Going to the vet....

My poor Haley has not been looking good at all the last few weeks. She's rapidly lost weight (15 pounds, to be exact), eating *was* making her sick last week, but she never did throw it back up, thankfully and has since gotten over that, and her eyes have been gooey and nasty (which is normal this time a year for her, because I think she is allergic to pollen, but not as bad as its gotten recently).

She's also got a lump on her tail, under the skin, that's she's almost always has, and I just assumed it was a cyst, since they do happen, but it recently grown some. And, she's always had a little doggy wort on the inside of her knee, but the recent discovery of a couple more of them on her side now have me sceptic that they actually are worts.

I originally thought it was a blockage, but after seeing her poop several days in a row just fine, and deciding to give her a very thorough look over early last week, noticed the new "worts", and didn't feel anything in her tummy, so obviously it isn't. She spends her days eating everything she can possibly find, to the point where she's stalking the fish -_-

I feel so bad because for the last month or so, I've been so busy with work (I've actually had to schedule for days off, we've been so busy with season starting and people getting back from long vacations, so the whole freaking *state* seems to want all their food at once @.@) and school starting, that I never got to notice any of the little signs before it got the point were she was losing weight. Despite feeding her as much as my other dog, who weighs and eats more than twice than what she does, she's not putting any weight back on. I've been doing this for about a week, I think.

So, today after class, I'm calling the vet we've taken our dogs to for the past 12 or years, and hoping to God they'll take our Care Credit Card... I dunno what we'll do if they don't. Mom works two jobs and goes to school, and I work and go to school, and we still have no money left at the end of the month, and not much time, either. It'll all work out in the end, I know. Perhaps this is a sign that we need to slow the heck down and enjoy life a bit more, although not a very nice sign...

I've raised this dog from a puppy, and I just hate to see her age finally start catching up with her... I bought her when I was 10, 9 years ago, and she's been the perfect dog. I hate that I've let something as stupid as a job, were I have to leave early in the day and not get home until late at night, get in the way of one of pets health.

So anyways, I'll keep you guys updated...

 

Aww best of luck Akari. Dogs and cats do often grow multiple warts as they get older, so I wouldn't be too worried about that until the vet takes a look. Hopefully everything checks out

 

Aww best of luck Akari. Dogs and cats do often grow multiple warts as they get older, so I wouldn't be too worried about that until the vet takes a look. Hopefully everything checks out

I wouldn't be too worried about them if they were just there by themselves, with out all this other stuff, and without that thing on her tail deciding to get bigger.

 

Try not to freak out too much yet. The thing on her tail very well may need to be removed, but it could be benign (not cancerous).

The warts, are very common with age.

I would be a concerned about the 15 pounds. That is a chunk. But she is eating now, yes?
Maybe her sniffles and previous eating issue was a doggie cold or a resperitory infection. It could have made her not want to eat for a while. It happens to my cats at the change of the season. I could almost bet on it every year. (the infections)

Also, please try not to feel too badily about the job vs pets, if this turns out to be anthing substantial. Animals often hide sickness. It's not your fault. I am sure you are a great doggie parent

 

She eats like crazy, and has still lost all that weight. She was only 65 pounds to begin with, and is now down to 51-ish in just a couple weeks. She's always eaten, but since this whole ordeal, her appetite has increased ALOT. Eating was making her kinda dry heave and get glassy eyed and unhappy looking, but she still ate dispite that. Quite strange... And her eyes getting goopy has always been normal, but it's like double or triple how it usually is this time of year.

I know, I'm trying not to. <.<

 

I'm so sorry she's going through so much! I know it just makes us worry and hurts to see them uncomfortable. I'll be praying for some good news from the vet that whatever is bothering her is easy to treat and that you guys will be able to get her back in good spirits soon.

 

Thanks Sugar *hugs*

We called the vet and they said we could come right in, we just got here so I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

Alright, so the only bit of bad he could find just by doing a physical is one teeny hook worm in a stool sample, which he gave us some squirty meds for (pyrantel). He have me a list of things that we should look into doing, starting with some over all blood tests to ensure kidney and liver functions, etc, then a heartworm test, then some sort of test to see if she's got a uterine infection, and last on the list with the lowest priotity, an X-ray, to see if maybe she ate something she couldn't pass that's causing toxicity issues. So we're definitely going to have to look into those as we have the money to do them.

He asked about the lump on her tail and how long she'd had it, and I told him years, so he skipped right over it. With out going into tests and other things, he really can't rule anything out or pin point anything. He said since she really had any behavior changes and was still eating and everything, he couldn't decide on anything with out going further.

