Golden Retriever Solves Puzzle - Review Puzzle Toy for Dogs

Closing out and changing the blog's title - Makana then

8 week old Makana born in Hawaii Oct 2001

Cali at 8 weeks of age and Makana at 15 in Jan 2017

Makana then...

It's been two years and I'm finally doing this update.

In 2016 we moved out of Orlando, FL to temporarily stay in NC for a month before going to TN for three months and then settled near Charlottesville, VA around Oct 2016. At each move, since Makana was diagnosed with acute liver disease while we were still in Orlando in 2015 - we never knew how much time we had with her. She was the last of our three dogs and no plans for another.

Thankfully my precious girl from Honolulu-FL-NC-TN-VA - lived another year before we got our golden retriever puppy in Jan 2017. I had wanted another dog but there was never a "good time". However, my hubby finally gave in and Cali dogger our golden came into our lives. Makana was annoyed and 15 at the time, but after Cali realized that she couldn't rough-house with Makana, they two adjusted to each other's company.

In Feb 2017 there were a lot of changes in our lives and we ended up traveling more. With the moves, Makana was accustomed to staying in hotels but she was annoyed once again that we were moving and moving and again when we finally reached VA - she seemed to settle down and didn't have any new health scares.


I took Makana back to FL on two occasions for work. We fleed from hurricanes on more than one occasion while living in FL and on my first trip with her, we again had to leave early. It took over 22 hours to get from Orlando to upper Atlanta before we could check into a hotel on our way back to NE TN. On the second trip to FL, I again left the golden with hubby and took Makana to FL for a two-week work trip. She was always a little slower, poor appetite, and had a bum-knew from years ago when she slipped off the couch. But she was still alert, oriented, and if she could talk, she would tell me the day and time. LoL - those are questions we used to ask patients when I was a social worker to figure out if they were oriented to person, place, and time.

Anyway, at the end of my first week on a Saturday evening, Makana was having difficulty breathing. Similar to how her sister Nala was (14 yo), about a day before she passed.

Makana 6.5 yo and Nala 8 y.o.

This time, Makana could sleep, so neither could I. I was doing a load of laundry on the 3rd floor of the hotel and would take Makana with me from the first floor, put the laundry in, and come back down. It was the wee hours of the morning and this time, I walked to the bathroom and Makana followed me into the room and just stared at me. I took her in my arms as I was going to check the wash again.

As I was walking down the hall to the elevator she made this weird noise, her body went sort of stiff and I thought, "oh no, what's happening?" Prior to that, she had not eaten so I bought her favorite burger and she actually took the meat and ate it.

So this was maybe a few hours later when she was off and on making strange noises, which she had off and on for years due to allergies. As I kept walking to the stairs this time, she jerked and went stiff and then I feel wetness on my arms. I knew I was losing her. I got up the laundry and kept saying, "no, no, no, don't leave me." But it was over in a few seconds. I got a towel and wrapped it around her and quietly wept. She had lost control of her bowels and bladder. I cleaned that up and washed up a bit and went outside to the parking lot.

I think it was somewhere around 5 or 6 am. I carefully bundled Makana in the towel and walked around the parking lot crying and checking to be sure she wasn't breathing. I asked her why did she leave me, and my only thought was that it was time, she knew I would be okay if she left me now. Oh, how I ached. She was my last baby, 16 years old. She had been through so much with me, or shall I say she was there with me through every aching moment of my life that I needed comfort and was there for the joyful times too. But she was also my last connection (dogwise) with what I brought from Hawaii with me, when I moved to FL, away from my family and friends.

Makana at 15 as we entered back into FL from a road trip 

Other things happened and I was glad we were in FL because we knew who to call. My friends were there and a few of them came to sit with me. I knew from Nala's passing since it was a Sunday that I could get her picked up when I was ready or wait until Monday as the pet crematory happened to be nearby.  Hubby drove down with our golden to offer support and to drive me back to VA. It was sad to see our golden run to the hotel room obviously looking for Makana. And when we arrived back in VA a week later, Cali ran to the house as soon as the door opened and searched throughout the house. It was so sad, she didn't get to say goodbye. By the time hubby and Cali got to the hotel it was a couple days later but Makana's scent and her bed was still in the room so I'm sure that was confusing for poor Cali.

It's been 2 years since Makana's passing.
Cali is now a little over 3 years old.
We've moved two more times since Va.
I still miss my gift, my Makana.

But I have many great memories and of course, I have my Cali girl, she holds the secrets that Makana has passed on to her, so now, whenever, someday we get another pup - Makana's stories, that were told to Cali - can still be passed on. ###

Makana's first snow walk Dec 2016

How to make healthy homemade dog food - Makana Meatloaf

Makana's Story on why we make her food - Makana Meatloaf or Meatballs

A healthier alternative to dry dog food, make your own dog food using ingredients that you know are healthier for your pet.

A couple of months ago, Makana was very sick, the vet said her tests and symptoms showed she was in liver failure. We don't know what caused it, although it's suspect she somehow ingested some type of toxin where in a day or two she was unable to eat or drink liquids and was stumbling, vomiting and lethargic.

