Help Needed again... another vet appointment today for possible Cushings, bladder - YorkieTalk.com Forums

momofreese · 01-30-2012, 05:46 AM

stones, etc etc etc.. weight management, and all that I have done wrong....

Hi,

My Reese is having a lot of issues, as recently posted and to my surprise (no urine issues) my vet said she had possible bladder stones since they saw a lot of crystals in her urine test. I had been feeding her a lot of vegetables over the years as snacks, since she is always hungry and obviously had weight issues. Carrots were her number one vegetable of choice and I would say I used to feed her at least four to six baby carrots daily. Now I am being told that the carrots are possibly the reason for the crystals and potential bladder stones. I gave her canned or fresh no salt string beans, apples without the skin (cut up), green pepper (as recommended by one of my other vets, and now they tell me another potential reason for bladder stones) and was feeding her freeze dried ziwipeak to try to get her in shape. Now, problems galore.

I have since taken her off of the ziwipeak and all vegetables. I put her back on natural balance reduced dry food and cheerios which I am afraid might be bad as well. My vet doesn't seem to know what to do for her. She still looks like she is balding and still licks her front paws constantly. I am trying to keep her clean with huggies natural wipes after she goes to the bathroom and then apply corn starch powder so she doesnt get another yeast/urinary infection.

I feel the reduced dry food is going to hurt her too, since she gobbles it down whole and the kibbles are pretty hard and big. I add water since they said she needs water for the "possible stones" too so I hope it softens the food, which it barely seems to do so. She has always inhaled her food so nothing is new now.

Can someone please give any thoughts again. We have our millionth appointment with my vet today (husband is coming) and lets see how he will blame ME again today. I know many had suggested going for a second opinion and I will but the thought of starting all over again with someone else, when reese was nine years old in August, makes me even more nervous. She needs a dental desperately and am worried with all of her problems.. potential bladder stones, cushings?????, pot belly stomach, hair loss, constant ear infections.. although ssshhhh it has been quiet for a couple of months, constant black marking and urinary/yeast infections (which by the way looks like black ink at times, dirt?, oily substance around her vagina?? and she barely goes outside.. she is a real NY indoor dog, which my vet claims is that I am not cleaning her well enough after she urinates... I usually always clean her with wipes and then add cornstarch powder.. do others bathe their yorkies, each and every time they urinate??? kidding, but he makes me feel as if I neglect her.

Please please please help.. my husband is out of work as am I and the thought of going through thousands of dollars on all of these tests, which thankfully usually come up negative.. .is very nerve wracking.. Should I really just drop him now and go to a specialist? My experience with specialists almost nine years ago was do surgery since she has a condition called legg perthes.. a congenital hip problem.. since she will have tremendous pain and become lame.. 9 years later and she never had a problem!!! They wanted to rush her to surgery for both hips at about $8000. The thought of having had her go through an unnecessary surgery is pretty scary, let alone the money. She was later deemed fine and the tests for legg perthes came back inconclusive after three other specialists. I dont know if I have the emotional strength or physical or finances to start that running to five different drs. When do you know to trust the dr (I know your gut usually answers that, but its not a science) or to know when to do the treatments or tests they advise?

Of course my husband tells me to just leave her alone that she doesnt have blood, vomiting, diareah, etc. and that the balding hair might just be a slight allergy or change of weather.. you know men, nothing is ever an emergency and it is all in "my head".

Now Reese is also losing too much weight. She is down to 9.2(which is light for her, she has been up to 12 over the years) and need a good regular food that will be healthy and I can just monitor the amount and maintain her movie star figure. I dont want too much protein or fat since she seems to have so many issues going on just want a healthy food that will maintain her weight and hopefully bring her coat back and fill her up. Sorry for the length of my post, but I think I am going nuts already.. this is my baby and she is all I have been thinking of.

