Sadie, my elderly - approx 12 year old - spayed collie-cross bitch has recently started feeling her age somewhat and I was hoping someone here may be able to help me try and help her feel a little better. She was a rescue dog and her eyesight isnt so good, so though she is fine with people she knows she isnt happy with strangers and starts vomiting almost as soon as she gets in the car, so before subjecting her to a distressing trip to the vets I thought I would try and do a little research to see if there was anything we could try to help her out first. Most of the reading I've done so far seems to suggest thyroid problems, but I'll describe everything as best I can and see if anyone has any ideas that I can try.

During the course of the summer we noticed her normally jet black hair going a very dry and rusty colour, but at the time put it down to being out in the sun alot - she loves to catch forty winks lying in the garden - but over the last couple of months it has become very patchy, and re-growth seems to be pretty well non existant - she also has some sort of skin irritation going on - at first we put it down to a reaction from a new batch of straw we have at the stables, but weve kept her away from that for several weeks now and her skin is still bumpy and scabby in places - most noticeably down her spine - top of her tail/bottom/thighs and round her neck - her belly head and legs are fine - she doesnt appear itchy at all.

Around the same time she started drinking heavily - and was unable to sleep through the night without getting me up to let her out for a pee - but we moved her off dried food, and onto a chicken and rice diet and she's going through the night quite happily now, though still getting up once or twice a night for a drink.

She's slowing down noticeably, and tends to have trouble getting to her feet - though once she's up she's happy to go for a potter round the block, though it tires her out for the rest of the day.

Apart from all that she's a happy soul - still very waggy and assertive - and always keen to check out whats cooking in the kitchen, or go for a sniff round the garden. Her appetite is very good - she loves her new food, and if she gets herself into a place she cant get out of she just hollers till one of us to sort her out!

Any ideas anyone has would be fantastic - sorry I've gone on - but wanted to include anything that may be important. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Is the skin still dry and itchy since the food change? Rough coat, thirst, increased urination could be alot of different conditions. You would need to post other symptoms (the more unique the better)before someone can suggest a remedy for her. In the meantime, keep her on quality food, (give her fresh meat, dairy, veggies as well).

Hi again,

I was rambling somewhat last post - I'll try and summarise this time

Before putting her onto a good diet - very thirsy, heavy urination, dry scaley skin, no itching.

Since putting her onto a chicken/rice diet

Reasonably thirsty, but normal urination
Brittle dry coat - especially along back.
Coat thinning round tops of thighs and genitals - one or two bald patches from catching herself on the garden steps.
Very little regrowth on the bald patches.
Dry/Scaly/scabby skin - some of the scabs are a litle weepy, but dont smell 'bad' or pus-sy. She's not itchy - I havent seen her scratching once.

Lethargic - some loss of strength in her hind legs - off hind in particular.

Thinking about it further she I havent heard her bark much lately, and the times I have she has sounded a little husky.

Mentally very happy - her usual self in every respect - still happy to go for a walk, and bright and interested in the world around her when we do. Her appetite is very good, and her weight is stable around 17kg.

Apart from that there arent really any other noticeable symptoms - her gums and the whites of her eyes are both a good colour, she doesnt feel the cold excessively - she's a little deaf, and her eyesight isnt so good, but she can see cats, and can hear the rustle of a biscuit wrapper just fine, and she can certainly smell the bacon cooking from another room!

Thanks again for any ideas anyone may have - if there are any other questions I've missed out please just let me know.

Many thanks again,

Yael, and Sadie

Having just gone over Sadie with a fine tooth comb in search of anything else odd I'd missed I can also say the top of her nose is a little crustier than I would say was normal though the rest of it is warm-ish and wet, and under her tail has lost a lot of hair as well and has a few darker scabs - though still not itchy. Her eyes are bright and shiny, her skin is pink, her breathing is good, would it be any help for me to check her pulse/temperature?

Thanks again,

Yael and Sadie

Hi Yeal,

Dr. Leela has indicated on another post, that she will take a look at your case and help you out with a prescription.

