Great News

I have great news to share - I do not have Cushing disease!

The vet called and shared the good news with HC. However, this mean that she doesn't have the answer to my skin problem. She suggested that perhaps I could go for a skin biopsy and/or a skin patch test.

HC said that my skin has improved tremendously.. and for the moment - she doesn't think I should go for any tests as Jack had done a skin biopsy years ago and the result was non-conclusive. In addition, the skin patch test is only available at a clinic that HC doesn't have a good impression of, and thus she is not keen to let me go there. Which to me.. is GREAT NEWS. No more needles!!

In fact, HC suspected that the calcinosis cuties (calcium-like deposits) on my belly area was caused by the prolonged use of steriod cream which had helped with my grass allergies, which then created 'artificial cushing's' . She had stopped using the steriod cream after the initial failed blood test 6 weeks ago, and perhaps my body has time to dispose of these steriods.

So, it may be a blessing in disguise that the first blood test failed, otherwise, I may be wrongly diagnosed and had to take lifelong medication??

Anyways... I am happy. And the calcinosis cuties on my belly seem to have lessen alot!
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Remember I posted the pic of a petedge box in my previous posts?

Well, HC distributed the items accordingly and packed them secretly in her office into several big red plastic bag - hoping I wouldn't know these are toys for dogs!

I am not stupid, ok.

HC walked away for a while - I tore opened the plastic bag and managed to take out half of a toy before she came back and reprimanded me.

(HC : I don't know how Joey knew the bag is filled with dog toys? He doesn't have the habit of tearing up plastic bags at home, and I am amused by the sight of this. A friend said that these toys must have a 'PETEDGE - DOG TOYS' scent on them. I also hereby apologise to HERSHEY as the gecko belongs to him..haha)



HC decided that Jack and I deserved to enjoy a new toy each.






see how I tried to bite off the gecko's head? heehee

Happiness is.....

this!






Calling Huskee/Hershey, Helios, Happy and Willy. Please contact me for collection!
hahahahah.... happy happy

I would also like to update on my suspected Cushing Disease. Well, after waiting for 6 long weeks, I finally did the second LDDS blood test.

It was an eventful day - HC took a day off to personally be in the clinic with me for the 'supposedly' 3 blood tests. She knew that I would be calm and won't struggle if she is around.

True enough, the blood tests went well. I didn't struggle at all, and there was NO bruising. The vet said that there were various reasons why the first blood tests 6 weeks ago couldn't be processed by the lab that day i.e, I struggled too much / too stressed / skill of the vet ( vet not talking about herself, obviously) / blood was not sent to the lab quick enough.

If you noticed, I highlighted the word 'supposedly' 3 blood tests. Well I had 4 blood tests!

I had the first blood drawn at 920a.m., and the vet said to come back at 12.20a.m and 4.20 a.m.

Just before 12noon, HC recalculated the time interval and realised it should be 920a.m, 1.20p.m and 5.20 p.m. So she called the clinic to verify as it should be a 4 hour interval. The vet nurse said "yes... Dr. XX confimed the next test is at 12.20." HC then heed the nurse's advice and took me down for the 2nd test at 12.20 p.m.

After we left the clinic - the nurse called and apologised that they had made a mistake. The 2nd test was at 1.20pm!

So in the end I had 4 tests - 9.20 a.m, 12.20 a.m, 1.20 pm. and 5.20pm.

The vet was very apologetic and was aghast to hear that HC had called and was told she (the vet) confirmed the wrong timing. In reality, the vet received no such message.

*&%&^^%^$$) whoever who handled the call really deserved to be nipped in the butt!

#%$^@#%

..........

The clinic assistant called and said my blood samples from Sunday cannot be processed by the lab (*&@#@ something to do with hardened blood)! They told me to come by again for the full blood test... which means another 3 rounds of blood drawn every 4 hourly, and I will be stuck in the clinic for an entire day!!!

I cannot believe I have to relive Sunday's traumatic events all over again!!! Arrggghhh....

Day 2 - the bruise area had spread. I wonder if it will be more painful to do blood test on bruise skin?

I need love, kisses and treats now..... sob....