As always thanks to all who take the time to offer advice, I constantly tell my husband I have more faith in the YT community than the drs! Hope all are having a very Happy and Healthy New year and wish me luck with the Main Vet at the practice today. Thanks again!

momofreese · 01-30-2012, 09:13 AM

Please look at my pictures posted in my album. I am not too great on posting things here but any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

Patti · 01-30-2012, 08:52 PM

I am so sorry you are having problems with Reese's health. My pom developed very similar symptoms around that age. I looked at your pictures and Maya had those black oily spots that I could peel off. At first they thought it was bacterial infections but then other symptoms appeared like pot belly, hair loss excessive hunger and itching. The vet then treated her for thyroid problems. The thyroid medicine didn't help. I took her to a dermatologist at the specialty clinic and after examining her she felt she might have Cushing's. So we had the ACTH stim test run and she did have Cushing's. It was very costly to diagnose and treat. But that was several years ago and I think some newer medicine's may be available now. I found that you really need a vet usually a specialist who is very familiar with treating Cushings for the best outcome. I hope you can get some answers. I will keep her in my prayers.

momofreese · 01-31-2012, 06:15 AM

I am afraid that Reese probably does have cushings. I am waiting for a call from my vet friend to discuss all to date and then we will make the decision as to when we will do the ACTH and her dental. They will both be done at the same time. Thanks for your response and I am trying to remain positive.

Patti · 01-31-2012, 04:48 PM

I will keep her in my prayers.

TxVicki · 01-31-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momofreese

I am afraid that Reese probably does have cushings. I am waiting for a call from my vet friend to discuss all to date and then we will make the decision as to when we will do the ACTH and her dental. They will both be done at the same time. Thanks for your response and I am trying to remain positive.

To be honest I would not have both done at the same time.

The ACTH Stim test has to be timed for pre and post.

I would think the anesthesia would certainly mess that up.

Buster Brown · 01-31-2012, 05:02 PM

Sending prayers for Reese and her Mommy. I hope the Vet's are able to discover what is ailing her and recommend a successful treatment plan for her. Best wishes.

Buster Brown · 01-31-2012, 05:07 PM

Here is a link to a specialist who has a special interest in Cushings Disease
NYC Veterinary Specialists Now Providing Services in White Plains, NY | Bluepearl Veterinary Partners

sbgooljar · 01-31-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

Here is a link to a specialist who has a special interest in Cushings Disease
NYC Veterinary Specialists Now Providing Services in White Plains, NY | Bluepearl Veterinary Partners

Thank you for posting this. He's only 10 minutes from my house! I'll save this and hope we NEVER have to use the services.