 

Let's hope the worms are part of the weight loss issue, that could bring down a lot of things health-wise. No really bad news at least, I would think if she were having kidney issues that you will really notice problems quickly. At least you have some things to look for now to keep an eye on her

 

He doesn't think the worms are what's causing the weight loss, but he isn't sure what is with out testing. For all we both know right now, she could just be getting thin because she's old, as far as the weight loss goes. It happened to our other dog, but not this quickly. Once she stopped losing weight, she maintained it and was just fine and healthy for several more years after that.

 

Honestly my first impression was parasites. If she isn't a little bloated though then she probably doesn't have a ton of them, still possible however. True, older dogs can either gain or lose a good amount of weight, but that is quite a bit. My concern would be with the lump on the base of her tail. Is it on the top of the tail, side or underneath? It could be a tumor, swelling of fluid, gland problem or so on. I would have checked it myself(if I was the vet). Is it solid or squishy? Also, does she ever mess with it (chewing, nosing, etch)

NOTE: I am not a vet. NOPE. I won't prescribe any treatment at all. Veterinary practice is simply a study of mine in school, while I am qualified to assist in veterinary practice, I am not nor will be any time soon, a licensed veterinarian.

 

I'd start with a urine test. Looking particularly at the glucose/protein levels in her urine to make sure she isn't diabetic. That can be a cheaper method to do a preliminary diagnosis instead of going straight for the blood work.

 

Honestly my first impression was parasites. If she isn't a little bloated though then she probably doesn't have a ton of them, still possible however. True, older dogs can either gain or lose a good amount of weight, but that is quite a bit. My concern would be with the lump on the base of her tail. Is it on the top of the tail, side or underneath? It could be a tumor, swelling of fluid, gland problem or so on. I would have checked it myself(if I was the vet). Is it solid or squishy? Also, does she ever mess with it (chewing, nosing, etch)

NOTE: I am not a vet. NOPE. I won't prescribe any treatment at all. Veterinary practice is simply a study of mine in school, while I am qualified to assist in veterinary practice, I am not nor will be any time soon, a licensed veterinarian.

It's kind of on the top and on the side. It's squooshy, I guess, and doesn't really seem connected, just held in place. It's never bothered her. I want to start with at least one of the cheaper tests, which would be heart worm, so anything that was over looked today can be checked out next time.

I'd start with a urine test. Looking particularly at the glucose/protein levels in her urine to make sure she isn't diabetic. That can be a cheaper method to do a preliminary diagnosis instead of going straight for the blood work.

The blood tests he wants to do would check for diabetes. I think for the whole range of tests he wants to do would be $130.50. That's like, a whole lot... Lol How much are urine tests, usually? Cheaper does sound better

 

Aww....I hope Haley feels better soon and the least expensive test gives you some answers.

 

Aww....I hope Haley feels better soon and the least expensive test gives you some answers.

Thanks Lucy. She's not acting sick, so I suppose that's a good thing. The vet said her heart and lungs sounded good, and her gums looked good, too.

 

You'd have to ask your vet specifically how much that test is. My guess is less than $30.

I suggested diabetes because there is no loss of appetite, but there is weight loss associated with it. The masses may just be benign cysts like you said. It seemed to point more to something kidney wise. I know you mentioned money as an issue and urine tests aren't invasive, the test is easier to perform, and it can let you know if you need to go further with the testing. Is there a veterinary school near you? Oftentimes they do low-cost testing, surgeries...etc because it is students. If there is a vet school near you, you might also want to contact them to see if they can help you at a lower rate as well.

 

You'd have to ask your vet specifically how much that test is. My guess is less than $30.

I suggested diabetes because there is no loss of appetite, but there is weight loss associated with it. The masses may just be benign cysts like you said. It seemed to point more to something kidney wise. I know you mentioned money as an issue and urine tests aren't invasive, the test is easier to perform, and it can let you know if you need to go further with the testing. Is there a veterinary school near you? Oftentimes they do low-cost testing, surgeries...etc because it is students. If there is a vet school near you, you might also want to contact them to see if they can help you at a lower rate as well.

The school I'm going to actually has a vet tech program (which I'm taking my pre req's for). Perhaps this could be an option...good idea. I'll have to look into that, since money is definitely a problem. I had to put our visit today on my moms credit card (they didn't take Care Credit...).

 

If you have a Clinical Laboratory department, they may be able to help you as well. The urine test is the same for animals as it is for people and they may be able to spare a dip stick. The dip stick is similar to the strips we don't recommend for use for aquarium testing, but is actually a million times more accurate and is routinely used on human urine specimens. Many times, schools use expired supplies because they are donated. Nothing wrong with them, just can't be used to result patients due to CLIA/CAP regulations (governing body in the laboratory world). Someone may be able to do a urine test for you there, if you have friends in that department.

