What Could Be Wrong With This Little Girl?

[Guest jettcricket]

I'm petsitting a little 7 year old female greyhound that I've pet sat for in the past 4 or 5 years. When I pet sat for her back in December she started peeing in my house. Not normal for little Tanya. She was even peeing in her sleep on her dog bed. When her Mom and Dad came to pick her up I told her what was going on and they took her to the vet. In speaking with Tanya's Mom she told me that they ruled out a UTI, no kidney issues and I believe they checked her for diabetes.

 

Fast forward.....Tanya's Mom dropped her off last Wednesday night. I asked her, how's she doing? She told me that she was better, but that she's drinking a lot of water and told me to watch her.

 

I have to pick up the water bowls at night so that she does not have any accidents in the house. This little girl during the day and when the water bowls are down needs to go out almost every 2 hours! And when she pees, she pees. I guess it's a good thing my DH is laid off to watch her...otherwise I'd be coming home to messes every day.

 

What could be wrong with her?? For the most part she seems to be acting normal and she looks good.

 

I told my DH if she were my dog I'd be getting a second opinion. It's been 5 months already and still with no definite diagnosis. When her owner told the vet that she was peeing in her sleep, he made light of it and said that it was an old lady issue and laughed. She's 7, not 14. That is not normal.

 

It sounds like she may be diabetic, but like I said earlier I think they've ruled that out.

 

Any thoughts? I do plan on telling her that she might want to go to another vet or a specialist to get another opinion and I'll ask her again if they checked her for diabetes.

 

She did tell me that her protein level was high...what does that mean? Is that a kidney issue???

 

TIA!

Edited June 1, 2010 by jettcricket

[Guest MZH]

Cushings.

 

Protein in the blood or urine? I'm not a vet but I know they mean different things depending on which protein value you're looking at.

[galgomum]

There are several things that can be the reason. Another one could be Cushing disease, which my seven year old galgo had.

Combined with her drinking more, there is definitely a very good reason to see another vet to find out what the problem is.

[Batmom]

I would recheck blood and urine. On the urine, I'd want the usual stuff (check for bacteria, blood, white cells, casts, crystals), urine protein:creatinine ratio, specific gravity from first-of-the-morning urine. It would also be worthwhile to scout for any heart symptoms such as high blood pressure. Be sure to check temperature.

 

If absolutely nothing suspicious turns up, consider diabetes insipidus. There's no diagnostic for it except to rule everything else out and then try the med. IIRC LindsaySF has a non-grey with d.i. so you might PM her for more info.

Edited June 1, 2010 by Batmom

[CaliforniaGreys]

I would test for Cushings as well. How's her appetite?

 

Three key signs, drinking...peeing....starving all the time

[Plymgreys]

The complete giveaway for us was when Cassie had a patch of fur shaved for a blood test to be taken from her neck area. The fur just did not regrow. Once the diagnosis of Cushing's was confirmed and she was on the treatment she became like a different dog, it took years off her, although the drugs were v.expensive.

Edited June 1, 2010 by Plymgreys

[Guest jettcricket]

I would test for Cushings as well. How's her appetite?

 

Three key signs, drinking...peeing....starving all the time

 

 

She does have a very good appetite where in the past I'd have to sometimes hand feed her.

[CaliforniaGreys]

I would test for Cushings as well. How's her appetite?

 

Three key signs, drinking...peeing....starving all the time

 

 

She does have a very good appetite where in the past I'd have to sometimes hand feed her.

 

Then I would have the vet do the ACTH and test her. And this is jumping ahead, but Misty's Cushing's meds were donated to OSU, so they're there if needed

[TheFullHouse]

I'm another one for a Cushings vote. When Emmy developed Cushings she couldn't get enough to drink.

[Guest jettcricket]

The complete giveaway for us was when Cassie had a patch of fur shaved for a blood test to be taken from her neck area. The fur just did not regrow. Once the diagnosis of Cushing's was confirmed and she was on the treatment she became like a different dog, it took years off her, although the drugs were v.expensive.

 

OMG....when Tanya had her ultra sound done back in Feb. they shaved her under belly and her fur has yet to grow back!!!!

 

It sounds like she might have cushings....I will tell her Momma that.

 

Thanks!!!!

[Guest sirsmom]

Our cattledog had those symptoms with cushings and thyroid. Ours have also had that problem while on prednisone.

[Batmom]

Don't jump the gun, do all the diagnostics. Our late whippet was a big drinker. He had hair shaved for a surgery ... didn't grow back for at least 9 months. He didn't have Cushing's, low thyroid, kidney disease, or anything else. He just liked to drink and didn't grow hair very quickly.

[Guest jettcricket]

Don't jump the gun, do all the diagnostics. Our late whippet was a big drinker. He had hair shaved for a surgery ... didn't grow back for at least 9 months. He didn't have Cushing's, low thyroid, kidney disease, or anything else. He just liked to drink and didn't grow hair very quickly.

Oh I hear ya, but at least we have some direction to go on. Honestly, I would think after 5 months, her vet should have a diagnosis for them.

 

Thanks all for your input!!!

[Guest jettcricket]

Ok...in reading some of the symptoms of Cushings they talk about hair loss...I noticed that her thighs are a lot balder and she has a balding spot on her tail that she didn't have 5 months ago.

