Quick Update

I didn't get around to posting any photos...but thought I would update Albert's status...the doctor is not sure what the ailment is...but has assured us that Albert is not in pain.  She did an ultrasound of all of his major organs yesterday and everything looked healthy and his blood pressure was perfectly normal (supporting the no pain claim).  Anyway...she has said that the x-rays looked normal to her--so no lung cancer.  They did test his urine and that showed that he does have a urinary tract infection...but the liver enzymes were within a normal range.  This contradicts the next hypothesis of Cushing's Syndrome...a thyroid condition (at least that's what WGH told me...I haven't thoroughly researched).  While Al is showing some of the symptoms (ravenous hunger, excessive thirst, hair loss) of that, the fact that the bloodwork in July wasn't elevated and the fact that his liver enzymes (from the urine) weren't elevated yesterday, she's pretty sure that's not what it is.  Anyway...next Tuesday, he's going back for another test...something about his larynx being enlarged.  They will have to sedate him to check this...but she seems to think this is relatively easy enough to check...and could provide answers to the panting problem.  I did notice last night, that the normal triggers for barking (a doorbell ring on television or my cell phone ringing, for example) did not elicit any sort of response...so maybe this is the issue.  What I don't know and what WGH failed to ask (or tell me) is what the course of treatment is.  If it's not the larynx issue...then we may have to pay to run the official test for Cushing's...(each of these procedures run about $200...plus the $200 we spent yesterday...but if it gives us peace of mind and Albert relief, I can't think of money better spent...I know, we are crazy dog parents!!!)

At any rate...for now, Albert is taking Cipro for his infection...hopefully, that will at least begin to clear before next week.

Thanks again for reading...and I promise I hope to get back into the swing of things soon...and I will post those photos!

Make today a great one!!!