Marlin to the vet; Update #10

[Freedom]

I posted this on the cat side, as I already had a thread going about Chestnut's health issues.

I took Marlin in to the vet today at 2. He had blood work done as he is eating 3 times normal. Cushings Disease is a concern there. Bichons are prone to it and he has a LOT of the symptoms; I've marked the ones he has in purple:

The most common symptoms include:
• increased/excessive water consumption (polydipsia)
• increased/excessive urination (polyuria)
• urinary accidents in previously housetrained dogs
• increased/excessive appetite (polyphagia)
• appearance of food stealing/guarding, begging, trash dumping, etc.
• sagging, bloated, pot-bellied appearance
• weight gain or its appearance, due to fat redistribution
• loss of muscle mass, giving the appearance of weight loss
• bony, skull-like appearance of head
• exercise intolerance, lethargy, general or hind-leg weakness
• new reluctance to jump on furniture or people
• excess panting, seeking cool surfaces to rest on
• symmetrically thinning hair or baldness (alopecia) on torso
• other coat changes like dullness, dryness
• slow regrowth of hair after clipping
• thin, wrinkled, fragile, and/or darkly pigmented skin
• easily damaged/bruised skin that heals slowly
• hard, calcified lumps in the skin (calcinosis cutis)
• susceptibility to infections (especially skin and urinary)
• diabetes, pancreatitis, seizures

Plus he has a lump on his left rear leg, so she tapped that to have the lab check it. That lump came up quickly and is deep into the muscle, she wasn't able to get anything "visible" out. So may have to surgically remove it and test it that way.

We tried to catch a urine sample (also for the Cushing's), but this boy who pees every 10 steps on a walk didn't want to go!

I should have more info by Friday.

[cassiesmom]

Prayers for Darlin Marlin!

And a candle: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...g&cid=12544713

[K9karen]

Oh God, Sandie. I hope it's not Cushings. I nearly fainted when I read your post. Mz Logan had some symptoms 2x before but the tests were inconclusive. Just today, she started drinking like crazy and wanting to go constantly, even in the 8 inches of snow and ice. See, we are soul sisters. I was thrown for a loop. I'm going to wait another day. One time, the vet gave her antibiotics and she was back to normal. Anyway, this is about Marlin. I pray and hope the poor little guy is OK.

[Freedom]

Elyse, thanks for the candle!

Karen, I DO remember what you and Miz Logan went through. Hope she isn't going that route again. If she is getting UTI's, have you asked about a urine acidifier to try and stop those? Just a thought.

Bichons are prone to Cushings, and he has a lot of the symptoms. All we've done today was the blood tests; the specialized 2 hour test requires a reagent, and they are out of it at my vet. So depending on the lab results, we do that next.

I have to get a urine sample in, as UTI's go along w/ Cushing's. Couldn't do that today, as we are in the midst of a 10 inch snow storm. Should be able to deliver that tomorrow.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I sure hope he doesn't have Cushings Disease. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way.

[chocolatepuppy]

Prayers for Marlin...

[pomtzu]

Okay Marlin Darlin - you know we here in DE do not like to hear news like this. Fuzzbuttz's paws crossed, and prayers from their Mom, that it's nothing too serious that is pestering you.

Feel better soon. We love you!

[4 Dog Mother]

Will be praying for that Marlin Darlin'! Hope it isn't Cushings.

[lizbud]

Prayers for Marlin from us too. All paws crossed for a good outcome.

[Freedom]

First, the most important news: Marlin is FINE.

The lump: is either a benign tumor, or a reactive fibroplasia. Either way, I just have to watch it in case it decides to grow rapidly, otherwise we can ignore it. A reactive fibroplasia may be caused by a vaccine, or by a wound healing. As he hasn't had any vaccines since August, maybe he got a wound that is healing.

Blood work is perfect. Vet suggested 3 possibilities:
1. We've been trying to keep Marlin at 16 pounds, slightly underweight, to help his hips last as long as possible. Being a chow hound, maybe we just can't do that with Marlin and will have to let him be at 17 to 18 pounds.
2. I've been feeding grain free for 2 years this month. Perhaps that, along with keeping his weight low, it too much, and I need to add some oatmeal or rice to help him feel full longer.
3. He likes the food, and has learned that whining and fussing gets me to give him MORE. In other words, he is playing me!

The urine sample is borderline for a UTI, so he is now on antibacterial meds for 10 days for that.

So about $400 to learn my chow hound is playing me!

I am quite relieved, but also a bit mystified with all he's been doing. So I'm going to feed him more, get through the meds, and see if things calm down around here.

[pomtzu]

Great news Sandie - I am so relieved! You know I have a soft spot for Marlin Darlin.

Now Marlin - my man - don't overdo in the chow line. Just because Mum said she was going to feed you more, doesn't mean that you have to simonize your bowl every time. We sure don't want you turning into a little oinker!

[Freedom]

LOL he was 22 pounds when he arrived here; took me almost 2 years to get him down to the 18 pound mark. Then with his hips, we went a bit lower.

Oops, guess who is whining and fussing? MARLIN is hungry again! Silly boy.

[K9karen]

Whew! I couldn't be happier! Thank God it's not Cushings! I mean, too bad it's a UTI, but that's easily treatable.

I think this weather is taking a toll on Mz Logan. She's also a whiner, and when I sit with my coffee and paper in the morning, she'll bark..rather..SHOUT for another dog cookie. She lost 3 pounds on our last visit, but, altho the cookies are low calorie, she's looking a bit heavy to me. *Slaps Self on Wrist*. My Bad. Talk about being played. Her H2o consumption seems to have ebbed.

So, it looks like both our chow hounds will be OK. Woo! Woo!

[Freedom]

OK, Ms. Logan, are you and Marlin in cahoots?

Hmm, I wonder if the weather is playing a part in this. Or more specifically, the fact that I can't get the dogs out and exercised the way I do in better weather. Maybe that is somehow tinkering with the way their bodies are working.

I do have a whole house humidifier but I know the house is on the lower side this of normal (45 to 65) this past 2 or 3 weeks.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Whew! I'm so glad to hear that he's fine. I've also been feeding my furkids grain free for several years now. They also try to get me to feed them more food but I have to stay strong and not give in. If I let Ziggy, Alani, Blaze, and Sky eat all they wanted, they'd be very overweight cats. Well maybe Blaze would be okay but I've already noticed that Alani is getting a bit chubby because he steals some of Blaze's food from him. Maybe you just need to feed Marlin and the others smaller more frequent meals. I currently feed mine 4 small meals a day and it seems to work for them. Good luck.