not respond to antibiotics anymore) but we're able to physically manage the urine while I'm away from the house and at night with "belly bands" and Depends pads. So life is back to "normal" for now. Rocky still wakes up happy with a smile and yodel. We have a follow-up in 30 days again to see where he stands.

It still amazes me that a dog so sick can have "normal" bloodwork. It just re-affirms for me that lab results don't always provide the answers they are perported to.

I'll keep you guys posted as this progresses.

[sharronhurlbut]

I know you probably have tired cranberry pills to in crease the acid in the urine?
You can get them at Costco.
Hid in cheese, or wet dog food meat balls.

[RockysWoman]

Rocky has issues with pills. He's very good about taking them… for about 5 days and then he goes "comatose" and just looses all interest, not only in pills, but in food and life in general. He's not a happy camper on pills. But thank you for the suggestion! I know cranberry works wonders in people!

[sharronhurlbut]

How do you give him his pills?
What do you use?

[RockysWoman]

Rocky is an expert at finding "hidden" pills. For a while hiding them in bit's of string cheese worked, but he figured that out after the 3rd dose. We've tried hidding them in lunch meats, various cheeses, ground beef, soft treats… so far nothing has worked. So I ask him to sit and like the good boy he is, he does and lets me push the pill to the back of his tongue and he swallows it. But like I posted earlier, after about 5 days of this he goes "comatose" and just blanks out. The whole melodramatic "life is not worth living if you are going to conitue making me take pills" act.

So we are somewhat at an impass. He had a great couple of days this weekend. He was all happy and bouncy and acting like the Rock we know and love. But Monday he started acting down again and we had another bladder flare up. He's been very lethargic of late and his muscle tone has steadily decreased. Just much more noticible of late. He eats well but his body is just not dealing well with his disease.

[wizard]

Hope things bet better all around – regardless hugs and prayers to you and Rocky.

[nala121498]

@wizard:

Hope things bet better all around – regardless hugs and prayers to you and Rocky.

I second that. ((Hugs)) to you both!

[RockysWoman]

UPDATE: Rocky going downhill fast. His kidneys are not in failure yet (per his bloodwork) but he is not responding to treatment (pills are definately NOT his thing. He went on a "starvation strike" starting about a week ago and lost a lot of muscle. He didn't have much to begin with (thanks Fanconi syndrome!) and you were able to clearly see his sacro-illiac joint and feel his femur when you pet his rump. Managed to get him to eat his SD K/D with some soft food and he has decided life is worth living again.

Not sure how much longer this vicious cycle will continue. The amount of urine he's able to produce is amazing. I leave out two or three puppy pads every day before I go to work, and every night they are all "full". He rips off his belly band, eats the soiled pad, and then proceeds to pee more. We're back to crating him while we are away. (He used to have free-rein of the living room, kitchen and hallway; no access to bedrooms or such.)

The change in moods (happy go-lucky for three days, lethargic and cranky for three, 7th day could be either) and the unending urine is putting a huge strain on the household. My hubby is all for euthanizing Rocky once he's back from NG duty in May. I'm game for continuing until Rocky stops having his good days. But I cannot say that the stress of having a house full of urine, or wondering where I'll find a pee-soaked item next isn't affecting me. I know at some point I will have to let Rocky go… but I'm wondering if it will be in the near future or just later in the year.

Anyone with a Fanconi dog have any thoughts? Suggestions? I've tried getting on the Fanconi listservce twice but have yet to receive a response (be it a yeah or nay). Just really could use some advice. Most people think I'm crazy for keeping a urinating dog around, especially since my hubby is away, I'm working full time, and I ahve two toddlers running around. Any advice would be appreciated at this point.

[jys1011]

HUGS to you & Rocky I'm so sorry he's doing worse. It can't be easy. What's your vet's opinion?? Sometimes they can somewhat tell what kind of experience the dog is having to see if it's really worth keeping him alive at that expense.

We'll keep you in our prayers.

[RockysWoman]

Vet is of the opinion that as long as I feel Rocky is happy and still has a decent quality of life, that he's willing to go along with it. We don't have Rock on any medications and it's pretty much just regulating his diet at this point.

Like I said previously, we have our good days and our not so good days. I think Rocky deals will it all much better than I do. But he doesn't like feeling ill and being "wet" is definately not his thing. Thanks for the well wishes though!

[tanza]

My "hat" is off to you…. there is nothing worse the dealing with a sick dog that you know in your heart of hearts that there will come a time that you will have to let him go sooner then his time would be without a terrible affliction like Fanconi.... I am sure you will know when... and he will cross the Rainbow Bridge and be healthly and happy ..... and thank you for the time you gave him and all the love....

[red and white furever]

Like Pat, my hat is off to you as well. I know I'm extremely fortunate with Stormie at this point. I can't imagine when the time comes that I have to make a desicion like you're faced with. You and Rocky are both in my thoughts….
Hugs,
Lorraine

[jaclempner]

In the middle of the night it's pretty hard to take. My female used to pee on our bed if we left the room in the morning before walking her (she pretended she was fast asleep under the blankets). Very upsetting, especially on a Sunday morning when we were planning to lie around in bed for a while.

When my first basenji, Pasco, had diabetes, I didn't realize it at first and actually thought he was being spiteful sometimes because he wasn't sure that he liked a new man moving in the house (well, that was partly possible, too). I felt terrible when I realized that he was sick and all I thought was that he was being vindictive.

He was such a great dog. Taught us a lot about basenjis. My son's friends loved him, partly because he was just so…Pasco. When he died, one of my son's friends sent the news out to all of Michael's friends via email - simply said "Pasco died." No more was necessary.

I'm so sorry to hear that Rocky is not doing well. I know what it's like to love and care for a sick dog and how much you're will to deal with because you love him. My vet gave the same "quality of life" advice, which seemed fair to me at the time. They give so much to us. My best to you and Rocky.

[RockysWoman]

To everyone who's been sending well-wishes and thoughts our way, a quick little sad update.

Rocky's disks between his spine have started calcifying. I camehome Monday night to him screaming in pain everytime he moved his neck. Rushed him to the doctor and after a series of x-rays, they found the calcified disks. Short of puting him on a heavy dose of steroids to combat the pain (which is not an option due to his kidneys and "starvation" mode when on any kind of pill), there is nothing we can do.

He screams whenever he moves… we gave him a pain shot that should last 24-48 hours and today he is acting a little less sore and screaming less... but this is no way for my boy to live.

He'll be put down Saturday morning. I don't want to do this but I have no choice. I can't let my boy live in pain just because I'm afraid to let him go. He's told me it's time... I just can't imagine my life without him.

Thanks again everyone.

[LiveWWSD]

I am so sorry to hear it is time to say goodbye to him. All our prayers with you at this time.

[lvoss]

I am sorry to hear that Rocky has had yet another tragedy strike. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.