Wondering Wordy Wednesday

 

A few of you have been asking about Lightning.  We haven't really posted much about him because we don't really know what the problem is or if there even is a problem.  The vet and I (Mom) have chatted a lot, but there is no conclusion.  Just a "sense" that something is not quite right.  More about that in a bit, but first let's let Lightning have the limelight.

I think I am just fine and here I sit enjoying a beautiful late Spring afternoon.

I am a happy boy and still enjoys going for a walk.  Mom asked me to pose on the front porch for a little photoshoot.

Always happy to oblige, Mom, and I am hoping you might have a treat or two in your pocket.

What???  You want a deck photoshoot too???

Let me give that one some thought. 

Did you replenish the treat supply?

How's this?

I forgot my shades:)

That was a lot of work - time to rest my 10 year old bones.

********

So what's the problem?  Well over the past couple of months, Lightning has lost 10-12 pounds.  He has pounds to spare without a doubt.  He IS a big boy.  BUT he has lost this weight with no change in his diet, life style, level of activity, etc.  The weight loss is most obvious in his face and abdomen.  His appetite is good.  Stools are good.  Teeth and gums are good. Heart is good.  He had that round of extremely excessive urination about a year ago with no definitive cause.  Since last June, he has had three full rounds of bloodwork, thyroid testing, urinalysis, urine cultures, an abdominal ultrasound, x-rays, and two Cushing's tests.  His coat has thinned quite a bit, especially at the base of his back/top of tail area, his skin is very dry, he has had a couple of odd seizures, he sleeps very deeply at times, and his gait has slowed.  None of the test reveals any obvious issues.  The thought is that he has some form of Cushing's that somehow does not show up in the tests.  The problem is that you shouldn't treat for Cushing's without a definitive diagnosis because the medications can cause serious problems if the dog doesn't have Cushing's.

SO for right now, we are monitoring Lightning overall and getting weight checks.  The vet doesn't want us to change anything in his diet so he can see if the weight loss continues on its own, or if things just level out.  Lightning is quite content, but there is still a concern as to what is going on - you know that "feeling" you get when something isn't quite right.

From the time he was a puppy, Lightning has been a mystery.  Lots of quirky things about him, but nothing has prevented him from being a sweet, sweet boy.  Now at the age of ten, the mystery continues.  So that's the story.  If you have any thoughts, don't hesitate to share.

Woos - Lightning (and Mom)