01-30-2012, 05:46 AM	#1
momofreese Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hewlett, New York Posts: 129	Help Needed again... another vet appointment today for possible Cushings, bladder stones, etc etc etc.. weight management, and all that I have done wrong.... Hi, My Reese is having a lot of issues, as recently posted and to my surprise (no urine issues) my vet said she had possible bladder stones since they saw a lot of crystals in her urine test. I had been feeding her a lot of vegetables over the years as snacks, since she is always hungry and obviously had weight issues. Carrots were her number one vegetable of choice and I would say I used to feed her at least four to six baby carrots daily. Now I am being told that the carrots are possibly the reason for the crystals and potential bladder stones. I gave her canned or fresh no salt string beans, apples without the skin (cut up), green pepper (as recommended by one of my other vets, and now they tell me another potential reason for bladder stones) and was feeding her freeze dried ziwipeak to try to get her in shape. Now, problems galore. I have since taken her off of the ziwipeak and all vegetables. I put her back on natural balance reduced dry food and cheerios which I am afraid might be bad as well. My vet doesn't seem to know what to do for her. She still looks like she is balding and still licks her front paws constantly. I am trying to keep her clean with huggies natural wipes after she goes to the bathroom and then apply corn starch powder so she doesnt get another yeast/urinary infection. I feel the reduced dry food is going to hurt her too, since she gobbles it down whole and the kibbles are pretty hard and big. I add water since they said she needs water for the "possible stones" too so I hope it softens the food, which it barely seems to do so. She has always inhaled her food so nothing is new now. Can someone please give any thoughts again. We have our millionth appointment with my vet today (husband is coming) and lets see how he will blame ME again today. I know many had suggested going for a second opinion and I will but the thought of starting all over again with someone else, when reese was nine years old in August, makes me even more nervous. She needs a dental desperately and am worried with all of her problems.. potential bladder stones, cushings?????, pot belly stomach, hair loss, constant ear infections.. although ssshhhh it has been quiet for a couple of months, constant black marking and urinary/yeast infections (which by the way looks like black ink at times, dirt?, oily substance around her vagina?? and she barely goes outside.. she is a real NY indoor dog, which my vet claims is that I am not cleaning her well enough after she urinates... I usually always clean her with wipes and then add cornstarch powder.. do others bathe their yorkies, each and every time they urinate??? kidding, but he makes me feel as if I neglect her. Please please please help.. my husband is out of work as am I and the thought of going through thousands of dollars on all of these tests, which thankfully usually come up negative.. .is very nerve wracking.. Should I really just drop him now and go to a specialist? My experience with specialists almost nine years ago was do surgery since she has a condition called legg perthes.. a congenital hip problem.. since she will have tremendous pain and become lame.. 9 years later and she never had a problem!!! They wanted to rush her to surgery for both hips at about $8000. The thought of having had her go through an unnecessary surgery is pretty scary, let alone the money. She was later deemed fine and the tests for legg perthes came back inconclusive after three other specialists. I dont know if I have the emotional strength or physical or finances to start that running to five different drs. When do you know to trust the dr (I know your gut usually answers that, but its not a science) or to know when to do the treatments or tests they advise? Of course my husband tells me to just leave her alone that she doesnt have blood, vomiting, diareah, etc. and that the balding hair might just be a slight allergy or change of weather.. you know men, nothing is ever an emergency and it is all in "my head". Now Reese is also losing too much weight. She is down to 9.2(which is light for her, she has been up to 12 over the years) and need a good regular food that will be healthy and I can just monitor the amount and maintain her movie star figure. I dont want too much protein or fat since she seems to have so many issues going on just want a healthy food that will maintain her weight and hopefully bring her coat back and fill her up. Sorry for the length of my post, but I think I am going nuts already.. this is my baby and she is all I have been thinking of. As always thanks to all who take the time to offer advice, I constantly tell my husband I have more faith in the YT community than the drs! Hope all are having a very Happy and Healthy New year and wish me luck with the Main Vet at the practice today. Thanks again!

01-30-2012, 09:13 AM	#2
momofreese Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hewlett, New York Posts: 129	I have posted some pictures of her back area if anyone can help in albums.. ty Please look at my pictures posted in my album. I am not too great on posting things here but any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

01-30-2012, 08:52 PM	#3
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I am so sorry you are having problems with Reese's health. My pom developed very similar symptoms around that age. I looked at your pictures and Maya had those black oily spots that I could peel off. At first they thought it was bacterial infections but then other symptoms appeared like pot belly, hair loss excessive hunger and itching. The vet then treated her for thyroid problems. The thyroid medicine didn't help. I took her to a dermatologist at the specialty clinic and after examining her she felt she might have Cushing's. So we had the ACTH stim test run and she did have Cushing's. It was very costly to diagnose and treat. But that was several years ago and I think some newer medicine's may be available now. I found that you really need a vet usually a specialist who is very familiar with treating Cushings for the best outcome. I hope you can get some answers. I will keep her in my prayers. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

01-31-2012, 04:48 PM	#5
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I will keep her in my prayers. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

01-31-2012, 05:02 PM	#7
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	Sending prayers for Reese and her Mommy. I hope the Vet's are able to discover what is ailing her and recommend a successful treatment plan for her. Best wishes. __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

01-31-2012, 06:15 AM	#4
momofreese Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hewlett, New York Posts: 129	I am afraid that Reese probably does have cushings. I am waiting for a call from my vet friend to discuss all to date and then we will make the decision as to when we will do the ACTH and her dental. They will both be done at the same time. Thanks for your response and I am trying to remain positive.

01-31-2012, 05:07 PM	#8
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	Here is a link to a specialist who has a special interest in Cushings Disease NYC Veterinary Specialists Now Providing Services in White Plains, NY \| Bluepearl Veterinary Partners __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."