Cushing LDDS Test

HC left us at the clinic early this morning as I had to undergo the Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test (LDDS) for Cushing's disease. In addition, both Jack and I will also have comprehensive blood test to check on our general well-being.

Needless to say, we were abit nervous about being left alone. At 8.45 a.m, I was sent to the 'slaughter table'. I struggled and tried to bite the doc and nurses but was sadly overpowered. A huge vial of blood was taken from my neck region :( . I also had an injection - which I think is called Colvasone. (HC : I remembered the vet said that with this injection, a normal dog will not produce cortisol. That's why blood samples are taken every 4th and 8th hour to check if the body produces cortisol)

At 12.45 p.m. and 4.45 p.m., I was again sent to 'slaughter table' for blood to be drawn. Resigned to my fate, I co-operated and let the humans do whatever they wanted. (HC : the doc said Joey was very co-operative on the next 2 rounds and simply lift up his head so that the vet could have easy access to his neck region. hahaha..)

HC picked us up right after my last blood sample was drawn. We were esctatic to see her.

The vet updated HC on our health status based on the comprehensive blood test:.

Jack - very healthy but dehydrated due to lack of water intake. However, he has very dirty ears. (HC : I went home to check on his ears, even shone a touch light into the ear. I see very little ear wax, and am perplexed why the vet said Jack's ears are dirty. Could he mistake Jack for Joey? mmmm.... )

Joey - that's me - very healthy but dehydrated due to lack of water intake. Ear infection and swollen eye - due to this incident! (HC : I was aware Joey has slight ear infection the night before, but as for the eye - I thought he had recovered.)

As for the LDDS test for Cushing's - vet said it will take about 10 days. *fingers crossed*

The financial damage for this day trip to the vet? Almost $700!!!

After a nerve wrecking day - HC bought us yummy lamb meal from a nearby doggie cafe.

I also have swollen, bruised neck from the countless needle poking.

These two pictures show my calcinosis cuties on my belly region. I have no such skin problem on the rest of my body.

Cushing's ??

For the last 1-2 years, I’ve had some skin problems on my belly area – pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. I’ve been to a few vets, and the advices were usually ‘stay away from grass area’, ‘food allergy’ and sent home with a course of antibiotics. As my skin does not itch, HC usually use natural remedies instead of relying on antibiotics.

Some natural remedies that she has tried included: marigold/yarrow rinse, nettle extract, licorice extract, homeopathy meds, neem cream etc.

To a certain extent, my skin does improved from these herbal remedies but I would still get bouts of pimply breakouts. :(

Yesterday – HC sent us to the vet for a check up and showed the vet my skin condition. The lady vet suspects that I could have Cushing’s Disease – due to the presence of calcinosis cutis and my age.

HC decided to make an appointment for me to undergo LDDS (Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression) test in 3 days time. It will be an 8-hour stay at the vet as I would have to have 1 injection plus 3 blood samples every 4 hour interval. Aarrggghhh….I think I might just die from the loss of blood!!!!

To make me feel better, Jack will come along as well for a blood profile work done – to see how healthy he is.

Please pray for me! I don’t want to have Cushing’s! I don’t want to have blood tests done!

(HC : I’ve read up on Cushing’s disease before, and I’ve never thought Joey might have it. Because besides calcinosis cutis, he does not display the classic symptoms of Cushing's. Ok, he does seem hungry all the time – but he has been like this since puppyhood, and most dogs are greedy, right? Haha..
In any case, it will set my mind at ease (but my pocket empty) to have the LDDS test done. I’ve already sort of decided to let him have homeopathy treatment instead of conventional ones if he does have Cushing’s. But again, it depends on the severity of his condition. But let’s hope it’s just a case of bacterial infection.)

On a happier note -
Old, grumpy Jack has some good news to share from the vet. From his physical examination – the vet exclaimed that she cannot believe he is more than 11 years old as he looks good. There are no signs of cataract and he has good dental health. Jack was diagnosed of having a slight heart murmur 2 years back. But during this examination, the vet said she cannot hear any heart murmur at all!

(HC : I don’t know if the heart supplements helped. But I am happy to hear that Jack does not / no longer has heart murmur.Yay!)