Update Thursday: Kylie, his personal vet, rang and results for the Pancreatic Blood Test are not as yet through, hopefully tomorrow, they do take a bit longer as they are more involved.
As Rakins is a bit of a 'mystery case', with three vets working on it and much head scratching, Kylie has now emailed full details to Specialists in the U.S.A. (no one here has the right qualification
), giving them all details from start to present, asking whether the 'mystery mass' and leg problems are related, or separate issues. She said, all things going our way, she'll have a reply tomorrow (Friday my time).
Seems like the boy's causing a lot of headaches, not just mine, but his vet is wonderful and she, along with the other two, will stop at nothing to find out what's causing all his problems. And of course, he may make their web site under the 'interesting cases'. Rakins is not about to let Big Bro Zeus have all the fame and glory, Zeus is up there already for not succumbing to Cushings. Rakins also wants his 15 minutes of fame too!
Rakins is still on his deluxe diet, human rump steak, along with a morsel of Sushi Salmon tonight. No, he's not spoiled, but hey a chaps gotta have the best when he's on the sick list. Kylie agreed, with a big laugh, the boy's not in the least spoiled
. That we may be eating bread and butter, well it's healthy, while the boy dines in style is a moot point. Seriously, we won't be eating bread and butter, but partner (who eats meat UGH) is casting a longing eye over Rakin's meals. Apparently raw steak tastes great and Rakins is eating like crazy. Small meals, feeding him like a puppy, little and often which Kylie thoroughly approves of and of course, Zeus is having a bit extra don't wont the green eyed monster appearing! He can always diet later, he's right on perfect weight, but well....gotta keep it all fair and square. Not sure if Rakins has lost any more weight, but it doesn't look as if he has. Will know that when he goes back to the vets, my scales have broken and not bothering at this point to buy new ones. Rakins is also on DOGtorX Formula, and I swear it's making a difference. Also, partner tried Tumeric over his meat, silly man put it on raw!!!!!!!! Then wondered why Rakins refused to eat it and had to wash if all off. Tumeric is a brilliant anti-inflammatory, as good if not better (no side effects) than Cortisone. So will have to cook some meat, so he get's his dose, as the leg problem maybe some form of inflammatory condition. And if it's not, then no harm done, as Tumeric is a natural herb.
Rakins overall condition is improving markedly. He's alert, bright and BORED!!!!!!!!! Still no football/soccer, no energetic play (in his eyes the ONLY type of play) and only very short walks. So, I now have a boy who's still a bit uncoordinated in the hind legs, though there is a marked improvement, especially in his 'trot', which is now normal. He still cannot turn, even slowly, without collapsing in a heap, neither can he run fast (not allowed but try stopping him) his 'gallop' is rather uncoordinated. Sits and drop are not very good, but he did manage to jump on the sofa in the normal manner. Plus, after crashing out in bed early, I was awakened very early (5.30.am.) by my darling boy laying straight on top of me and kissing me like mad. Now that really does tell me he's feeling better, as his motto is 'if I'm awake then you can wake up too", and he's not done that recently, made my day!
Even though I'm definitely not a morning person, to be woken up by Rakins, well who would complain about that, nothing better than gentle, but still energetic, doggy kisses albeit at 5.30.a.m.
My partner, who's a masseuse spotted a 'hot spot' the other day, it's still there, so he gentle felt up and down Rakins spine. The large muscle, about the middle of the back slightly towards the hind quarters, reacts immediately to touch. We don't think it's painful but there is definitely an unusual contraction of that muscle. Tried the same thing with Zeus, who stood there looking a bit astonished, no reaction at all.
The thinking is now that the 'mystery mass' and the legs maybe connected in some way, Kyle has asked the U.S.A. Specialists if this is possible, or are we still working with two separate issues.
Next line of treatment, depending on the results of the Pancreatic Blood Test, will be (not necessarily in the right order) Ultra sound, Xrays of the spinal column, hips and last resort bioptic surgery.
Me, I've finally managed to get in a good nights sleep and eaten properly, first time for days, as I just couldn't face food. So I'm definitely feeling better, more optimistic and that surely must be helping my boy.
Again, don't know what I'd do without all of you, you've no idea how much you've all helped. Please keep up the prayers and thoughts, we're not out of the woods yet but hopefully the Specialist in the Good 'Ol U.S.A. will come up trumps and work out a solution to my boy's 'mystery case'.
Get some rest and give him lots of cuddles.
