Looking back at Lacey’s first year:Health and all

Name:Lacey Princess Maltipoo Akamine
Current Weight at one year old:7.11 pounds according to vet records,7.6 according to home weight
Birth Date:March 13 2009
Born:Kailua,HI
Breed:Maltese/Toy Poodle
Mom:Poodle
Dad:Maltese
Adopted:july 17 2009
Age of adoption:16 weeks old
Found on:Kijiji.com
Price:$600
Name of Vet:Dr John Kaya
Vet Hospital:VCA Animal Hospital aka VCA University Hospital
Weight at first vet visit:4.5 pounds
Dog Food:Science Diet & IAMS,Beneful Prepared Meals till December 2009
Puppy Pad Training:9 weeks
Health Issues:Yeast infection in ear,worms,UTI,Spaying(February 2010)
First Heat:November 2009
First Treats:Nutro Dog Biscuits,Pupperoni,The Goodlife Recipe treats
First Walk:November 2009
Shortest Walk:<<<than 5 minutes
Longest Walk:62 minutes on her birthday
First Time Out: December 2009
First Thanksgiving:Thanksgiving 2009:Family Dinner
First Christmas:Christmas 2009:A new top,Waggin Train
Brands of dog food we tried:Solid Gold Just a Wee Bit,Chicken Soup for the Pet lover's Soul,Wellness Super5Mix Small Breed/Super5Mix Complete Health Chicken,Halo's Spot's Stew
Current Dry Food Brands:Solid Gold Just a Wee Bit,Halo's Spot's Stew(Wholesome Chicken & Wild Salmon flavors),Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural
Brands of Can Food we tried:Natural Balance,NV Instinct & Prairie can food,Wellness Can Food then lost interest,Halo's Spot's Stew Can Food,Merricks
Current Brands of Can Food:Merricks
First introduced to Raw(Freeze Dried):January 2010
Started accepting Freeze Dried Raw:Feburary 2010
Brands we tried:Stella & Chewy till APril 2010 then we'll be switching to Nature's variety Freeze Dried
First Freeze Dried Raw Treat:Primal Pet Turkey Liver(A birthday present)
Organic Treats she's tried:Trader Joe's,Waggin' Train,No Grainers
First Boarding Facilities we considered:Di Ventus Dog Hotel & Spa
First Boarding Facilities we looked at:The Ohana Doggie Day Care,Pets in the city
First Starts understanding people conversations:7-8 months old
First Command:SIT
Commands she knows:sit,stay,don't move,time out,sit & stay,shake paw/hand,"eat",hi5,shake your tail,down aka sit,lay down,kiss,learning roll over,"wait",inside,outside,table manners at the table
Uses Common Sense while walking:About 8-9 months old
Checks for cars like a human(right,left,right,left,center,then walk)about 10 months-1 year old
Goes outside for afternoon poop:December 2009-learned by example of aunty's dogs
Vaccinations:Distemper,Parvo,Lepto
First Carrier:casual Canine
First Crate:Pet Mate Kennel Cab
Characteristics:A definite mix of Maltese/Toy Poodle.Brains of the poodle.Looks of a maltese.eyes are poodle.Loves to play.Loves to sample food
Types of food she tried:Mexican,Italian,Japanese,Chinese
Favorite Fast Food:KFC chicken skin
Shops we shop at:Naturally Pet,Halo’s Purely for Pets,The Pet Spot,Kalihi Pet Store
Misc:Also tried Hartz Oinkies
Able to climb steps:10-11 months old
First Shampoo;Sergent’s Puppy Shampoo
Current Shampoo:Halo’s Cloud Nine Herbal Shampoo/Earthbath Shampoo
Grooming:Cardinal Pet Gold Metal Pets Unicoat Professional Spray

