"Maggie” is a 16 month old, spayed, black and white Labrador Retriever Mix owned by Lacey and James Buckner. “Maggie” has been coming to see us since she was a very young puppy and had always been very healthy. When she was 11 months old, “Maggie” came to the hospital because she had suddenly become very ill. She was vomiting, did not feel like eating and was very lethargic. She had also lost eight pounds during the previous two weeks. During her examination, “Maggie’s” abdomen was somewhat tense, she was dehydrated and had a puncture wound on her back. In house laboratory work included checking her organ function profile. The test revealed that her kidney levels (BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine) were abnormal. These abnormal values can be caused by kidney disease, dehydration and sometimes other less common diseases or problems. Because “Maggie” had a tense abdomen, radiographs (x-rays) were taken, including a barium series (contrast media).

 

This allowed us to see if any foreign bodies were causing the vomiting. The radiographs were normal meaning “Maggie” would not need surgery, however, that meant we still had more work to do. While awaiting results of the more extensive laboratory work that was sent to the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, located here in College Station, “Maggie” was treated symptomatically with intravenous fluids for the dehydration and anti-emetics to help relieve her vomiting. The results of the laboratory work illuminated the possibility of Addison’s Disease (insufficiency of the adrenal cortex portion of the adrenal glands), so a confirmation test (ACTH Simulation Test) was done and “Maggie” was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease. We continued intravenous fluid treatments while adjusting the protocol to be more specific to her condition and began treating her with Addison’s Disease medications.

“Maggie” gradually improved, spending more and more time sleeping in the tech’s chair in the treatment room and enjoying her daily visits from her mom and dad. Within one week, she felt like eating on her own and her laboratory values had returned to normal. On the ninth day of her hospitalization we were able to send her home. Everyone was sad to see her leave; she had become a permanent member of the Highway 30 Family. In the next month, she was closely observed and came in for many medical progress reports. She was recovering very well and gained back six pounds that month. We are proud to report “Maggie” is doing great with the help of her wonderful owners Lacey and James. Her mom and dad give her daily medications and bring her in faithfully for her medical progress exams, lab work and monthly injections. While “Maggie” will have to be on medication for the rest of her life she is able to live a full and happy one with Lacey and James.