Update on my Cushing's

So Mom started giving me medicine for my Cushing's disease 2 Sundays ago. You start with a half of a dose and then 1 week later (assuming no bad side effects) you double it up to the normal dose. I started this this past Sunday.

Mom was watchful that I would have some bad reaction. None yet. In fact - I have volunteered to go on all of her walks with Angelus since last week! Of course, this is because I want to hunt for snacks on the beach but shhhhhh...don't tell her that!

She has made me leave a giant fish skeleton, fish/octopus/squid/whothehellknowswhat guts, cat poo, and other assorted treats I dig up when we go for our walks. Hey - finders/keepers - right? RIGHT?!

I did get to eat a lot of carrots and broccoli at work the other day. It was left in the kitchen. This means it's up for grabs, right? Didn't take much to knock it down. And Mom let me eat most of the baby carrots! yumyumyum...although Angelus looked in and walked away...I think I heard him mumble "rabbit food." I'm starving, so whatever!!!

Hopefully the medicine will make me better. This will help Mom sleep at night. I sleep just fine...but she worries.

Doctor visit today...

Dogohdog...Mom says I am sure having a rough patch. Today she took me to the doctor here in Tahoe. My tummy/poopie issues were getting worse and not better so she got very stressed.

The doctor was nice. I've never seen a boy doctor before. All the docs at my normal place are girls. And they all tell me how handsome I am...and are liberal with cookies. This guy didn't give me a cookie. Whatever pal. Oh yeah, good excuse "keep on bland diet". I like girl doctors better! Mom said he was nice though.

He said the stress caused by all of my recent doctor's visits and tests could cause the poop issues. Well DUH! Do you people know how many times I have been poked, prodded, locked in a crate, moved around, left at the vet - basically tortured!?! And let's not mention shaved in a million places!!! I'd like to see any of you go through that and NOT be stressed! I'm tough! Yeah! TUFF!

They are testing my poop (what kind of job is that?? Not one a working dog would take that's for sure!) to make sure I have no parasites. Do those taste good? Would I want them?

And they gave Mom some medicine for me that treats bad poopies. Mom gave me some tonight. I sure hope it does, I don't like having to go out all the time...unless I get to chase chipmunks that is.

Poor Mom...she stresses about me a lot. And yet...not enough to give me extra food. What the heck???

Ok, I need to take a nap now...

Working dog on vacation...

...we came up to Tahoe with Mom for a week. This means we don't go into work every day which means I miss out on my regular treats from my friends there. I hardly see how this is a good thing. But Mom seems to like vacation so it's ok.

Mom took us a long walk this morning. Longer than the other mornings so far. It was fun. Lots of stuff to sniff and pee on! It was very early in the morning so we didn't get *too* hot.

My tummy hasn't been feeling well for the past couple days so Mom has been making me ground turkey and rice to eat. I like this ! :) I am hoping she will keep making it for me!

I just wish it would snow here already! Hopefully soon!! But Mom seems to think it will be a few months still. Dang it...

Got some tests...

So Mom took me to the vet to get some tests this morning. Something called an ultrasound and another test called a ACTH test. They think I might have Cushing's Disease. This has caused my Mom a lot of stress.

The results from the ACTH test won't be back until Monday. But the ultrasound showed I have "plump adrenal glands" (you know, really people...I'm not fat...don't call me plump either!!!) But the doc said that all my other inside stuff - kidneys, spleen, liver, etc all look good!! So it appears if it is Cushing's then Mom caught it early. That's a good thing!

So after Monday's results, I think I get another test and then we (well...Mom and Dad do...I vote for the chicken flavor one whichever that one is!) have to decide what medication I have to be on. But Mom said that should make me feel better because I won't have to drink so much water, pee so much, be so starving (riiight), have more energy - basically feel better. So this is a good thing!

Although...I am now wondering if that means Mom will expect me to go on the death marches she and Angelus go on!? They walk FORever...

Winter is coming though. I would like more energy to play in the snow!!! :)

My boo-boo is getting much better...

My paw boo-boo is much better! I was licking it a little...not my fault! They shaved it and the fur growing back makes it itchy!

Then Mom realized on Friday night once we got here to Tahoe that she forgot my antibiotics at work. But she called my doctor on Saturday AM and they called and had more available at the human store called Rite Aid! So now I have a file in my name there! The lady that worked there and the people waiting in line thought this was darn funny (according to Mom anyway...I wasn't allowed to go in.) I guess it's the exact same medicine they gave people - Dad says he has them at home! Kinda funny...this is why I think I should get people food for dinner.