0219-2010 regards to spaying:Possible Side Effect from Firoxcib

I am not sure but I think Lacey had a side effect from the pain medicine Firoxcib that Dr Kaya prescribed to her after her surgery(spaying).This was the first time we gave it to her because it was the first time(Friday)that we had to give it to her.But she made her stool early early in the morning hours and it looked…well..black & very soft…I guess you could consider it as diarrhea.My very first reaction was “OH MY GOD!What did YOU EAT?????”I thought back to yesterday of what she ate…She ate all her normal food(Halo’s,Raw-stella & Chewy’s,meat,treats,pepperoni,olives etc..Nothing she has never had before.)If anything due to people food her stool should have been good but slightly soft although since she’s been on raw it’s been firm & slightly drier.I plan to show my parents her mat in the morning to determine whether we should let Dr Kaya know about her side effects.I probably will call him anyways just to give him a heads up on how she did with the pain killer.
Update:We did call up Dr Kaya & set up an appt with him.Dr Kaya said it was probably the pain killer that caused it and yes it was bloody stool that she got.It was 3+ which is quite a bit.The most is 4+.He said she’s healing very well & should be able to give her a bath by Wednesday. He also mentioned to stop the pain killer & give her a bland diet of chicken & rice.
We use Grrreat chicken & Rice Cakes for a bland diet for Lacey.We use this particular recipe for her because a lot of the ingredients we have at home except the bacon.Although we could do chicken broth plus rice…

Lacey’s recovery is going very well…..

Lacey’s recovery from her spaying is going very well so far…She has started to eat some raw & has eaten her Halo’s.She’s been “begging” for walks,going out/on a car ride to go get pizza hut for dinner which she did amazingly on(very calm,relaxed,laying down,enjoying herself w/a smile on her face,looking around and not breathing heavily).In the morning she was prancing around somewhat but still “very still” or what I call her “frozen stand”and not move a muscle except she’d move her face & stay in one spot for minutes at a time.We decided to give Lacey some pain medicine after I asked her “are you in pain?” she responded with looking away from me and drooped her head to the side as if she was somewhat embarrassed to tell me “yes,I am sore.”.I took the response as yes,I am in pain & we gave her some pain medicine that Dr Kaya had given her to take on the day she was discharged from her spaying.In the evening,she made a miraculous turn around in her behavior…Before we knew she was being quite a rascal,prancing around,”digging for gold” inside the house,lapping up water more,ate some Halo’s after I gave her 4-6 pieces of solid gold just a wee bit I switched it to the Halo’s which she gulped it up & took from the carpet,running around the house with endless amount of energy,wanting to go walking,ate some meat off the floor while we ate dinner,playing with her toys & looking for Halo’s food & raw food in her bottles..Her incision is healing very quickly..97% of the incision is healed and moreorless closed up.I would have thought it would take about a week to close up but it has been less than 4 days since her spaying and already 97% of the incision is healed!If Halo’s ever comes out with another flavor besides Salmon we’ll be more than happy to try it out on Lacey!As far as we are concerned Halo’s makes the best products when it comes to dry food for dogs.When it comes to Halo’s canned food that’s a different story but the dry food is the best which I believe has helped heal Lacey quicker than Science Diet,quicker than IAMS, & quicker than Solid Gold Just a Wee Bit.She’s also doing more tricks.

A Lacey Recovery Update after spaying on Feburary 16 2010

Lacey is recovering very quickly & regaining strength in just a matter of days.(Wednesday)Yesterday she ate some(mostly hand fed in the morning & ate some of the 95% Wellness Lamb).Through the day she didn’t eat a lot and there was no bowels.She did have some energy.Still tired but she tried to jump off the bed a couple times successfully without a yelp(two out of three times).She took a walk & wanted to play but I wouldn’t let her so she whimpered a few times.Licking the incision is kept to a minimal.Surprisingly,without the e-collar & scratching the incision is also kept to a minimal but not to the point where pawz doggy boots are needed.We have it on hand in case we ever need it.She seems to know how much she can handle by the day.Doesn’t do more than she can handle.Takes her meds like a good pup.
Today(Thursday)she defiantly had more pep/energy today.From the start of the morning I could sense more energy by the way she was prancing around on the blankets in the living room.She gave morning kisses & was alert.She had some vienna sausage for breakfast(bits & pieces) but is still somewhat scared of eating people food.She usually does but still not up to 100% normal.So,I hand fed her and she’s been eating a lot better than on Wednesday.She has made one bowel this afternoon(less than 72 hours after her surgery)and is eating a lot more variety.Still refuses her Halo’s & raw but within time she’ll get there again.She tried to lick her incision on three occasions today but stopped when she was told to.Went walking & she wanted to go running but I told her no & she kept going so I brought her inside to teach her a lesson.Later in the evening we tried again & by then around 5:300pm(HST)she started to run around the house a little.Once she starts running inside the house I allow her to run outside but it has to match her inside behavior.If she can’t run inside I don’t want her to run outside…After 6:00pm(HST) we walked again & ran some.About half of her incision is pretty much healed already.I credit her quick healing to Halo’s Spot’s Stew.Prior to Halo’s I don’t recall her recovering so quickly from anything before.Overall she’s doing great.Drinking more water,slowly eating more food but still somewhat jumpy at times.Still hasn’t really played with her toys & treats a lot but she’s starting to so that’s good.We’ve been adding on to her walk time every day by about 5 minutes.We started at 10 or 15 minutes on Wednesday & now we’re at 20 minutes today.Tomorrow(Friday)we’ll take it to 25 minutes w/walk & run.By Saturday we’ll be at our usual 30 minutes plus for a walk/run.

