Rozee went for her yearly check up a bit early this year because we felt her hair was a bit thin and much like Debbie’s Chewy, she has lost her beautiful bushy tail. I was pretty sure it was thyroid as she tested low last year but was chalked up to her and Roxee going through a very rough bout of diarrhea.
Vet called about a week ago and he “suspects” a hormone imbalance! Isn’t that another phrase for Atypical? Needless to say I was in shock and speechless for a short time.
Vet suggested 4 mg of melatonin for 45 to 60 days and if no improvement seen to go ahead and do some expensive test. So I asked if he was referring to the UTK panel. With a very surprised look on his face he said yes and asked how I knew about this? I fessed up and told him I just lost Rozee’s littermate sister last July and that she was diagnosed with PDH cushing’s. (This vet didn’t know about Roxee or our cushing’s experience)
She has no other symptoms. No excessive thirst or need to urinate. No increase in appetite, little pot belly but she has always had a barrel shape since she was a puppy. Vet’s have always mentioned her belly but we have always said she just never lost her puppy fat. She has had a few ear infections in the last year. Persistant cough vet claims was from an overinflated trach tube during her dental. So I am in serious doubt but will follow instructions and we will see.
There is one other symptom that bothers me, she tends to shiver or shudder after a deep breath or yawn.
So for now I am going to put this thread into “Everything Else”, as it is only a “suspected” “hormonal imbalance”. If needed we will follow through with the UTK in 45 to 60 days.
Rozee
Shih-Tzu / Lhasa mix (spayed)
14 ½ years old
14 pounds
Abnormal blood work:
March 2009
ALK 265 (5-131)
Pot. 5.9 (3.6-5.5) (probably because of the diarrhea)
T4 0.8 (1.0-4.0) Low
Feb 2010
ALB 4.5 (2.5-4.4)
ALK 457 (10-118) (increase over last year)
Calcium 11.6 (8.6-11.6)
T3 55.0 (30-180)
T4 1.7 (1.0-4.0)