gemini1968 wrote: Thanks, Dr. Doug. Wouldn't he have increased thirst with Addison's or not always? SInce being on raw he drinks much less water actually (as expected).
Not always. There are two components - mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid. The mineralo part may or maynot be present and is mostly responsible for the thirst/urination part. Skin signs, lethargy and having been on steroids is enough that I'd like to see a baseline cortisol and thyroid levels.
Detox and healing takes time, and it takes energy for the body to do. If his allergies are "slowly improving" that would seem to be an indication that you're moving in the right direction. However, he's also had some fairly major stuff happen, including some really nasty meds he didn't handle too well... so its going to take a little while for him to work that out of his system and heal completely. If you have a holistic vet or other practitioner, you may wish to discuss this with that person and see if they have anything to offer in the way of homeopathics, flower essences, or other therapies (acupuncture comes to mind) that could get him moving along a little faster, or just support him further in what he's doing.
Other than that... rule number one is to let go of your attachment to his past and all of what you think it is doing to him. Dogs live primarily in the now, but people are forever holding them back. I'm rehabbing my Mom's chi right now, and the difference between having her and Dad here talking about the poor abused dog that they adopted and how its "her temperament" and "you don't understand" and her just having me here and my dogs... is the difference between a neurotic little fear biting pain in the butt, and her starting to act like a normal dog. And I'm not saying you're like my parents... but some of your remarks indicate that you are letting "his past" affect your impressions of his future. Which does not serve him, I promise.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
gemini1968 wrote: He was on the shots for 7 mths and we saw no difference and the holistic vet advised stopping. We were warned that in a dog with sooo many allergens our chances of success were small. He is in central AC all day. THank you.
Not sure how many allergies yours has. Mine tested allergic to 37 or 38 things (I forget exactly) and he responded fantastically to desensitization shots. My vets told me it can take several months to a year for them to start working. In my dog's case, we started seeing improvement within three months. But I've heard of dogs who don't get significant improvement.
Me and the DH
Two boys and two dogs (and two cats who prefer to stay home)
2008 Forest River Georgetown 350DS (bunkhouse model)
2001 Honda CR-V
gemini1968 wrote: Thanks, Dr. Doug. Wouldn't he have increased thirst with Addison's or not always? SInce being on raw he drinks much less water actually (as expected).
Not always. There are two components - mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid. The mineralo part may or maynot be present and is mostly responsible for the thirst/urination part. Skin signs, lethargy and having been on steroids is enough that I'd like to see a baseline cortisol and thyroid levels.
Doug
Thank you. We had his thyroid checked by Michigan State in late May and it was perfect.
We got one of our rat terriers from rescue in June 2004. She had been found as a stray in the KC area. The shelter was guessing that she had been in a puppy mill because of the feces/urine stains all over her back and by the way her feet were splayed out (like she'd been living on a wire cage deck).
It took well over 2 years before we began to see even a hint normal happy rattie behavior from her. She still isn't interested in toys, and probably never will be. However she will play a half-hearted game of tug-o-war with us if we really insist.
She has come a long, long way and still has alot of "mental health issues", however she is now staring to act like a happy dog. Especially if you start putting stuff into the RV, then she's overbrimming with joy!
So, give Hooch more time. Try to just get him to trust you, then offer toys and play. Eventually he'll get the idea, especially if he has other normal dogs around to play with.
Julie
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A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
Aren't there drugs sometimes prescribed for "depressed" doggies? It seems that I've heard of it. If there are not medical issues, I think I would consider it.
Judy & Bud (Judy usually the one talking here)
2004 Pleasure-Way Excel TD
co-pilots, Rosie & Poquita
We rescued a Cairn Terrier several years ago and her behavior was antithetical to any Cairn we had owned or been around. She was aggressive, angry, and, I thought, dangerous to humans and other dogs. After about three months we had about given up when we noticed that her urine was the consistency of syrup! Had her checked out and discovered the dog had a severe case of diabetes--undiagnosed by the rescue organization.
Put her on insulin, got her balanced out and she was a completely different dog.
Lord only knows how long she had suffered from the malady but once she was treated it made all the difference in the world with her behavior.
I agree with others here, have your dog carefully diagnosed for several conditions by a vet.
chuckster11 wrote: We rescued a Cairn Terrier several years ago and her behavior was antithetical to any Cairn we had owned or been around. She was aggressive, angry, and, I thought, dangerous to humans and other dogs. After about three months we had about given up when we noticed that her urine was the consistency of syrup! Had her checked out and discovered the dog had a severe case of diabetes--undiagnosed by the rescue organization.
Put her on insulin, got her balanced out and she was a completely different dog.
Lord only knows how long she had suffered from the malady but once she was treated it made all the difference in the world with her behavior.
I agree with others here, have your dog carefully diagnosed for several conditions by a vet.
I agree totally. Ginger was owned by the vet's assistance and was cked constantly for anything. She just was so injured I guess she's a lost cause. Sure wish I could have gotten Ceasar Millan (The Dog Whisperer) to see her. I really think he might have helped her.
Bill & Linda
Ladymc & Shuttlebird
2008 Silver Dodge Diesel Dually 3500 - "The Silver Bullet"
Towing 1998 35 ft. Newmar 5th wheel
20K Husky Hitch & Blue Ox Bedsaver
Handheld Garmin Nuvi 350 GPS AND Sat. in dash mounted GPS in the truck
READY TO ROLL!
CA POPPY wrote: Aren't there drugs sometimes prescribed for "depressed" doggies? It seems that I've heard of it. If there are not medical issues, I think I would consider it.
They do use prozac and such things for dogs, but... I wouldn't do it, especially not with a dog that's just had an issue with a drug and is still recovering from that.
However, there is SAM-e. It is a proven anti-depressant in humans and I've used it to good effect in anxious dogs, senile dogs, dogs with pain, and where liver support was wanted. I doubt that it would do any harm, though a chat with the vet would be a good idea... and its mainstream enough these days that the vet wouldn't likely have issue. It might do some good, he could probably use some serious detox support right now anyway, and its cheap enough to try... 20 bucks or so.
Sometimes... it just takes time, lots and lots of time to have a dog adjust to a new lifestyle. I've fostered dogs for several MONTHS that seemed like they would never emerge from the shell of existence they were trapped in.... and then one magical day their personality came to life. It is miraculous when it happens and quite surprising, especially when they go through something similar to a puppy stage at an advanced age. Not all dogs do this but some will, if they learn to trust, become comfortable, and find happiness in that trust & comfort.
Now don't get me wrong I think that owners (or fosters) of such dogs should rule out any/all health problems first, but life deals many of these rescued animals hard lives that we may not ever understand.... the kind of life that it takes a while to overcome, to actually learn happiness and to begin to thrive. Even then thriving and happiness to them may not be exactly what we have in mind for them but it is instead, their own variation of happiness.
So please go forward in your quest to determine if there are any health issues and see where that leads....Even if your dog doesn't become as full of personality as you might hope, I have faith you will love him completely just as he is. Thank you for caring about him....as they say... worts and all.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
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