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I've been writing in the morning section about WInnie being sick and the test they gave to see if she has Cushings Disease. Well, her Cushings test was normal so now he wants to do a water deprivation test to see is she has diabetes insipidis. Her symptoms are she is drinking amazing amounts of water, peeing volumes of course and a increased appetite. These are symptoms of several diseases, all apparently hard to diagnose. With the diabetes Insipidis dogs will start drinking too much, (they think caused by a glitch in the brain) and it takes all the sodium from their kidneys and they become unable to concentrate the urine. The test is to tell if after being without water for that period of time, the urine has concentrated or not. He said in the 25 years he has been a vet he hasn't had a dog who actually did have the disease. I think it will be harder on me than Winnie to keep her from water that long. I asked him if it was safe to let her go that long and he said yes but....I can't help but worry. She wakes me in the night and I put down fresh papers, then she wants a snack! I hope when this is over she doesn't think this late night snacking is a new routine! She doesn't seem to feel bad and has her normal bossy attitude but in spite of the appetite she had lost a little weight from last week.

I just checked with my vet friends who work a large vet school, they said the water deprivation test CAN be safe but she must be monitored carefully so no kidney damage occurs. I'm glad I asked because the vet here told me to keep her off water 24 hours and then bring in a urine sample! It's a good thing I listened to that little voice inside me that said this doesn't sound right & checked with them.

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Dear Winnie,

I'm so sorry you're feeling poorly. Mommy and I hope you are feeling better in no time flat.
I'm sending you and your Mommy big hugs and licks.
Good luck with those dang doctors.

Love,
Abby

Diabetes in dogs is not that unusual and it sure sounds like it. It can be treated but does take a lot of dedication on your part what with shots and testing, etc. Please let us know the diagnosis. Sassy, Buddy and Sophie all send big doggie kisses to you and Winnie.

So sorry Winnie is sick. Hope the vets can figure out the cause...and a treatment.

Poor Winnie. My little Fred was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He is now on insulin injections 2 x a day...for the rest of his life. We've had a rough go of it as it takes some time to figure out what the correct doseage is for them. I think we have finally found our magic number (at least I hope we have). And yes, it takes a lot of dedication to make sure he eats so he can have his injection. Good luck to Winnie on this. And you too.

When are they going to do the testing or have they already started that part? I hope she feels better and they find out what's wrong and get it fixed.

The problem they think she has isn't like regular diabetes, in diabetes insipidus the dog/person can not concentrate its urine. According to everything I've read, this can lead to serious problems, including death, if the dog does not have access to large quantities of water. On the other hand, it may not cause any significant problem if there is always plenty of water available. This problem can occur for a number of reasons and for no reason at all. So...depriving her of water for 24 hours seemed to me to be pretty risky. When I voiced my concern, both vets said try limiting her water to see if the problem will reverse. I limited her water yesterday and I put out just a small amount of water for her overnight. Amazingly she didn't drink it and only pottied once compared to the at least six times she would have gone by this time of day. I wouldn't think that limiting water could work that fast, maybe whatever caused it suddenly reversed.

Winnie and I thank you all for your concern and well wishes & she sends bunches of puppy kisses.

I sure am learning allot about this topic. Sorry little Winnie has to endure it in order for me to do so, tho. Keep us updated on how she's doing.

So behind on posts - just read this. Hope Winnie is feeling better - and that they can figure this out. And hugs to you. So hard when our furkids are sick!

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BJ, how is Winnie doing? And you?

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Just saw this post...hope Winnie is better and her test came out negative. I send hugs for both of you, Chewy sends errrr's.

All of Winnie's tests point to an adrenal tumor. So it's off to St Louis for an ultra sound tomorrow, long trip and she can't have food for 12 hours prior! They said I could give her a tranquilizer thank goodness or she would eat my car! I think I'll take one too, I haven't been sleeping & I'm exhausted. I am so thankful for my friend who volunteered to go with us so DH can stay home with Andy and Charley. I finally decided I'd better have a check up too so went in Monday and I'm waiting for results. They said a low Vitamin D count can cause you to be tired and I have always avoided sunshine. Thought they had checked that back in the fall but guess they forgot...