 

You gave me an idea. I have friends that run a non-profit wildlife rehab center. I bet they have something along the lines of what we need, or could hook me up with a vet that could do it cheap. They get the most random donations sometimes lol I'll have to ask them...

 

Definitely do that!

 

Message sent! Hopefully she can do something for me. If she can't directly, she knows people, and knows people who know people

 

Good luck! Hope you can get some answers

 

Oh! I will keep my fingers crossed for Haley! :console: keep us posted!

 

Thank you! Hopefully, I'll have some extra money this pay check to go back and get some tests done. I really want to get the "warts" and thing on her tail checked out, too.

 

So a lil update for you guys: we got the $130 blood test done, and the heart worm test, Thursday. Turns out, alls she got is heart worms, but I still think he's not fully convinced that's why she's so skinny. He said all her levels were fine, other than being a little elevated due to the heart worms. So, we have to scrape up some money, or go to a vet that takes care credit, and get about $500 worth of treatment and meds for her, then get our other dogs tested and treated as needed. This is why I hate having outdoor dogs and cheapscape idiots as parents. Moms been trying to get them on heart worm stuff for years, but my step dad was all like "it's a waste of money, dogs can live for years with heartworms, blah blah blah!" Ughhhhh!! Idiot face.... So yeah. My life rocks at the moment. Just kill me now -_- on a side note, she did gain a pound in two weeks, since our last visits to the vet. So I guess that's good...

 

Hopefully your step dad will see the benefit of heart worm prevention now! Heartworm can be fatal if not caught, but fortunately it's pretty easy to treat.

 

Idiots gunna help pay. It's his fault in the first place. The vet wants to do X-rays. It's part of the treatment package, I guess? It's $130 (or something) for the set of X-rays, and then the meds have to be ordered in, and she has to go back a few times. All said and done, it's too much for paying in one go. They don't take payments. Me and mom hate to go to a different vet, but since he doesn't take Care Credit, we're probably going to have to. Anyone have experience with PetSmarts vet?

 

Not all Petsmart vets are the same, but the one I dealt with when my Cash had kennel cough was awesome. I had literally JUST adopted him less than a week prior and then he stopped eating and started sneezing and coughing. I didn't have much money (had just moved into a new apartment and adopted him, so I was broke). I went to the Petsmart vet across the street from my apartment and they diagnosed him pretty quickly. They gave me three or four treatment options, ranging from the cheap way (antibiotics) to expensive full-on treatment. I ended up having to go with the cheap option (which was still $60 I couldn't afford) and he did end up getting better because we caught it early.

Anyway, I was in Petsmart with him a month or so after he was treated and happened to walk by the vet's office. Cash is a very recognizable dog and everyone loves him, but I was still surprised when the techs all swarmed him and even the vet who had treated him came out and were loving on him and telling me what a good job I was doing with him.

Overall, I was VERY pleased with my experience there.

 

Anyone have experience with PetSmarts vet?

I have had two family members and a friend take their dogs to a PetsMarts. They had wonderful things to say about them. Now, with that said, you could experience differently with the one you would be taking your dog(s) to. I think it's a matter of experience and who is working at the time/moment. At least that is my opinion.

 

I am currently battling heartworms as well in an older dog. I definitely recommend getting the set of x-rays ASAP because often times the condition is a lot farther along if they are exhibiting signs like coughing and/or weight loss. They will be able to pinpoint exactly where the pet is and detect the extent of lung and heart damage that is occurring.

Depending on the severity of the infection, the treatment could mean emergency surgery to remove the worm load. That is why it is necessary to get the x-rays ASAP so you can catch it before it gets to this point.

Prayers to your doggie. I know how devastating the diagnosis can be. Got any questions, inbox me. =) I'm not a vet, just a pet owner who did a LOT of research to decide, alongside my vet, the best treatment course for my doggie.

About the Banfield (PetSmart vet), it is a corp office. Each office is unique. Some doctors may be good, some bad.. you just gotta test the waters. I would never use them because I find them to be real expensive. But if its your only option, then I would go there.

 

IMO and IME Petsmart vets are a no. I and no one I know, would EVER go to one. If you have any other local vets, try there first. Being in vet class and then seeing how their vets run is kinda scary. Now, some of the vets are ok, but petsmart does enforce certain protocols. We had our cat fixed there, charged us twice as much as any of the local vets and over dosed the meds.

 

PetSmarts not my only choice, but I was curious about it. There was a lot of people there yesterday, going In for a visit, so it must not be too bad. All the employees that weren't busy we're cooing over this little kitten and huge great Dane waiting to be seen lol I like my PetSmart, most of the peoe know me there.

 

I worked at an animal hospital for a few years and I wouldn't take my pets there either. I definitely understand money being an issue (I had to pay for my cat's bloodwork and surgery when I was out of a job), but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I took him somewhere else and something happened because of it. I hope you can find a more cost effective option somewhere else.

