Tag: Acana

Stella – vet follow-up

Stella - vet follow-up

I dropped Stella at the vet yesterday for dental cleaning. She was clearly displeased at being left there, trying to drag the vet tech out the door in pursuit of me.

A full blood panel and urinalysis were done before the procedure because she is a senior, almost eleven, and because of her weight loss from 35 lbs to 31.

The vet called to say that the bloodwork was fine, nothing to report. However sugar crystals were found in her urine. This was interesting because this was one finding during Kendal’s workup when he was so sick in late December. The vet delaying the dental work since it was not crucial to perform right away. He also recommended taking a second urine sample for comparative analysis, and because the first sample was possibly contaminated. The second sample revealed sugar crystals though not in the same high concentration.

Faye picked Stella up and brought her home, and we will try to capture a pee sample in a couple weeks or so. Miss Stella seems to be fine, has her normal energy and interest in things going on around her.

The vet also recommended further increasing Stella’s kibble. We recently switched all three dogs from the Acana Regionals cycle to Acana Senior, so perhaps I have not appropriately adjusted her kibble. Another factor is the colder winter than the recent ones, which of course requires expending more energy to stay warm.

Kendal was unwell

Kendal was unwell

Yesterday, Kendal began showing signs of not being himself. For one thing he was sluggish. During the evening he showed signs of discomfort – not getting up at the call to dinner and not inhaling the kibble we brought to him. We have fed everyone Acana Regionals for about two years, cycling among the four varieties. He lay down almost exclusively on his stomach and was uncomfortable, shifting position and groaning; breathing more shallowly and quickly than normal; trembling. He was aware of and interested in what was going on yet obviously not himself. We resolved to defer todays’ trip to Goderich and take him to the vet.

We watched him overnight (it was a long night). We had thoughts of bloat, a blockage, cancer, pancreatitis. He barfed at 5:00AM. Called the vet (Wallaceburg Animal Hospital) first thing and they said bring him right in. Kendal was perkier and positively jumped right up at the notion of a car ride.

After the initial exam the vet recommended a full blood panel, x-rays. Dr. Tracy Landry is a wonderful vet with a calm, factual, easy tableside manner. There was some difficulty with the x-ray setup which delayed those results. The verdict:

No pancreatitis, bloat, or blockage. X-rays revealed some gas buildup in his stomach and intestines and somewhat enlarged spleen. Bloodwork showed an RBC count below normal and sme liver values are elevated. The thinking is that this may be either a one-off upset or early signs of something more significant. Course of treatment: canned food for a few days, the antibiotic doxycycline to treat any infection, and Cerena as a stomach easer. I would not object too strenuously if Kendal blew a big stinky fart.

We are home. He’s alert and watching Faye, who is working in the kitchen. Kendal’s 12 years old, a good age for a Lab. We will watch him. After last night’s restless night, we may crash early.

Chili Dog

Chili Dog

You may have wondered how Achillles is.

He seems to be fine, He spent more time in the laundry room than typical. His appetite, energy level, and so on were fine, but little if any pooping. We fasted him for a day then put him on a chicken and rice diet.

Faye took him to the vet yesterday. His temperature is normal, no unusual reaction to palpations. Perhaps he picked up a bug during a recent stay at a kennel we have never used. The vet prescribed a short change to Hills Prescription Diet and seven
days of metronidazole (antibiotic).

We are talking about switching all three dogs to a home made diet. We spend around $80 every three weeks on one of the Acana kibbles. While Acana is a good quality food it may be as cost effective, and healthier, to feed a home made diet.

Our vet is very, very good and we like him quite a bit. Faye has taken her dogs to him since well before we met.