It's been so hot and humid here, and it is not going away anytime soon. So we have to make our fun inside. We hope you enjoy our short wrestling session.
As you can see, Lightning tries to join the game, but he is more content being the referee, or maybe the Fun Police. He is the one you can hear barking. Some of you have asked how he is doing. He had a vet visit this week to get blood drawn for his heartworm test. But it was also time for a weight check. He continues to lose weight. Because he is so fluffly, it is difficult to see in the video how thin he really is. But you can feel his ribs and backbone very distinctly now, much more so than is acceptable. He was 85 lbs. in December 2020, 79 lbs. in May 2021, and now 73.5 lbs. with no effort on the peeps' part to get him to lose weight. After the weight drop in May, Dr. B. told us to monitor his weight but not to make any changes in his diet. He wanted to see if it was just a fluke. Lightning has a healthy appetite and seems more or less happy. But the continued weight loss is a concern. The new plan is to add some more kibble to his daily intake and check his weight in two months (earlier if there are any other concerning changes). He has had numerous tests over the past year, and repeated tests, including bloodwork, thyroid testing, urinalysis, urine cultures, ultrasound, and Cushing's testing. Everything comes out relatively good. The vet is wondering if that big problem he had a year ago May with the uncontrollable urination at night (lakes worth on the kitchen floor) may have left him with some kidney damage, damage that may not be significant enough yet to trigger any alarms in his testing, but enough to be causing the weight loss. If he doesn't stabilize or gain a few pounds by October we will be looking at some more in-depth testing. Lightning has always been a challenge when it comes to diagnosing issues. He continues to be a mystery. But we are just taking it one step at a time and are very happy that none of this seems to bother him.
We hope you are all doing well, and we are trying to be a little more "present" here. Have a good weekend.
Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
That was a fun video and we sure are all sending purrs and POTP to dear Lightning, we love that sweet guy.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which is worse: watching Lightning lose weight or not getting a diagnoses. Glad he isn't bother by it, hope you find something out soon. 24 Paws crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are a terrific trio. We are praying for you Lightning.
ReplyDeleteMom (and Cinnamon) loved watching you guys play! Cinnamon barked at you! Mom says she really misses having 2 dogs, but we are lucky that we live in a village and Cinnamon has some doggy buddies.
ReplyDeleteUnexplained weight loss is a worry, but I am glad that it is not bothering Lightning. That was fun to watch their wrestling.
ReplyDeleteYour wrestling session looked like lots of fun! We send you lots of AireZen and positive vibes, Lightning.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeletethat was a fun clip to see you all with your fun moves! I add my POTP to the chorus of well wishes for Lightning. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
WooHoo my Wooful friends that is an Oscar award winning video.
ReplyDeleteLightning dear friend sending all kinds of purrs and hugs that an increase in your food intake will help to add some needed pounds to your handsome self.
Hugs Cecilia
We thoroughly enjoyed the wrestling session, and wish all the best to Lightning, and hope he manages to gain some weight.
ReplyDeleteLightning looks so beautiful and I am sorry he continues to lose. Loved the video and Beau needs a play mate, but I am struggling to care for Him and Daddy and can't handle another dog. I wonder if he would like a bunny? ha ha thanks for sharing play time..Prayers and love and hugs to Lightning.
ReplyDeleteYou all look like you're having fun playing together. We've been doing a lot of indoor wrestling since it's been too hot and too buggy to spend much time outside. Our paws are crossed that Lightning can gain a little weight and that nothing serious is wrong with him.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get to the bottom of Lightning's weight loss issues.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a bit of your heat. This morning I'm wearing shoes and socks, a jacket and the heater is on. We're on our boat. Chilly.
Have a fabulous weekend. Scritches to the pups. ♥
We're amazed nothing got knocked off that coffee table! LOL BOL! Hope Lightning doesn't have anything serious regarding his weight loss.
ReplyDeleteTalk about 'tag team wrestling!' So cute. We'll keep our paws crossed you guys find some resolution on the mysterious weight loss. Lightning looks good even if he's getting thinner.
ReplyDeleteIt is not here too but without a/c we are not up to your level of energy!
ReplyDeleteLulu: "That looks like such a good time with the body-checking and the head-butting and the head-flipping. If you ever need a fourth, just let me know! Also, I am sending lots of fluffy tail wags for Lightning ― I hope you can figure out what's going on with him. Stop losing weight, Lightning!"
ReplyDeleteHope you can find out what's wrong with Lightning. It's very hot and humid here too. Teddy likes to lay out in the shade, I have to call him in so he can cool off. Liam would rather stay inside with the AC on.
ReplyDeletewe love the video... oh how we would lovf to join you.... BIGGEST hugs to lightning all our paws are crossed for him..
ReplyDeleteOh we are so so sorry to hear about Lightning losing weight. We so hope something can be done. We all have our paws crossed for you Lightning. It has been a little rough here. Orange Boy had to go to heaven since he had so so many health problems, yesterday. We all wish you some good news.
ReplyDeleteWe loved the playtime video!! Sibes always look like they are laughing!! We are sending Lightning our best healing purrs.
ReplyDeleteCute video. I will be praying for Lightning. XO
ReplyDeleteThat's a GREAT video! We worry about you too Lightning with losing weight but we hope you're just keeping slim and trim and there's no serious health thing happening with you. We love you and your siblings and want you all to be happy and healthy. Just in case though I'm sending you a suitcase full of POTP!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Teddy
Wrestling ... or "dancing to the music"? Looks like Mom will be vacuuming up some woo-furs after all the activity. And it was good to see our dear Lightning taking a small part in the fun, love that boy.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to watch you playing together. We're sending purrs and prayers for Lightning. We hope they can figure out what is going on.
ReplyDeleteHugs all you beauties!
ReplyDeleteThat was a very good play session!We thought we saw some snarly-face, but sure it was all in good fun! We hope it cool down soon, this staying inside in the air conditioning is started to get really old! And thanks for the update on Lightning, we hope he is okay!
ReplyDeleteRosie and Redford
We could watch you play all the time...Sometimes Sunny and I play like that too!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy and the Gang
Oh, it's always so worrisome when something is going on and nobody can pinpoint the answer. We'll keep our paws crossed that Lightning maintains his weight. We always had problems keeping weight on Noah and it made Mom frantic at times.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so scary when we are not sure what is happening. I hope eating more will help!
ReplyDelete