Luckie Dog Update

By Karen McNew
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: March 11, 2008

The test results from the vet were encouraging.  Basically, his system is a little out of whack because of Cushings Disease which causes his body to make too much of the steroid prednisone… he had been whining and begging a lot for food and drinking excessive amounts of water.. we have been giving him medicine for a while now to control it but with the symptoms coming back we knew he needed to see the vet.

As he ages.. his teeth have also become a health concern.. the last time he had them cleaned he lost several and had to have some taken out.. 6 in all and even with the strongest doggie medicine out there he whimpered the evening of the procedure and drooled saliva with blood while my husband did his best to comfort him on the couch.. (they like to watch T.V. together)

Well, the test results indicate that an increase in his medicine should help make him more comfortable.. and I was really worried he was going to have more teeth taken out… good news all around on our last visit.. teeth are great and give some extra medicine wait a week and see what happens..  at this point we aren’t convince the medicine has fully kicked it but we are hopeful.. and on the teeth.. I have been brushing his teeth and giving him a round of antibiotics for the past three months.. which is something worth asking your vet about.. my vet said it is important to control the bacteria in his mouth.. so for the first week of every month Luckie gets one antibiotic per day for 5 days… also he has gotten used to the chicken flavored toothpaste and tolerates the soft bristle Sponge Bob Squarepants kiddie toothbrush I bought to apply it… it is pretty comical to watch… We love that dog.. for those of you who feel the same about your pet I say Good For You.. pets are precious creatures that rely on us to take care of them and the greatest reward is that sweet look on their face when you are reaching for the treat bag or the peaceful look on their face as they sprawl out for a cat or dog nap..