Originally Posted by Carol Banta (Post 3794471)

I just wanted to send a word of encouragement for your Cookie. In Feb of 2008 my little Yorkie Brodie became very ill, trouble breathing and was accumulating fluid in his lungs. It seemed like his whole body was swelling and he would just lay stretched out flat to be able to breathe. Our regular vet couldn"t figure out the problem, put him on lasix which didn"t help and told us this may just be something he would have to live with, with out really knowing what the problem was. This was not acceptable so I searched for a new vet 2 hours away. After some testing I was told he thought Brody had Lymphangectasia, and if he did the prognosis was grim, most dogs dont live past a year after being diagnosed, I was devistated. This vet was familiar with the disease and was willing to do what ever he could to help Brody. Brody went thru 2 thoracocentisis to drain the fluid from his abdomen and chest and received 2 plasma infusions to replace the lost proteins, as well as being put on prednisone, metronidazole and baytril at different times. We were sent to a specialty hospital for a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of Lymphangectasia which was positive, at least now we knew for sure what we were dealing with. Brody was then put on a special diet which we strictly adhere to and after 4-5 monthes he was off all medication. Today 4 years later Brody is healthy and happy and we have had only 1 mild flare up. This disease can be manageable, you just have to have a vet that is willing to really monitor your dog closley. I am sending a prayer for Cookie and hope she does as well as my Brody has.

Carol

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie (Post 3794578)

Linda I don't know how I missed this! I am so glad that Cookie is doing so much better! :) Wonderful news!! I am home cooking for Rosie now. And yes it is very important to get help from an expert. I had to buy a specific scale to get very accurate measurements. But that is ok, we do what we have too. Hugs to Cookie!

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3794910)

Does Rosie love her new diet as much as Cookie? She is so funny...she watches every move while I am making it. The best part is that she is doing so well now!

Originally Posted by Taryn0405 (Post 3795189)

Gah where have I been!?!

Yay go Cookie!! Linda, I'm so happy she's back to her normal adorable self (shaved chicken leg and all!:p). Such good news, and to hear that she's loving her food? Can't ask for a better Valentines Day gift! So excited for little miss Cookie!

*Hugs*

Originally Posted by teacup0819 (Post 3795794)

I'm really happy to hear that Cookie is doing so much better now. I had followed your first thread and thought about her often. I just saw your update now and am so relieved to hear she will feeling good and eating. I'm sure your home-cooked meals are more to her liking anyway ;) Hugs to Cookie and all your pups!!

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3795837)

Thank you...I am so happy that she is doing well. :) I hope it continues and I will have her for as long as I had always hoped. I figured she would be one that lived to a ripe old age! :)

Originally Posted by Perrella (Post 3795853)

You bet-cha, Cookie will be the one that lives to a ripe old age:thumbup: So glad to see she is doing well and loving her food. You are such a great mommy Linda!:) Cookie is one lucky little girlie :D

Originally Posted by diannenet (Post 3795860)

I am so glad to hear the good news Linda. Cookie is so photogenic!

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy (Post 3795884)

Glad to hear Cookie is doing so well. I have a success story with my Sissy, only her diagnosis was Protein Losing Enteropathy. Nutrition consult, special diet (she is on a combo of dehydrated raw and steamed talapia) and supplements (that continue today) and 3 years later she is happy and healthy!!!!

Originally Posted by Ringo1 (Post 3795975)

My hat's off to you, Linda, for taking such good care of Cookie. Cookie is a very lucky girl to have landed where she did.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3795977)

Awww thank you...but honestly she gives me so much more than I do her. She is a joy! :)

Originally Posted by CherieMaggie (Post 3799471)

I have GOT to find out more about doggie nutritionists. I would love for Maggie to be off prednisone. For her sake (muscle wasting at hind end and any discomfort she may have), and for my sake (yesterday I forgot to give her her medicine, it's the first night she slept all night since starting prednisone; usually she gets up 6-8 times a night...which means I'm awakened 12-16 times every night to let her off the bed or bring her back up after she pees or gets a drink.) the closest one is about 2 hours away and it's scary randomly picking someone.

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie (Post 3799870)

How is Miss Cookie? Still loving her home cooking? :)

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3799883)

She is doing fantastic, thank you! :) Yesterday when she got up she was kind of quiet and I had not done labs on her for a couple of weeks so I called and took her in to have her protein levels checked. This thing has turned me into a worry wart .... she had no diarrhea so no reason for me to think she was losing protein but I had to know. They were amazingly good! Her albumin is 3.4 ... just so unbelievable. It was .9 just before Christmas. I am going to call and schedule an appt with the specialist. I have a feeling she will be taken off her meds.

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie (Post 3799894)

That is great!!!! Wonderful news! Do you think it is the home cooking that has made a huge difference for her?

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3799904)

Oh, it is absolutely the food! While she needed the meds for the gastritis and IBD, the only way to really get lymphangectasia under control is with diet. The diet is what will hopefully keep her under control.

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie (Post 3799910)

That is wonderful. I am all for home cooking. Rosie has had no issues with her IBS since we started it. I think it is a good thing for certain pups. Let us know what you find out at her appointment. Give her hugs from Rosie and Mikki!

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3799883)

She is doing fantastic, thank you! :) Yesterday when she got up she was kind of quiet and I had not done labs on her for a couple of weeks so I called and took her in to have her protein levels checked. This thing has turned me into a worry wart .... she had no diarrhea so no reason for me to think she was losing protein but I had to know. They were amazingly good! Her albumin is 3.4 ... just so unbelievable. It was .9 just before Christmas. I am going to call and schedule an appt with the specialist. I have a feeling she will be taken off her meds.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3799797)

You can find one at: American College of Veterinary Nutrition If there is not one close to you, then you could have your vet do a telephone/email consult with one.

Originally Posted by Lil Sis (Post 3799915)

Linda... I am glad to read happy news about cookie!

Originally Posted by teacup0819 (Post 3800205)

Linda....great news about Cookie!!

Originally Posted by 107barney (Post 3800011)

You can also do a nutrition by phone directly. This is how I do consults. I use Dr. Rebecca Remillard who is now at North Carolina State University Vet School and I love her - she saved my Daisy's life pretty much. But she's not the only one and if I wanted someone else I'd have no hesitation using another ACVN diplomat -- these people are experts and their depth and breath of knowledge is unbelieveable - not just about nutrition - they are vetrinarians. Dr Remillard has guided me on other issues including ruling out Cushings, tackling struvite stones, liver disease and the like. I could never repay her for taking Daisy off her death bed.

Anyway good luck.