Cher’s Journey to Better Health

Cher, a sweet 7-year-old Pomeranian, was brought into our clinic for a routine exam with Dr. Spies. Her owner wanted to establish Cher with a regular veterinarian and ensure she was up to date on her vaccinations. In addition, the owner expressed concern about Cher’s reluctance to eat dry dog food, though she was still enjoying canned food and soft treats.

During the thorough physical exam, Dr. Spies noted that Cher was underweight and had significant dental disease. Given these findings, Dr. Spies recommended a dental cleaning, with the possibility of extractions. Bloodwork was performed, and the results indicated that it was safe to proceed with the oral health procedure.

However, in the days leading up to the procedure, Cher’s appetite worsened, and she vomited a few times. Additional tests were run, and they came back as normal. To help alleviate the symptoms, Cher started taking an appetite stimulant and anti-vomiting medication, which reduced the vomiting but did not significantly improve her appetite. Dr. Spies emphasized that addressing the dental disease was the next crucial step.

Cher returned to the clinic a few days later for her scheduled oral health procedure. That morning, she was quiet, alert, and responsive. An IV catheter was placed, and she was given anti-nausea medication to prevent any vomiting due to anesthesia. Shortly after receiving the medication, however, Cher became lethargic and limp. The veterinary team quickly sprang into action to stabilize her.

Dr. Spies immediately contacted Cher’s owner to discuss the situation. Concerned that Cher might be suffering from Addison’s disease, Dr. Spies recommended testing for the condition. Her owner agreed to proceed with the test and any necessary treatments. By 2 p.m. that afternoon, Cher was feeling much better. She was able to walk outside but still showed little interest in food. She was stable enough to go home later that day, though her appetite remained a concern.

The next day, Dr. Spies received the lab results, which confirmed that Cher did indeed have Addison’s disease. With this diagnosis, Cher was started on the appropriate medication to manage her condition. Since then, she has been doing remarkably well. She successfully underwent her oral health procedure without complications and is now eating normally, behaving like a healthy, happy dog.

We are thrilled to report that Cher is thriving after starting her medication and receiving the care she needed. She is very loved and loves spending time with her other K-9 siblings. .