Saturday, February 12, 2011

Updates on Kobe and Cappuccino Chunk Muffins

First off, a big thank you to Janel, Monica Jane, Kim, Jo, Rhonda, Brenda, Drick, Allyson and Natashya for leaving such kind compassionate comments regarding our shiba inu Kobe. He is family and our world was turned upside down with all the medical emergency visits to the vet and the cold hard fact that he will eventually be blind.
So - thank you for all who understood and lent a shoulder. I'll never forget it :-)

This boy here turned our lives upside down.


We are just getting over the flu when his eye went bad. We were at the vet Saturday morning then off to the emergency vet center later that day. Monday evening the eye pressure spiked to 72 and he was in serious pain. Off to Northwood Animal Hospital at 8:30 PM and we were there until midnight. So - we've been through the wringer physically and emotionally.

For anyone who has a pet predisposed to glaucoma, this info may help you. Kobe had his appointment with the ophthamologist and after experimenting with various combinations of meds these past few days, the pressures in both eyes are very good right now. It is a relief that we can maintain his vision and control pain for awhile longer with medication. Laser surgery may be needed in Kobe's right eye eventually.

Xalatan and Dorzolomide drops are an excellent combination. He also gets one drop of Timolol twice a day in the "good" eye. Since glaucoma is a bilateral disease, it's a matter of time before the left eye is also affected.

Right now Kobe looks great, and if you didn't know that he had glaucoma you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at him. The current dosages of meds are keeping him pain free, and he is acting more and more like his old self.

Couch Pirate Kobe!


Kobe will most likely end up blind before the end of his life, but the prospect isn't in weeks as we had feared.

After the stress of last week, a treat was in order.

Cappuccino Chunk Muffins



Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter, cooled
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp instant coffee
1/2 cup chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line 12 muffin tins. Mix coffee into melted butter. Whisk well.

Whisk eggs lightly into the buttermilk with the vanilla extract. In a big bowl mix together both flours, sugar, baking powder & salt.

Now pour in the buttermilk mixture & the butter mixture, and mix in gently. Do not over mix or muffins won't be soft. Fold in chocolate gently just to combine.

Fill prepared muffin pans and bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes.



Thanks Tia for posting that recipe. I saw it awhile back and had been meaning to try it.

A tip: They are so dense that, after cooling and sitting for one day, pop them in the microwave for about 25 seconds and they will be just like they came out of the oven. Good!

10 comments:

  1. Tina, I'm so glad to hear that Kobe is doing much better. Our Muggins is blind (he's almost 13) and has adapted very well. No one can tell he's blind unless we tell them. He knows exactly where everything is. Walks around furniture, knows where the couch and bed is to jump on it (yes, he sleeps with us, sigh.....lol). Goes up and down stairs as if he can see, knows exactly where everything is in the yard. It's amazing. I know that doesn't make it any easier, but just know that Kobe will adapt fine if that day comes. Hugs to you all!

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  2. So happy to hear that Kobe is doing better! You guys have been through so much. All of you can use some happy moments. Cooper sends lots of wiggly tail wags and slurpy kisses!! :)

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  3. Those muffins look and sound just perfect for today.

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  4. Brenda, actually what you shared here does make it easier. I need to let go of the pity factor and realize he'll get around OK. We'll never move, we never move our furniture, he negotiates the stairs now (mostly in the dark during thunderstorms) so..yeah - you made us feel alot better! Thank you for sharing that about your Muggins.

    Janel - Thank you and Cooper! I know you totatly get it :-) I'd like to get back to regular blogging soon.

    Rita - thanks! The coffee taste was a real treat for us. Good combo of flavors.

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  5. oh, I have been wondering how Kobe was doing, and you two too... so glad to hear some sort of good news, did not know glaucoma is a bilateral disease, that is sad, but at least he will have a little more time with the meds...
    and I know he enjoyed these wonderful muffins....a nice treat - that is what you meant, huh??? LOL

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  6. Hey, lending you a shoulder is the least I could do. Anytime, my friend. I know what it's like to have pet health emergencies and how awful they can make us all feel.

    The muffins look great! I should get some muffins going for my freezer since I'm almost out of the last batch I froze a couple of months ago...So many things to do. My freezer is getting really, really full, which is great, though.

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  7. Hi Drick - oh yes, the muffons were for our treat. If it has coffee in it, I like it much. Feeling better too as that flu really stole my energy!

    WC - You can freeze muffins?! I didn't ever think to do that. See, I am always learning soemthing from you :-) I know you get it about the pet emergencies too. I posted as much info as I could in case it helps anyone else.

    Looking forward to reading about those big horn sheep you wrote about.

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  8. Of course you can freeze muffins! Why did you think you couldn't?

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  9. Wc, I thought they'd loose texture after defrosting. I really should try things more, as an experiment, anfd if it doesn't work. Fine. But if it does...fantastic!

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  10. Oh, Tina Marie - my heart truly goes out to you with all you have been through. I had a diabetic cat that I used to have to inject with insulin for a couple of years, until eventually having to have him put down, so I know how heart-breaking it is when our pets are suffering.

    Love these muffins though for a good "cheerer-upperer" :-) I'd love one of those right now.

    Sue xo

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