I think I might have found my vet. Time will tell but my first impression
is a good one. I actually tried to get into this practice about four years
ago. I had heard good things about them and they volunteer annually at a
low- cost shot fair. One of the few practices in this area that do so
consistently. They weren't accepting clients so I started seeing the vet
that I was seeing when Shelby was diagnosed. In the meantime my oldest
daughter adopted two kittens who's owner was a client of this practice so
she was able to continue with them. After Shelby died and I started looking
for a new vet my daughter urged me to call them. They are about a 45 minute
drive away and I really didn't think they would be accepting new clients.
Two different vets later my daughter again urged me to at least give them a
call. I did last week and asked if they were accepting new clients. No.
In my best crestfallen voice I asked if there would be a time they might be
as my daughter goes there and said she "really, really likes it" After a
little back and forth she said "Well how about next week - you caught me on
a good day". I didn't even ask which vet I would be seeing. I was just
happy to get in. I ended up seeing the female (there is also a male) vet.
My daughter has seen both and likes both although she felt a little stronger
connection to her after the latest illness with her cat. He is recovering
nicely btw. I attempted my first ever urine collection this morning.
Awhile back I asked for people's input about how they collect it. It gave
me several good ideas as I thought about what would be the best way
considering our situation. I was always on the lookout in the stores for
something that might make it easier. I found a long-handled ball thrower
(at Target) that I thought might work. The added bonus is that the ball is
one of Shadow's favorite new things and has helped to increase his exercise.
My husband thought I was nuts because the cup of it is pretty shallow at
the base. He kept insisting it wasn't going to work and I should attach
something to it. I told him if he could come up with something go for it
lol. He tried attaching a styrofoam bowl to it but that didn't work so he
gave up. This morning I had him walk Shadow on the leash while I followed.
At first I thought he was just going to look for his ball (we throw it
outside at night when we get tired of it which he always does the first
thing when he goes out. Eventually though I was able to get one. As for
the vet visit, I usually put a muzzle on him before we go in but this time
I thought I'd try something different and leave the muzzle off unless
needed. He barked at different people but usually just once and stopped
when I corrected him. Except for this one man that came in and then I had
to muzzle Shadow as he would not stop barking. He was really good on the
table -
even when she was looking in his mouth. I let him down at the end of the
exam and when she left the room and returned he started barking at her. I
put the muzzle on as we were going back out in the waiting room and it's a
good thing I did because there was a rottweiler out there -very well
behaved - but Shadow does not like the ones next door to us! As for the
swelling in his mouth
she thinks it might be a cyst (do not remember the name of it) but wants to
keep an eye on it just in case. She pointed out a couple other spots that
look like some might be starting. It might be due to the fact that he has
an underbite and it is putting more pressure on. She said they can
sometimes grow quite large and if it is interfering with eating it can be
surgically removed but they tend to grow back. She also said some breeds
are more prone to it. I asked if it could be melanoma as the health report
said that dogs with dark pigment in their mouths tend to be more prone to
it. She said it could and if it increases significantly in a month's time
then we could biopsy it. As for the panting she said it could be several
things. I told her he seems to pant at the slightest exertion - even just
jumping up on the bed. She asked if he seemed like he didn't want to do
things (I'm assuming to assess if he was in pain) but he is very
enthusiastic about playing fetch. We then talked about his weight. He has
lost 5 pounds in 2 months. I asked what would be a good weight for him and
she said she would like to see another 3-4 pounds off him. She mentioned
that age could be a factor. Here I'm a little fuzzy on the details but
something about the lungs become more fibrous and the animal has to work
harder. (Maybe she was referring to LP that FP mentioned?) She said a lot of
people just chalk it up to age even if it could be something else. I said I
probably would have too prior to Shelby's illness. Thankfully I've learned
a lot from a variety of sources since then. gasp even from people on the
internet who don't have vet degrees She then mentioned Cushings. Thanks
to Suja I was at least a little familiar with this possibility and it was
easier to absorb the ensuing information. I still lost some of it though
lol. I really should take a tape recorder! She said there isn't a
definitive test (like for heartwom) but a couple different indicators plus
symptoms combine to make the diagnosis. I forgot to mention that I have
been finding occasional tufts of his hair around the house (I took one in
and he has taken to licking his feet, my feet, and even the sheets. She
asked if he was drinking more and I said I thought he was but maybe I was
just more conscious of it because of what happened to Shelby and he was
really just drinking what he always has. It's hard to know for sure. She
sked if the urine sample was from today. Thankfully it was - something I
learned in the kidney group (first morning urine) She said we could send it
out and do a cortisol to creatine ratio? I think that's what she said.
Depending on the results of that they could then do a day long test where
they draw blood in the morning, a shot 4 hours later and then another blood
draw. She explained what they are looking for but again there was a lot of
information to absorb and some of it got lost in the shuffle. She then
mentioned the medications that would be used to treat it. As for the urine
sample itself she said he was concentrating his urine but the protein was a
little high. She said that could just be a in house quirk as the urine
samples they do in house tend to be a little high. So I wait to hear about
the test they sent out. Apparently they only do them on Tuesday and &
Thursday and she thought it would be too late for today so probably next
Tuesday. She also said it wouldn't be a bad idea to run another blood panel
in a month or two and see what his levels are then. On a lighter note they
had a Top 10 list of "Why I Became a Veterinarian" I wish I would have
copied it while I was waiting. A couple I remember "You can muzzle dogs
but people. . . . " "The enormous cultural respect veterinarians receive"
"So I could hear 'Why didn't you become an MD for the rest of my life'"
Gotta love a veterinarian with a sense of humor

Kathy

"kat" wrote in message:

Glad you found what seems to be a sensible vet!

