14 year-old Shih Tzu With Recent Cushing's Diagnosis

Hi guys,

I'm writing to ask for positive thoughts. I found some kind of wound or infected looking area on Hannah's face. It's hard to see what exactly it is because of all of her hair, but its under her eye and above her lip. It doesn't look good. It's dark pink and irritated. I can't tell if it's a skin fold or cut. I'm sure they'll have to shave her face, and may need to sedate her to do it. I don't even know if I can be there because I found it tonight and need to make an appointment tomorrow. I'm very worried about my girl.

Please keep us in your thoughts.

Thanks,
Julie & Hannah

Oh poor Hannah :( I will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers, sending huge and loving hugs, Lori

Sending healing hugs and prayers too!

Julie,
Poor Hannah!
Hoping that they help tomorrow at the vets.

Julie, sending prayers and positive thoughts your way for little Hannah. I do hope it is nothing too serious and that she'll be okay.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Julie,

Squirt had something similar happen on her face a few years ago. I found it after it had ruptured and it scared me to pieces but her vet said it was nothing to worry about. It was a cyst that came to the surface. She told me it may happen again and it has but it has always healed back up nicely. That spot ruptured again last month. I don't notice it until that has happened; it isn't a bump or raised spot that I feel when I rub her face - but one day there will be a crusty area there and I know it has ruptured again. It acts almost like a boil - once the area has drained, it's fine.

I hope Hannah's is of no more concern than what happens with Squirt. Let us know what the vet says and know many prayers and positive thoughts are surrounding you both.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Hi Julie,

Checking in to see if there is any news of Hannah. I am hoping and praying it is something simple.

Hugs and prayers. Let us know when you can how things went today.

Checking in on Hannah and you. Hope all is going well today at the vets.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Everyone-

Thank you SO MUCH for thinking of us and sending lots of positive vibes. I hope it worked. The good news is the thing on her face is a little infection in a skin fold. The vet said she thinks Hannah had some moisture in there and then got a little infection. We are to start conservatively just with using the Chlorhexadine wipe in that area once a day. If it isn't looking better in a few days, then she would want me to try an oral antibiotic too. She didn't want to upset her stomach by introducing an antibiotic now, which I appreciate.

I also brought in a stool sample because I had noticed her stool was darker for the last several days-sometimes even more like two colors (one on the outside and one on the inside). The other vet told me to take pictures for a few days and see if it maintains the same color or changes. Since we went in I brought the actual sample from about an hour before, and the vet looked and said she did think there could possibly be some blood in it. She said Hannah could have some ulcer or something going on and that it wouldn't hurt to treat for it and see if things improved.

I got Sulcrafate to give twice a day (an hour before or two hours after eating) and Famotidine (generic Pepcid AC) to give once per day (30-60 min. after the Sulcrafate).

Since I have to give Denamarin on an empty stomach too, it's going to be a little tricky. I'm going to have to give Denamarin at 5 a.m., Sulcrafate at 6 a.m., then feed her and give Hydroxyzine and Atopica at 7 a.m. I'm going to do the Famotidine at night with her supper. It's going to be a fun week! I already set my alarm at night to give her Hydroxyzine between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.

Because of Hannah's on and off borderline anemic blood results for the past several months, I was worried right away when I saw her stool darken. It doesn't look black, but it's dark brown with a lighter color inside. It is so well formed and a good consistency; she hasn't had any straining or diarrhea for a month, but now there's some new issue.

Of course the other vet warned me months ago that she could be anemic from some slow bleed or tumor, which is why I panicked. The vet I saw today said she would really expect Hannah to be acting sick and not eating, drinking, or acting normally if it were a tumor. She has also been holding steady at 12 lbs., and the vet said she'd be losing weight. She is acting normal too, and she got a full check up today and I know her gums are a good color.

I'm hopeful this will all work out. She's getting so many drugs for the next week that I'm going to have to write it down and check it off to be sure I do it correctly. The vet will call me next Tues. to see how things are going.

Thanks again for checking on us. It means so much to know you're all here!

Julie & Hannah

make a chart like I did for all of Zoe's eye drops. Whenever you give a drug write down the time on the chart.:):)

gotta run, having terrible storms, have to drive home to the pups. I'll check in again later.

glad to hear it is a minor issue on the face. hoping she does not have an ulcer.

love ya
((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))