Hanna attended numerous obedience classes and learned rather quickly, she loved to perform!  Tricks were an exceptional pleasure as she loved the attention.  Hanna also was shone in conformation and did quite well, garnering a few group firsts, at Sanctioned Match Shows.  Her performance in the ring always drew applause as she would take a stance and perk her head, sending out her signals for everyone to say… “aaahhhhhhhh.”  But alas, after two years her owner became too stressed with grooming and competition and both Hanna and her owner retired from showing (much to Hanna’s chagrin). 

Hanna was diagnosed with kidney disease at approximately 5 months of age, suspect of an adverse reaction to a vaccine.  She had several UTI’s early on and after visiting several specialists including a holistic vet and a veterinary acupuncturist, it was determined through extensive lab work and ultrasound that her kidneys were damaged.  Hanna, even as “little Hanna,” became a real trooper with taking pills, and learned to open her mouth when requested for a pill.  She was prescribed a home made diet and grew and matured very well.  She eventually was switched to a high quality dog food food, with careful monitoring of her dietary intake.  Hanna remained healthy and active throughout her life.  Her kidney levels were checked every few months and she remained very stable with her disease.  To see her, one would never know she had an illness.

We followed her disease not only through lab tests but also with ultrasounds, and one kidney biopsy, all revealing the same-kidney disease.  But Hanna never knew she had any problems, and continued to enjoy life in her own upbeat manner. 

I was told when she was a pup, that her life expectancy may be cut a bit short due to her kidney issues, and that she might succumb/fail at the approximate age of eight.  Well Hanna turned eight, and her disease was still stable.  Shortly after her eighth birthday, her kidney levels did begin to change, so she was started on enalapril.  We purchased a Doppler blood pressure machine to monitor her pressure, which also remained stable. 

Hanna did all the things she loved-playing with her Cuz toys, chasing squirrels, performing tricks, snuggling under the blanket, and eating like there was no tomorrow.  Her personality was always perky and curious, and she never was down. 

In March of 2006 her levels changed once again, and rose a bit more.  While she showed no outward signs of illness, we started to become concerned-but not Hanna!  She continued on!  Over the next few months we had her labs checked regularly, and while there were minor fluctuations, overall she remained stable, and most importantly she remained happy.

On her 12^th birthday, she was diagnosed with pancreatitis and subsequent kidney failure.  She spent two nights and three days at an Emergency Hospital, and was eventually sent home with a poor prognosis.  However, true to Hanna, she bounced back after a few weeks, and continued her happy fun-loving ways.  Her levels once again remained stable and were checked monthly. We had added other treatments including Azodyl, Epakatin, daily sub q treatments, Aluminum Hydroxide, pepcid, and of course, vitamins.  She was also placed on a prescription diet, as she developed the pancreatitis when I tried to switch her to a veterinary prescribed homemade diet.  She loved the prescription diet especially the “canned portion.”  She always was a good eater, and now she was given a special treat of canned food. We provided her not only with several small meals a day to speed her recovery, but we made sure she had plenty of mental stimulation as well.  (I am a firm believer in providing the brain with varied input, especially when one (human or furry) is experiencing illness.)  So, we took short walks in the morning, to different places, and we always went for a car ride each day.  We’d drive through town or mall parking lots just to provide her with different sights. As she continued to heal, walks increased, and rides and visits to new places continued.  She loved, as did her other companion friends, to go-and go we did!

In April of 2007, I began to notice some changes; she began to refuse the one prescription canned food, but continued to eat everything else.  Each time the canned food was offered, she turned away abruptly.  When this first started, I immediately took her for lab levels; they were still stable as before.  I was advised to continue to keep her on her diet.  I trusted the diet because it helped her before.  So I forced the issue somewhat.  I began mixing it with a homemade diet.  She began to tremble when her food was placed and show a strong aversion to that one food.  Now I know that some times kidney disease affects appetites, but why was she only refusing that one food?  Two weeks passed, and I returned to her vet with my same concerns.  Upon exam he felt she was stable, and did not feel a need to run labs so soon again, since almost three weeks earlier she was stable as before.  While totally out of context for her, I thought she was suddenly becoming finicky.  The following day, she refused all food except home made. By the following morning, I was determined to have another lab test completed, due to my concern of her not getting sufficient nutrition.  The words resonated in my ears-kidney failure!  There was a sudden spike in all levels after she began refusing the batch of canned prescription diet.  Historically her levels fluctuated slowly and it was always a gradual increase-so why all of a sudden did she spike out of control?  I feared this time she would not recover, and she didn’t.  With a broken heart, on May 9, 2007, my precious upbeat happy Hanna, was laid to rest.

            I now sit in disbelief at the sudden changes that occurred instead of her historically slow peaks and valleys.  Why did her course of disease suddenly change?  I have my suspicions, and it tears my heart to think, my thoughts are a distinct possibility.

       What do you think?