Romeo, oh Romeo.
I need to detail out his whole history. Going to try and make a long story short.
Romeo had bloodwork and UA done at about 10 months old for some excessive urinating as a puppy. His results came back with elevated phosphorus and (I think) calcium levels. Very low specific gravity. Was diagnosed that he just drank too much, and was told to restrict water.
His urinary issues progressed. He started wetting the bed occasionally, started having these huge long trailing accidents a few times a week through the house. At about...two years old? Three? I took him to another vet, who kind of scoffed at the 'drinking too much' and said that elevated phosphorus and calcium is a sign of kidney dysfunction. Repeated bloodwork and UA. Low specific gravity, and absolutely high BUN and Creatinine. Diagnosed with congenital chronic renal failure. Put on Royal Canin kidney diet.
His urinary issues sort of resolved over a few years. I had him on the Royal Canin for a long time and then got tired of paying for crap, so switched him onto a good quality senior food with low phosphorus and protein. In early 2012 I repeated bloodwork to see where we were at. It came back completely normal, but still that his specific gravity was low. Switched him off senior food, although I've switched him back to a lower calorie food to help with his weight.
Recently had some mobility issues, diagnosed with lyme, and decided to do his regular bloodwork and UA. Bloodwork came back normal...specific gravity was low, and there was a 'significant' amount of blood in his urine. He was on abx for the lyme, I brought him back to double check the urine (there was "less" blood). Tech mentioned something about ketones, vet said it was probably an error. Did xrays for stones. Didn't see anything. Did a bladder ultrasound (vet says she isn't a pro at it) didn't see anything. Told me to come back after antibiotics were finished, to see if they helped maybe a mystery infection.
So, brought him in today to recheck his urine. No blood. "Very" low specific gravity. She said something about his urine having sediment, but didn't seem concerned about that. Said she looked carefully under the microscope for blood and whatnot, nothing. So we talked a bit about it, she threw out the word hemangiosarcoma (I think... I know it was sarcoma
) could be a possible cause since it can shed periodically and cause the blood. She said she feels that something is wrong, that everything doesn't sit quite right, but she doesn't know what it is. She suggested that we just do the UA every 6 months, bloodwork periodically, and watch for other symptoms to progress.
I like my vet, I think I trust her. But I want answers, **** it. I don't know if I'd be able or want to do invasive surgery if we should find something, but he's only 7.5 years old. It just doesn't sit right that we both feel something is wrong, but we are going to wait and watch. Does anyone have any advice, orrrr suggestions on additional testing that could be done?
Oh, mystery dog.
I need to detail out his whole history. Going to try and make a long story short.
Romeo had bloodwork and UA done at about 10 months old for some excessive urinating as a puppy. His results came back with elevated phosphorus and (I think) calcium levels. Very low specific gravity. Was diagnosed that he just drank too much, and was told to restrict water.
His urinary issues progressed. He started wetting the bed occasionally, started having these huge long trailing accidents a few times a week through the house. At about...two years old? Three? I took him to another vet, who kind of scoffed at the 'drinking too much' and said that elevated phosphorus and calcium is a sign of kidney dysfunction. Repeated bloodwork and UA. Low specific gravity, and absolutely high BUN and Creatinine. Diagnosed with congenital chronic renal failure. Put on Royal Canin kidney diet.
His urinary issues sort of resolved over a few years. I had him on the Royal Canin for a long time and then got tired of paying for crap, so switched him onto a good quality senior food with low phosphorus and protein. In early 2012 I repeated bloodwork to see where we were at. It came back completely normal, but still that his specific gravity was low. Switched him off senior food, although I've switched him back to a lower calorie food to help with his weight.
Recently had some mobility issues, diagnosed with lyme, and decided to do his regular bloodwork and UA. Bloodwork came back normal...specific gravity was low, and there was a 'significant' amount of blood in his urine. He was on abx for the lyme, I brought him back to double check the urine (there was "less" blood). Tech mentioned something about ketones, vet said it was probably an error. Did xrays for stones. Didn't see anything. Did a bladder ultrasound (vet says she isn't a pro at it) didn't see anything. Told me to come back after antibiotics were finished, to see if they helped maybe a mystery infection.
So, brought him in today to recheck his urine. No blood. "Very" low specific gravity. She said something about his urine having sediment, but didn't seem concerned about that. Said she looked carefully under the microscope for blood and whatnot, nothing. So we talked a bit about it, she threw out the word hemangiosarcoma (I think... I know it was sarcoma
) could be a possible cause since it can shed periodically and cause the blood. She said she feels that something is wrong, that everything doesn't sit quite right, but she doesn't know what it is. She suggested that we just do the UA every 6 months, bloodwork periodically, and watch for other symptoms to progress.I like my vet, I think I trust her. But I want answers, **** it. I don't know if I'd be able or want to do invasive surgery if we should find something, but he's only 7.5 years old. It just doesn't sit right that we both feel something is wrong, but we are going to wait and watch. Does anyone have any advice, orrrr suggestions on additional testing that could be done?
Oh, mystery dog.
