Kidney Issues with my pup

[DonnaB]

@Dr. Jeff

Hi Dr Jeff,

Luke is a 5yr old male Australian Labradoodle. He is 34 lbs and is a happy free gentle spirit. He was neutered when he was a year old. He has people eyes and loves to have fun. When he was 1.5 he was diagnosed with Lyme in his blood. He was not diagnosed with Lyme disease even though I had found a tick on him. He has had puppy vax, just the p's no l's and 2 rabies shots. He just had the recent one last November. It was the one without the heavy metals. He is a holistic pup with organic cooked and raw foods, spring water and lots of exercise. He has had allergies especially in the spring with itching and ear infections, which I believe are from an issue in his gut because of the vaccines.

3 weeks ago he had a bout of vomiting which I took him to his conventional vet. They said he was fine and sent him home. The next two days he was more tired, so I took him to the vet for blood work and they found him to have low platelets and high BUN. He was feeling better and acting normal, then he had another bout of vomiting after drinking a lot of water, so we limited his consumption to drinking small amounts and pureed food. They did another round of bloodwork and his platelets went up to 218 and the BUN came down 12 points. But it showed high for Lyme. We are taking him to have a sonogram tomorrow and the vet wanted to start him on doxycycline, but I don't want him to have that which will wreak havoc with his gut and affect his kidneys. She is very worried about his kidney function and so are we.

In the meantime, we saw a holistic vet who did an acupuncture treatment with vitamin B-12. He also gave him Astra Essence to take twice a day. He recommended that we have bloodwork done at his vet.

This is just a quick synopsis in a nutshell. I will upload the results so you can see them. So here we are, I am open to any holistic, homeopathy, herbal remedies to help heal Luke.

Thank you for your help.

Donna Bradbury and Luke

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi again Donna!

Thanks so much for sharing your sweet Luke's test results so quickly!

Good job!!

When you told me today that his albumin was normal at 3.3, I was surprised by the diagnosis of a PLN (protein-losing nephropathy). However, now that I can see the prior result of 2.6 (2.7 is the lower limit of normal) and urine protein of 3+, then yes. A PLN is most likely.

It definitely may be associated with excess circulating antibodies to Lyme as reflected by his C6 over 300 (negative is usually less than 15). However, this does N=not mean Lyme nephritis.

The high BUN and his very high phosphorus level may indicate the need for IV fluids (not the SQ fluid bump that they gave him before).

However, his low albumin makes giving him IV fluids a bit tricky.

When SQ fluids (the "bump") are absorbed very quickly as you described today usually means that more are needed.

Maybe the vet can show you tomorrow how to give them at home.

Please let us know whenever you get more info or have other questions.

BTW-Have you ever been to Angell Memorial in JP?

 

[Dr. Christina]

Thank you for becoming a member, Donna, and making your first post. Luke is blessed to have you already being careful about toxins and feeding fresh food. So much more you will find as you explore the HA! site.

At this point, please read the article on finding a holistic vet. It will help you evaluate the holistic vet you are working with. Is he merely treating "the disease - kidney and lyme" or is he committed to totally rebalancing the energy field/chi/vital force which will also resolve the symptoms called "allergies"? the article will help you determine this, as will reading a number of the articles on the site for kidney and lyme.

We even have a lyme disease course. Be sure to take the 101 course, especially lesson one, to orient yourself to the goal of seeing symptoms as clues to the underlying imbalance. Reading Jeff's new book, the Path to Pet Wellness, will help you deepen your relationship and ability to share a great quality of life, and not focus on diagnoses.

Very useful is to keep a journal and learn about evaluations responses to any treatments.

Oh, and if you give Sub Q fluids, be sure to warm them first. I like to keep a mug of hot water 1/2 way between the fluid bag and the dog with some of the line coiled into the mug.

Dr. Christina

 

[DonnaB]

Thank you for becoming a member, Donna, and making your first post. Luke is blessed to have you already being careful about toxins and feeding fresh food. So much more you will find as you explore the HA! site.

At this point, please read the article on finding a holistic vet. It will help you evaluate the holistic vet you are working with. Is he merely treating "the disease - kidney and lyme" or is he committed to totally rebalancing the energy field/chi/vital force which will also resolve the symptoms called "allergies"? the article will help you determine this, as will reading a number of the articles on the site for kidney and lyme.

