© Johnny Ortez-Tibbels | http://www.Rufusontheweb.com
One year ago, Rufus was diagnosed with early stages of Kidney disease. It was heartbreaking. We changed his diet, as advised, and we just kind of put it on a shelf. There isn’t much one can really do (or so we’re told). Over the last year Rufus (at 14 and a half years old) has had some good days and not so good days. Today Rufus went in for his for annual anesthetic teeth cleaning, and the elected procedure was denied. His kidney levels were significantly elevated and our vet worried the anesthesia might comprise his already impaired kidney functions. Heartbreaking for a second time.
We’re awaiting the results of a urine analysis and culture. We have an ultrasound scheduled on Friday to get a complete picture of his kidneys. We’ve been referred to a local specialist for acupuncture and herbal treatment along with some other homeopathic options. We’re under no illusions, Rufus’ kidneys will be the end of him. We speculate Rufus may have 2 to 4 years with us, and it’s our commitment to make these final years the best and most comfortable we can. ❤
As I’ve said countless times, Rufus has been a great mentor to me. This occasion is no exception. I have had moments of shock, worry and great sadness. But Rufus continues to be a happy-go-lucky, precious pup with no concern for the future and simply celebrates the present. ❤ #LivesInTheMoment ❤
© Johnny Ortez-Tibbels | http://www.Rufusontheweb.com
We have not talked publicly (much) about Rufus and his health this last year. But we can certainly use the support and encouragement of our community and friends. Many of you have been there for the several highs we have experienced over the years, so it only seems fitting to include you in our more challenging times.
For all those asking, Lily’s teeth cleaning went better than Rufus’ today, though it did include one extraction. Boo. Emily and Milo go tomorrow (Wednesday). Wish us luck.
We’ll update as we know more. Thank you in advance for all the love friends.
Humbly yours,
Rufus, and his pack of hounds and humans. ❤
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© Johnny Ortez-Tibbels | http://www.Rufusontheweb.com
© Johnny Ortez-Tibbels | http://www.Rufusontheweb.com
© Johnny Ortez-Tibbels | http://www.Rufusontheweb.com
rufusontheweb 
Hi Johnny So sorry to hear of Rufus’ kidney disease. I know he is in the best care and is so very loved. I may as well share with you about Davy Jones. He went blind in March 2017 from Sudden Acute Retinal Deterioration Syndrom aka SARDS. In a 2 week period he went from sighted to completely blind. He also was diagnosed with pituitary Cushing’s at the same time. None of it stopped him from being his bossy and sassy self. We still went to the park so he could roll in the grass. He still muzzle punched me but more in the eye than on the nose. We had a wonderful if sometimes challenging 16 months before he went into sudden kidney failure. I had to say goodbye on Aug 1 2018. I miss him every day. I treasure the photos you took of him and they are displayed on the walls of my room. Bentley is doing well after TPLO surgery (he blew up his knee/canine version of torn ACL & meniscus). He greatly misses his friend. I look for Davy in every dog I see. I hope to add a new Dachshund to our pack. Just haven’t found one yet. We miss you guys and Rufus, Emily and Lily. I hope we see you again and I pray Rufus has untold good days with you, exceeding what you expect. May he defy all the odds. Give my best to Kirkland and hug those doxies for me. Much love Lynn & Bentley
Dearest Johnny & Kirkland… My heart is with you as you walk this path with our number 1 doxie Rufus. Aly Claire taught our family about living in the momemt as we celebrated her last 6 month in our care. Rufus is a lucky pup to have you as his pet parents….hugs and lots of 💘
Sonny & Annie
Dear Rufus is an icon in the LA Doxie community and always was friendly and welcoming to anyone who approached, much like his human! Well wishes for Rufus, be without pain!
