Nova Update!
Nova is 6 (born in late 2019)
Nova has responded well to a strict feeding schedule since her diagnosis. She is given her med (Extra Strength Pepcid AC 20mg) at 5:30 am by mouth with a spoonful of her breakfast slurry. She eats 1 can of food for breakfast with added water (about 1.5 cups) to create a slurry at 6:00 am followed by sitting upright in the begging position for 15+ minutes. She gets squirmy near the end but manages fine with pats on the head and gentle reassurance. She requires more frequent outings to pee due to the water increase. Nova comes to work with me Monday to Friday and has very little issue throughout the day. We begin the day with a leisurely 10-15 minute walk with pees and a poop (usually) She sleeps during the day and loves to play fetch, followed by lying on her bed and sucking on her ball under my desk, while making the sweetest/creepiest noises ever! We venture out to pee every couple of hours, but she has had a couple accidents in the office. She jumps into and out of my truck without assistance now. When we get home she gets another pill (Extra Strength Pepcid AC 20mg) at 5:30 pm by mouth with a spoonful of her dinner slurry. She eats 1.5 cans of food for dinner with added water (about 1.5 – 2 cups) to create a slurry at 6:00 pm followed by sitting upright in the begging position for 20+ minutes. Her regurgitation issues have severely decreased since implementing the new wet food and feeding schedule.
Nova walks great on leash. She is stubborn and will walk 10 paces behind if she doesn’t want to go but picks up speed when we are walking toward home. She gets excited by loud noises, runners and small children playing/jumping/yelling. She will stand next to me while dogs pass us without issue but if the other dog is reactive, she will get excited by them and match energy.
Nova sleeps through the night in her crate now in the living room. She does have some separation anxiety and will whimper, whine and yip when left alone. She is a huge snuggle bug! She wants to be next to you and touching you at all times. We usually have a weekend cuddle in bed while she sleeps and I watch a movie. She is happiest with her person nearby. She is great with my teenage son and his friends as well.
Nova is very food driven and is placed in her crate during our meal prep and while we eat to ensure she does not get any additional accidentally dropped food that could trigger her regurgitation.