Hi folks! It's been several years since I last posted, but I think we're getting close to the rainbow with our girl, Ellie. We've been fighting some recent health issues that include highly increased water intake, frequent urination, accidents in the house, decreased appetite resulting in "snacking" throughout the day, a couple of skin infections along the way, sporadic and short-lived seizures, and a few other minor things that may be more bulldog traits than anything (laziness/lethargy that isn't noticeably increased from what she's always shown). Other age related health concerns are that she's developing cataracts and arthritis. The stairs in our house are becoming more and more of a challenge for her to where she sometimes loses balance "hopping" up them and slides back down one. I think it bruises her ego more than anything.
We had a follow-up vet appointment this morning and our vet thinks that she may have Cushing's Disease/Syndrome. Our vet wanted to do bloodwork and start medication but it would require at least 2 rounds of each, possibly more (performed every 2 weeks), to dial in the right dosage for medication and the cost is fairly high. I ultimately declined the bloodwork for today so that I can talk with my wife later tonight. A big factor for us is Ellie's age. She's a spry old 12.5 years. We know that we're probably on borrowed time at this point in her life. Part of me wants to bite the financial bullet and go through with bloodwork and medication (we've already doubled her monthly medication cost in the past month and the Cushing's medication would add another $100 each month). Another part of me doesn't want to see her poked, prodded, jabbed, etc. for bloodwork every 2 weeks for the foreseeable future to get her dosage right and would rather treat her to a weekly burger or chicken nuggets and see her comfortable until there's a noticeable decline.
Am I thinking too much about her age and it being as big of a factor? Has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation with an older pup where age is a big concern for you? Anyone with experience with Cushing's in the bulldog?
Pic of Ellie Mae McPigglesworth for ooooohh's and awwww's.
We had a follow-up vet appointment this morning and our vet thinks that she may have Cushing's Disease/Syndrome. Our vet wanted to do bloodwork and start medication but it would require at least 2 rounds of each, possibly more (performed every 2 weeks), to dial in the right dosage for medication and the cost is fairly high. I ultimately declined the bloodwork for today so that I can talk with my wife later tonight. A big factor for us is Ellie's age. She's a spry old 12.5 years. We know that we're probably on borrowed time at this point in her life. Part of me wants to bite the financial bullet and go through with bloodwork and medication (we've already doubled her monthly medication cost in the past month and the Cushing's medication would add another $100 each month). Another part of me doesn't want to see her poked, prodded, jabbed, etc. for bloodwork every 2 weeks for the foreseeable future to get her dosage right and would rather treat her to a weekly burger or chicken nuggets and see her comfortable until there's a noticeable decline.
Am I thinking too much about her age and it being as big of a factor? Has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation with an older pup where age is a big concern for you? Anyone with experience with Cushing's in the bulldog?
Pic of Ellie Mae McPigglesworth for ooooohh's and awwww's.
