Worried, worried, worried...update on page 2

[Glacier]

A couple days ago, while out for a run, one of my dogs collapsed, without warning, twice. He didn't trip, didn't stumble, no warning signs that he was in any distress, he just went limp and hit the ground. Both times he got up quickly and again no really obvious signs of distress. Chum is only five years old and never had any health problems. Spondylosis of the spine is a fairly common affliction among sled dogs, although most show no symptoms, so I figured Chum had some spinal problem. He went to the vet for testing galore today.

The good news is his spine is perfectly normal. No signs of any problems with it. His hips are good, his knees are solid, except for one bruise from where he fell. Good range of motion in all his joints.

Bad news is he has an abnormal heart beat and is likely anemic. They did 2 ECGs today, one at rest and one after a jog around the block. The readings have been sent to canine cardiac specialist in North Carolina. Also did a wide variety of blood tests. My vet says there are any number of things that could cause Chum's symptoms from simple hypothyroidism to Addison's Disease to heart disease or even cancer. I have to wait til tomorrow for the results, maybe longer for the ECG results. It's going to be a long night! I'm almost glad Stuart is away so Chum can have his side of the bed and I can cuddle him lots!

Chum is usually a borderline nutball, hyper, talkative, annoying! He's so quiet right now. I spend more time telling that dog to be quiet and right now I'd love to hear him yapping!

Two funny things though--If I needed an ECG, I'd have to wait months for an app't and fly to Vancouver for the test! Chum's app't was at 3:30 this afternoon. He had the ECG at 4! Also the vet who did his tests, the lovely Dr. Candace, lives with the man who originally rescued Chum! Chum was running around at the airport about to get shot for being on the runway when Chris lured him into his truck and brought him to the shelter.

Please keep your paws crossed that nothing too serious is wrong with Chum! I want my annoying boy back!

[luvofallhorses]

poor beautiful Chum and poor you! I will certainly keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers that it's nothing too serious.
(((Glacier and Chum)))

[CathyBogart]

Darling Chum, feel better soon and get back to talking Mom's ear off, okay?

[Corinna]

Chum , I'm sending you and your mom hugs and prayers.

[Dorothy39]

Oh Chum, I sure do hope your going to be alright!!!

I hope and Pray that You'll just be a good ol House Dog, goofy and all!!!

[dukedogsmom]

I hope he's going to be alright. I'm glad you can snuggle with him. I can only imagine how worried you must be. If you just keep him as a house dog, would he be alright then? I hope he can be well and happy.

[Glacier]

I If you just keep him as a house dog, would he be alright then?

Depends on the diagnosis. If he is hypothyroid, he could go back to working once the meds get it under control. Earle is hypothyroid and recently returned to work in harness. Preacher ran for years after his diagnosis once we got his meds right. (Preacher is retired due to other reasons now). Hypothyroidism is actually very common among huskies and other working sled dogs. If it's Addison's, which seems very likely to me based on my research today, he'll never pull again, but the condition can be managed, maybe for years. There is a possiblity of something worse, but I'm not even going to go there yet!

In any case, I don't care if he never pulls again. I'm not putting him back into harness until I know for sure what caused the collapse in the first place and that it won't happen again. He was never a very good sled dog anyway! He has flashes of brilliance in harness, but is very distractable and inconsistent. Chum is part of this pack wether he works or not. If he is strictly a pet, we'll both be ok with that. I just want him here and back to his goofy self!

[Karen]

Oh, poor Chum!

(Reminding myslf that his name isn't what I think of as "chum," but the friend definition, right?)

Pretty boy, hope they figure out what's wrong, and that it is treatable, skritches to you, and hugs to your mom.

[Glacier]

(Reminding myslf that his name isn't what I think of as "chum," but the friend definition, right?)

Well, actually he is named after the salmon! LOL! He came into the shelter with a buddy who's name was Coho! The friend definition is much nicer though and certainly what he has become!

[chocolatepuppy]

Pawsitive thoughts headed Chums way. I hope it is nothing serious or at least something that can be managed.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Poor Chum - will be thinking of you sweetheart

[Ginger's Mom]

Oh, how scary. Postive thoughts and lots of hugs going out for both Chum and you.

[gemini9961]

My thoughts are with you Tamara and Chum. ((((((hugs))))))

[k9krazee]

I wanted to let you know that you and Chum have been in my thoughts all day. I hope it's not anything too serious and can be treated easily. Sending logs of (((hugs))) to the handsome Chum boy!!

[Glacier]

My vet just called with Chum's test results. It's just his thyroid! Not just, it's still serious, but it can be treated and will not affect Chum's lifespan. He's seriously hypothyroid, to the point he has almost no thyroid function at all! My vet said she's never seen it before, but all the research she can find says sudden collapse during exercise can be a symptom of hypothyroidism! He is anemic which again is a symptom of hypothyroidism, apparently a very common one. The cardiologist is not concerned with his heart. He said the resting ECG looks quite normal and the one after exercise has a minor abnormality, but that too is likely stemming from the thyroid. That little gland sure can affect alot of stuff!

I have two other dogs with hypothyroidism. It's fairly common in huskies. So I already have the meds at home. Chum starts .6mg of Thyroxin twice a day as of tonight. In a month my vet wants to redo the tests. Until then, no harness work, but he can go for walks if he feels up to it. If his tests are normal next time, he can go back to pulling, if he wants. Chum was never a really good sled dog and I don't care if he never wants to pull again, but maybe he's been hiding the thyroid problems. Maybe once he feels better those occasional flashes of brillance he has in harness will be more consistent!

I am so relieved. Not sure if I feel like doing a happy dance or crying! Maybe some combination of the two! Thank you all for your kind words and support!