Continued prayers for Rufus and your family and community of Doxie friends for the strength, courage and endurance needed to give him the best care possible at this time. He is a champion in life and yes, living in the moment. God has given Rufus and you all the greatest gift of time to celebrate his beautiful life and share his precious life and memories to all of us over these years. I thank you for including me in those memories, if only from afar. I applaud your positive attitude and acceptance and know that Rufus will in the best of hands and care until he is cradled in the arms of Jesus. Sending love, hugs and prayers daily to all. ❤ V
Dear Johnny,
We’ve been following Rufus since Wall-e ands
I joined La Doxies when Wall-e was 6 months.
We will pray for sweet Rufus and for a continued, well loved life. He’s adorable and very loved around the world even. I love his
Little white Face. Out baby is 10 years and
We see all the changes in lifestyle. The ever
Changing of white paws and white faces.
And wanting to play but growing tired quickly.
It makes me so sad to ever think are fur babies
Pass on. Because they are the loves of our lives. Praying for Rufus. Much Love.
I wrote this on my phone so I apologize for
All the spelling and grammar errors. 🤗
God Bless Rufus! And You, Johnny! The two of you have done so much for dachshund and dog lovers of all kinds! You have brought much Love and Joy to all of us!
Much love to you and your doxie family! They are certainly lucky to have you as parents. We brush our doxie’s teeth religiously and just started using an electric toothbrush. It took a couple of times but now she loves it! It is a very thorough cleaning. Perhaps this would be an option as an alternative for Rufus’s dental care in lieu of the teeth cleaning.
So sorry to hear about his kidney disease. I have love, hugs & prayers for you.
My Lacey & Chance were just diagnosed with heart valve problems & Jacob had a cancerous tumor removed from his mouth & is under an oncologists care thru Access. I do know what it is like to worry about our babies.
Jacob is my special one cause he is my first Doxie. He is 14 like Rufus.
We love you, Rufus!! xo Anita & Ralphie
Charlie and I Love you Rufus!!! Always have .. Always will… ❤️❤️
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I am so sorry to hear about Rufus’s kidney disease. I have lost a doxie to that & it is hard to not have many options to reverse it. I can tell you that we gave sub Q fluids every night at home for 2 years & in that 2 years Squirt showed no signs & had excellent quality of life until the last 4 days. this was before we started seeing our holistic vet & I have faith that if we end up walking that path with our current 2 rescues she will have some ideas. ( She put one of our girls inoperable bladder cancer in remission , remission now for a year. Our surgeon told us we would have a few months, it has been a year and half since diagnosis & the protocol was diet, herbs, tumor herbs, medicinal mushrooms, etc so she had no side effects & never knew she had cancer.
so, I am hoping that your vet can put Rufus on a protocol that will give him the best quality of life possible.
I know how worrisome it is with the teeth & anesthesia is aways a risk & in this case too risky. As we are told, if we don’t do regular dentals, we risk bacteria getting into the blood stream & affecting the kidneys, so it is a catch 22.
Do you brush? There are high end pet stores that offer the anesthesia free cleanings, not that these won’t do anything about periodontal disease which is below the gums & cannot be determined without X-rays & anesthesia, but keeping the crowns clean & removing as much plaque as possible does help slow down any periodontal disease. so, it could be an option to prolong his dental health.
We also use Healthy Mouth water additive, Petslife gel toothpaste & I have heard great things about the Emmi Pet ultrasound toothbrush. Also, curiously, I have heard that cranberry supplements can help with the teeth! Who knew? Our girl with the bladder cancer has had some UTI’s & she is on Cranberry indefinitely, & we are hoping that a nice side effect is that the cranberry will affect her teeth in a positive way. she has had resorptive lesions already , bone loss & has had 13 teeth removed & we do everything for her dental health, including brushing nightly, & the other things I have mentioned. Sadly, along with their propensity for IVDD, they also are prone more than most every other breed to dental issues. argh!
I know how hard it is to face the limited life we have with these amazing babies & my heart breaks for you knowing that you are dealing with this & always have to have it in the back of your mind as a worry.
Take care.
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