The Dalmatian Diaries Blog

Yep, I know. I've been so bad about updating the blog lately. Trust me, it's not for lack of dog stories and photos!

We had houseguests this week. I have to say that Widget surprised me. She was SO well behaved! She barked at our friends a couple of times but for the most part was a good hostess. Browser, of course, was his usual social butterfly self

Both dogs are doing well. They are going to daycare one day a week right now. Browser would probably like to go more often (he has lots of friends there) but they've matured into such good pups that I don't *need* them at daycare as much. And during nice weather I usually sit out on the patio with them and work via my laptop.

Health-wise both dogs are good too. Widget had one little relapse a couple of weeks ago but she's been fine since. I'm pretty sure her problem stems from getting overheated and then drinking too much water. It seems like her electrolytes get out of whack and she can't bounce back as quickly as she maybe should.

More to come soon (I promise!!)

Wow! Where did the time go? My little Widget is 2 years old today.

I had hoped to have all the photos finished uploading by today's post, but as you can see... I don't.

An update on Widget's health: She hasn't had any more kidney/bladder issues for almost 2 weeks now. She's been eating Browser's vegetarian food which seems to be the key. We don't know, however, if the food was the problem or if the vegetarian food is just easier on her kidneys. We're doing another urinalysis next week to see if there is any change. She seems to be feeling 100%. Make that 110%. She's completely back to her widgety self. I hated that she was sick, but I have to admit having sleepy-time Widget for 10 days let me get a lot done at work.

The vet(s) never really did figure out what her problem might be. They suspect it's early kidney disease but her tests aren't showing it yet. I just don't know. I mean, for her to bounce back like this makes me think it couldn't be something that was progressive like kidney disease but rather something she either got into or that was in her food. I had bought her bag of food a couple of weeks before the incontinence started, and it is a brand she's been eating for several months. No one seemed to suspect it but when I changed her to Browser's food, 2 days later she was "dry". I had already switched her back to her old food thinking the change hadn't done anything. Well, two days after that she was "wet" again. She's been back on Browser's food since and has been dry since.

And since it's her birthday I suppose I should give in to the whining that is going on right now and blow some bubbles for her. That is her favorite game afterall!

Browser is feeling 100% again. In fact, he was feeling so good today it was the most energetic I think I've ever seen him! He just wanted to run, run, run. His tests at the vet didn't show any problems but they sent him home with a supplement that is supposed to keep the enzymes or good bacteria or whatever it is in our tummies in check. His tummy has been good for a couple of days now and his appetite is back to normal.

Widget, however, isn't doing much better. Her tests showed nothing really - no kidney problems, no bladder infection. The only thing that was "off" was the specific gravity of her urine. The vet(s) didn't suspect it was anything serious though and chalked her incontinence up to hormones. When dogs are spayed they can often have incontinence. Sure, that's possible. But in Widget's case it's not probable. She's only 2 yrs old and spay incontinence usually starts later in life. It also is more common in heavier dogs - which Widget definitely is not. The docs put her on DES (a hormone drug) but it hasn't done a darned thing. So, tomorrow I'm calling them back to see what the next step is. If I don't get a good vibe from their ability to diagnose her I'm going to try a different vet. I've been wanting to switch for a while so it might be a good time. I'd like them to rule out something more serious like diabetes.

I'm adding a few more pictures finally. I have a ton of great ones but I just haven't had much time to edit and upload them.

So, now I've not only fallen behind in uploading pictures but I've been bad about even taking pictures for the last month. I think it's because the dogs are home more now. I'm only bringing them to daycare one day a week. When they are gone more I tend to miss them and snap more pictures. Of course, there is also the added element of the fact that all they do is pretty much already photographically documented Let's see we snooze in the grass, chase squirrels, sit pretty for treats...

Tomorrow I need to take Widget to the vet. I think she has a bladder or kidney infection. She's been incontinent when she sleeps since Saturday evening. It's only when she sleeps though. She doesn't seem to have the usual bladder infection urgency though. Will know more tomorrow.

Of course, if Browser doesn't keep his food down he might have to take a trip to the vet as well. He's been throwing up off and on since Friday. He hasn't wanted any of his kibble but has gladly wolfed down the chicken and rice I made for him. He kept his dinner down so fingers crossed he eats breakfast fine tomorrow too.

It's always something!