Ruby

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Ruby

Tara I sent you a note back but will repeat here.

I see what your vet is thinking in combining oral drugs but I'm not sure it won't create a bigger super bug problem. Definitely not my area of expertise but just thinking out loud.

How much would the gentamicin + subQ cost to do at home? How much risk does the vet feel is there for Ruby's kidneys? Are there other side effects, since you already have difficulty with her keeping food down?

The meds are $35 because I had to buy the whole bottle. Other then that It will probably be $10 a day in fluids for 5-7 days.

Vet thought she would probably be okay with the kidneys as her blood work was so good. Frankly I haven't asked about any ore side effects as I don't think I have any choice.

Ok, I am off to bed. Wish me luck that she doesn't regurge. I am surely not sleeping with my ear to her nose tonight! I just have a feeling I will be up fairly soon cleaning up a mess....and then she has no food to balance the insulin.

from a very weary caregiver, where would I be without you guys.

Tara

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Ruby

Also do you remember which oral drugs she wanted to try?

No we didn't get that far.

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Ruby

Are there other side effects, since you already have difficulty with her keeping food down?

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/gentamicin-side-effects.html

Gastrointestinal side effects possibly related to gentamicin have included nausea, vomiting, weight loss, decreased appetite, increased salivation, and stomatitis.


Sigh.....

[amholmesy]

Re: Ruby

Oh Tara

You poor thing I am so sorry that Ruby is not feeling so good and that there are so many issues going on with her. I see you are feeding her more than twice a day- I too get up at 5.30 am every day to feed CJ and sometimes he wont eat his 2nd feed at 8.30 so he gets it later and I give him a carby snack to keep his insulin from dropping and then after his walk he usually eats a bit more then he gets the rest at 1pm. He always eats everything in the evening at 6pm and at 7.30pm unless he is feeling sick. I know what you mean about this disease taking over your life - I just take one day at a time and when the day comes that CJ is not having a good life then I will let him go.
You are doing such a fantastic job with Ruby and I am sure you can get her through this jsut like you have got her through all the other ups and downs.
I know how exhausting it is being the caregiver for our little ones but hang in there and see how she does today on the new meds. Hugs xx

[Eddie]

Re: Ruby

Hi Tara
Sorry you're having such a tough time with Ruby. I hope things settle down again soon and you can get back to some sort of normality (whatever that happens to be). I know how worrying and tiring it can be so make sure you look after yourself a bit too!
Best wishes
Antonia

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Ruby

Thanks Antonia, yes the looking after myself has suffered a bit. I will try to find ways to do that today. I will be at work, ha! it may be easier there.

Oh Anne Marie, thanks for chiming in. I kept meaning to get back to wish CJ a happy sugarversary and never was able to get there. So glad things have evened out for you two. Thank you for the info on the multiple feedings. I will come back to it after work and may have more questions for you as we may need to do a similar routine.

So our night was uneventful. No regurge and apparently no lows. To be honest folks, I can't run her high and I can't do anymore. Between Jim's headaches ect. I am getting about 4 hrs. of sleep per night. So I gave her her dose had her on the couch with me. We slept downstairs because if she regurged during on of Jim's headaches that would have been torture for both Jim and I. Any sort of movement on the bed causes severe pain.

Go figure, she woke up with a 146 fasting. So same drill this am. I am off to work and that will be really stressful, but Jim will be able to check on her during the day.

Ya know, if I finally got good numbers it might make the lifestyle changes worth it. She is going to need to tolerate her bucket more though. Usually I feed her in it and then she starts barking almost immediately so I take her out and hold her. Well, she is going to have to sit in that bucket more. I can't have her barking when Jim is in a cluster and I can't hold her for a total of 2 hrs. a day, so we may have to get creative.

So....if she can keep her food down, we get rid of the infection, she doesn't go too low while I am gone.....and I can get some sleep so I can have the tenacity to hang in there with her.....we may be ok.

I have been thinking over the last few days about when I joined how on Ali's thread there was a joke going on about how everyone wanted to take Ali off Patty's hands. HA! you guys have never said that about Ruby! COME ON!

Just kidding, the support here makes it all the more bearable and at no time have I been made to feel bad about wondering if I could go on.

Best to all, Tara

[jesse girl]

Re: Ruby

its to bad the support group is virtual and i believe most of us would take ruby and give you a break if we could .

your progression of thoughts and goals sounds spot on. i think you got some more time to see what ruby wants to do .

[Linda1]

Re: Ruby

Just wanted to give you a hug. Not sure how you do all you do for Ruby.

[Patty]

Re: Ruby

Wouldn't it be great to have some real respite instead of virtual?! I do understand that.

So apparently combining drugs in a case like this to avoid the gentamicin is more common than I thought, at least in humans and sent you a note on that this morning.

I'd forgotten Gent is potentially ototoxic and with Ruby's blindness, you'd want to consider that. I remember now Kevin being considered with this with an eye injection for Kobi's glaucoma.

Wishing you a peaceful work day,
Patty

[buddingartist]

Re: Ruby

Hey Tara

I do follow Ruby's thread regularly and keep hoping for better days for your girl, more sleep for you and all headaches gone for your hubby.

I sure can't speak for the rest of the group but I personally would never offer to take Ruby off your hands as I know that there is absolutely no way that I could even measure up to the quality of care that you have been providing to your girl.

I continue to be amazed at your resilience and tenacity.

I've said many times that I am not qualified to give advice, I'm only part of the <cheering committee<. There you go a big gold star to you Tara

Louise

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: Ruby

Man - we are all here for you - and yes, we all would take her off your hands - but wouldn't be able to do all that you do for her. She is a fighter because of you!

I sure hope that Jim feels better soon. Headaches....suck.

Tami

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Ruby

Tara,

Would love to take her.... but you know, I'm not sure my level of care would equal yours.... but I would do it for you..

It is a shame that we are virtual.

Barb

[momofdecker]

Re: Ruby

Awe, Tara, I'd take Ruby in a heart beat. But do believe I would in no way be able to provide the quality of care you manage. Yet alone attempt it on four hours of sleep a night.

I'm such a visual learner and that video you posed awhile back showing how she was fed speaks so much as to why you fight so hard for her. She showed a lot of life left in her in that video. Quite the little inspiration - no vision or hearing but still very happy and content with life. If only we could all adopt her attitude...I'm a big believer that there is a lot we can learn from our four legged friends.

Sending virtual hugs your way!

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Ruby

Ugh- cell phone
But wanted to say now I feel like crying for good reasons. Thanks so much for "lifting me up".

Will call Jim soon to see how she is doing.

Tara

[jjefferjo]

Re: Ruby

Tara just catching up I join the others in my steep admiration for you
Hopes and blessings your way for you and Ruby.
Jj