Dana I'm glad you're switching vets, and yours doesn't sound very easy to work with but since you can't get in to the other one for a week or more, I am going to suggest that you ask about doing sub q fluids at home this week. That way you control how much fluid she gets. Standard maintenance dose is between 5-15 ml of fluid per pound of body weight per day. With Bumble having a heart condition you would probably need to be on the low end of the range, but it is very easy to do and a lot less expensive too. I've been doing daily fluids with my little guy for months now and it has kept his numbers right at the normal range and he doesn't even mind them. We have a routine, and if I'm a little late he'll jump up on the bed, bark and remind me! For him it is attention time, hop up on the bed and cuddle in a big warm towel time, and he also appreciates the treat he gets ONLY after fluids. He weighs 11 pounds and it takes me less than five minutes to give him the fluids.
As for the phosphorous binder, some vets are difficult about owners making suggestions, but I have never ran into one that would refuse a binder to a dog with a phosphorous over 10. That's crazy. My vet actually suggested I use the Aluminum Hydroxide powder from thrivingpets.com because it's cheap and very concentrated. And it works. It also doesn't require a prescription. In the beginning I read a little about aluminum toxicity and worried about it, but then read more and am convinced it's ok for my dog. He's 15 and I only give him a very little bit to keep his phos in check. Even thought the high end of normal for phos is 6.6, my vet likes to see it between 4 and 5 for a dog in renal failure and less than 1/8th of a teaspoon per day with his big meal keeps his in that range. He has kidney, liver and gall bladder issues as well as chronic pancreatitis, so a little bit of the binder is the least of my worries!
Let us know how Bumble is doing when you get home.
Diana and Scooby |