Gypsy more lathargic than usual

dawns2shelties said:
Gypsy and Chandler had their vet appt. today. Chandler's is just a small cyst like Gypsy had before so that is nothing to worry about.
Gypsy's was a little hard to feel in the position she was in and she would not lift her head to get a better feel but he asked if she has trouble breathing and I told him she hacks alot after drinking water and wheezes when excited,walking,and sometimes at night. I've brought this up before because I thought she may have a collapsed trachia and he didn't think so when feeling it.
She also gained another 2 lbs. since our last visit which is really upsetting. Today he did a CBC and we again discussed testing for Cushings if nothing is found in the CBC so I'll let everyone know when I get the results from her CBC. I'm wondering if he may suspect some kind of Cancer in her lungs or throat? with the questions he asked and he doesn't want to say anything yet he knows how much in love with her I am and I didn't want to ask yet. Does anyone else feel this is a possibility? The only symptom that goes against cancer symptoms is the weight gain. I'm just going crazy with worry about her. She has no energy she even wanted me to carry her when we came in from outside. She just stood in front of me at one point like she does when she wants up on the bed and I said do you want me to carry you and she did her little circle to get in position. She never has done this so I know she feels horrible. Sorry this is so long I just can't think clearly when I'm worried.
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well, I totally understand. Callie has always hacked after drinking- but she was coughing after we got off the boat- at random times. took her to the vet and the post-drinking cough, he thinks is from her epiglottis not closing properly when she drinks. thought her new cough might be allergies- she's been getting benadryl which seems to be working.
Happy had breathing issues and coughing but he did lose weight- even when I got his weight back up- he still felt/looked gaunt. he had bouts of energy when he would play with Cran and times when he just wanted to lay and not move. Happy had Xrays which weren't conclusive but did hint at lymphoma- turned out to be a different form and a less treatable form too. will say that the weight gain could influence the wheezes when excited or walking. good thoughts for you that you can get a diagnosis :yes:
 
I am so sorry, Dawn, I know what you are going through. It's so hard to see them out of sorts and not know why.

As far as cancer goes, I'm certainly not an expert although I've lost two Shelties to it. But it does sound to me as if it's more likely to be something like Cushings, or even thyroid. I can't recall if she has thyroid issues. A big issue is the weight. Pixie used to wheeze and hack some both after drinking and during exercise, and she was just a few pounds overweight at the time. It's a bear to get weight off her, she only gets 1/4 cup of kibble. But I found when I did get her weight down a bit her breathing improved immediately.

Since then, I find whenever her weight is getting over where it should be, the wheezing comes back. I know Gypsy has other medical issues but I do wonder if some of the issue could be the extra weight. At least that's better than cancer, if so.

I hope the CBC gives you some answers. I'm thinking about you and sending prayers and hugs.
 
I know with people who have thyroid problems, they can develop a goitre, which pushes on the pharynx and causes breathing problems etc if it is large enough.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses. Gypsy had her t5 thyroid test about a month ago my vet ,the specialist he consults,and Dr Jean Dodds said it was normal. If I remember correctly t4 was 2. That's when Dr. Dodds recommended testing for Cushings even though she is only 3. My vet wanted to wait awhile to do the test to avoid any stress that would escalate her skin issues. Her wheezing has been going on for quite a while prior to the weight gain and I've asked my vet on several occasions if it was a collapsed trachia but he felt it wasn't common in Shelties and didn't seem too concerned. It has probably gotten worse since she has gained more weight,12 lbs in the last year. Not good. She is not over fed. Sometimes she barely will eat 1/2 cup of food per day, I give her 1/3 cup 2x daily but she never finishes it. She gets fruit and veggies as treats and we take 4 walks a day and 1 trip to the park next to us. My concern about cancer was the bulge in her neck. I'm probably just over reacting on that but with all her health concerns I'm always afraid the big C is going to get her. So I'll wait for the CBC results and than we'll probably proceed with the Cushings test. Thanks again everyone.
 
Just watch the sugar content in fruits and veggies. As a diabetic, I have to watch the fructose in these, as they can cause unseen calories. They can be given these in moderation. Even though her bloodwork is normal, could she be developing a thyroid condition? A person can have a thyroid condition starting and yet not have the bloodwork show it.
 
You know Ronna even though the bloodwork is normal deep down I really believe this is her problem.Her symptoms are skin condition,heavy panting,weight gain,lethargy,and aggression are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Oh and also her exploratory surgery was done in March and the hair they shaved from her neck to get blood has still not grown back. That's seven months and no signs of growth yet. She is a typical thyroid case from what I've read but results are telling me no. :confused2: very frustrating.
 
Bring her here and let Marque sniff her. He has successfully sniffed out kidney failure and an adrenal tumor/cushings. So far, he is right on. Those are the only two times I have seen those reactions from him.
 
dawns2shelties said:
You know Ronna even though the bloodwork is normal deep down I really believe this is her problem.Her symptoms are skin condition,heavy panting,weight gain,lethargy,and aggression are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Oh and also her exploratory surgery was done in March and the hair they shaved from her neck to get blood has still not grown back. That's seven months and no signs of growth yet. She is a typical thyroid case from what I've read but results are telling me no. :confused2: very frustrating.
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I lay my odds on Cushings. Those are exactly the same symptoms my landlords dog Betsy exhibited (the one with the adrenal tumor). Do the test. And Betsy was also on Thyroid.
 
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