Diagnosis Jackson

Finally home again after a week of vet visits and tests and stuff. It's certainly good to be back.

[you'll have to excuse me using an old photo, but now I'm even more nekkid and I don't want you to see me not looking my best!]

Now onto the results. Apologies in advance as they are rather long and boring with no pictures, but J1 insisted that I tell you all the facts to stop you worrying:


Skin: My horrible nether-region rash is clearing up and I'm taking anti-biotics for the next month or so. The vet has removed a lump from my back (I've got lots of small hard lumps/spots) and sent it off for analysis. It's probably caused by my fluctuating calcium levels earlier in the year and nothing too much to worry about.


Neck: The degenerated discs are the same as they were in January, hurrah! Surgery is still a possibility if they get any worse, boo!


Cushing's Disease: May be re-tested again at a later date.


Seizures: Cause still unknown. We're just going to monitor the situation at present. I've had 3 so far.


Kidneys: I'm in the early stages of kidney disease. It's treatable but not curable. This means I've got to go back on the horrid prescription low phosphate diet which I DETEST! My blood pressure will have to be checked regularly to ensure that it doesn't get too high. My urine is poorly concentrated which means that my kidneys aren't working properly. I drink a lot more water than the average dog and you know what that means; more time outside sending peemail!


Other stuff: The Js were worried that my tumour may have come back and was causing some of my symptoms. For newer readers of my blog, I had a malignant tumour removed from my neck in February and on examination in the lab they realised that they didn't quite get all of it out. This means that it may return and so the Js are extra vigilant at any new symptoms I have. Also they're both fusspots (but don't tell them I said that).


Further investigation: My pal Pippa is always eating toast and I was beginning to wonder if some of my symptoms could perhaps be caused by a lack of toast-eating on my part. After extensive testing on my toast levels, the vet decided that this doesn't have any bearing on anything. I tried to get her to write me a prescription for toast but sadly she wouldn't. Never mind, I'll just bug J1 whenever she's eating hers. I thought it was worth a try!


Finally, I'd just like to thank everydog, human, cat and hamster for your kind messages of support during these testing times. Thanks pals, you're all pawsome...