 

I printed off some articles that Tanya's Mom and Dad can read and talk to her vet about.

 

Hopefully we can find out what's going on with Tanya and treat her properly for it.

Edited June 1, 2010 by jettcricket

[Trudy]

Don't jump the gun, do all the diagnostics. Our late whippet was a big drinker. He had hair shaved for a surgery ... didn't grow back for at least 9 months. He didn't have Cushing's, low thyroid, kidney disease, or anything else. He just liked to drink and didn't grow hair very quickly.

 

Yep, Ryan's half bald, drinks gallons therefore pees gallons.

No Cushings

No thyroid issues

No TBD

and kidney values were still ok a couple of months ago

 

 

 

If she were mine, I'd bring her in for bloodwork again and a urine sample and go from there

[CaliforniaGreys]

Obviously, it's one step at a time. Dr Stack has a good article on Cushings.

And like with most conditions, not all dogs show the same symptoms.

 

Misty had no hair loss at all, however her coat did dull. Her thyroid was way off but as soon as we got the Cushings stabilized, her thyroid went back to normal.

[Guest LindsaySF]

How much does she drink? Is her urine totally clear when she pees?

 

I would recheck her blood values and the urine, and test for Cushing's. Was there anything off in the previous urine sample, or just very dilute?

 

Cody has Diabetes Insipidus and his symptoms were excessive drinking and excessive urination. His legs would also tremble from muscle spasms, I believe due to an electrolyte imbalance (probably lack of potassium). He never had accidents or incontinence, but he asked to go outside a lot. (I've read that most DI dogs will have accidents or even dribble urine). Blood tests and urine tests were normal except that the urine was extremely dilute (low specific gravity). After lot of reading I self-diagnosed him with Diabetes Insipidus but my vet didn't believe me because she said it's so rare. After $1,000 more on tests including an ultrasound, we did an ADH trial and what do you know, Diabetes Insipidus.

 

ETA: I know it is annoying if she has accidents or asks to go outside constantly, but with DI anyway, restricting water can be very dangerous. I would let her have unlimited access to water until you get a diagnosis. Pee pads or diapers might come in handy if needed.

 

I would have the owners go to another vet for a second opinion. I wouldn't trust the first vet after he blew them off like that about the incontinence.

 

Good luck! Let us know how she does.

 

 

 

~Lindsay~

Edited June 1, 2010 by LindsaySF

[Guest jettcricket]

How much does she drink? Is her urine totally clear when she pees?

 

I would recheck her blood values and the urine, and test for Cushing's. Was there anything off in the previous urine sample, or just very dilute?

 

Cody has Diabetes Insipidus and his symptoms were excessive drinking and excessive urination. His legs would also tremble from muscle spasms, I believe due to an electrolyte imbalance (probably lack of potassium). He never had accidents or incontinence, but he asked to go outside a lot. (I've read that most DI dogs will have accidents or even dribble urine). Blood tests and urine tests were normal except that the urine was extremely dilute (low specific gravity). After lot of reading I self-diagnosed him with Diabetes Insipidus but my vet didn't believe me because she said it's so rare. After $1,000 more on tests including an ultrasound, we did an ADH trial and what do you know, Diabetes Insipidus.

 

ETA: I know it is annoying if she has accidents or asks to go outside constantly, but with DI anyway, restricting water can be very dangerous. I would let her have unlimited access to water until you get a diagnosis. Pee pads or diapers might come in handy if needed.

 

I would have the owners go to another vet for a second opinion. I wouldn't trust the first vet after he blew them off like that about the incontinence.

 

Good luck! Let us know how she does.

 

 

 

~Lindsay~

Her urine is very clear and in abundance. I do let her drink water until about 9:00-10:00 at night and then I put the water down for her again first thing in the morning. As far as her urine sample other than her protein level being high and that they ruled out a UTI I really don't know anything else about her urine results.

 

Tanya's mom gave me some medication to give her from her vet.....when I go home I'll google it and see what it's for.

 

And as far as her vet, yes I agree. When she told me about him teasing and making light of Tanya peeing in her sleep I was going to tell her then, go get a second opinion.

 

Five months and still he has no idea what's wrong with her????

 

I don't know.....

Edited June 1, 2010 by jettcricket

[Burpdog]

Do not withhold water. She needs it to flush herself out.

 

Get a urine sample in asap. They need to culture it. She also needs bloodwork to rule out diabetes.

[Guest kydie]

I would have her rechecked for diabetes first, old medical adage,"when you hear the sound of hooves Look for horses not Zebras" Good Luck

[Guest jettcricket]

Do not withhold water. She needs it to flush herself out.

 

Get a urine sample in asap. They need to culture it. She also needs bloodwork to rule out diabetes.

 

I believe they did those tests on her back in early January.....I'm only picking the water dishes up at night. She's a good sleeper and sleeps through out the night. I get up at 6:00 am and put their water bowls back down.

[Batmom]

Would be worth doing the tests again now. If owner is reluctant/crunched for funds, could start with the urinalysis. If there's *anything* in there, treat for UTI.

[Hubcitypam]

That is what sent us down the road to insulin shots twice a day. I was told by several professionals not to withould water until we could get it sorted out.