Mooper Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 My 9yo ACD x has just been diagnosed with primary Addison's disease (underactive adrenal glands). Please don't feel silly if your dog seems 'depressed' -- go to the vet, as we did. The vet said Jack may have had heart failure by now if we hadn't acted so quickly. His symptoms were pretty tough to pinpoint, but the first thing I noticed was that he tired quickly on even the shortest walks. Then he got hotspots for the first time ever. Followed by extreme thirst, then lethargy, then fussiness with food. Jack is not a dog who has ever been a fussy eater When he wouldn't even touch his morning bones or his evening BARF, hubby took him to the vet. Apparently a dog's sodium:potassium ratio should not fall below 25 -- Jack's was at 17. Nearly crisis point. He perked up last night at the vet's, and ate some tinned food that they offered him. He was on a saline drip overnight and was pretty much back to his usual self this morning, charming all of the staff He's certainly much happier tonight, and just came running as I got his BARF from the freezer. I've been told to avoid the morning bones for a while and just give him BARF twice a day. His kidneys aren't processing protein properly, which the vet believes is linked with the Addison's symptoms. Jack's blood tests came back with no signs of his mast-cell tumour from October 2007 having returned Cancer was our first thought when we found it yesterday that the vet suspected Addison's, which was confirmed this afternoon. But, so far, it seems the cancer hasn't returned (phew!). Jack is on 6 Florinef pills a day (3 in the morning, 3 at night) and two Cortate (one each, morning and night) until his next blood test in mid-March. At that time, the vet expects we can re-introduce bones but we'll see. He also expect the Cortate dosage to drop to 1 tablet every second day. Again, we'll wait and see how Jack responds to this medication regime before looking too far ahead. I've read some other threads here of people with dogs who have lived a full life on medication after diagnosis, so we're feeling positive. So thank you to those who have shared their dog's stories :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeak Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Good on you for taking him to the vet, and good on the vet for listening. You probably already know about this website, but I'll post it anyway... http://www.addisondogs.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveisGolden Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Glad to hear Jack is doing well now. Have you considered the affect of Jack's diet. Not sure what you're feeding him but feeding raw gives much firmer stools which help empty the anal glands. I've only just started my dogs on raw (so certainly no expert) bu I noticed the affect after only a few days. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Glad to hear Jack is doing well now.Have you considered the affect of Jack's diet. Not sure what you're feeding him but feeding raw gives much firmer stools which help empty the anal glands. I've only just started my dogs on raw (so certainly no expert) bu I noticed the affect after only a few days. Just a thought. Jack has a problem with his adrenal glands, not his anal glands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks for the link, squeak. I was reading that site yesterday Yes, LoveisGolden, we will look at Jack's diet. He has been on an all-raw diet since his mast-cell tumour of October 2007. The vet has suggested that because of high protein levels in Jack's urine, I should cut out the morning bones and just give him the sloppy BARF mix both morning and night until things stabilise. Hubby did all the vet visits this time, and doesn't tend to ask as many questions as me so I'm planning to give the vet a call for a chat. There are apparently injections that can be done every 25 days or so instead of so many tablets a day, which I read tends to work out cheaper for a larger dog. So I'll ask about that option. It may not be available until we know how this medication program is working. Jack ate 2/3 of his BARF tonight, or 200g, which is a vast improvement on a few days ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Sorry to hear that Mooper but very, very pleased you have caught it in time Sending many Ziggy licks Jack's way (plus a whole chicken roasted on the Webber if that floats his boat ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) It floats my boat, Spotted, and I reckon Jack would be sorely tempted by it, too Words can't describe how pleased we were to have acted quickly. I initially felt silly, saying to my OH that we really couldn't go to the vet with the mere symptoms of depression. We wondered whether the change in routine of me leaving home early, working full-time etc was upsetting him. Then came the other symptoms and it was time to act. Hopefully someone else reading this one day will also act quickly Edited February 26, 2009 by Mooper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 A very good lesson in trusting your gut feeling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Nasty diagnosis, but very treatable. Just goes to show we need to watch the behaviour patterns of our dogs. I'd rather go to the bet and be called an idiot (that has happened ) than chance missing something serious. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 I've just come home to be greeted by a total nutter of a dog who had found a buried rawhide in the garden. We had zoomies, play-bows, playful barking ... I've never been so happy in my life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry's Mum Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Glad to hear that he is OK - I am sure he will be fine with treatment. Dogs are a real worry aren's they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koemi Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I'm glad you found what was wrong with Jack, it's a nightmare not knowing what is wrong with your dog! Hugs to you and him both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Whoo hoo! That's brilliant Hey Mooper! I had pgrad orientation this week I'm not feeling quite so petrified now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 He's done an indoors zoomies session now, too. It's the first time he's played with his toys all week, and I got all teary (great news, Spotted one. Enjoy the challenges!) Thanks for your support These dogs are, indeed, a worry PM. It's to be expected as he ages, I suppose, but that doesn't make the changes any easier to accept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Oh Moops I just saw this (been busy with work and Uni as usual)... I am glad that the lad is feeling better now. That is great news about the MCT though... I hope he stays well for you - they do worry us don't they!... If there is anything I can do, don't hesitate to call (I think you still have my mobile number)... Big hugs to the boy for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willow Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Mooper, when I was a vet nurse, we had a client at the clinic whose dog was severely ill with Addisons, but a few weeks into treatment she said it was like she had got his puppy-self back again....he has continued to go from strength to strength and it's truly like the clock had been turned back about 5 8 years!!! Amazing how quickly they can bounce back once they are on the right meds!!! Hope your boy does ok!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 An update on Jack :D He's responded really well to the medication and we've turned back the clock by several years We couldn't be happier. Well, it would be nice if he left the strawberry patch in its previously pristine form, but I'm prepared to put up with a little displaced mulch :p Thanks to everyone for their support. We're not out of the woods yet, but things look a heck of a lot better than they did last week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 LOL, just imagining Jacko having a ball in the strawberry patch - I know your pain (We had to put our strawberries in pots and he still manages to pick the fruit off before we get any).. So glad to hear that he is doing so well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 lovely news. ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Sensational news Mooper So, so pleased for you ;) :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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