Obviously the food change is helping the dog (decreased urination). We see quite a few cats who "come down" with diabetes and other endocrine disorders from a life time of commercial food. The coat of the animal is usually the last thing to "come back" after major system disfunction.
I think the nose is probably dry like the rest of her body. Omega 3 and 6 (great source is in human grade salmon oil) may help restore her coat. Flax oil is also a good supplement. Perhaps adding a couple of teaspoons to her food every couple of days may help. Also if she allows you to brush her, you can help distribute body oils that may be collecting in areas due to poor circulation. I prefer a rubber (scaled down verson of a horse brush)for this task.
Hang tight, I'm sure Dr. Leela will post soon.

hi Yeal,
I think you definitely need to rule out the Hypothyroid possibility.
BUt inspite of that, a good reemdy will help her.

The problem is I still don't have very much to go on. You've told us a lot, but its what a vet woudl like to hear, not what a homeopath can use!!
Could you tell me anything peculiar about her nature, about her likes and dislikes. HOw she is different from other dogs.
Which weather she tolerates better, any eccentricity you can think of. Any fears, aggression, mildness, attitudes...
I mean anythingI can work on.
Thanks,
doctorleela

[ 06. January 2003, 18:48: Message edited by: doctorleela ]

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Hi doctorleela

Thanks for taking the time to try and help - I'm new to homeopathy and used to vets, but I'll try and be a bit more helpful.
Well, she went off her food over the weekend and started vomiting so we had to get her straight to the vets yesterday, she was getting very weak - she's still there, and its looking like it may be Cushings but tests are ongoing - she's had a load more bloodwork done today, and is set for a scan tommorrow, but the bloodwork thats been done so far has all come back fine. I'm off to see her in the morning so should get more info then.
I'm sure its going to sound strange, but Sadie has never really had any eccentricities, apart from a very cheeky sense of humour! She loves the sun - but adores rolling in the snow, doesnt enjoy swimming much - she doesnt like getting her tail wet, but loves puddles, and heads straight for the horses water buckets whenever she gets the chance. Eats pretty much whatever she's given - though she does adore cheese, but then so did our previous Collie. She'll eat cod liver oil and sugar beet off the horses feeds given the chance, but only if she's in the mood. She's not a greedy dog, and when we leave chews out for her she'll help herself to one or two a day, until theyre all gone when she'll come and find me to fetch more. She's always had a beautiful thick black glossy coat, and adores being groomed and fussed over.

She did have a few 'issues' when we first took her on - she had been tied up and knocked around - quite possibly by children. She was covered in scabs and scars, had a broken tail, a bit of a cough, and if you tried to put a collar on her she would drop to the floor and shake. It took us about two years to win her round, but we got there in the end!
Since then she has never been ill - she's just been a really happy, friendly, robust and fun little dog. This really has come out of the blue.

Weve just heard from the vets that they hand-fed her a little chicken today, and she's been for a little potter around - she wouldnt pee in her kennel and yodelled for someone to take her out.

As soon as I've spoken with the vet face to face I'll let you know whats happening and what theyve found so far - if she pulls through this I'm sure were going to be looking for ideas to help her recuperate.

Many thanks again for you time, its very much appreciated.

Yael and Sadie

Yael, what kind of medications has Sadie been on in the past? Any steroids?

Nope - she's never been on medication of any kind - she has literally never been ill the whole time we've had her.

I've just heard from the vet and she has tested positive for Cushings - so at least we have a starting point.
She was very perky today, and if she still is tomorrow then she can come home for the weekend, and she'll be going back in next week for a few more tests, and so they can monitor her closely till they get her drug dosages sorted out - I'm so relieved to have a starting point!

As soon as I've spoken to the vet tomorrow I should have more idea what drugs she'll be on long term.

Back soon!

Yael and Sadie

I think taking 2 years to get used to a collar is something quite significant?
Kkrista?

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