02162010 Lacey’s Spay:Recovering from the spay

Lacey is healing quickly from her spay and her incision is healing nicely on it’s own.Dr Kaya used disposable sutures.She’s defiantly full of pep and energy.She’s giving kisses,went on walk.She tried to walk/run(a mini walk/run combination)but eventually relented back to walking.Eating is somewhat better. I am starting her on can food for a few days then reintroduce her to Halo’s then to raw if she feels like eating.I leave the raw food optional for her.But when she turns 7 that’s not an option.She’ll only get Halo’s & raw but no canned.She licks at the incision from time to time but once she’s told no she stops right away.Went down one step in the house but nothing further.The secret I found to get Lacey to not lick her incision is to distract her as much as possible.When I took her outside she doesn’t lick her incision but when she’s inside she tends to do that more.

02162010 Lacey’s Spay:Lacey’s recovery

So far,Lacey is doing great!She’s resting,more alert,eyes are wide open,moving around more,comprehension is starting to come back to her,understanding familiar words starting to come back to her..She’s been throwing up about 4 times in the past hour(8-930pm HST) but otherwise is doing well.

02162010Lacey’s Spay:Lacey comes home from her spay 02162010

Lacey came home from VCA this afternoon around 2:00pm(HST) & was still groggy when we went to pick her up.After she came home she rested for a few hours.Threw up a couple times.Went outside for two or three minutes.Drank water about 630pm(HST).is started to lick her stitches but every time I catch her doing that I tell her “NO,LEAVE IT”then she stops.We got the e-collar Dr Kaya sent home but hopefully we won’t have to use it.Dr Kaya gave us a 30% discount credited to Lacey because she was such a good patient and breathed on her own!Most dogs you have to breath for them and won’t breath on their own like Lacey so that was great to hear!!

Lacey’s Spay:Feburary 16 2010

We took our maltese/toy poodle to VCA early this morning about 8:30AM(HST) and got her registered,signed paperwork…She walked in by herself wagging her tail as I opened the door to VCA Animal Hospital.Great spirits in the car.very relaxed laying down and sitting down.Costs were running from $500 to $630 estimated cost.What was the cost?Come back for an update later.Lacey weighed 7.10 pounds this morning.Could be from the salad she ate last night prior to the 9pm(No food after 9pm).Think next time she has to fast like this I will let her eat as much as she wants table food,dry,canned & raw before the time Dr Kaya wants her to stop eating.Like yesterday she had about 1/4 cup of Halo’s and no raw(still not big on raw but she’ll get there sooner or later.Not trying to force her)and had about 15 minutes of Salad(Chicken,cheese,lettuce and tomato)but in the night hours ahead was still hungry.

Asked Dr Kaya a few questions if he could take her 2 baby teeth out,decided to get her microchipped in case her collar is taken from her,nail clipped,spayed & if they use oxygen…Dr Kaya’s response “Of Course!”Good to know she’s in excellent care of VCA.All future dogs will be going to VCA in the near future.Can’t top the care VCA can give your pet!
All vets should be AAHA approved.

1140am(HST):Dr Kaya called and said Lacey is awake,no throwing up but was great throughout the surgery.Will be watching her for a few hours and pick her up soon.Be back for an update after brave Lacey comes home with PAWZ doggy boots!

Vet Visit update with Dr Kaya on Feburary 10,2010

We took Lacey to see Dr Kaya early this morning and all the white cells are gone.No bacteria of a yeast infection BUT there is new bacteria which could heal on its own but if it is still there next Tuesday when Lacey gets spayed we’ll have her on antibiotics for it.He said it could be hormonal and spaying could take care of it.Also got her some motion sickness meds to see if it works.Other than that the Ketoconazole can be stopped.Nothing else new.She weighs 7.6 pounds at the vets.Was 7.4 the last time I weighed her.According to Dr Kaya’s records she can be anywhere from 7.4-8 pounds.Anywhere from 7.4-8.0 is normal for her.Appetite is good,activity is good,exercise is good.