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Kramer....(posting for Jean)

76K views 778 replies 144 participants last post by  Kayos and Havoc  
#1 ·
Not sure where to post this. I know where I am refusing to post this. Jean will likely not be online this evening. I am posting this with her permission, and I know this family's show of support fo JeanPakistan will help her through this.
Kramer has acted a little lame the past few days, which Jean chalked up to the cold, ice, snow, hard to get around in/on. Gave him Metacam, seemed ok.
Today he was full of malarky at 7, enjoying Mariele chasing him around. (Only dog to get away with that it her- the dog with a screw loose and "drain bamage." LOL) By 9-ish, he was stumbling. Went to vet. "His" vet on vacation, saw other vet. Anemic, and something else. Got a shot of something, I forget what Jean said. Had abdominal ultrasound late afternoon. (Done at another vet entirely.)

It kills me to write this. Kramer has a liver tumor. Due to location it is inoperable. It is one of 3 things- spawn of the liver tumor he already beat, or hemangiosarcoma, or another type altogether.
She did go back to the other vet, and talked. She had a list of questions, but forgot to bring them in. Vet knows/understands that alot has been thrown at Jean, and is calling her tomorrow to talk more. It could be a day, a month, who knows.
Jean is re-grouping, and will post tomorrow after she speaks with the vet.
Basic plan is, manage any symptoms, and maximize his quality while maintaining his dignity, and position as supreme ruler of JeanPakistan. All plans will be centered around making his time count. Spaghetti and pizza, trips to the cemetary.
 
#377 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Sorry about the drop in numbers....
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Yes it is probably all his rocking and rolling....simmer down now Kramer, simmer down....

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More pics? other than the treat pics? cool....I will check back.
 
#380 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Bummer that his numbers dropped a little. Knowing Kramer he is probably messing with the vet and setting up another "flip off" from Friday.
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He looks SOOOOOO happy to know that his treat is coming.
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#381 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Originally Posted By: Daisy1986simmer down now Kramer, simmer down....
BWahhh!!!
Simmah dahn naw...simmah dawn....



Jean, will try calling tomorrow on way home again.
 
#382 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

How did you shrink Mariele? She looks like a yorkie in that picture!
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Sorry about his blood levels. The fact that he's still got good energy and a good appetite is very encouraging though.
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The Amino B-Plex is the stuff that Cleo takes whenever she's threatening to die on me. http://www.homevet.com/osc/product_info....f73046cfaf61b32

The results are pretty astounding!
 
#384 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Originally Posted By: Melinda&Jay
Originally Posted By: Daisy1986simmer down now Kramer, simmer down....
BWahhh!!!
Simmah dahn naw...simmah dawn....
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I was cracking up at that as well

Love the happy Mariele and Kramer pic!
 
#385 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Originally Posted By: Melinda&Jay
Originally Posted By: Daisy1986simmer down now Kramer, simmer down....
BWahhh!!!
Simmah dahn naw...simmah dawn....
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#386 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Is that a Cherri O'Teri thing from SNL?? Wow!
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So I got this Potassium product for him (because it's liquid): http://www.traceminerals.com/products/megapotassium.html

I BELIEVE?!? half a teaspoon would be a dose for a dog. Which doesn't seem like enough. Does it?

I am going to order either the link Ruth provided or the Amino Plex, but wanted to get some potassium in him.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659&aid=652 I also realized he's not getting a lot of calcium because he's not eating any bones. Would Nupro have enough bone meal to cover that? Or do you have to supplement with bone meal or actual calcium. Phosphorus? I have no idea. Seems like this would be important from that information!

But since I've never home cooked before, I don't know this stuff.

He was tired yesterday but I am happy today that we have some new snow to cover the icy snow-that will help. I also realized it's been a month-amazing-knock on wood. I am hoping he does flip his paw on Friday!

Thanks everyone, for the good thoughts and comic relief.
 
#387 ·
Re: Kramer....vet update

Hi Jean, Kramer, and subjects,

Fortunately, I'm working from home (snow/sleet) and my desk is wooden instead of acid-proof lab bench-SOOOO knocking wood can be much more effective.

I have no idea about nutrition, but it takes time to lose RBC without acute bleeding and time to build them back. Keep trends in mind.

