everyone is baffled....

stefi · 10-09-2007, 02:28 PM

My 6yr old mini schnauzer has everyone stumped. She outwardly appears healthy, but has some clinical symptoms that have been a concern. She has had protein in her urine for over a year. Yet there has not been a vet who knows definitively what this can be attributed to. The possibilites have ranged from cushings to kidney disease. Her only behavioral symptom had been increased water consumption. What is baffling everyone is that this symptom appears and disappears for months at a time, during which, Stefi seems fine. She is on a special diet incase she does have kidney issues. She is also on blood pressure medication for high b.p.
The Cushings tests have been done twice... and the results return inconclusive. There is evidently a "grey area" with these... and of course, that is where her results fall.
And short of doing a biopsy, it can only be presumed that there could be kidney issues.
I have done a ton of internet research. I know water consumption is a sign of many possible afflictions. But I have not read of ANYTHING in which increased water consumption comes and goes in cycles?!?

Thoughts?

Thanks!!

staticsnana · 10-09-2007, 03:29 PM

have you changed the dogs diet at all? ae you giving treats that you have not given before?sometimes diet can do things like this.

briteday · 10-09-2007, 03:38 PM

What are you feeding the dog?

Ginny01OT · 10-09-2007, 08:55 PM

I would check the sodium content of the food your dog is eating, as salt can contribute to high bp as well as water retention.

digits mama · 10-09-2007, 10:57 PM

HI, I am in the process of fostering a pup with Addisons. I have been reading up on this so maybe this will help http://www.addisondogs.com/addisons/whatis.html

Good luck!

jbv · 10-10-2007, 09:32 PM

Testing for Addison's may be a good idea as the symptons can be quite vague initially...and they do come and go to such an extent that it is often not diagnosed until the dog is in crisis. Testing for the disease is relatively simple... and it can be managed with meds if caught early enough. Good luck.

stefi · 10-11-2007, 10:55 AM

Thanks for all of the replies. Stefi has had 2 ATCH stim tests. Both returned results that were borderine Cushings. My understanding is that this is the opposite of Addison's... is that correct?
If so, I'm guessing that the Cushings test results eliminated Addisons, no?
Thanks again!

jbv · 10-11-2007, 11:25 PM

Yes, I'd say your reasoning is correct. The ACTH stim test you've had done would be the same one done to test for Addison's. I do hope you find some answers soon...it's so hard to see our pups ill...especially when we don't know how to help them. Good luck.

cshellenberger · 10-13-2007, 10:15 PM

I know that in humans protien in urine and increased thirst are also signs of diabetes. Has this also been ruled out?

stefi · 10-15-2007, 02:58 PM

^^ it has been rules out to the extent that there has never been glucose in her urine.

she has been diagnosed with glomularnephritis... but a second vet disputed that, suggesting that the protein could be from a number of things, including cushings.

we are just baffled by the appearnace and disappearnce of her symptoms.... and wondering if that could help pinpoint her affliction.