Vet techs, I need your opinion/advice!

[tiffanyh]

His glucose levels were normal, so diabeties is out. They would also see it in the urine--a high glucose level........but diabeties would explain alot. But it also has some other symptoms that go along with it that dont match up.......

How old is he? Is he on pain meds of any sort. You could possible have two problems here common in older dogs, T4 and maybe old age pains are slowing him down. That would explain the growling and grumpiness.....


They may still want to adjust his meds more since it is low normal. Here is a link. You may be dealing with a secondary hypothyroidisn, as his cholesterol levels dont indicate is it purely thyroid. (or primary) . Here are some causes of secondary thyroidism, meaning is happens due to another problem as a side affect.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hypothyroidism-in-dogs/page1.aspx

I hope your guy perks up soon. Some time on the meds and a healthy diet will hopefully do a world of good for him.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

He'll be 7 on September 17. His mother was a miniature poodle and his father was a pug so he isn't supposed to be a tiny dog. He has always weighed around 25 pounds. In the last 6 months he has gained 15 pounds! You would think he was dying of starvation the way he eats too. I know it's the low thyroid making him like that (and being 1/2 pug, lol!) but I feel like I'm starving the poor fella to death by feeding him the recommended amount of food for him. Tiffany, do you think he would benefit by going off commercial dog food? What would you recommend as far as diet is concerned? He currently eats Nutro Natural Choice.

 

[glowworm]

His symptoms sound like all the patients I've seen with confirmed Cushings. Just remember that as you look up symptoms of the disease, many of the physical ones, like hair loss or the pot bellied look, take awhile to manifest themselves. Oh, and just like when humans are sick, each individual animal might not have every symptom listed.

Did the vet do seperate tests to rule out or try to confirm Cushings?

You said his WBC count was slightly elevated, but did he have a differential run too? Differentials are a specific count on each type of WBC. It helps to know which type of WBC was elevated.

Was his blood pressure taken? THis helps but some animals get sooooo stressed at the vet it will be elevated...for those animals we like to keep them in a quiet room for several hours before taking the BP, then mom or dad picks them up when they are done.

 

[willow]

I agree, it sounds like Cushing's. Just because the tests come back saying negative for Cushings does not mean he does not have it. I know this first hand with one of my Boston Terriers. Butch lived with my aunt so I only saw him a few times a year but everytime I did he got bigger. I kept telling her to have him tested for Cushings. Her Vet did the testing but everything came back ok. I wasn't satisfied with it so she went to a clinic in Red Bank, NJ. Sure enough Butch had Cushings and by that time he also had a tumer on his pituatory gland.

What I'm saying is if you don't feel comfortable with the tests or outcomes get a second or third or however many opinions you need to get the answers you need.

Are you talking about the Vet. school in Raleigh, NC? If so, they are GREAT!! I know they have teaching programs sometimes that will not cost anything to you. It would not hurt anything to try.

Good Luck!!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
His WBC count was differentiated but for the life of me I can't remember which one of WBCs it was that was slightly elevated. She went over it all with me pretty quick because she had a very ill cat that couldn't urinate that she was having to work on -- completely understandable. Anyway, she did say that that elevation could be from stress, and I would imagine he has been pretty stressed from losing his eyesight, having his blood drawn (not an easy task), etc.

Wolfgang already has a potbellied appearance. His back now has a pretty major arch as well, making him have a swayback look. I'm assuming this is from the extra weight? He has fat deposits on his hips too. I didn't know what those were and was afraid is was some kind of tumor under there by my vet reassured me it was just his new fat reserves. One plus, I guess... he sure doesn't have to worry about starving anytime soon with those saddlebags!

My vet has never mentioned Cushing's but the symptoms I've read about sure sound a lot like his. Especially when I read about the SARDS/Cushing's connection. Sounds just like him.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
Yes, they're about 25 miles from me.

 

[snowydiamonds]

One of the symptoms of hypothyroid is fatty deposits in the eyes if the animal is not treated soon enough and also if you continually miss doses. I have two weimaraners who are hypothyroid which is an autoimmune disease. I would be very careful about further immunizations and flea/tick treatments as a health compromised dog with autoimmune disease(s) can severely react (negatively) to those treatments.

I use HemoPet in California, for FULL Thyroid Panels on my two and they need retesting yearly if there are no further complications. I live in Alaska but other labs and/or veterinarians who run thyroid panels do INCOMPLETE tests, not the FULL panel. You can research and learn a lot from "Its for the animals" (dot com) and look at the forms for how to send the blood specimens (I use FedX) and ALWAYS get a copy of the results and file for future comparison and also to take to any veterinary visits.

There is also a wonderful group you can join who have much knowledge from learning the hard way, living with their own health compromised animals that is comprised of people all over the world and its here:
[email protected]

It will get better, it just takes a bit of time and constant routine. There is no remedy for saving the eye sight though, my 80# 4 year old (neutered so as not to pass on autoimmune conditions to pups) has fatty deposits in his left eye because I waited too long to figure out he was not just allergic to corn and also has seasonal allergies but that he had hypothyroid.

I have been taking vet tech courses each winter and kept asking why veterinarians aren't very helpful with allergy and health compromised animals and didn't want to accept the answer: We as a human race, and doctors of all sorts "Just Don't Know" but its true.

I use a combination of herbal/natural and medical/pharmaceutical therapy for health, such as a spoon of honey for my weim and I with our seasonal allergies. He gets his soloxine as does the female wei each morning and night. I do not feed corn based pet foods and feed either raw (after frozen to kill any parasites) or pressure cooked meals to my dogs and though some people feel Nutro is not a "better" kibble or feed, its done great for mine but I have to warn you to always read labels as at least one formula of Nutro has corn in it.

You are on the right path...and Hugs to you and your dog.

 

[glowworm]

If you decide to go to a different vet for another opinion- have the new vet call the old vet and get them to fax over his records before the day of your appointment. It's pretty much useless to go to another vet unless they know what has been tried and done.

Another thing to do is call up your current vet and tell her your concerns/soloxine is not working/and that you're sure something else is going on with him. Honestly if you pester the vet a little, they will take more time looking at your case again and rethinking other possibilities.

 

[tiffanyh]

Nutro is a good food. If that is what he has been on for a while, dont switch now. that can just lead to more problems, like GI upset, which can confuse the situation even more. But if his problems started around the time you started that food, then consider changing it. Commerial dog foods are well balanced for those dogs who dont have specific food allergies.

Before getting a second opinion, call your vet about cushings. No point in spending the money yet.

But as a few of us had said, go with your records, bloodwork, Xrays, etc to give the 2nd opinion a leg up.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

My vet called me last night and wanted to update Wolfgang's Soloxine dosage a little so he has started that today. Hopefully I'll see some improvement in him from that. And I hope and pray that he will regain his vision, but if not, we'll just learn to handle it the best we can. I did notice that in the past couple of days he has gotten a little bit of spunk back in his step. Maybe he is starting to feel better now that his thyroid levels are on the rise.

I did change his food but I changed from Nutro Natural Choice to Nutro Ultra. Over $50 for a 35lb bag...