Frida is a shelter rescue that I have had for 6.5 years, age unknown. Her vet thinks she is 9 or 10. A couple of months ago, I noticed she was starting to drink and urinate a lot more than normal. Took her to the vet for some rounds of tests and recently got a diagnosis. I don't know exactly which tests were run or what the numbers were on those tests, but Frida starts on Vetoryl on Sunday (in 2 days). I do recall that her urine was very diluted, and that the first bloodwork done showed low thyroid and some liver trouble, but I don't know what or how much.
Frida's belly is distended and I have noticed it becoming more so over the last month. She has also slowed down some and has a little difficulty jumping. I have also noticed some darkening of pigmented areas on her skin. She has always had a huge appetite and is overweight although I have tried to control what she eats. Now, it seems that her appetite is getting stronger and she has become completely obsessed with food. I have not noticed any hair loss or problems with her skin.
The past few weeks have been stressful. She gets up and drinks repeatedly throughout the night and I have to make sure she goes outside to pee every 2 hours because she has now had a few accidents in the house.
I only work part time and my financial resources are few, so one of the hardest things is worrying that I will not be able to provide her with the care she needs. I have gotten some assistance from a program at our local animal shelter, and have set up a donation page on facebook. The vet is letting me have the Vetoryl at cost and even let me take it home before completely paying for it. There are things to be grateful for.
I look forward to the time when the medication kicks in and Frida hopefully gets back to normal. I miss hiking with her in the woods.