Now the hole is all closed up and the redness Mom was all worried about is much better. Mom has taken me for a couple short walks only this weekend. She wanted to make sure noting irritated it. I think if she let me chase (and catch) chipmunks, I'd feel MUCH better :)

I did get to hang out in our neighbors' driveway while Dad talked to them. Their dog Josh is afraid of me and Angelus - ha! I shredded his tennis ball last night. He's a nice kid but so loud...And their cat was outside....I don't know WHY I'm not allowed to chase the kitty! But Mom took Angelus for a long walk so it was fun to hang out with them.

We are still waiting for the test result from my latest test..Mom said hopefully Monday or Tuesday. I guess? Do I get chicken mcnuggets with this??? That's what I want to know!

Boo-boo!

Been awhile since I updated my diary. I twitter now and I only have so much time between eating, sleeping and outside time!

I have a boo-boo on my paw. :( I guess I got a foxtail stuck in my fur (even though Mom checks my feet so much and it tickles and I HATE that!) and it went up into my foot next to my toe pad.

On Saturday there was a big hole on top of my foot and I was licking and licking and licking...Mom saw and stopped me! She washed it with that blue stuff and wouldn't let me lick anymore. She tried putting a sock on my foot - she's funny.....(was off in 2 seconds flat!)

We were in Tahoe so we waited till we got home to go to the vet on Tuesday morning. They said it seemed to be healing and that it looked like the foxtail came out through the hole. I don't know?

So now I am on light-duty and antibiotics. I still try and lick it though so Mom is worried it really didn't come out and is still in there! I really, really hope not because they have to knock me out to try and find it - yuck! Mostly because I can't eat breakfast or anything before - what kind of torture is that?? Mom is more worried about knocking me out though. Sure, easy for her to say, it's not her tummy grumbling! She has thumbs and can get her own food whenever she wants!!

They also said I needed to get a a"Senior Panel" done. They just called me old - what the?? I thought Mom would slap someone for that! For this, they took my blood and umm....my pee! The lady was following me around with a bowl thing as I was trying to pee. Umm...privacy lady! Finally I just went cuz I had to go! Sheesh...

Mom is a little worried about me because I've been lazier and drinking more. I guess these things can be signs of something called Cushing's Disease. I call it 'I'm too dang hot with all this fur lady!' But I guess some part of the test came back today that made her worry more so they are running another test (thankfully can use the same pee!) Supposed to hear back in a day or 2 about that one.

So Mom is very stressed. I hate that. She has been hugging me and skooshing me even more (which I didn't really think was possible.) She says that always makes her feel better. It kinda makes me hot but I let her. I'll be fine Mom - I'm a tough guy!! You'll see.

It was my birthday!!!

My birthday was on Tuesday!! I am 7 years old now! Mom gave me tuna with my dinner and gave me a yummy nummy bone. The only bummer is that is was 1000 degrees outside (totally not exaggerating! 2 coats here you guys!) But Mom took us to the beach in the morning and then we got our bones in the front yard in the evening.

My 1 question - it was my birthday - so why did Angelus get tuna and a bone too?? I mean -sure - he shares his birthday treats with me too but my birthday is all about ME!!! :)

Oh - and Mom didn't get me the cat or gopher that I wanted :( What's up with that? I need to get in a special request to Santa Claws NOW apparently....

Ok, I need to see what Mom is doing. I can't let her out of my sight for too long (if you call me a Momma's boy I will find you and shred your stuff...)

MMMMMMM.....Chicken McNuggets!

Well, today is my brother's birthday and we had fun but ended the day in th ebest way ever! Chicken McNuggets! Since they were his, I had to share but that's ok!! YUM!!!! Plus all the workers in the drive-thru thought I was the cutest buddy ever when I was waiting for them to give us the nuggets!! But they didn't give me any free nuggets so oh well....

Do I get chicken too???

Tomorrow is my brother's birthday and he seems to think that he will get some chicken as a special birthday treat. So I would like to know if I am getting some too??? I mean, it wouldn't be fair to just give him some, right??? Right??????????????????????

Snow in Tahoe!

Yay - my Mom and Dad brought us to Tahoe and there is snow. Angelus and I are pretty happy! I don't love the snow as much as Angelus - he is kinda crazy! But I love to go out and play in it. We got to wrestle and run off leash in the snow yesterday! But one we get home, I'd rather hang out inside with Mom than on the deck in snow with Angelus - I love my people too much :-)

Hopefully it snows some more though. Going into the forest in fresh snow is super, duper fun!!

I better go now and get to playing!