I'll try not to make this too long...but let it be a real lesson if any vet keeps telling you that your dog's skin issues are *nothing*. I've taken Wylie to the vet about 4 times in the last 3-4 months bc something did not seem right. The issues were mainly skin, fur, and more recently - a huge increase in his water-drinking and peeing frequency. EVERY time, my vet said "all normal" and I left feeling like a crazy person.
In the meantime, the same vet told me that Marcel could absolutely *not* be given Atopica for his seasonal allergies. Here is a pause for you to imagine my blood boiling out my ears at that statement _________. That was the last straw - and I made an appt. with a Vet Dermatologist for Marcel bc I knew what my vet said was wrong.
ON A WHIM, I decided to make an appt. that day w/ the Derm for Wylie as well -- just to see what she had to say about Wylie's skin/fur/drinking/peeing. [before I move on -- yes, Marcel *can* have Atopica and he's doing well on it, day 2].
So, she looks at Wylie and immediately diagnoses Pyoderma (secondary to disease state), which he basically has all over his skin (I KNEW it was not just "dry, seasonal skin"
!). When I tell her about the thirst, peeing etc. - she says we need to check for diabetes, thyroid, and do a screening test (not diagnostic) for Cushing's.
Well, he is not diabetic - but he has hypothyroid and I'm bringing him to an Internist Tuesday morning to explore the Cushing's bc his urine had high cortisol (urine I collected at home, when he was not stressed, btw). The hypothyroid could be secondary to the Cushing's (if he has Cushing's) bc excess cortisol suppresses TSH.
Cushing's would mean either a pituitary tumor or adrenal gland tumor - and it is a tough disease. I sooooo hope he doesn't have it and that somehow the hypothyroid is all that this is, but I just don't know. If they do the test tomorrow (which takes 8 hours) - I don't know when I'll have results, if it's right away or takes a few days. Does anyone know?
Anyway, please keep Wylie in your thoughts.
And please...if you ever have an undiagnosed skin issue - push push PUSH - until you truly have a diagnosis of 1)
confirmed allergies - or 2) secondary to disease - because it IS either/or. The skin is such a vital organ...and it can tell us so clearly that something is very wrong...and if your own vet won't listen, find one that will.