Chicken Broth Fountain

Caine has been doing a fantastic job eating his meatballs. He is starting to really get a good technique down that works for him. At the vet yesterday, he showed Dr. King how he plays Meatball Toss and how I just give him the meatballs. Dr. King was impressed, as was the rest of the staff at the Chicago Heights Animal Hospital. We are still trying different brands of dog food to see which consistency works well for the meatballs. Science Diet is good (once chilled) and Purina One. The only problem with Purina One is that the caloric values are not listed on the can. I will check their website. We tried to get Caine to drink water, but he just wasn't that thirsty.

Dr. King spoke with Dr. Mann at the University of Missouri while we were there for some tips. She did suggest we use a bucket of water, but a shallow bucket. Dr. King also thought we should try chicken or beef broth to encourage drinking. It's not water, but it's close. He also suggested we try meatballs out of puppy food because the extra nutrients will help him heal at this time and there also may be more calories in it. Caine needs 1600 calories a day. We found that some of the canned dog foods have about 450 calories per can, but some were not labeled.

Once home we tried the chicken broth. At first we put it in a shallow yet wide bowl. He sniffed it, and tried to drink with a tongue, but obviously had no luck. Ryan decided that we should make a waterfall out of the broth. We used two large bowls and tipped one to flow into the other. Caine really took to this! He was trying to figure out the best way to hold his head and eventually he seemed to have it down. We would hold the bowl just above his eyes, and he would tilt his head and open and close his mouth as the broth flowed down. He dribbled, naturally, but also was able to swallow a lot. He kept coming back for more! We are so proud that has come so far in just a week and a day. He is doing a great job.

He has been in high spirits the past two days. He has been requiring less pain medication and has regained some energy. The other night he actually walked all over me like he used to. His eyes seem more happy and he has a pep in his step when he's out back with his friend, Roxie. He has also been wagging his tail more and is trying very hard to learn to eat and drink again. We are doing nothing but praising with every attempt, and every swallow.

We have been receiving many donations from across the country. Thank you so much for your generosity, it is much appreciated. Caine's story is in the Chicago SunTimes today and will be in the SouthTown Star tomorrow.