4.05.2013

April 5, 2013

White Dog and the rest of the Army had Nuka surrounded and were giving her a pack lecture about her not eating. She looked from face to face and saw their concern and fear. Yet when Steve tried to feed her breakfast she simply walked away. The others ate heartily; then WD disappeared into the office where Nuka rested. Shortly after, Steve went in to get our sick girl so that we could syringe feed her and administer her medications.

White Dog held up a paw. "Put her regular fish and rice on a plate with a few bits of turkey. She has agreed to try eating the solid food she is used to." Steve did as he was asked and I held Nuka in my arms. He put the plate under her nose; she sniffed...and turned away. I looked at WD who nodded at Another White Dog. AWD tentatively took a tiny bite and held it in her mouth; she chewed. She buried her snout in the plate and ate the mixture...a couple of tablespoons worth. The WDA, gathered around us, wagged in glee. Steve scooped up the little bits she had pushed off to the side and encouraged her to finish. At least we would not be going to see Dr. Julia in complete disgrace.

Nuka has lost 3-1/2 lbs. over the past week; this is a lot when you only weigh 19lbs. to begin with. But the blood work was fantastic: pancreas enzymes way down; liver good; gall bladder going down. Kidney values were slightly elevated and we were cautioned to try to increase Nuka's water intake or if necessary to do a subcutaneous hydration. This condition, Dr. Julia explained, is not unusual because Nuka had so many toxins circulating in her little body from the sickness.

Together we looked at the xrays and Dr. Julia double checked the white cell count. She reassured us that her training and instincts tell her there is no cancer involved. It is her feeling that Nuka has been hit with a particularly severe attack of pancreatitis and that her bounce time will take a while as a result. Nuka's eyes were clear, she was alert, and she was feisty enough to nip at Coral, her favorite tech, when Coral grabbed her to keep her from squirming off of the exam table.

The key now is to keep her eating. Syringe feeding will not put weight on, we were told. She needs to be eating and we should let her have whatever food and treats she wants (within reason, Coral interrupted winking at Nuka) to help bring her weight back up. "You can explain THAT to the rest of the Army," I suggested to Steve. Dr. Julia wants to see her Monday morning to spend a couple of hours making sure she is hydrated enough but we are officially on the road to recovery!

At home we celebrated with a round of duck jerky, of which Nuka happily ate a small strip and one of her favorite mint cookies. The WDA took total credit for her shift in attitude. "We just made her understand how important she was to every one," Quinn shared. Whatever the conversation, it seemed to have been a turning point. I kissed each pup in thanks.

Tonight we waited until after all had dined to feed Nuka. Again, in my arms and surrounded by her brothers and sisters, she wagged as Steve brought in a plate of turkey, rice, and mackerel drizzled with a bit of fish oil. "Is mademoiselle hungry?" he asked. She flirted and was coy but only until the scent hit her nostrils.
Nuka, a member of tonight's nearly clean plate club. There were LOTS of volunteers to finish the job!

Thank you for your prayers and belief even when I wavered. Nuka still has some recovering to do but I finally feel we are coming out of the dark scary woods and into the healthy sunlight. Have a wonderful weekend!

12 comments:

TwoSpecialWires said...

We will rest more easily tonight ... and will continue to send healing and regenerating thoughts and wishes, prayers and zen ... while reminding you to surround yourselves in the love that powers all.

xx
A bit relieved
Jake and Fergi, Sally and Nina

Brian's Home Blog said...

That is so good sweet Nuka, keep eating sweet one, the other White Dogs are correct, it is so impawtant!

Marg said...

Oh Nuka, we sure hope you start eating lots and logs of food. Maybe the force feeding will at least get her started eating. We sure all have our paws crossed for ya Nuka. So gobble up the food. Take care.

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Wonderful fabulous news. Now keep on eating those tasty morsels. Nuka you can do it. Hugs GJ x

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Patience, prayers and lots of crossed paws all for Nuka to be well again.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

This is such a relief to hear Nuka is doing better. It made me remember our Tara who also had a battle with pancreatitis at the age of 16. The only thing that brought her appetite back was a McDonald's hamburger. Then our Sandy from many years ago would only eat Cheerios and lots of those baked sugar cookies that you make from rolls. Eventually she went back on her own food but the cookies kept her going when she wasn't eating.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Here we are with more good thoughts for Nuka
love
tweedles

Jo's World said...

Yippee! What good news. Nuka will be eating whatever her waiter brings her on a dish, and may it go on and on!

Cheers and hugs,

Jo

bbes tribe said...

So happy to hear Nuka is doing better.Still keeping good thoughts and multiple paws crossed for her continuing to improve. All the white dogs and mom and dad taking very good care of her.
Wags
Ernie and the other furkids

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Yay. Keep on eating Nuka. It will make you feel so much better sweetie pie. We have paws crossed you are feeling much better soon. Smoochie kisses to you. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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Wyatt said...

Yeah Nuka! With so many people and pups cheering you on and such divine cuisine...better health is around the corner! Keep up the good work!

Wyatt and Stanzie