Just got this e mail - updated

[Sheryl]

from the vets.  Not sure what to make of it really. 

Hi,
 
Thanks for the email, this confirms that she is drinking more than she should for a dog of her weight.  The urine sample you submitted is a little more concentrated than before but still too dilute.
 
The good news is that her results from the lab suggest that she is not leaking any protein into her urine - this suggests that there is not any damage to the tubes in the kidneys.
 
The liver function test unfortunately did not work for some reason her gall bladder was not stimuated by the meal we gave her so we will need to repeat this test and maybe feed her more next time.
 
We are awaiting the urine culture results which should be in over the next few days.  Once we have everything the next stage is to scan her liver and kidneys and repeat the liver function test again (the lab have offered to repeat the test at a reduced charge).  Once we have found out whether the problem lies with the liver or kidneys we will be able to start treatment.
 
Don't worry about measuring the water anymore, but if you could please submit a couple more urine samples over the next week just to get an idea about how her kidneys are concentrating that would be great.  I'll give you a ring once everything is in and then we can arrange the final tests.
 
Thanks
Charlie Carnochan

Does that sound good or bad?   They do mention starting treatment don't they?  Maybe that is a good sign.

[fenn2006]

? urm not sure...is still pretty fague isn't it....oh Sheryl 

[Annette]

Sorry, but it looks like they are saying that they still don't know, that they want to run some more tests (and repeat some) and then decide.

It's a long old job for you isn't it.

Have they had you measuring her fluid input? How on earth do you do that with a dog??

I do hope you will be able to start thinking about some form of treatment soon.

[cdpops]

Gosh Sheryl, how cinfusing, I would E mail them back and ask them to be moe specific and use lay mans terms.

[fenn2006]

Gosh Sheryl, how cinfusing, I would E mail them back and ask them to be moe specific and use lay mans terms.

I agree

[Sheryl]

Yes, I have been measuring her fluid intake just by giving her quarter litres at a time and then measuring and subtracting anything left at the end of the day.  Her usual amount is about one and a half litres a day.  I have to take urine samples every few days and hand them in too.  I know it shouldn't be a consideration but it is all so expensive.  £36 the first time, then £78 and last one was £114   The meal they were talking about was a high fat meal but why they did that, they didn't say.  It is about now that I wish I had stayed with my old vets

[Nicola]

It's all a bit inconclusive really     basically it seems like they just don't know what it is and need to wait for more results. God this not knowing is the pits isn't it?! At the moment with Alfie I feel like I could cope with anything if I just knew what it was we were dealing with and you must be the same.

[louis mum]

Thinking of you.  It doesnt really say anything that email does it. I would ask to speak to the vet and ask them to clarify what the tests are for again.

[jann]

It actually sounds quite clear to me !
How I read it is that they have excluded damage to the tubes to her kidneys but are waiting for the results of the urine culture to exclude other kidney problems.
The test for the liver function did not work and will be repeated.
Scans will be done on liver and kidneys and the liver function test repeated.
This is the way all diagnoses are made by excluding the more obvious  and then going further until a dignosis is found.
I know it's frustrating, and you want an answer quickly, but these things do take time.

I know for a fact that if this was being done by the NHS for a human patient it would take much longer

[Annette]

OK, the email is clear, but I think as far as diagnosis and future treatment is concerned it is not. And I thought that was what Sheryl was asking?

[louis mum]

Also, I think things are moving very slowly. Within three days my Louis had bloods, ultra sound, liver biopsies and a renal calculi removing.  I would be pushing the vet a bit more Sheryl, after all you are paying. 

[cazza]

Aw Sheryl - loads of {{Hugs}} and  it is such a pain not knowing - hope something is sorted soon 

[Sheryl]

I am sure this will be the 3rd liver function test she will have had.  Also they tested her urine the first day, told me it was too dilute.  Told me to measure her intake, then told me to stop, then start again and now stop.  They tell me it is probably Cushings, then its not, then its psychosomatic polyuria, then it can't be.  Then she goes for an ultrasound and the probe breaks.  My head is spinning.  It isn't so much the waiting that upsets me Jann, it is watching Holly go from bowl to door to bowl to door, all day.  It is heartbreaking

[jann]

OK, the email is clear, but I think as far as diagnosis and future treatment is concerned it is not. And I thought that was what Sheryl was asking?

Sorry if I misunderstood, I agree the diagnosis and therefore treatment is not yet clear !
Also as Louismum has said - they were very quick to diagnose Louis maybe you could push the vets a bit Sheryl ?
I really do hope you get to the bottom of this quickly.
 Sending healing thoughts to you both Jann and Flo

[fenn2006]

Hi Sheryl - I really really know how you are feeling at the mo - not that that will help I know but just to send you a cyber hug