Samantha - possibly Cushings

[fillyok]

We just got home from Samantha's annual vet visit. I swear everytime we go it's like I have to rob a bank to pay for it. This time we saw a new vet (very nice) and she noticed Sammy's tummy feels a little distended. She wasn't sure if it was her liver or her spleen or if that's just the way her belly is all the time. I couldn't tell the difference really. I'm always checking her for lumps and bumps because of her tumor history.

Anyway, the vet was asking all these questions like does she drink/urinate a lot, is she a voracious eater, does she pant a lot? She was panting pretty good in the office but that was because she just had her nails trimmed (she HATES that!). She doesn't pant a lot, nor does she eat or drink a lot (IMO). We have food out all the time and she'll eat, but I don't think she overeats. She did gain 3 pounds from her usual 46 pounds. But better safe than sorry, so we did a whole blood/urine workup today (along with all the other annual stuff) and she'll go back for an EKG/x-ray next Friday. She needed the x-ray anyway due to her heart murmur and to see if there are any changes to the enlargement.

I checked the archives and found the yahoo group for Cushings and just joined it. I hope I don't have to deal with it and Sammy's tummy is just rounder than the doc thinks it should be. Any words of encouragement or experience is appreciated. Thanks

[Jeff&Peks]

Where did the Cushings part come in to the conversation, Excissive drinking, unrinating and eating could be alot of things a blood test should be able to confim it. Its hard to tell symtems on a Chow they don't do things like other dog, Not eating, panting, staying up all night, sleeping, Hot days they drink alot, thats all normal Chow behavior. When ever the Vet tells me things to look for i always tel him thats normal behavior for Pekoe what else you got.

[fillyok]

The only thing Sammy exhibited was the panting and her belly felt funny to the doc. The panting was anxiety because of the vet office and having her nails trimmed. I figured it was better to have the tests done and know for sure. If her heart is getting worse, I want to get her on meds sooner rather than later, but I think she's still pretty healthy for the life she's had.

[willowchow]

We are hoping Sammy's tests all come back OK.
Lori

[jacqui]

I don't know much about Cushings but I know its ususally controled with meds.
lets hope Samanthas test come back normal.
keep us posted.

[TJordan]

Let us know when the tests come back. I am keeping you in my thoughts.

[fillyok]

Thanks everybody. I don't think there's anything wrong with Sammy (other than the heart issue). She's as feisty as ever and was a total bed hog last night.

[fillyok]

The doc called yesterday and left a voice mail. She said Samantha's blood came back and it looks "really, really good". She's having the x-rays done on Friday so we'll probably find out next week how everything else checks out.

[jacqui]

well,thats good news
I hope the x-rays are OK too.
keep us posted.

[TJordan]

Sounds good. Hope her xrays come back OK as well!!

[Buddha4me]

I hope results continue to come back well for you. My first Chow had Cushings, and the doctor diagnosed it the first time he met her, and did a blood draw, and called me that night with the results. Sounds like your new vet is covering all the bases, I know how expensive that is! But they're worth it! If it comes up Cushings, which sounds like it won't let me know, I had years dealing with it with my Sheba. Which was a good thing, she lasted much longer than the vet thought she would.

[CoraP.]

I am hoping you get more good news!

[fillyok]

Sammy had her x-rays and EKG done today. Her blood pressure was fine. Now they're trying to tell me that she has some issue with her lung lining. They're sending off her x-rays from today and a year ago so a radiologist can examine them and compare. No mention of Cushings and I forgot to ask. Doesn't it always seem that they call at the worst possible time??? I was walking through a parking lot and was praying no one would hit me. She said I might have the radiologist results by Monday. I think the worst case scenario is she'll need to be put on some medication.

[Jeff&Peks]

When Pekoe was finishing her cancer treatments the oncologist said she found some suspicious things going on with Pekoe's lung X-rays so had the radiologist check them it turned out to be nothing it was shadows or the angle of the x-ay nothing serious. There is a specialist for everything now even reading x-rays

[jacqui]

Phyllis,
I wouldn't worry too much.she sounds like shes doing fine,eating,walking,etc.
you know sometimes I think they are looking for trouble.
I am hoping all is well with Samantha and its nothing serious on her x-rays.
keep us posted!

[janet]

Hey phyllis, sorry to be so late in posting. I'm sure sam will be fine. I agree, sometimes I think they go lookin for trouble.
Please give her hugs nd kisses from us.

[fillyok]

Well, it's not so good news for Sammy girl and it's even more than we expected. Besides her heart getting larger, she has some degeneration in her spine and her left hip has pretty severe dysplasia. The doc thinks that maybe she was hit by something (a car?) before. I wonder why they didn't see this last year when she was x-rayed for her tumor removal. On top of all this she also has pretty inflamed lung linings.

For now, the doc prescribed prednisone and theophylline. She's going to consult a specialist about whether it's okay to be giving her steroids and anti-steriods at the same time. If they think it's the way to proceed, Sammy will be getting an inhaler with Flovent. She'll get a mask that you can see at http://www.aerodawg.com to administer the inhaler.

I guess I don't realize Sammy is getting up there since I've only had her for about 2 years and she's always so feisty. I always wonder what her life was like before she was rescued. And now I wonder if the condition she was in when she was found isn't contributing to the problems she's having now. She was found treading caustic water and she had no fur on her belly or backside. Maybe she was injured duing the hurricane and the visable symptoms were so bad that it was all they checked for. She certainly had a guardian angel looking over her then, so I expect that same angel will continue.

[jacqui]

oh Phyllis,I'm sorry to hear that Samatha has more health issues
its hard enough dealing with what she had.
that guardian angel led her to you,knowing she would be in good hands
please keep us posted and you will both be in my thoughts and prayers.

[janet]

I'm with jaqui on this phyllis. She found you for a reason. You are her angel.
Please give her squishes from us. We are keeping her in our prayers.
Hopefully the meds will be ok and help.
Hang in there.

[Layla]

Oh, what a shock for you. Best of health to Sammy, hopefully the medication will make a huge difference.

[Chow Chow Mama]

We are wishing Sammy a speedy recovery and hope she feels better soon even if she isn't acting like she's feeling sick.

[TJordan]

Poor Sammy, what a time she has had. I really hate to hear this. I do hope the meds will give some comfort.

[CoraP.]

I was hoping Samantha would get a clean bill of health. I hope for the best and that the medications will help her!