Update on Gidget
 

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know how Gidget is doing. She is doing really well actually. She still only weighs about 14oz., but she is so much better. We still think she has a liver shunt, but our vet has said with her size there is nothing they could do right now anyway. She is on a strict (sp) diet, which she doesn't like at all, but she does eat. The only thing is that she doesn't drink a lot of water. We always add quite a bit to her food to keep her hydrated. Everyone of you who helped me through that very difficult time with her I want to thank. This website was definately a blessing to me.:D

So glad you and Gidget are doing well. I would try ice also as an interest. Sometimes they think it is something to play and then may lick it. Also children's pedialyte may keep her hydrated.

If she has not been diagnosed, you may want to consider pet insurance should you need it down the line. Before doing that, you might want to check with vet to see what he has written on her record so she doesn't have a pre-existing condition that Gidget wouldn't be covered for.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Amy - I am so glad to hear that Gidget is doing well. I'm sure you are still worried about her, but you continue to do such a great job that she will surely thrive!!! Way to go!! Big :hug: to you and Gidget!!

Oh my goodness, so tiny:eek: I bet that she is absolutely darling and has your heart firmly in her grasp:love:!

Hopefully she doesn't have the LS, but if she does I hope that the vets can fix her right up, either with diet or the surgery. Bless her little heart, she's a fighter:thumbup: Prayers going up for her!

I am so happy to hear the little Gidget is better! Hydration is so very important and I just wanted to share this little trick that we used with Toto. Fortunately, Toto loves water and drinks it like a camel! :) She recently went through a little "bug" that caused her not to want to eat nor drink. Normally I would have rushed her to the vet but since it started the beginning of a long weekend, we pretty much had to wing it. I wasn't nearly as concerned that she didn't eat as I was that she wouldn't drink. I keep broth in my freezer for her at all times to use with her food. I gave her 3 tablespoons about every 20 minutes and each time she would lap it all up and lick her bowl clean! After 1 day, her diarrhea was about 80 percent better and she was actually eating! This is just an idea to get liquid into little Gidget and because of her medical problems, you would probably want to check with your vet. I told my vet later what I had done and he heartily agreed. The following is the way I prepare broth for Toto:

I always make it fresh .... boil a chicken using lots of water and a little olive oil and about 1 tablespoon parsley. I drain off all the broth, strain it twice through a wire strainer [the kind that looks like window screen] or until it looks like very weak lemonade. I then freeze it in little 1 cup packages and freeze them. I use my Food Saver and it keeps it airtight and fresh. I never add salt or anything other than the parsley and olive oil and sometimes I don't use the olive oil. This broth isn't greasy/oily and I have tasted it and it's pretty much tasteless to me but there's something in there that Toto absolutely loves! I can add a couple of tablespoons to anything and she will eat it! :p :p

Good luck with Gidget and please keep us updated!

pics of gidget
 

I am trying to attach some photos of Gidget. I am not real computer savvy so if it doesn't work, take my word for it, she is beautiful.

What a beauty she is. I hope all works out.

What a doll!! Hope she gets better soon.

Awwww...what a little doll she is and all the best to her - I hope she continues to get better...and the ice idea is great - mine loved playing with ice when they were puppies - good luck !!

she is so very tiny and I know that has to worry you even if she didnt have much of anything wrong. At her size anything at all to do with illness could be detrimental to her. I hope for a speedy recovery for her and hope you can feel better and just really enjoy her soon.

I had a little foster that died because of liver shunt. Your baby cannot live without that operation, so give her nutri-cal as that stimulates the appetite and gives her some much needed nutrition and vitamins. Next giver her pedialyte instead of water. It can be frozen in ice trays and will last longer that way. The Wal-Mart brand is much cheaper than the regular brand. Give her baby food meats and veggies. Even bby applesauce and pears are good for her. Don't give her any dog food at all. There are enough things in it to kill her. Keep it simple but *real*. Even the toddler meals would be good for her. I hope you can get her a good weight so she can have her surgery.

Gidget is beyond adorable!!!! Thanks for sharing her photo and continuing to send thoughts and prayers for a full recovery.

Hello,

Happy to hear Gidget is doing better. My lil Chuey is also sick (pneumonia and can't walk) but I am working hard to nurse him back to health.

Here is a little recipe I found on this site that might tickle Gidget's fancy. Sorry, can't remember the original poster! Chuey eats it right up! But to keep his poop from getting too soft, I still give dry Royal Kanin puppy to snack on:

1/2 cup half/half
1/2 cup baby rice cereal
1 jar baby food -meat, except turkey
1 tsp karo or pancake syrup

Mix and serve about 1 tsp or so! It must be kept in fridge. I heat it everytime I serve it to him and add water to keep him hydrated because he doesn't drink water. Chuey was Gidget's size when I got him at about 3 months and now at 5 months, he weighs about 1 lb 12 ozs!

Best of luck and hope this helps, our prayers are with you!

Thanks everyone for caring about my girl. She is so sweet. We have tried to let her play with ice, and it works a little bit. She is really doing good. We love our Gidge so much. She has so much energy right now, which is such a great thing to see. Her favorite thing to do is chew on your nose. We just laugh at her and let her chew. Thanks again to all of you who helped us out during the very difficult time we had with her. Obviously, prayer works because she is doing so much better.

what a little cutie! get well soon xx