Warning:
This post is already three weeks delayed. The printout is with me since last
week (office restrictions, don’t ask). Posting this is for the documentation of
Bruce’s recovery from his Acute Renal Failure. It’s been a month since it was
diagnosed and it’s almost a month since his official hospital release. And I’m
happy to report that he’s doing better than ever.
Bruce
came home to us last Saturday after almost 2 weeks of hospitalization. I’m very
happy and thankful to report that he’s feistier, more rambunctious and excited!
There’s no more limping. He eats his meals with gusto and he plays around…a
lot! We have witnessed that he has his full energy back albeit with a thinner
figure for now. But I wouldn’t worry too much about his weight. With how he
eats and with enough healthy carbohydrate, he’ll have his body back in no time.
The
positive side is he was given the license to go home. His BUN and Creatinine
levels went back to normal after 2 weeks of intense fluid therapy. His energy
can speak for his continuous recovery, but probably the battle needs a follow
through, a continuous sweep. It can’t be totally over now can it? Acute Renal
failure isn’t a cold. It’s a degenerative disease. Small percentage of dogs
live through it and even smaller percentage of dogs fully recover while the
unfortunate ones fall into relapse and chronic kidney failure. So my whole
family and I are on the lookout.
Truth
is he still needs to continue his medication and do some follow up blood tests
and check ups. His diet is so sophisticated, so different to support his
remaining kidney function. He has to be monitored and made sure that he’s not
exerting too much energy, he’s not doing extreme sunbathing and he has clearer
and cleaner access to water. In short, he will be nursed up until six months.
I’ve asked Ate Ne and Ate Mone, our two capable and caring helpers to check up
on him every hour. I’ve asked my mom to talk to him and monitor him for any
signs. Since my mom is a natural paranoid person, I think she would work well
in the department. He only follos this strict low sodium, protein diet with
only high quality protein found in ground meat with fat, eggs, chicken and
vegetables. He will also eat fruits, potatoes and oats in substitute of rice. I
allot a certain weekly food budget for him. And everything is cooked without
salt, only in coconut oil or unsalted butter. With his meals, he takes
antioxidants and kidney maintenance medication. My mom realized that we put a
lot of work, time and money to fully aid his recovery. It is troublesome and
challenging for sure, but we’ve grown to love this gentle giant that doing all
of this becomes so natural. We’ve never been faced in this crisis before, yes
it is a crisis, and I’m glad we’re seeing it through somehow.
Since
Saturday, the day of his release and homecoming, he had only shown happiness,
renowned energy and improvised antics. He would engage in rough play with
Harvey like there was no tomorrow. He continued exploring the grounds like
before. He would explore and accompany our family members in errands. He walks
in a happy and jumpy gait. He also assumed his strong guarding posts just like
a formidable guard dog should. He
welcomes family members with his usual charm, love and level of energy. Two
weeks ago was so different. It was full of depression, anxiety, pain and
heartbreaks for all of us. But now seeing him so strong and happy all of the
effort was worth it, it was a distant nightmare we are willing to forget.
But
we are still at a monitoring stage. As much as we’re so happy to see him
excited, happy and energized, we’re also doing our part to ensure that we give
him the best care, sustenance and attention he needs. It’s already a lifetime
pact and we’re happy to see this through.
PS: DIET for those interested would be posted soon.
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