The only thing the vet said they could do was run tests, give her IV hydration and send her home with a supplement that consisted of milk thistle, try to get her to drink water and feed her chicken and rice. Later, if she would eat, the vet said to give her some vegetables.

As I researched the net, I found that I should have "forced" Makana to get water and pureed food into her, to get her healthy - it was a very shaky few weeks. We were told to come back in a month to be retested and hope (we prayed) that her liver would regenerate itself.

This recipe came about after watching youtube videos, reading a lot of material and keeping a diary and food log f what was going on with Makana's health.

We're happy to announce that although her liver numbers were over 1,000 when we went to the vet, in a month, with love and persistence, her liver numbers are in the 200 range. The vet was surprised how well she was doing and said she needs to lose weight (that's an ongoing story with Makana) and although her liver numbers should be in the `100s, he's satisfied right now, that she won't need another check for 3 months.

I don't know if her food contributed to her failing liver but I do know that the combination of changing her diet, giving her a tiny portion of powder milk thistle, based on her weight, water, prayer, patience and love, our little Makana is still with us today. She may be 14 years-old, so my goal is to make sure she's comfortable and taken care of as best as we can. - mm

Makana Impersonates Koda - been watching too much Super Cooper Sunday

We've been watching Super Cooper Sunday on TMartn2's youtube channel and I caught Makana, doing a "Koda" impersonation when he lost his foot in a 'freak accident' - well you see.

Easter Sunday for Makana, Boo Bunny, Comforting Words

It's Easter Sunday - Happy Resurrection Day!

Boo Bunny and Makana visiting with each other.

 Makana looks fine this morning, awake, oriented, no distress noted. We'll see what the day holds for us and if she'll eat.  I'll post Makana's daily diary later today or tomorrow morning, I'm keeping a running log to report back to the vet.


A friend sent me Psalm 91 to comfort me as we all know how precious our doggy companions are to us, so I'm posting this here for those of us who are going through some challenges, may the Lord lift you and encourage you in whatever you're going through.

Psalm 91 (NLT)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

    he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap

    and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers.

    He will shelter you with his wings.

    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

    nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side,

    though ten thousand are dying around you,

    these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes,

    and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,

    if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands

    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;

    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

    I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer;

    I will be with them in trouble.

    I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life

    and give them my salvation.”

###

The Day After - Makana's Health Status

It's Saturday morning and I missed a call from the Vet's office - checking on Makana.

I tried to give her meds - an hour before eating she's supposed to take Denamarin - which is a holistic/supplement to aid in liver function - or as it says on the label - for liver dysfunction. Anyway, I normally give Makana all her pill/meds that she doesn't chew, in peanut butter - she wouldn't take it and refused all foods. I called the vet's office to ask what to do.

Called back - East Orlando Animal Hospital
Call from Nate for Dr. Glenn

My Notes:

Makana had no problem with vomiting or diarrhea yesterday/last night. This morning she

doesn't want to eat, hand fed her small portion, less than a tablespoon of small pieces of

boiled chicken, didn't want rice, but ate tiny amounts of cooked Okinawan sweet potato. Any suggestions?

She is drinking water and urinating okay. Con"t dark orange urine output. No stool, most

likely because she didn't eat much. Will try to walk her later.

The Vet Tech I spoke to with the update, relayed the info to the vet and said, the doctor was surprised Makana ate anything and it's okay that she doesn't have an appetite right now, just let the meds work. I can call later in the day or tomorrow if need. (Fortunately this clinic is regularly open 7 days a week.)


It's storming now. 7 pm, no walk for Makana. The last time she went outside was a very short walk down the street on Friday before going to vet about 11 am.

Makana still reluctant to eat. Basically has eaten a teaspoon of chopped chicken, only if I hand feed her tiny pieces at a time.

She will put food in her mouth and then spit it out. I had to force her little mouth open to put the pills/meds to the back of her throat, as she wouldn't take it with peanut butter.

She will drink water if I offer it to her, with little laps of it.

She had one urine accident upstairs on the cloth under her bed, I gave her a bath and the

orange colored urine has stained her white hair, more on one side of her hip than the

other. Her urine's never been like that before - liver failure has dark orange output.

She's resting okay and wants to be with me or my husband but not overly clingy and not hiding in a corner like she had been a couple days ago. She also doesn't have the heavy panting that she had prior to going to the vet. She seems pretty calm, sadly wants to eat but not going on in, praying for a better day tomorrow. Will offer her sweet potato later in the evening and water at night is always nearby.

###

Makana's Not Feeling Well - A Day at the Vet - Liver Disease or Failure?

What's wrong with Makana?

Last night Makana had another barfy episode. Since last week's barfing day, she seemed to recover okay, with some constipation like symptoms which cleared up with boiled chicken and rice diet and rice noodles when she didn't want regular rice. Makana was raised in Hawaii and loves to eat long noodles whenever her mommy was having some, so it's a treat for her to get noodles.

