Cross your paws again, please...

[Glacier]

Earle needs more crossed paws and prayers gain!

His thyroid test results came back today. It's never good when the vet interupts an app't to talk to you. He never does that to say everything is normal & your dog is just fat and lazy. Nope, it's always bad news!

Earle's thyroid hormones are low enough to warrant treatment. That's not a big deal. I give Preacher thyroid medication twice a day every day and have for the past 3 years, so I can handle that part. But after telling me that, my vet tells me that he's not starting treatment right away. He needs to talk to a pathologist first! So I freak out, because in my mind pathologist means cancer. Kim(my vet) assures me that they check out other things as well though!

Not only is Earle's thyroid hormone level low, but his thyroid stimulating hormone is low. That's the exact opposite of what should show up in a hypothyroid dog. His stimulating hormone should be really high as it trys to activate the under-active thyroid. This could mean any one of a dozen different conditions. Kim wants to be sure he's treating the real problem, not just the symptom of hypothyroid.

So he's calling the specialist today and I have up to 24 hours to worry! I'm supposed to call him tomorrow afternoon, if he doesn't call me first. Please keep your paws crossed that Earle doesn't have anything untreatable wrong with him.

[CagneyDog]

Fingers and paws are crossed for Earle!

[.sarah]

Poor Earle :( I hope everything goes well and that with something simple Earle can be healthy again in no time!

[Vela]

Best wishes and prayers that Earle will be okay and it won't be anything serious.

[lute]

paws and fingers are crossed for Earle.

[LoudLou]

Paws, claws, fingers and tails are crossed for Earle. LOUD Louie sends "Good Vibe" Wigglebutts too!

[K9soul]

Earle is definitely in my thoughts and prayers. I know how nervewracking that had to be when the vet interrupted his appointment to talk to you. Fingers and paws are all crossed here that nothing serious is found. Kisses and hugs to the handsome Earle :)

[chocolatepuppy]

Pawsitive thoughts and prayers headed Earles way.

[pnance]

Best wishes and prayers for Earle.

[poofy]

Every thing is crossed for you n Earle :(

[anna_66]

I'm gonna tell you not to worry.
When we found out about Angus's thyroid the vet found some oddities in his bloodwork (thinking he may have some type of cancer) and did different tests, heck we even took him to have an ultrasound and they couldn't find anything wrong besides his thyroid.
So don't worry, I just know it's not going to turn up anything bad.

Lots of {{{HUGS}}} headed your way:)

[k9krazee]

Oh Earle :( We'll be thinking of you!!

[Glacier]

Thanks everyone. Dr. Kim managed to get ahold of the pathologist right away. So he was able to get back to me faster. It's mixed news.

It appears that Earle's pituitary gland is not working. That gland produces the thyroid stimulating hormone which in turn tells the thyroid to produce it's hormone. The pituitary gland does a host of other things as well and pretty much everything goes all screwy if it shuts down.

There are a number of reasons that could cause this problem. None of them are easy to diagnois. Most would require testing my vet doesn't have access to--like an MRI of Earle's brain. It is possible that he has a tumor on the pituitary gland or a brain tumor, which is what I believe killed Hoodoo. However, my very sweet, patient and highly competent vet tells me this is unlikely. There's also no point worrying about it as there is no way to prevent it or treat it if he did have brain cancer!

The pathologist has recommended treating Earle with thyroid pills, the same stuff Preacher takes. He will be starting his twice daily dose tonight. He should start to feel dramatically better within 2 weeks. In a month, he goes in to get weighed and checked over again. If this works, he will need the medication for the rest of his life, but he should have a normal life span and more importantly, be back to being my happy boy again! If he doesn't respond to the medication, it's back to the clinic for more testing to eliminate autoimmune diseases, but Kim is pretty confident this will work.

He was very specific that when Earle starts to feel better I have to keep him quiet and no harness work. Kim just had to send another dog to a specialist clinic down south for ACL repair surgery. That dog was also hypothyroid and when the meds kicked in, he felt so good he was too active and blew his knee out! Earle can return to harness work, if he so desires, when his weight is back to normal and his joints are under less stress. A sled dog should not weigh 83 pounds! :eek: :eek: I don't particularly care if he ever pulls again. I just want him around for a long time and I want him happy!

[Vela]

Well I hope the medications work and he is able to be healthy again. I know how it is to watch them decline and I hate it. Tell Earle we all want him to get better and be a happy boy again.

[new mom to a veiled]

Ahhhhh Earle, all paws and fingers crossed, thoughts and prayers for you!!!

[anna_66]

Well I'm glad that your vet thinks it's nothing for you to worry about and that the meds will help. I think that boy of yours is going to be around for a long time:D
{HUGS} to you both!

[finn's mom]

I am so sorry to hear that Earle isn't 100%, but, I really hope you and the vet can get him back to fighting form. I'll be thinking of you and Earle!

[K9soul]

Earle will continue to be in my thoughts. I know you must still worry, and think of Hoodoo, but try not to fear the worst. I bet Earle will be just fine :). Give him lots of Pet Talk hugs :)

[Queen of Poop]

I guess the results are a mixed blessing, with that hopefully the meds will make him feel better and get back to his old self so that no further action is required. Give that big, fluffy boy a kiss for me and tell him that I'm thinking of him and have asked fur-angel Sami (mixed dog, deceased 21 months today - Nov 24) to keep a close eye.

[Ginger's Mom]

Positive thoughts and big hugs going out for Earle. I hope he is back to his normal happy self again soon.

[Glacier]

I know it's probably all in my head since he's only been on the medication for three days, but he seems a bit perkier already. This morning, the instant Stuart got up, Earle jumped on the bed. He used to always come up for a cuddle and kisses in the morning. He hasn't done it for weeks. My vet did say the results would be quick and dramatic if these pills worked!

Thanks so much for all the good thoughts everyone. Earle and I both appreciate them!

[lizbud]

I am so hlad to hear that with these meds Earle stands a great
chance to live a normal , happy life. Keep on feeling better & better
big guy.

[dab_20]

I am glad Earle seems to feel better! He is such a fighter. Good thoughts are always headed your way that Earle will become a happy, healthy dog again. And hopefully a sled dog, which I am sure he enjoys. Good luck Earle!!

[dukedogsmom]

Kisses and hugs to sweet Earle. I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner. I hope the situation isn't bad and he just needs the medication. I'm glad to hear he's already perking up.

[cyber-sibes]

That's good news that he is already perking up! Kisses & snugs to handsome Mr. Earle

[pitc9]

Feeling better already!! :eek: Yippee!!!

[finn's mom]

That's awesome to hear that he's seeming to be helped by his medication. Love to hear that he's feeling better. :)

[chocolatepuppy]

Good to hear you're feeling better Earle! :)

[gemini9961]

All my best wishes for you.

[Kfamr]

I've been thinking of Earle when I read some of the posts when I was in Utah. Hope he continues to feel better!

[LoudLou]

LOUD Louie is sending woofs, waggles and wigglebutts to Earle. Keep feelin' better Earle!