 

Sorry to hear about her diagnosis. I would suggest getting as much information as possible since the treatment can sometimes require very restricted activity... as in confinement to a crate and leash walking. Hopefully her condition isn't that far along. All the best thoughts and healing energy for Haley.

 

Hopefully your step dad will see the benefit of heart worm prevention now! Heartworm can be fatal if not caught, but fortunately it's pretty easy to treat.

I couldn't agree more. All it takes is 1 mosquito carrying them to bite your pet and then blam, he or she has heart worms. There are many different products available and usually they can fit in any budget! As far as the bump goes, has it appeared to move at all? One of my dogs has mast cell tumors and his first one appeared on his tail (which we amputated). If you have squeezed the bump and nothing came out of it (ie it's not a cyst) Do Not continue to squeeze it. Some tumors like mct can cause more issues if you do squeeze.

 

Additionally heartworms are not always easy to treat and can be expensive depending on how long the dog has had them.

 

I worked at an animal hospital for a few years and I wouldn't take my pets there either. I definitely understand money being an issue (I had to pay for my cat's bloodwork and surgery when I was out of a job), but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I took him somewhere else and something happened because of it. I hope you can find a more cost effective option somewhere else.

I was just curious. There are a few other vets around that take care credit, but some of them have horrible reviews. Basically leaves us with one other vet, our vet, and the PetSmart vet, or we have to go north or south more. Haley, while she loves car rides, gets car sick, and isn't as strong in her old age, so going around corners tends to make her fall over lol So, as close to home as we can would be nice.

Sorry to hear about her diagnosis. I would suggest getting as much information as possible since the treatment can sometimes require very restricted activity... as in confinement to a crate and leash walking. Hopefully her condition isn't that far along. All the best thoughts and healing energy for Haley.

We are. We've been calling around, and such. One place wanted an additional $200 for a "new patient fee"! They're freaking crazy! Lol

I couldn't agree more. All it takes is 1 mosquito carrying them to bite your pet and then blam, he or she has heart worms. There are many different products available and usually they can fit in any budget! As far as the bump goes, has it appeared to move at all? One of my dogs has mast cell tumors and his first one appeared on his tail (which we amputated). If you have squeezed the bump and nothing came out of it (ie it's not a cyst) Do Not continue to squeeze it. Some tumors like mct can cause more issues if you do squeeze.

Gah, I know what really sucks is our new puppy is too small for more flea, tick and mosquito treatments, except for those collars, and they don't work well. So now, we could potentially have 3 dogs with it. *sigh*

Ew, no way am I squeezing it! Lol That's the vets job!

 

You might want to ask your vet about a fine needle aspirate of the lump too. At least find out how expensive it is... a lot of vets can do that in house so it may not be too much depending on where you go. It can give a bit better idea what you're dealing with in terms of the lump... a lot of older dogs get fatty lumps that aren't a concern, but an old lump that's started growing recently could, as Mheresey mentioned, be something like a mast cell tumour or another slow-growing tumour. Most vets should be able to tell by a fine needle aspirate if it's a fatty lump at the very least, and mast cells tend to be pretty recognizable too, without you having to pay to send anything off to a pathologist. Especially if you're about to embark on expensive heartworm treatment it might be good to know what you're up against in the lump situation.
Did you ever get a urine test too? I looked through and couldn't see anything about testing kidney function, though I assume that would have been covered by the blood test? We've been told though my course that you should always do a urine sample whenever bloods are done, as it can be really beneficial to see how different levels are in blood and urine and compare them. More of a just in case there's something else going on than the worms causing the weight loss though.
Best of luck with the heartworm treatment! Hopefully it's still early (the x rays, as previously mentioned are really important to help figure out how bad it is) and she'll make a full recovery!

 

She did not get a urine test, no. It didn't even recommend it. Kidney function was part of the blood test, if I understood him right. I don't think we are dealing with *just* heartworms, though, either. He said we didn't need to rush into treatment (he knows about our financial situation), and that her blood work came back only slightly elevated. Unfortunately, we can only take thing at a time right now. We are working on paying down the Care Credit Card, and then her things gunna max it right out, so anything beyond treatment for that really just has to wait, which I hate :/

 

This article may or may not be of use to you, Akari. It does offer some suggestions for lower cost heartworm treatment. X-rays will tell you more about what stage Haley may be dealing with.


I have had two vets read the article. They agreed with the information presented. Both vets presented the concern that owners are more likely to forget to give heartworm meds if they aren't scheduled monthly.

I am very wary of over medicating/immunizing and give heartworm meds every three months from May to November. As mentioned in the article there are less expensive options.


An even more inexpensive option is here:


Sending healing energy to dear Haley.