Introducing Angus

[momofdecker]

Re: Introducing Angus

What a luck pup Angus is and how wonderful of you to give so much to him. Thanks for the update and I hope he continues to feel better.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Introducing Angus

Louise... it warms my heart that Angus found a great home, and a great family.

Hope he does well, and continues to do well.

Barb

[Judi]

Re: Introducing Angus

He was so lucky to find you. I'm glad Cleo is a sweetheart about her new brother.

[buddingartist]

Re: Introducing Angus

Although I no longer post, I keep coming back to follow the progress that you are all making with managing your furbaby’s diabetes.

A little update on my babies

Cleo celebrated her 13th birthday in August and sadly, we are seeing our girl aging rapidly. She gets a regular injection of Cartrophen for her severe arthritis, Vetmedin for the heart condition (heart and liver quite enlarged) and she is eating a low oxalate home cooked diet added to her kibbles for the stones in her bladder and kidney, complemented with krill oil, digestive enzymes and probiotics. The focal seizures are more and more frequent and sometimes she will just collapse to one side, other times her back legs will give out or she just stays still and her little head shakes for a few second. Our goal at this point is to make her as pain free as possible and to give her the best of quality of life as well as cherish every day and every moment with her.

As for Angus (rescue adopted March 11), after 9 months of trial and error on food, quantity, timing, frequency, meds, etc, minor victories, major setbacks, I can say that we have finally turned the corner and he is one healthy, playful and happy boy. The worms had done so much damage to his stomach and gut and after 4 months on Entero Chronic daily, his gut seems to have healed nicely. After being 6 months on Prednisone, he has now been off for 41 days and doing good (and yes, I am still keeping my fingers crossed that I don’t have to cross over to the diabetes side of this forum). It also looks like it took care of the severe inflammation of the stomach lining and I was able to reduce the number of meals from 4 to 3 daily for the past 16 days. He also had to have Pepcid AC nightly and sometimes, more in the morning and he has not needed it for 25 days. He has not vomited, nor had severe diarrhea and oozing blood out of his gut for 2 months and the only supplements he is getting is cod liver oil, salmon oil, safflower oil (in the home cooked food) as well as digestive enzymes and probiotics. I also started home cooking since August 18 and that has made a huge difference for both Angus and Cleo.

Where he was a very skinny little boy when we adopted him, he is now muscled and at a healthy weight. He loves to play soccer with Ron in the backyard and so far, he has deflated 13 basketballs/soccer balls. In the winter, the nightly ritual is that at least 5 tennis balls are flying across the house where he runs for them and retrieve. For the past month, he has realized that it is OK to poop in his yard and that he will not get scolded for it. He also knows that he is co-owner of the house with Cleo and that mummy and daddy pay the bills LOL.

My little man Buddy’s paw prints will forever be imprinted on my heart however, Angus and Cleo will be our most precious gifts under the Christmas tree this year.

If any of you are wondering how I can be so precise, it is that I never lost the discipline of journaling and it has been key in managing Angus’s medical conditions, not to mention that our new vet is getting a big kick out of this.

I am now quite active with Westies in Need (WIN) group and I never fail to refer to this site anyone who has a diabetic dog.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If travelling during the holiday season, be safe on the road.

Louise

[Judi]

Re: Introducing Angus

it is nice to hear from you Louise.

Soft hugs to Miss Cleo and I'm so glad Angus has turned the corner! your animals are very lucky to have you as their human. 13 balls destroyed! I love it

[buddingartist]

Re: Introducing Angus

Tks Judi

With all the violence against animals across the world, the K9 forum has remained a "safe" place for me to come to as I know that all parents on this forum are going to the moon and back to provide the best of care for their furry friends.

Louise

[farrwf]

Re: Introducing Angus

Great to hear from you, Louise.

It sure does wear on you when the furry ones enter their geriatric cycle. Sometimes, it's very heart wrenching to watch them struggle, especially when you realize that's probably as good as it will get for the little troopers. They never complain. One wants to take away all their suffering and restore them to the healthy, youthful spirits they were just a few years back.

Happy to hear of Angus' improving condition. He sure is lucky he found his way into your home. He likely knows that.

[bgdavis]

Re: Introducing Angus

Louise,

Nice to hear an update on Angus and Cleo. I wish you all the best and a Merry Christmas.

Bonnie and Angel Criss Ann

[momofdecker]

Re: Introducing Angus

My little man Buddy’s paw prints will forever be imprinted on my heart however, Angus and Cleo will be our most precious gifts under the Christmas tree this year.

If any of you are wondering how I can be so precise, it is that I never lost the discipline of journaling and it has been key in managing Angus’s medical conditions, not to mention that our new vet is getting a big kick out of this

Love the thought of Buddy's paw prints - what a beautiful sentiment! I always think there is a greater plan and a lesson to learn from past experiences. Love that the journal keeping has stuck with you and has paid off.

I hope Cleo enjoys many more good days and am thrilled to hear Angus is doing so well.

Merry Christmas to you and your family! May Buddy continue to keep watch over all of you.

Holli

[Patty]

Re: Introducing Angus

Louise,
I just stopped in quickly before heading to bed. So glad to see you here. I will come back and read in more detail but wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Patty

[CarolW]

Re: Introducing Angus

I'm not here much any more, but I had to catch up on your Cleo - and Angus - dear Louise. So sorry about your nephew. Glad you went ahead with Angus, and I think his current healthy state is a major triumph.

Hope things continue decently with darling Cleo.

Lots of love, and big hugs to you, and keep up the great work!