Wish I could help - but I can say prayers and will do so!

 

Sorry no help...but lots of prayers for Rhys.

 

I don't know of any supplements Is he on prednisone with the fluids and diuretic? That or some bisphosphonate (Pamidronate is the one I know of as being used palliatively to treat hypercalcemia of malignancy) would be the only other things I've heard of. Do you have a homeopathic vet near you? They might have a suggestion. Good thoughts for you and Rhys.

 

He was on Pred, but its cyclical because if he stays on it for extended periods of time its effects wane.

I am going to do a little playing around on my own. I was told to take him off the raw diet, because of the effects of the meat on the parathyroid? (the one time I didn't bring a book to write in! I thought he was doing phenomenal!) So we're going to toy with a bit of 'Momma science'...as my vet calls it, and up his phosphorous intake.

He's to get saline three times a week until he's retested in two weeks...so I'll keep you updated!

 

Prayers for your sweet boy.

 

Have they looked at his thyroid? Not that humans are the same as dogs in some medical respects, but my mom was having a problem where she had too much calcium in her blood. Naturally as an elderly woman, she was taking calcium supplements, but even more was just flushing out. Turns out she had some kind of tumor on her thyroid and once that was removed, things were better again.

It might be worth asking the vet about.

 

His thyroid is normal. The main cause of hypercalcemia in dogs is CANCER. He has cancer, specifically lymphoma, which he has. And...anal gland tumors. The second biggest cause is kidney failure. Check. His kidneys have been in failure mode for years.

There's not a lot we can do even if it was his thyroid. So we're just treating the excess calcium. I'm researching foods that, get this, have a calcium/phosphorous imbalance. LOL

On the phone now with Purina Veterinary Diets spokesgirl. She's a twit.

 

Melissa, can you get a veterinary nutritionist to design a home-cooked a high P and low Ca diet? Ours does renal failure diets for those who don't want to feed Rx foods and all sorts of other conditions. Perhaps your vet could get a free consult by calling for you?

 

I have no clue, Melissa. Best wishes for Rhys.

 

After a very frustrating conversation with the idiot at Purina, Rhys is going to eat some science diet for breakfast...downfall, its loaded with carbs. Sigh. But we're going to add lentils and eggs and all bran to his diet too.

Thanks for all of your help and good wishes. He just thinks he gets nummies for free! Woot! He also got his first milkbone in more than a year LOL

 

All good wishes to your gorgeous boy. Hope that you are able to figure out a dietary balance for him.

 

Sending good thoughts for Rhys.