Update: Frustrated and worried from afar

[samjane]

I arrived in Florida this morning and I'm here with my mom and Toto. His dark spots are especially bad on his chest and lower torso. He squirms like hell if you try and look at it. He walks funny when it really itches. The right hind leg will shake and he kind of stumbles to the side every now and then.

My mom says it's "much better than it was before" but I'm not seeing anything positive here. He is currently resting on a pillowcase on the floor between a chair and a wall, his face pointing toward the corner of the room. He was walking around in circles earlier and would come back to the couch on his rounds and drag his body along the side for relief from the itching.

The vet had my mom buy a special shampoo to bathe him every couple of days but she hasn't done it in a week. There are issues here not dog related that need addressing but the situation with our boy needs to be handled first and foremost. We have a vet appointment for 3:15 today. I'm exhausted but I'm going. I just want the doc to tell me what we can expect if this drags on much longer. I know his spots and sores are just going to get worse. My mom said he's broken the skin before by scratching and I am worried he may do that again and it will become infected.

I tried to take a video of his spots and bumps. He won't really expose himself to me enough to get a clear image but I did the best I could.

0428.MOV - YouTube

I mentioned to my mom that I wanted my sister and her fiance to come down and see him tomorrow to see what they think. She asked what I meant and when I suggested that we may need to put an end to this before it gets worse she acted like I was crazy. She says she knows he dying but she doesn't believe he's in pain. I really don't know if he is but I do know that he didn't even come out to greet me when I got here and that's is something that has never happened.

He's still my dog but he's not the same dog. I'm afraid that I'll question my choice forever if he's "let go" with assistance. I'm seriously concerned that my mother will not hop on board with me. I doubt the vet is going to say one way or another what the right/humane thing to do is. I don't want my mom to resent for making a decision like this without her. I want her consent if it winds up being the right thing but I don't know what the odds are of that happening.

There is a lot to deal with here at the house. I appreciate any support you are willing to provide. Ann, if you're reading this, I very much respect your opinion and if you have any time at all and want to weigh in I would be truly grateful.

Love to your Yorkies,
Sam

[TxVicki]

I just watched your Video. Please have teh Test him for Cushings. I noticed that he also had what looked like his tummy was bloated. Cushing can cause this as well as the skin issues.

Have them do a complete blood work panel on him as well as a test for Cushings.

I pray you are able to get an answer for your sweet boy.

[Ldyrev1]

My heart just hurts for your situation. I know it is difficult, especially if your family doesn't see things the same way you do. Please have the vet perform the test recommended above and that may give you a clearer picture of what is and what can be for your little one!! I'll be praying for you!!

[Micah my love]

I am so sorry, he looks so sick poor baby i hope the vet can help him

[Marhcarter]

Bless his heart, hs just looks so lethargic and those spots do look quite severe. I agree with TxVicki. If he has something that is reasonably easy to treat that will improve his quality of life, then that would be great. I agree with you, too, about not letting him suffer. I think we are here as caretakers of these precious animals and part of that is making sure they have a good quality of life and don't suffer unnecessarily. That is a very difficult decision and I feel that if you haven't explored a few options that could improve Toto's health before making that decision, that you might later second-guess yourself. I pray for you to have the strength and peace at heart to make the best decision for Toto and the strength to deal with your Mother and any push-back she gives you. I also pray for Toto's comfort and healing. Please keep us updated on how he is doing. My heart is breaking for you to have to see this fella that has been part of your life for so long declining as he is.

[samjane]

Have them do a complete blood work panel on him as well as a test for Cushings.

We went to the vet and the doctor took skin samples (with tape!) to look at what's going on. Tomorrow morning I am bringing Toto in first thing for the blood panel (which requires fasting) so they can test for Cushings. Doc says he will have results by Saturday. After the Cushings test they are going to treat him with a cortisone shot and prescribe an antibiotic regimen.

I will post again in a few days with an update. Hopefully my boy will perk up and start to enjoy the simple pleasures of life again. The doctor is a very smart, kind man and he assured me that Toto isn't ready to go yet. I am cautiously optimistic.

[Yorkiedaze]

Please take him to a internal specialist and have him checked out to get to the real problem. That is really the most serious dermatitis problem I've ever seen.
I wish you both all the luck in the world.

[samjane]

I pray for you to have the strength and peace at heart to make the best decision for Toto and the strength to deal with your Mother and any push-back she gives you. I also pray for Toto's comfort and healing. Please keep us updated on how he is doing.

Marilyn, thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. The vet says Toto isn't ready to go yet so we're having a Cushings test done tomorrow and afterward my boy will get a cortisone shot and some antibiotics. I will post in a few days, hopefully with a cute video of him enjoying life again.

[Patti]

I agree those spots, the thinning hair, the bloating are exactly what my pom had when she had cushing's. While it is a bad disease they can do a lot for them. When in a situation where I have to make that difficult decision my vet always gives me her opinion. She will say things like, She is no longer enjoying life, it if were my dog this is what I would do. So hopefully your vet can provide some guidance. I hope Toto can get medicine to make him feel better and have some quality of life for a long time. I will keep you in my prayers. It is tough having to deal with all you are right now.

[Marhcarter]

Originally Posted by samjane

Marilyn, thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. The vet says Toto isn't ready to go yet so we're having a Cushings test done tomorrow and afterward my boy will get a cortisone shot and some antibiotics. I will post in a few days, hopefully with a cute video of him enjoying life again.

Cautiously optimistic is good...a vet you trust is worth a great deal.

[samjane]

When in a situation where I have to make that difficult decision my vet always gives me her opinion. She will say things like, She is no longer enjoying life, it if were my dog this is what I would do.

I only met him for the first time today but the doc was a good listener and responded to all my questions with real answers. He was glad I took a video of Toto walking around the house in circles and scratching himself against things. Doc also said if Toto were his dog he'd do the Cushings test and treat the skin condition so that is the plan for now.

If he gets his energy back I will take him for some really nice walks (even though I detest this humidity so much I moved 1000+ miles away from it).

[Mistymillar]

My heart is breaking for you all and poor Toto. He does look very unwell in your video. I really hope you can get a definate diagnosis and treatment. If my maths is correct (which is not my strong point) Toto is around 15 years old?
If medication can improve his quality of life that would be great, even for a while, I know you are already considering the alternatives and maybe your Mum can start to think about the time you have left with him and the duty of care you have for him if he deteriorates.
I hope you get a positive results from his tests.

[Scoobstersmom]

Sam,

I am so glad you came home to help with your little sweetie. My little guy had testing for Cushings today, and it was pretty painless and noninvasive. He had the eight hour test, with a blood draw at eight, then a steroid shot. Since I live close by they let me take him home and then bring him back at noon and four for blood draws. We get our results tomorrow, so maybe you'll find out something sooner than you think. I will be praying for you and Toto! Keep us posted.

Diana and the Scoobster

[chachi]

I hope you get some answers prayers and good thoughts

[MandiesMom]

Just wanted to say that Toto is in my prayers. I'm glad you are there to help!