I left Anna with the vet and now I feel terrible
 

Anna has become increasingly aggressive. She has had a few other odd issues. Her weight has nearly doubled from the time the shelter got her in early May (4.5 pounds) to now (almost 8 pounds). Her hair is very dry and brittle and she is always itchy. I asked the vet about doing blood work to see if she has something else going on that could be attributing to her aggression. He agreed and was shocked at her weight gain when I took her in. But here's the bad part. She wouldn't let them draw blood. She struggled so hard that they couldn't get a good sample. So they decided to sedate her and keep her overnight. I feel just terrible. Her eyes looked at me in shock. I came home without her and my husband went berserk. After her terrible first six years and then I go and leave her with strangers. He kissed me bye to leave for ballgame duty and it was the first time since the end of May that he hasn't been snapped at for that. We both nearly cried. What have I done!!!! I want to go back and insist on getting her, but at the same time I really want to know if she has an underlying condition causing some of these issues. I just wish this night would hurry and get over with. I hope I did the right thing.

HUGS....you did the right thing, once she's diagnosed then the problem can be addressed.....

It'll be ok. They need to find out what, if anything is wrong with her. I'll never forget the first time I left Buster to have LP surgery and he had to stay over night, that was the worst night of my life. It's hard to leave them but hopefully they will be able to give you a diagnosis tomorrow.

I agree with everyone above, you did the right thing. It's never easy to leave a dog with the vet for the day or overnight. Praying the vet can figure out what is ailing Anna and if it is the cause of her aggression.

Im sorry, at least you will know if something is going on

I appreciate every one's support, but I think it was a mistake. I just heard back from the vet. He said the blood work appears to be fine. They tested it in the office for thyroid. They still have to keep her because she's been sedated. They are putting her on diet dog food starting tomorrow. He said she is definitely over weight and that her aggression is related to her history. He said the food problem might be also. I cannot get her face out of my mind. She trusts me, probably the only person in the world she does trust, and I have abandoned her. I can't be gone from work tomorrow because I have a parent meeting. So I won't even be able to rescue her until 4. I really do appreciate everyone's support. I pray that this night goes by quickly.

dog
 

You did the right thing. You had to take control of the situation and do what is best for the dog. That was not easy. Your dog will love you just as much. Perhaps she has a food allergy. Itchy dog might benefit from a venison base food. I found that out after spending bucks at the derm doc. We all have to leave our precious dogs at the vet at times knowing it is for their benefit. Pat yourself on the back, you did the right move!

You did what you thought was best at the time like any good owner.:)

For next time, know that sedation does not require an overnight stay. Certain drugs have them awake very quickly and they can then go home.

I agree with you. Something is off with that amount of weight gain.

I hope you get an answer for little Anna's problems. Wow! Almost doubling weight in such a short time is troubling.

Becky, I am praying they find out what is going on with Anna and that she will be home soon. Please let us know how she is doing when you can.

According to the vet, there is no underlying condition. She is very much over weight. He put on her a prescription diet dog food. I am going to try this, but in the back of my mind, I can't help but think something else is going on. I will go for a second opinion if we don't see any changes. Although I will tell them up front that an overnight stay is out of the question. I cried myself to sleep last night as I am sure she did too. Had a terrible headache from it all day today. We just got her home. I actually met my husband leaving the vet's office with her as I was pulling in to get her. We were both anxious to get her home. She is acting very anxious. I have probably set her back to day 1 with her trust issues. She just crawled onto my lap so maybe I am a little forgiven.
On a side note, my underweight yorkie, Barney, loves the diet food. Uggg. This is going to be difficult. I truly appreciate all of the support and thoughts for Anna.

Just my thoughts, but to truly rule out a thyroid problem which btw can be responsible for weight gain or loss, and aggression and other behavioural changes please request a Full Thyroid Panel be done. www.hemopet.org does do the full panel and Dr Jean Dodds is a known expert in her field. It is not too expensive at all to have done, and then you can truly rule in or out thyroid issues.

I do wish and hope you do get to the bottom of this.

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely keep an eye on her, but I can't put her through it again right now. She threw a big old fit about the blood draw which led to her overnight stay. I will be closely watching her diet. If we don't notice a change, I will take her to another vet for a draw and ask that it be sent in. As for the behavior, who knows. She had a terrible first 6 years. I guess I would be a little naughty too in her shoes. When it's just my husband and me at home, she's an angel, but when anyone visits it's awful.

Poor Anna :( I hope you figure out what\'s wrong.