Took Rowdy to the vet.

[zoidberg]

You know how when a doctor/vet is concerned but they are trying to play it cool so as not to upset you?

There are a few things that could be causing it other than just straight-up dementia, such as a liver or thyroid issue. But those are slow. He has been progressing very fast. One of the fast moving things is, of course, brain tumor.

There is another possibility, but I am not sure if it is really that much better (except that we would likely not treat a brain tumor). He seems like he really gets better after he eats, so she said it could be hypoglycemia. The most common cause of this is a pancreas tumor called an insulinoma. 90% of insulinomas are malignant. But it is sometimes possible to successfully remove it surgically and for the dog to recover. We could possibly consider surgery for this, depending on some factors.

In any case, she is doing some bloodwork and sent us home with some trial medications to see if he shows any improvement.

[polka]

(((Hugs))) fingers crossed that the meds help. Hope you can get answers soon.

[alzi]

i hope you get good results soon... thinking of you and your pup!

[janiejones]

fingers crossed.

[Deleted]

That is awful. Hopefully, you get more information soon and the medication helps. Either way, good vibes to you and your pup.

[snickers]

Fingers crossed for you guys.

[Monica Geller]

I'm sorry it's not better news. I hope the meds help and that it's an "easy" treatment!

[zoidberg]

I don't know if we will do the MRI. I have been through cancer treatments with our other dog (she died anyway) and I do not wish to do that again. And absolutely NO to brain surgery. Just no,

But we will do the abdominal ultrasound to see if they can find something on his pancreas, and see if it is in a place where they might be able to remove it,

[Deleted]

Fingers crossed for you and your pooch

[lime]

I had a pet with insulinoma. (Not a dog, a ferret.)

They were able to treat it by removing a portion of the pancreas. 

[zoidberg]

Sept 7, 2013 14:49:39 GMT -5 lime said:

I had a pet with insulinoma. (Not a dog, a ferret.)

They were able to treat it by removing a portion of the pancreas. 

And your ferret was ok after that? How long between symptom onset and surgery?

[bonquiqui]

::hugs::  Keeping my fingers crossed and hope all is ok

[tacokick]

Oh, I've been thinking of you. Our old guy I mentioned before had dementia, was blind and deaf and had a tumor removed a few years before he died at 20.

I think it really comes down to his day-to-day life. We decided to medicate and operate because he still loved food and was getting around fine and had a few more good years with him despite his advanced age. When that wasn't true anymore we had to make the decision. Dog ownership is so difficult.

[lime]

Well, she was elderly, so it's hard to say that she was ok after that.

It did seem like her blood sugar was more stable after that. She did have a lot of the symptoms you had mentioned before and those got a bit better.

I want to say a few months between onset and when it was diagnosed/removed.

[zoidberg]

Sept 7, 2013 14:59:57 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Oh, I've been thinking of you. Our old guy I mentioned before had dementia, was blind and deaf and had a tumor removed a few years before he died at 20.

I think it really comes down to his day-to-day life. We decided to medicate and operate because he still loved food and was getting around fine and had a few more good years with him despite his advanced age. When that wasn't true anymore we had to make the decision. Dog ownership is so difficult.

This is why we would consider the pancreas surgery. He is still eating and still likes to cuddle and sit outside in the sun. That we know of, he has no other serious health issue.

ETA: I know that description of things he likes is kind of pitiful, but this is a dog who never played. His idea of playing is to collect all of the toys and then sit on them so no other dog can have them. He has never played.

[Jalapeñomel]

(((Hugs)))

[isabel]

Hugs! Hoping for good news for you guys!

[bonnie]

(hug) (hug2) Sorry you didn't get any answers yet. I really hope it comes back as something treatable.

[tacokick]

Sept 7, 2013 15:02:16 GMT -5 zoidberg said:

Sept 7, 2013 14:59:57 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Oh, I've been thinking of you. Our old guy I mentioned before had dementia, was blind and deaf and had a tumor removed a few years before he died at 20.

I think it really comes down to his day-to-day life. We decided to medicate and operate because he still loved food and was getting around fine and had a few more good years with him despite his advanced age. When that wasn't true anymore we had to make the decision. Dog ownership is so difficult.

This is why we would consider the pancreas surgery. He is still eating and still likes to cuddle and sit outside in the sun. That we know of, he has no other serious health issue.

ETA: I know that description of things he likes is kind of pitiful, but this is a dog who never played. His idea of playing is to collect all of the toys and then sit on them so no other dog can have them. He has never played.

Our boy was a pug. All he ever wanted to do was lay in the sunshine and lean on us. I totally understand.

[Deleted]

I do know exactly what you mean. My last dog was loved so much by the veterinary staff that it was hard to see them get choked up over his cancer

The ultrasound is definitely the right way to go to see what you are facing. We decided not to let my dog and cat go through horrific surgeries and chemo when their lifespan was only going to be extended by a few months.

I hope you get some answers! Big hugs!

[saraandmichael]

(((zoid)))

[zoidberg]

Ok, I am even more sure now that it is hypoglycemia (caused by ?). He just had a seizure and then was just lying on my lap, panting and staring. We called the vet and she told us to try rubbing honey on his gums, and he snapped right out of it.

So we need to manage his blood sugar until Monday, then we will be having the vet monitor him for us while we are at work. And ultrasound ASAP.