as the world turns
Today I received Squish's blood test results. It's official. He has hypothyroidism. (A disease in which the production of thyroid hormone is reduced. Symptoms include slow metabolism, tendency to gain weight, thinning hair and fatigue.) It tends to occur in labradors, goldens, dobermans and greyhounds after the age of 2. Squish is mostly golden, and he is turning 3 in a few weeks.
I find this ironic as hell, as Honey ultimately died from her hyperthyroidism. ( Excessive functional activity of the thyroid gland. The abnormal condition resulting from an overactive thyroid gland; marked by increased metabolic rate, enlargement of the thyroid gland, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, enlarged heart, kidney dysfunction, various secondary symptoms and in severe cases, death.) Honey had just turned 13 when she died. I picked up her ashes last week. I miss her everyday.
The not bad news is that it is significantly more treatable than hyperthyroidism and the negative effects of the disease are not nearly as severe. Really, he's going to have to take a pill twice a day for a month, then everyday for the rest of his life and periodic lab tests... but it's going to make him feel SO MUCH BETTER!
He weighs 100lbs. He'll probably drop at least 10, easy, which will be amazing for his hips (moderate hip dysplasia). He'll have more energy and will be able to keep up better with Ella, and in general will be a happier dog. So, that is really good. Also, the medication is fairly inexpensive (0.20cents a pill). And I can throw the pills in with his food. Both dogs are already on glucosamine and chondroitin so adding another supplement is like nada. This will not prevent him from leading a normal, long and healthy life.
In other news...I'm back up to 50 minutes of continuous running. Yesterday my pinkie toe started hurting around mile 3, it still hurts today and I've decided it's because my shoes are worn out and it's time to get new shoes. I've probably done about 250 miles in them in the past 9 weeks and about 700 from May to October of last year...so it's time.
Also, I can do 30 pushups in a row!!!! Granted, they are the girl pushups. Haha. I can do about 15-20 standard pushups.
All the animals and I are adjusting to our loss of Honey. The cats are all significantly more social and demanding of my attention and I, in turn am significantly more attentive. These days Baby has replaced Honey's spot in sleeping next to my head, which is new for both of us. She rarely slept in the bed before (Even before I got the dogs) and when she did it was always at the foot of the bed. Now she braves Ella, Squish and Sam to cuddle. It's cute. Teddy is still refusing to use the litter box on a regular basis (why God why?!?) but she only misses by a few inches...and she's been hanging out in the kitchen and living room (instead of the hallway). Sam is as usual a love bunny. He has been cuddling a lot more with Squish. My two orange boys...they are so loving.
School will be over (for the summer) in 3 weeks.