Ty's Story

[Alexis]

Thank you for sharing Ty's story. My mom recently lost her dog of 10 years and it really helped her to talk through the pain. We are here with open ears and open hearts. Please keeps us updated on how your little prince is doing.
We will keep you in our thoughts.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Just an update on how Ty has been doing since being diagnosed. Originally Ty's levels in his bloodwork work WAY high including his BUN which was at 138.2 ( normal should be no higher really than 35 ) and it was thought that he had at most a few weeks to live.

Since that time I've been determined to get Ty's levels to a level where he could go on living but didn't want to do so if he had no quality of life. We began giving meds as well as doing at home SubQ fluids every other day to try and keep the toxins the kidneys weren't filtering flushed out. I was told it probably wouldn't do any good but that if he made it through the next few weeks to bring him back for more bloodwork.

His next blood test 3 weeks later showed levels going down ( his BUN was down to 100 ) and told to keep doing whatever I was doing. Ty's latest bloodwork last week showed a decrease in his levels including his BUN which is now down to 85. Still a god aweful number but better than we started with!

Renal dogs become very ill from the toxins that are building in their system due to the lack of kidney function, when the levels are up its almost like you or I having a bad case of the flu, their muscles and joints ache, they can't keep anything down and they want nothing more than to just sleep. Dogs in this condition also develop multiple stomach ulcers from the toxins making them want not want to eat even on their good days so they must be hand fed several times a day and maybe, just maybe if your very lucky you'll get half a cup of chicken or something else that might tempt them into their stomach for that day.

Ty has his good days and bad although still very much the happy little camper most of the time today was not a very good day. I could tell his stomach was bothering him, his was stiff and hurting and we only managed to eat about a tablespoon of ground beef today which he promptly brought right back up. He spent the majority of the day on my lap, getting his aches and pains rubbed, sleeping on his heating pad and getting kisses from his sister Ginger. Gin always knows when he's doing worse than usual since the very beginning of his illness and I've learned to watch her for clues on how Ty is really feeling.

We hope and pray tomorrow is a better day, each day Ty goes down like this its always in the back of our minds that we may be nearing the end but then he rebounds and continues to do well. We pray for another rebound as we kiss our boy goodnight.

[milo]

HI ya i collect ty beanies and thee great there like little teddies but with beans in them there so cute!!!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by milo

HI ya i collect ty beanies and thee great there like little teddies but with beans in them there so cute!!!

lol I collected those myself for years and it is part of how Ty got his name.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Oh, I'm so sorry . He's a beautiful dog.

[flyndog]

Aw, Crossfire. No matter how many friends we lose, it never gets any easier, does it? We're here for you if you need us!
Kit

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Thank you and your right, it never does get any easier to lose a good friend.

Ty is becoming increasingly apprehensive about coming anywhere near me every other day, he knows thats when I give him his SubQ fluids and of course I have to be the bad guy.....something I REALLY hate but I know it has to be done. Poor baby hates to see me coming but after the line is in just leans against me for comfort, its like he knows it helps and that I have to do it but looks at me like "why momma, I don't understand."

Life can be so cruel at times...I cry and tell him how much I love him until its done and then we both give kisses and hugs till next time.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Just wanted to give you all an update on Ty; while every day is still a fight, this weeks blood test results were very positive and I just wanted to share Ty's good news with everyone.

The bloodwork shows that we're down to 65 on BUN and 3.2 on CREAT! ( last results taken were 85 on BUN & 8.2 on CREAT ) I'm not sure how we managed to accomplish this BUT I do know that it means Ty has at least 25% use of his kidneys presently and THAT means a better chance for long term care to mean survival!

I'd like to thank everyone who has PM'ed or e-mailed to ask how Ty is doing over the past few months, your thoughts, well wishes and prayers...... their working! Although our muscles still ache, especially when its cold we'd like to send you warm hugs from here in Indiana.

[kjm]

Oh my goodness, I don't know how I totally missed this thread until now. Sonja, my heart is hurting so bad for you right now. What a roller coster ride you've been through. Ty is the luckiest dog in the world to have such a caring Mother to devote herself to his needs. Ty will most definitely be in my thoughts and prayers.

[sunny98]

Wow! I am soooo happy that the numbers have come down and things are going a little better. Thanks for your story, it is an inspiration to us alll! Big doggies KISSES and HUGS coming your way! Keep us posted.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Thanks KJM and Sunny It's been a really tough road and it's things like this that we live for!

[Carrie]

A-w-w Sonja,

That is good news. He must be feeling better with those numbers and the longer he'll be around most likely. I'm sorry that he is so worried when you have to stick him with the needle that he is avoiding you. That kind of hurts, doesn't it. Poor baby. I wish there were something you could do about that. Hmmmm.

Well, keep us updated. It does sound pretty darn good for now.

Hugs from the gang here.

[Alexis]

I am so glad to hear that Ty is doing well! We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers!

[poodlesmom]

Oh Sonja, thank you so much for the update! It brought tears of happiness! I think about Ty all the time and am always hesitant to ask how he's doing just in case it's a bad day. Your love & dedication to him has accomplished amazing results. I will continue to pray that his levels keep improving. He has proven from the beginning that he is a fighter & the 2 of you together surely is a force to reckon with.

[linnie]

Sonja I am so glad that you got good news back from the latest tests.
I think of you and your bullies daily and naturally your special boy Ty
Thanks for the hugs