Tyler - Great News!

Tyler's blood test results were beautiful. All his values were well within the reference range of acceptable values.

Most importantly, the indicators of kidney function - BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine -had dropped significantly.

The normal reference range on creatinine is .5 to 2.0. In May Tyler's was 2.1, which they flagged as high, and indicative of already advanced kidney dysfunction. This is because kidneys are so good at compensating for loss of function that 'bad' test results don't begin to show up until the kidneys have already lost 70% to 80% of their function - a disturbing thing, but one I've not only been told by the vet, but read numerous times.

The normal reference range on BUN is 8 to 30. In May Tyler's was 29, which when coupled with his high creatinine reading, they said confirmed early kidney disease.

But his creatining reading this time was 1.7, and his BUN was 26.

All because instead of rolling over and putting him on the prescription low-protein diet, as they recommended, and "enjoying our time left," I did the research, and devised a home-cooked diet for him that follows current research instead of outmoded mythology: moderate (not low) protein, and low phosphorous, together with some useful supplements (fish oil and CoQ10).

Okay, I'm not claiming I've permanently cured him and this will never again be an issue. It may creep back up, especially in light of the fact that once the numbers go up at all, it indicates significant kidney damage. And more adjustments may be needed.

But get this. Tyler's 15 years old. I don't expect to make him immortal, but every bit of additional time I can not only have him, but have him healthy and happy, is a big bonus to us. Just throwing him on low-protein diet and forgetting about it was a guarantee to watch his condition slowly but steadily deteriorate.

This way, for now at least, his numbers have dropped far enough back into the normal range that it isn't even an issue at the moment. That doesn't mean he can go back on the 'old' diet. That means this diet's working, and he's going to stay on it. And it also means I bought us some more time for Tyler to be doing well and feeling good. Because even with the apparent kidney damage (due probably just to his age, not any particular 'disease' condition), if this diet can have his numbers in the normal range, then that means that the kidneys are doing what they do so well - more than compensating for the loss of function, and keeping his levels in an acceptable range.

And that is worth every second of research I had to do on my own, and every second of devising those diet plans for him, instead of rolling over and buying the 'prescription' diet because it was 'easier.'

(It's not cheaper, either -that stuff is expensive - but this home-cooked diet is not, since it only requires white rice, eggs, cottage cheese, and a few veggies).

So I'm really happy at the moment. I know that some day his numbers may begin to creep up again, and more adjustments will have to be made, but guess what - it ain't right now, so I'm happy. And so is Tyler.