We even have a lyme disease course. Be sure to take the 101 course, especially lesson one, to orient yourself to the goal of seeing symptoms as clues to the underlying imbalance. Reading Jeff's new book, the Path to Pet Wellness, will help you deepen your relationship and ability to share a great quality of life, and not focus on diagnoses.

Very useful is to keep a journal and learn about evaluations responses to any treatments.

Oh, and if you give Sub Q fluids, be sure to warm them first. I like to keep a mug of hot water 1/2 way between the fluid bag and the dog with some of the line coiled into the mug.

Dr. Christina

Thank you for your response Dr. Christina. We did see a great holistic vet but he is only working one day a week. I did find and integrative vet and her hours are 4 days a week. There is one more person who is a holistic acupuncturist for dogs. She will be contacting me next week, so I do have other options. I sent Dr Jeff Luke'

Hi again Donna!

Thanks so much for sharing your sweet Luke's test results so quickly!

Good job!!

When you told me today that his albumin was normal at 3.3, I was surprised by the diagnosis of a PLN (protein-losing nephropathy). However, now that I can see the prior result of 2.6 (2.7 is the lower limit of normal) and urine protein of 3+, then yes. A PLN is most likely.

It definitely may be associated with excess circulating antibodies to Lyme as reflected by his C6 over 300 (negative is usually less than 15). However, this does N=not mean Lyme nephritis.

The high BUN and his very high phosphorus level may indicate the need for IV fluids (not the SQ fluid bump that they gave him before).

However, his low albumin makes giving him IV fluids a bit tricky.

When SQ fluids (the "bump") are absorbed very quickly as you described today usually means that more are needed.

Maybe the vet can show you tomorrow how to give them at home.

Please let us know whenever you get more info or have other questions.

BTW-Have you ever been to Angell Memorial in JP?

Thank you for becoming a member, Donna, and making your first post. Luke is blessed to have you already being careful about toxins and feeding fresh food. So much more you will find as you explore the HA! site.

At this point, please read the article on finding a holistic vet. It will help you evaluate the holistic vet you are working with. Is he merely treating "the disease - kidney and lyme" or is he committed to totally rebalancing the energy field/chi/vital force which will also resolve the symptoms called "allergies"? the article will help you determine this, as will reading a number of the articles on the site for kidney and lyme.

We even have a lyme disease course. Be sure to take the 101 course, especially lesson one, to orient yourself to the goal of seeing symptoms as clues to the underlying imbalance. Reading Jeff's new book, the Path to Pet Wellness, will help you deepen your relationship and ability to share a great quality of life, and not focus on diagnoses.

Very useful is to keep a journal and learn about evaluations responses to any treatments.

Oh, and if you give Sub Q fluids, be sure to warm them first. I like to keep a mug of hot water 1/2 way between the fluid bag and the dog with some of the line coiled into the mug.

Dr. Christina

Thank you Dr Jeff,

I sent you the sonogram results, so now you have the pieces to the puzzle. I also set an appointment for April 8th. Looking forward to creating a plan to support Luke.

s blood work and now we have the sonogram results...I do believe in miracles and hopefully after he has more acupuncture treatments and homeopathy, things will be different.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hey Donna!

This is a great ultrasound report.

Dr. Block did a wonderful job!! Normal kidneys!!

My only concern with the findings is the small splenic mass. We'll want to monitor it's size.

 

[DonnaB]

Hey Donna!

This is a great ultrasound report.

Dr. Block did a wonderful job!! Normal kidneys!!

My only concern with the findings is the small splenic mass. We'll want to monitor it's size.

Dr Jeff, as you know Luke had the ultrasound and they shaved him very close. Today Luke has been besides himself with razor burn near his penis. It's all red and raised and I've been putting warm coconut oil on it. What else can help this situation? Aloe? Any of recommendations?

 

[GinnyW]

Aloe would be great. Not messy or greasy, and edible, too.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Yes!

Massage in aloe liquid, gel, or even use some brave “volunteers” from your aloe plant.