Happy new snow with friction

take care,
MJ
 
#390 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

I hadn't really thought of trends so much, so hopefully we will be able to establish them. That's a good and positive thought-thank you.

I am going to try the egg shells-he is not a typical dog that just inhales all food items-in the past he's not liked them, but maybe with the pred he will!!!!

He seems to be slowing down in some ways. He's sleeping more. His hind legs seem a little less stable. He's getting tired of the pills coming at him. This weather has not been good for much other than the traction.

I always have hope though-maybe denial-but I like the word hope better, that his potassium and a calcium free month have kind of weakened him and that as we supplement (I didn't know I would be blessed with a whole month to make mistakes!) there could be some improvement. And I have lined up more Reiki for him. And remembering I have had him for so long, and have gotten a bonus month here.

But he's still insistent when he wants something-he woke me up to get more water and to take him out at 3 am. And last night he really enjoyed liver (
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) and got a pill pancake, and when two of the boxes of stuff we ordered got here today, he stood and waited with the big eyes while I opened them, knowing I pretty much only order for them, I guess! He gobbled down his VetriScience vitamins and, I can't believe this, the Cetyl M. I am tossing the kitchen sink at him! He just hopes it is full of freshly cooked meats and sweets!

Did I mention he didn't like the cheaper cuts I was buying? It could have coincided with the fall, but it seems pretty suspicious that he ate the more expensive stuff I bought much more readily.
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Tomorrow he goes to the vet, Bella with him, and we are going to look for horses after. There's a place that has minis, and we never stop because it's kind of on a main road, but I am just going to pull in and hope no one minds!

Thanks for good thoughts and prayers, crossed paws and fingers, and wood knocking!

PS-as I finished this, I heard a falling down noise down the hall-of course thinking something bad happened-he had knocked down the baby gate to the room with the cat food!
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PPS-I am behind on any PMs people have sent...they seem to require concentration-I have to ration that!
 
#392 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

Humm Cat Food, why do dogs love that stuff, most of it stinks, yuk.

Kramer Dude I thought you had better taste than wanting cat food.

Jean, some times I think maybe you just analyze things too much, just try to enjoy the time a little more and a little less worry.

Enjoy the trip to see the Mini's and wishing Mr. K a nice Vet visit.

Val
 
#394 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

For nearly perfect calcium/phosphorous ratio (1.5-1.0), I love powdered milk -- yes, the stuff that grandma and mom always seemed to have on hand and tried to convince us that it tasted just like the real stuff
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(or was that just my family?). It also is supplemented with vitamins A and D. In the winter, we don't absorb a lot of vitamin D in our higher latitudes, so that's nice to get. And older kids can use vitamin A, but this doesn't have too much that we need to worry about megadosing. You can sprinkle this on top of nearly anything. It's very palatable.

For potassium (and more calcium) look no further than evaporated milk in your grocer's baked goods aisle. The regular stuff has lots of fat and calories in it too. It also mixes well with nearly everything, including bison, oddly enough.

Evaporated milk is good in coffee, in a pinch as well, though I'm thinking that Kramer is a more of a Black Triple Espresso kind of guy, isn't he? Milk in his coffee? Gedada hea!
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#395 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

Keep it up Kramer.
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I read this thread everyday waiting for good news of King K.
 
#396 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

Catfood-- like Fritos for dogs! Who can blame him?
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I am sure that Kramer will enjoy the mini horses. A month with Kramer is a blessing indeed. May he continue to keep you on your toes providing gourmet meals for him. Hoping his hind end kind of stabilizes a bit. Everyone here is sleepy, too-- wonder if it's the season's change, wonder if older dogs are more suceptable? Am hoping that The King is doing well on hispancakes and noshing his vite-a-meat-a-vegimins!
 
#397 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

Originally Posted By: JeanKBBMMMAANTomorrow he goes to the vet, Bella with him, and we are going to look for horses after. There's a place that has minis, and we never stop because it's kind of on a main road, but I am just going to pull in and hope no one minds!
We'll be thinking of you tomorrow, hope all goes well for Kramer at the vet. Hope you have good weather to check out the mini-horses. Keeping Kramer in our thoughts, and Jean too.
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#398 ·
Re: Kramer....Thursday

Yeah, LJ won't eat cheap cuts of meat either - or store brand cream cheese. Good luck tomorrow Kramer! We love you.