Anyway, after few days on chicken and rice it seemed her stomach settled down, she was placed back on her dry kibble, the (half/half) of her new Natural Balance Vegetarian formula and Fromm's food - see her food post on Should Makana go Vegan. At first we thought it was the change in food but today we decided it was time to go to the vet as she was also having a couple of urinary accidents, so a UTI was suspect.

Both Makana and Mommy Never Like Vet Visits

Went to the vet with the expectation that they would do a urinalysis but the vet said he found a lump that was on her lower belly area but Makana wasn't going for a 2nd or 3rd try and he said it sort of moved. I felt that same sort of hardness, several times of the years and the other vets didn't think it was an issue - basically cause she's chubby and wasn't showing any problems. Makana's last full blood work up was last July, not even a year and all was clear. She had been having UTI issues repeatedly that the vet said most likely was from being overweight since all of her blood work was in normal levels.

Office Visit, Labs, Tests, IV, oh boy!

So today, the vet said everything looked good except her liver. About $600 later - we don't know why Makana is showing signs of liver disease but it seems to be a top contender for non-accidental deaths amongst canines. Bad news? Well the vet said the good thing is that the liver is the one part that can regenerate itself. The vet suggested a number of tests and we decided to go with the blood draws, pancrea test, IV hydration, shot to reduce nausea, meds include Cerenia to prevent nausea (more barfing), Denamarin to help liver function and antibiotics. The one thing we decided not to do at this time was the xrays to check the lump, for multiple reasons. One because it's been there for a couple years and hasn't been an issue, also if it was something I didn't want her to have any surgery due to her age and we're having PTSD since we lost our golden a year ago while on the table for a mass they were removing, she never made it through the surgery.

Decisions Before You Go to the Vet

I had to think as Makana got older, what to do - if a health situation occurs. I've put some of my dogs through multiple surgeries and tests and financially at this stage in my life and hers, I have to think more practical, based on her age and is it truly treatable, can we make her comfortable or what are we really doing? I decided a few years back, no surgery - even before Makana's sister died suddenly, we never knew why but she was also 14 at the time and in a way it was best for all of us and she didn't suffer endlessly.

Anyway, we would have considered the xrays only if the blood work and other tests did not show any results. Since the liver labs came back high, (one result should have been in the 100-150 range and Makana's lab was 1,000) the vet said he would normally do more two more tests, right now I can't remember what it was to test for but it would include an ultrasound ($800) and another blood test ($200). At this point, the vet said that he would have needed to schedule the ultrasound and since Makana wasn't showing lethargy or actively having any other issues and ate last night, not barfing now and was still drinking water and peeing - he was felt fine about sending her home to be treated at home but to be on the look out for jaundice and not drinking water.

Makana's Treatment Plan for today:

Today's conclusion: Possible that Makana ate something in the yard, on a walk or in the house that was toxic to her liver. - Reason the vet gave was because her liver function was fine last year, no other symptoms prior.

Treatment at home and be sure she is hydrated. As long as she continues to eat, drink, poop and pee - she will go back next Wednesday for a follow up visit - test urine and labs.

Monitor for jaundice. The vet showed me how to look at her gums and whites of her eyes for yellowing. Right now they look normal.

Hopeful: The liver is the one body part that can regenerate as long as it's not end-stage liver failure, which although her lab results were high enough for the vet to keep her in the clinic overnight, he thought she would do better at home and they do not have any overnight staff.

Medicines and Supplement:

• Cerenia - to prevent nausea - 1- 16 mg tablet per day for 4 days.
• In the office - she got a shot to prevent barfing and the Cerenia will begin tomorrow.
• Denamarin - I looked it up and it's a supplement for liver heath - or dysfunction - doesn't need a prescription and I found I can get it on Amazon which is probably cheaper. She is 12 lbs so she will take 1 tablet daily, one-hour before or two-hours after a meal. Even though it's supposed to be before or after a meal, in order to give it to her, I wrap it in a little peanut butter and she took it down. It's a small pill so not a problem.
• Amoxicillin - liquid antibiotic for possible UTI - 2.5 ml, twice a day - keep refrigerated.
• Diet - boiled chicken and rice, can add chopped green beans, broccoli or carrots for fiber. I boiled the boneless, skinless, no antibiotic/free range chicken breast and shredded it to small pieces, added cooked rice and small chopped green beans, bland - due to her barfy episodes. Today, Makana preferred to just eat the chicken. I'm okay with that for now since she didn't eat today and it's been a stressful day for her. The vet said with her weight she can have 3/4 a cup twice a day or a total of 1.5 cups daily. He said less is better than more, right now and she if she will eat it.

Follow up visit with the vet Wed and we'll see how she does.

Tune in - Makana's napping now, breathing okay, not heavy as she did when she wasn't feeling well, no more barfing or peeing accidents since this morning before the vet and she seems content. About an hour or two after the IV hydration, she seemed much more alert and in good spirits - whereas just prior to going to the vet she could barely get herself to walk down the street. God is good. Thanks for praying for her. - Makana's Mom.

Note: I wrote this to try to remember the enourmous amount of information I got from the vet today, they really should write all this stuff down. It's the same as when you go to your own doctor, need to bring a notebook and pen next time - cray cray.