Piper’s vet visit

[Piper's mom]

I took Piper in for his semi annual vet visit (at his age I take him twice a year) today. I gotta say I love my vet (I’d love her more if I could reach her by text or email)…my appointment was at 11:30 and of course I usually have to wait a good 15-20 minutes. Today my vet came out of a room, saw us waiting, waved at us and then motioned us to follow her. Went into a room and she laughed and said she jumped the queue…took us before the person ahead of us. Worked for me as my mom is back in the hospital and I had to get back.
I’d made this appointment 3 weeks ago so really didn’t want to reschedule and I strongly suspect that Piper’s thyroid is low so wanted to get the bloodwork done. He’s lost almost 90% of his undercoat (lots of bare areas under the top coat), his tail fur is looking very bare and his skin on his back end is incredibly dry and flaky. Also a bare spot on his nose. He’s always been a bit heavy…he’s 21 pounds and just under 14” tall and it’s a struggle to keep him from ballooning in size…all classic symptoms of a low thyroid.
Did check his liver enzymes and two of them were SLIGHTLY elevated which the vet feels is likely caused by the thyroid. We should find out in a few days.
I suspected something in 2020 because I’d checked his T4 then…not sure what the number was as they’ve computerized the files. The vet was going to check if they’ve still got the paper copy…I think he could've been not quite a low normal but close to it. And I’d mentioned something to the vet maybe 8 months…I’d noticed his undercoat disappearing but it was nowhere near what it is now. As the vet said ‘he’s lost the puffiness’ of his coat.
This time we’re doing a thyroid panel…more expensive ($300) but it’ll give us more information. Hopefully they’ll have the results in a few days, it gets sent out to a lab.
All in all Piper did great, especially during the blood draw. It was the first time I’d seen them use the vein in the back leg. She’d found the vein in his one leg and was drawing the blood when he moved his leg and she lost the vein…had to use the other back leg but we managed to keep him steady and standing…this girl was a pro!
Out the door and Piper was barking up a storm! He’s so quiet going in and noisy coming out!

Blueberry is next lol…I need to make an appointment for her.

 

[Sharon7]

It does sound like thyroid from your description. But what's going on with your mom having to go back to the hospital????

 

[Ann]

Agree with Sharon about the thyroid. Ruffles has lost most of the fur on both her back hocks. We originally suspected Cushings but she tested inconclusive. She is on thyroid med and other than atypical Cushings we can't think of anything else. I'm giving her supplements my vet recommended for that but so far, no results. Monday we're going to try acupuncture. I hope you get some answers, but I'm glad otherwise Piper's visit was good!

I hope your mom is OK! Sorry to hear she's back in the hospital!

 

[Piper's mom]

It does sound like thyroid from your description. But what's going on with your mom having to go back to the hospital????

Monday morning my mom refused to get out of bed…this was very abnormal behaviour…every time I tried she said ‘I’m just tired’ or ‘I just want to rest’. When I told her I wanted to call an ambulance she said ‘you’ll be the one riding in it’ so I called one without telling her!
My mom has CHF and had been taken off of the diuretic during the last hospital visit as her kidneys are not the best.. The fluid quickly built up. They’re now treating her for COPD and the puffers have helped her breathing immensely. I just spoke to the doctor treating her and had a good conversation. The last doc yesterday was like end of the world, why continue meds if you’re only prolonging the inevitable blah blah blah she’s 97 years old etc etc! I was not impressed.
Today my mom is doing much better…not quite ready to walk but she is sitting up and eating. And she wants to go home.
Maybe it’ll help her for a bit and she may end up back in the hospital but that’s her choice. May come a time when she doesn’t want to continue but it’s not today. Very frustrating and hard to think of the day she’s not here anymore…

 

[Ann]

I'm sorry, Lisa. This has to be so difficult for you. You are certainly the best daughter ever, you've been such a rock with your Mom. She sounds like quite a feisty, determined woman! Sending prayers she improves and has more good time at home with you and the pups.

 

[Margi]

Ah man I am so sorry she took a turn. Sounds like shes on the upward swing though. Tell them pups to send her Sheltie Strength!

 

[SheepOfBlue]

Monday morning my mom refused to get out of bed…this was very abnormal behaviour…every time I tried she said ‘I’m just tired’ or ‘I just want to rest’. When I told her I wanted to call an ambulance she said ‘you’ll be the one riding in it’ so I called one without telling her!
My mom has CHF and had been taken off of the diuretic during the last hospital visit as her kidneys are not the best.. The fluid quickly built up. They’re now treating her for COPD and the puffers have helped her breathing immensely. I just spoke to the doctor treating her and had a good conversation. The last doc yesterday was like end of the world, why continue meds if you’re only prolonging the inevitable blah blah blah she’s 97 years old etc etc! I was not impressed.
Today my mom is doing much better…not quite ready to walk but she is sitting up and eating. And she wants to go home.
Maybe it’ll help her for a bit and she may end up back in the hospital but that’s her choice. May come a time when she doesn’t want to continue but it’s not today. Very frustrating and hard to think of the day she’s not here anymore…

When Grandpa passed he had reoccurring cancer that had no chance of treatment (per docs). He would be in really bad shape and go to the hospital, after a day or so in an oxygen tent he would feel better and tell the doc (who he had known forever) he was going home. Doctor told him he would die. Grandpa asked if he stayed would that cure him. Of course the doctor said no, at which Grandpa told him I call when I need you. He made it a couple of months on his terms, had he stayed in the hospital, that he despised, doc only gave him a month more than that.

Good for your Mom, live life on your terms until the end, go Mom and all pups should give her snuggles for being badass.

 

[Piper's mom]

Ah man I am so sorry she took a turn. Sounds like shes on the upward swing though. Tell them pups to send her Sheltie Strength!

My pups are sleeping alone tonight…I decided to spend the night at the hospital with my mom. She had a bad episode today and had a really hard time breathing. I’m just worried about her and she feels better knowing I’m here.
I can sleep tomorrow.