Do this every two hours if he’s still beside himself

 

[DonnaB]

Dr Jeff, as you know Luke had the ultrasound and they shaved him very close. Today Luke has been besides himself with razor burn near his penis. It's all red and raised and I've been putting warm coconut oil on it. What else can help this situation? Aloe? Any of recommendations?

Thank you for your response. I've tried the coconut and aloe, but was concerned with the aloe and him licking it because I read it's toxic to dogs. Anyway, he has been so agitated and cannot get comfortable. I've even put cool towels on his belly but it is not helping. The area under his arms on the side is red and raised like a rash, so I've been concentrating there. The agitation caused him to vomit the water he drank before bed. We are giving him small amounts and he's been eating and drinking fine and has not vomited in a while. Then he does this huffing sound like dry heaves. He's been doing it more at night and nothing comes up but sometimes it seems he is trying to get something out of his throat. I'm so confused and concerned and don't know where to turn at this point. I am looking forward to going over all the results and making a game plan with you. I hope you have some healing tricks up your sleeve. Thank you.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

How is Luke today?

Have you continued the Aloe (it's fine if he licks it off)?

 

[DonnaB]

Hi Dr Jeff,

Thank you so much for reaching out on a Sunday. It was such a nice feeling to know that you already care about Luke. I have also been reading your book and I absolutely love it. My views on Wholis-tic are exactly like yours! It's great to know that a wonderful veterinarian feels the same way as myself about animals.

Luke had a tough night because of the burns. Yes, we used the aloe from the leaf, but it did not have much of an effect. He was so restless and could not lay down and was pacing. He was so distraught that he kept huffing and sounding like he was hacking. We gave him water around 1:00am and he vomited just the water. I wasn't surprise because of the irritation and pain he was in. He finally fell asleep at 4:45am and slept until 7:30.

We took him out to pee around 8:00am and he chased the squirrel and when he came in he gave me the "feed me" look. He ate and forgot about the burns and was acting fine. The BEAM was helpful in determining how he's actually feeling. But when he starts to sit or rub against his abdomen, he starts the sprinting looking to find comfort.

I also spoke with Jane this morning and she recommended that I give Luke Apis 3X and to let 3 pellets melt in a glass and pour it on a towel to place on his abdomen. He is better today and Jane walked me through how to check for dehydration and he looks fine. She also recommended Lemon Balm in his food as well. We are taking him to his vet on Tuesday for an IV bubble.

I'm looking forward to talking with you so we can start Luke on a wellness protocol. We give him the Astra Essence 2x a day in his food that was recommended by holistic vet Dr Mark Russo. He is more into Chinese herbs and he did a wet acupuncture session with B-12. I am open to different modalities to heal Luke. Jane is the one who introduced me to homeopathic remedies. I use them on myself and my husband as well.

BTW, the ER where Luke had his ultrasound will also send the pictures of his abdomen. You might want to see them to get a clearer picture.

Thank you again for your caring heart,

Donna and Luke

 

[Dr. Jeff]

I'm so glad that he is better today and that he is responding well to the Api!

(when we talk I'll tell you the story of how Dr. Hering used to burn his finger on a flame as part of a demo about the effectiveness of homeopathy that he used to give).

start Luke on a wellness protocol.

You've already started (and are almost there).

The missing piece is also the first (of four) P of scientific wellness. Personalized.

Luke's body has been trying to speak to us through his symptoms, for all of his life. This week we'll start to figure out what it's saying.

And manage is "morbid susceptibility" (this is a term used in the older homeopathic literature).

As an unrelated aside, one of the hats I wore about a decade ago was as an early coordinator for Andre Saine's worldwide Materia Medica Pura Project (MMPP).

Home - Materia Medica Pura Project

mmpp-saine.com

The mission of all of us in MMPP around the world was to go through the thousands (millions?) of pages of digitized older homeopathic journals. So we could start to document the wealth of wisdom known about homeopathic medicines but which has been lost.

From there, MMPP started writing monographs about remedies. Some of them up to 500 pages long (e.g. for Conium maculatum).


The excerpt from the digitized journal linked below has a fun and informative article about being overly susceptible to stressors due to the vital force being out of balance: