Finally an answer

We went to Fitzpatricks Referral today where Noel Fitzpatrick had a good look at him and I'm happy to say that all went well with Flash. He had an MRI as expected. We have good news and bad news. The good news is I finally know now what the problem is and it is not a serious problem (yet), the bad news is it's not treatable (and surgery is not necessary) but only manageable!

Flash simply has back pain like many people have; one of his disks is dry and it bulges when he moves in certain ways so causes him pain as it pushes on his nerves. He also has constant slightly throbing pain, which those of us (like me and... like his vet Noel) with back pains only know too well! He will be on medication for a while (a month) to settle the nerve pain, he will be onlead only for a month (he'll hate that... sorry, Flash) and he won't be able to do full agility anymore only light stuff and NO A-FRAME!!!!! He will also get acupuncture as recommended by Noel too. He will then be on medication only as and when. Hopefully this will make him more comfy and less grumpy. The condition will deteriorate but very slowly and over many years. So it's not brilliant news, but it's much better news than I expected! So I am actually really happy with this and feel a lot better about it. No surgery, no serious unsurmountable problem...

Oh, and Flash has normal thyroid function too, so that's great as well (though still haven't got general test back, but don't expect any problems with that).

So now I can finally go about sorting Flash out with meds first, then acupuncture and probably also chiro every so often to keep his muscles soft and more comfortable.

Update

Flash had his blood taken last Thursday, but something happened with the general blood test and we had to go in again this morning - not a problem as Flash is good with giving blood (unlike Jesse). Mark said that the T4 is a little on the low side, TSH is fine, we are now waiting for the rest of the thyroid results as well. So hopefully by tomorrow we have everything.

The appointment with Noel Fitzpatrick had to be moved again (due to my work) and is now next Tuesday, 17th May.

Bloods and thyroid test booked

I have booked Flash in for full bloods and a comprehensive thyroid test tomorrow at Mark's! And the appointment with Noel Fitzpatrick is then next week on Thursday.

Another incident

Flash went for a rottie this morning, again totally unprovoked! Flash was off lead (which was my fault, I should have kept him on lead until I was fully around the corner like I normally do), walked up to the dog and went for him. As always, Flash was of course muzzled so no damage done, but this is not good. I can't wait to get him checked at Fitzpatrick's and if that shows nothing significant, then I will get Mark to do full blood works and a comprehensive thyroid test... In fact, I will probably get that done either way. Something is wrong with Flash and I need to find out what it is!

Fitzpatrick Referral, lump and aggression

I got the lump results on Thursday and it is a lipoma! I am so glad that it's nothing nasty.

I have also booked an appointment at Fitzpatrick's for Friday to check Flash out. I am going to ask them to do a fairly comprehensive check as Flash's aggression is getting worse. He went for two dogs this week that he knew well and that he had no reason to attack at all. So I know that something is wrong!

T-shirt

I've put a t-shirt on Flash to stop him from scratching the wound as it seems to be a little itchy now. I also took the plaster off today and the wound looks very clean and tidy.

Lump removed and x-rays done

Today was the day when Flash's lump was removed and he had his x-rays done.

Ian thinks that it was a fatty lump, but it was under the muscle so in a bit of strange place. He sent it off for analysis.

The X-rays showed yet again nothing. Ian was kind enough to show and explain them to me. As there is definitely a problem, he will send them to Noel Fitzpatrick to see whether he can see anything more and I guess to decide what to do next.

Flash came through it all well, he is sleeping it all off now, but seems pretty bright and ok.