She said we could send it
out and do a cortisol to creatine ratio? I think that's what she said.
Depending on the results of that they could then do a day long test where
they draw blood in the morning, a shot 4 hours later and then another
blood
draw.

I'll only comment on this, since this is something I know about a little.
She is absolutely right about doing a UC:CR ratio. It's one of the cheapest
and most effective ways to rule out Cushing's. Coming back with abnormal
results does NOT confirm Cushing's, just that it cannot be ruled out. The
'day long' test she mentioned is an LDDS (Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression
Test). There is usually a baseline blood draw, a 4 hour draw, and an 8 hour
draw. This is considered the gold standard for Cushing's, and along with an
ACTH Stim test can be used to rule in/out Cushing's. An ACTH stim test is
*required* (IMO) prior to starting any treatment, as that is how you will
monitor the cortisol levels and the efficacy of the treatment once you
start, and given our experience, I would recommend that you do a Tennessee
Panel (more expensive, but also tests for Atypical Cushing's in addition to
regular Cushing's) instead to start off with, should you be forced to go
down this path.

All this is putting the cart waaay before the horse, and here's to hoping
that Shadow's Cortisol Creatinine ratio comes back perfectly normal.

Suja

On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:01:19 -0400, "Suja" wrote:

All this is putting the cart waaay before the horse

Heh.

--
Handsome Jack Morrison

Amazing image of a Chihuahua fetus.
http://www.wagreflex.com/2008/10/amazing-image-o.html

Obama's Abortion Extremism.
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/vi...Extremism_.xml

Look who’s "gripped by insane rage".
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/12...y-insane-rage/

Hollywood's Missing Movies - Why American films have ignored life under communism.
http://www.reason.com/news/show/27732.html

Obama Doesn't Pass the Mainstream Smell Test.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/pos...IzODc1MjQ1MDk=

A presidential debate, the Chicago Way.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...7245642.column

Barney Frank's fingerprints are all over the financial fiasco.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ed..._campaign=8315

The Great Boomer Comeuppance.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...meuppance.html

Do facts matter?
http://townhall.com/columnists/Thoma...o_facts_matter

Burning Down The House: What Caused Our Economic Crisis? (Don't miss this one!)
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/...the_house.html

Thinking about giving the Democrats even more power, are you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7Rs

Video: Who’s responsible for the Fannie and Freddie mess?
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/09/2...-freddie-mess/

Who's to blame?
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/bl...hp/rubin/32011

How the Democrats Created the Financial Crisis.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aSKSoiNbnQY0

The Culture War's Decisive Battle has Begun.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/...ve_batt_1.html

"Suja" wrote in message
...

"kat" wrote in message:

Glad you found what seems to be a sensible vet!


I sure do hope so!

could send it
out and do a cortisol to creatine ratio? I think that's what she said.
Depending on the results of that they could then do a day long test
where
they draw blood in the morning, a shot 4 hours later and then another
blood
draw.

I'll only comment on this, since this is something I know about a little.
She is absolutely right about doing a UC:CR ratio. It's one of the
cheapest
and most effective ways to rule out Cushing's. Coming back with abnormal
results does NOT confirm Cushing's, just that it cannot be ruled out. The
'day long' test she mentioned is an LDDS (Low Dose Dexamethasone
Suppression
Test). There is usually a baseline blood draw, a 4 hour draw, and an 8
hour
draw.

It's helpful to know what it called, see it in print and be able to take
notes. Thanks. I don't really like to be asking the vet every few minutes
"What's that called?" "How do you spell it?" (unless absolutely necessary)
It can be distracting.



This is considered the gold standard for Cushing's, and along with an
ACTH Stim test can be used to rule in/out Cushing's. An ACTH stim test is
*required* (IMO) prior to starting any treatment, as that is how you will
monitor the cortisol levels and the efficacy of the treatment


Good to know. Hopefully she will suggest that and now that I know what it
is and it's importance it will also be one more
thing by which I can judge if Shadow is receiving competent medical care.


start, and given our experience, I would recommend that you do a Tennessee
Panel (more expensive, but also tests for Atypical Cushing's in addition
to
regular Cushing's) instead to start off with, should you be forced to go
down this path.

I will. We discussed Shelby's situation a bit and I let her know upfront
that I would rather spend the money in the beginning when there is a
possibility of improvement rather than at the end where basically it was
already too late.



All this is putting the cart waaay before the horse, and here's to hoping
that Shadow's Cortisol Creatinine ratio comes back perfectly normal.


