1. Your pet's name: Betty
2. Approximate age: 14
3. Sex: Female
4. Neutering status: Spayed (later in life; she was a rescue)
5. Breed: Chihuahua mix
6. Approximate weight: 15 lbs.
7. What's their BEAM (behavior, energy, appetite, mood): Low, and progressively getting lower
8. Diet: Small Batch Dog freeze-dried raw turkey or beef, or whatever she will eat (she has been picky about food, so I give a variety of things to get her to eat)
9. Vaccination history / exposure to toxins, other medication: She has had rabies and presumably other vaccines in her lifetime before coming to me; no vaccines in the last several years. She is currently taking Vetmedin for her heart disease and a wide variety of supplements (all items attached).
10. Primary problem, when it began and if there was anything else happening around that time: This began around September of last year and at that time the only symptom Betty really had was pickiness around food. Her appetite was fairly low, and she would "graze" when given her dinner. I can't recall a particular event that took place around that time that may have set this in motion. She had exploratory tests and examinations, and it was discovered that she has Cushing's disease. This is on top of the heart disease she had and cancer (she had a stage 3 mammary tumor removed in October 2022 and had been clear until recently when a new tumor was discovered at the back of the mammary chain). The current problem today is the tumor recurrence and her low BEAM.
11. Is the condition better or worse from exercise, heat, cold, time of day, certain foods, emotional upset, being touched, excitement, etc.? She is actually a bit better at night--more energetic, eats a little better, wants to be social with the rest of the dogs and the family. During the day she is rather sleepy and not very interested in much else.
12. Has any diagnostic work been done? Diagnosis if available (you can attach your diagnostic tests to the post if you have them.) Yes, lots!
She was diagnosed with Cushing's disease (no treatment prescribed because she is not showing Cushing's symptoms) and at a recent vet visit to examine the tumor, likely recurrence of the mammary cancer. She has also had a heart murmur and heart condition requiring Vetmedin for some time. Her T4 was a bit low at one juncture, but we had the MSU thyroid panel done, and it is believed to be secondary to another condition (maybe the Cushing's?).
13. Current and previous treatment. Treatment mostly with the Vetmedin for heart and other supplements for heart, cancer, Cushing's, and general health support. The attached is a list of all of the current items she takes. This has changed a bit from last fall, and I can provide what she was taking then if needed for comparison.
14. Other health concerns. We just want to support her as best we can, especially with the presumed mammary cancer, which sprang back up again quickly. And to get her BEAM back up and get her feeling more like herself again. Thank you!
@Dr. Jeff We (my daughter and I) have a call scheduled with you tomorrow (April 1) to discuss Betty. Her medical records and medicine/supplement list are attached here if you'd like some context before the call. Posted here also for the benefit of the group/discussion. Thank you so much!
2. Approximate age: 14
3. Sex: Female
4. Neutering status: Spayed (later in life; she was a rescue)
5. Breed: Chihuahua mix
6. Approximate weight: 15 lbs.
7. What's their BEAM (behavior, energy, appetite, mood): Low, and progressively getting lower
8. Diet: Small Batch Dog freeze-dried raw turkey or beef, or whatever she will eat (she has been picky about food, so I give a variety of things to get her to eat)
9. Vaccination history / exposure to toxins, other medication: She has had rabies and presumably other vaccines in her lifetime before coming to me; no vaccines in the last several years. She is currently taking Vetmedin for her heart disease and a wide variety of supplements (all items attached).
10. Primary problem, when it began and if there was anything else happening around that time: This began around September of last year and at that time the only symptom Betty really had was pickiness around food. Her appetite was fairly low, and she would "graze" when given her dinner. I can't recall a particular event that took place around that time that may have set this in motion. She had exploratory tests and examinations, and it was discovered that she has Cushing's disease. This is on top of the heart disease she had and cancer (she had a stage 3 mammary tumor removed in October 2022 and had been clear until recently when a new tumor was discovered at the back of the mammary chain). The current problem today is the tumor recurrence and her low BEAM.
11. Is the condition better or worse from exercise, heat, cold, time of day, certain foods, emotional upset, being touched, excitement, etc.? She is actually a bit better at night--more energetic, eats a little better, wants to be social with the rest of the dogs and the family. During the day she is rather sleepy and not very interested in much else.
12. Has any diagnostic work been done? Diagnosis if available (you can attach your diagnostic tests to the post if you have them.) Yes, lots!
She was diagnosed with Cushing's disease (no treatment prescribed because she is not showing Cushing's symptoms) and at a recent vet visit to examine the tumor, likely recurrence of the mammary cancer. She has also had a heart murmur and heart condition requiring Vetmedin for some time. Her T4 was a bit low at one juncture, but we had the MSU thyroid panel done, and it is believed to be secondary to another condition (maybe the Cushing's?).13. Current and previous treatment. Treatment mostly with the Vetmedin for heart and other supplements for heart, cancer, Cushing's, and general health support. The attached is a list of all of the current items she takes. This has changed a bit from last fall, and I can provide what she was taking then if needed for comparison.
14. Other health concerns. We just want to support her as best we can, especially with the presumed mammary cancer, which sprang back up again quickly. And to get her BEAM back up and get her feeling more like herself again. Thank you!
@Dr. Jeff We (my daughter and I) have a call scheduled with you tomorrow (April 1) to discuss Betty. Her medical records and medicine/supplement list are attached here if you'd like some context before the call. Posted here also for the benefit of the group/discussion. Thank you so much!
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