Aidan3 Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 We had a specialist ultrasonographer, several x-rays, several blood tests, and several anal examinations. Nothing has shown up except hypercalcaemia (which is getting worse with every test) and hypoparathyroidism. Confounding the situation early on was some fairly advanced osteoarthritis, and the fact that we had just lost Django (both things could cause the symptoms presented). It wasn't until the PTH tests came back yesterday that we were sure that we were searching for cancer. Aidan are you sure you mean hypoparathyroidism? I would have thought with increased calcium that she would be hyper not hypo. We had hoped (in a sense) for primary hyperparathyroidism, because then we would have a diagnosis for something treatable. Having spoken with the vet about this today, she is not hypo, just low (0.7 pmol/L). Her thyroid and lymph nodes are all normal to touch. Have they had a good look at her kidneys? Yes, and we tested for Addisons (at my insistence, it wasn't really at the top of the differentials, I guess I was just hoping). She is going in for a full CT scan on the 29th, then we will have to wait for a specialists report after New Years. In the meantime we've put her on Pred to keep her alive until then. Hopefully it will stimulate her appetite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 (edited) We had a specialist ultrasonographer, several x-rays, several blood tests, and several anal examinations. Nothing has shown up except hypercalcaemia (which is getting worse with every test) and hypoparathyroidism. Confounding the situation early on was some fairly advanced osteoarthritis, and the fact that we had just lost Django (both things could cause the symptoms presented). It wasn't until the PTH tests came back yesterday that we were sure that we were searching for cancer. Aidan are you sure you mean hypoparathyroidism? I would have thought with increased calcium that she would be hyper not hypo. We had hoped (in a sense) for primary hyperparathyroidism, because then we would have a diagnosis for something treatable. Having spoken with the vet about this today, she is not hypo, just low (0.7 pmol/L). Her thyroid and lymph nodes are all normal to touch. Have they had a good look at her kidneys? Yes, and we tested for Addisons (at my insistence, it wasn't really at the top of the differentials, I guess I was just hoping). She is going in for a full CT scan on the 29th, then we will have to wait for a specialists report after New Years. In the meantime we've put her on Pred to keep her alive until then. Hopefully it will stimulate her appetite. Not sure if you have started the Pred but if you are looking at chemo as an option you may want to do some more research before starting. Link Thinking of you and I also recommend talking to someone about natural therapies. I have seen some amazing work with chinese medicine. Edited December 21, 2011 by Jumabaar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Thanks Jumabaar, we have decided against chemo. I doubt she'd make it to her CT scan without Pred. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 (edited) Oh dear - I'm sorry to hear your news, Aidan . Please don't take this as "advice" per se, as I really don't have the knowledge or qualifications to advise in matters such as this. However, as an interest, try doing a bit of research on Coconut Oil - the "virgin" "unrefined" "cold-pressed" stuff. AVOID the refined stuff like the plague. I've been using it with Mandela (digestive issues). It's too early to tell with him but I do believe it helps to soothe a disgruntled/upset gut and can lead to him being willing to eat where he might otherwise not. For those interested and reading here, it is the type of fat a dog can more likely cope with in cases of pancreatitis where they otherwise couldn't, so I've read. I'm still reading up on it but it is fairly heralded to be a "cure-all". What truth there is in that, I'm not sure nor do I necessarily have whole-hearted faith in, but there does seem to be quite a lot in it. Mandela loves it, as a rule. I've intro'd it gradually as it can initially cause sloppy poop, but now he's eating the full daily dosage of about 6 teaspoons per day. It contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune system support qualities also (helping the body to fight off cancer cells), from the numerous things I'm reading on it at the moment. But regardless of what you do, know we're behind you. It's tough, going through these times with our dogs. Edited December 21, 2011 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Thanks Judi, I have some of the good stuff. I used to give it to her every day as part of her breakfast, if she takes some I will be very happy. Tonight the vet rang to get me back urgently after today's blood test. Sabella was going into renal failure. I had already given her some Pred, we gave her something to bind to the calcium, I have a couple more doses here and we've upped the Pred also. She is quite settled now, the drooling has stopped and she isn't jumping up to rush outside every few minutes. Without a crystal ball (or a CT scan) I guess we'll just have to take it day by day. Owning a dog can never end well, it's a testament to the love they bring that we do this to ourselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Owning a dog can never end well, it's a testament to the love they bring that we do this to ourselves. The truth in that is amazing. Well said, Aidan. Good luck and good strength to you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Owning a dog can never end well, it's a testament to the love they bring that we do this to ourselves. The truth in that is amazing. Well said, Aidan. Good luck and good strength to you both. So very true. You will stay strong for your girl - good thoughts for you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everythings Shiny Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 No advice here just *hugs* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajtek Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 thousand + from us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 22, 2011 Author Share Posted December 22, 2011 Thanks everyone, very kind of you to think of us. The pred seems to be helping, she's eaten a little today and seems more relaxed. She barked at the M-I-L (of her own accord). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 How is your girl Aidan2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allerzeit Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 No advice here just *hugs* Yes, from us also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 Thanks everyone, it really means a lot to us to have you thinking of us. She has really picked up a lot on the Preds, and has even gained a little weight eating small amounts of A/D frequently. Our amazing vets managed to work a miracle and find us a spot at radiology for a CT scan ahead of schedule, so we dropped everything to get her in. We'll have the specialists interpretation soon. We're kind of expecting a diagnosis of lymphoma, or myeloma. It's certainly nothing obvious, no swollen glands or anything like that. We did investigate poisoning. One of the newer rat-baits contains a Vit D analogue that would cause all the symptoms both our dogs have suffered, but apparently this is not available in Australia at this time. Apart from my two dogs illnesses, new neighbours had rehomed their labs during this period. I reported it to the police and the RSPCA just in case. Until we get the CT scans we won't really know, and even then we may not know, but we have decided not to pursue chemo and to palliate instead. So a diagnosis is really just academic. She has always been special but now she is utterly adorable. She just loves being with her family and that will be every possible minute from here on. We lost Django without this opportunity and the regret will always hurt, so we'll be more than making up for that this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bianca.a Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 That is good news (the CT scan), I hope it gives you a dx. At least then you will know what you are dealing with. Wishing you and your girl all the very best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
best4koda Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Sorry to hear your pup is ill. It is so hard as we love them greatly without realising it. Not sure what everyone has said but when our first was sick with cancer and he couldn't eat much we were told to feed him cat food as it was like dogg-lova being high in calories. Not sure if this is a good thing for yours or not but that is what our vet used to help in keeping the weight on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share Posted December 24, 2011 Thanks again everyone. Some encouraging news today, there are a few suspicious looking lumps revealed by CT scan but it could be operable. We just need to concentrate on getting her well enough to go through an operation, and in the meantime we'll arrange for some needle aspirates. Cat food has been a winner, Chicken & Turkey to invoke a bit of festive spirit. True to form, she seems to prefer stealing it from the cat's bowls rather than her own. Roast chicken and A/D have been staples. All this protein and fat and no fibre means some eye-watering farts though I've been mixing in some probiotics to try and help her stomach, she's also taking something to protect her gut lining from the preds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 The news is sounding better .. Hope she has a nice happy Christmas . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan3 Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share Posted December 24, 2011 I'm cautiously optimistic... but will enjoy a nice few days with her and the family not worrying about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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