Thanks

Kathy

Please add many more dozens of lines of propaganda because we are SO
interested.

kat wrote:

As for the swelling in his mouth she thinks it might be a cyst (do not
remember the name of it) but wants to keep an eye on it just in case. ...
I asked if it could be melanoma as the health report said that dogs with
dark pigment in their mouths tend to be more prone to it. She said it
could and if it increases significantly in a month's time then we could
biopsy it.

Sign of a good vet here.

She then mentioned Cushings. Thanks to Suja I was at least a little
familiar with this possibility and it was easier to absorb the ensuing
information.

Aren't you glad you were prepared for the possibility? :-)

Glad to hear things went SO well - this definitely sounds like a good
vet. Keep us posted, of course, OK?

Dianne

"(null)" wrote in message
...
kat wrote:

As for the swelling in his mouth she thinks it might be a cyst (do not
remember the name of it) but wants to keep an eye on it just in case.
....
I asked if it could be melanoma as the health report said that dogs with
dark pigment in their mouths tend to be more prone to it. She said it
could and if it increases significantly in a month's time then we could
biopsy it.

Sign of a good vet here.

I hope so - keeping my fingers crossed.


She then mentioned Cushings. Thanks to Suja I was at least a little
familiar with this possibility and it was easier to absorb the ensuing
information.

Aren't you glad you were prepared for the possibility? :-)

Absolutely


Glad to hear things went SO well

I definitely felt much better after leaving her office than I did after
leaving the last vet in July.

- this definitely sounds like a good
vet. Keep us posted, of course, OK?

Of course

Kathy

kat wrote:
Here I'm a little fuzzy on the details but
something about the lungs become more fibrous and the animal has to work
harder. (Maybe she was referring to LP that FP mentioned?)

Fibrous lungs would be something entirely different. Laryngeal
paralysis involves the larynx, in the trachea (throat).

I really should take a tape recorder!

That's not a bad idea when in a long medical discussion like
this. Either that or take a lot of notes (and ask the vet to
spell words you're not familiar with).

So it sounds like watch and wait for results of tests.

Re water intake - I don't remember if you have other pets. If
you don't, you can keep track of intake to see if it seems high
or varies a lot without explanation (like hot day or lots of
exercise). Just pour a known quantity of water in his bowl once
a day, and then before you fill it up again, measure to see how
much is left. "Typical" is about 1 oz / lb / day.

http://www.vet2thepetrx.com/showprac...=198&Private=0

FurPaw

--
Why do people who embrace Social Darwinism object to teaching the
theory of evolution?

To reply, unleash the dog.

"FurPaw" wrote in message
. ..
kat wrote:
Here I'm a little fuzzy on the details but
something about the lungs become more fibrous and the animal has to work
harder. (Maybe she was referring to LP that FP mentioned?)

Fibrous lungs would be something entirely different. Laryngeal
paralysis involves the larynx, in the trachea (throat).

I really should take a tape recorder!

That's not a bad idea when in a long medical discussion like
this. Either that or take a lot of notes (and ask the vet to
spell words you're not familiar with).

So it sounds like watch and wait for results of tests.

Re water intake - I don't remember if you have other pets.

Two cats

If
you don't, you can keep track of intake to see if it seems high
or varies a lot without explanation (like hot day or lots of
exercise). Just pour a known quantity of water in his bowl once
a day, and then before you fill it up again, measure to see how
much is left. "Typical" is about 1 oz / lb / day.

Good to know. Not sure how I would accomplish that with multiple animals.

Kathy

On a lighter note they
had a Top 10 list of "Why I Became a Veterinarian" I wish I would have
copied it while I was waiting. A couple I remember "You can muzzle dogs
but people. . . . " "The enormous cultural respect veterinarians receive"
"So I could hear 'Why didn't you become an MD for the rest of my life'"
Gotta love a veterinarian with a sense of humor


Is this the one? Seen on a facebook group I'm part of.

The Top Ten Reasons To Become a Veterinarian:

10. To gain decorative scars about the hands, arms, and face
9. So I can get paid half as much as an M.D. for twice the work
8. Because you can muzzle vicious animals, but people... it's kind of
frowned upon...
7. I thought I was in law school
6. Because formaldehyde makes me feel sexy
5. Because its a zoo out there
4. For the tremendous cultural respect showered upon vets
3. Because I can express anal glands better than I can express my feelings
2. Because I like 8 day weeks
1. I want to hear "Why didn't you become a REAL doctor" for the rest of my
life

There's this one too (not quite a good, but I like #1 and #7 on this
list..., after my experience today though I don't fancy doing a rectal exam
on a Llama though)

The Top Ten Reasons Why To Become A Veterinarian Instead Of an MD. (list #2)

10. I don't know how to golf
9. I wanted to disappoint my parents
8. I wouldn't kill my grandmother to get an A in med school
7. I would rather rectal a cow than a human
6. As a vet, I can say "bitch" multiple times each day and no one will take
offense
5. I really care about my patients
4. My ego isn't big enough to be an MD
3. People are generally more vicious than the nastiest animal I have ever
worked with
2. I'm not a wimp who wants to spend twice the time learning one eighth the
material
1. REAL doctors treat more than one species!!!