Is this even Possible?

[Jennifer and Jack]

I have been trying to figure out a way to ask this question without looking like I am more insane then I actually am. 

 

As you know, Jack has been very sick on and off for the past few months, Very sick meaning totally abnormal lab values, including cortisol thyroid, and swollen intestines, He has had to go in for IV hydration several times, Has had several urinary issues. I think I have posted a million post about what we have gone though. How nothing is making sense because one day is lab values are totally off the next the same one's  are normal,

 

At first, I asked if the different lab finding were because sometimes the labs were drawn at the specialist and sometimes the local vet, So to rule that out. all his blood work was sent to the same place. Urine samples as well. Totally and completely change. 

 

Many specialist consulted as well as Jack's regular vet that I adore, They are all totally stumped. What they feel is that Jack is reacting to me being sick. That he is "so in tune with my body that he is getting sick"

 

I actually don't know if I believe something like this, I have heard many stories from people how their dogs have taken on their disease, How when their owners have been sick they act strange, act out etc. I have talked to people who have dogs that have found their cancer by pawing at it, even after the doctor gave them the all clear.

 

I know that Jack can steer me clear of things that cause me to have airway reactions. He also can telll when it is time for me to head to the hospital because my breathing is getting bad.

 

My question is have you ever heard of this? Is this insane that Jack is getting sick because of me?  That does not bring me comfort or make me feel good that Jack loves me that much, it makes me sick to my stomach.....

 

If that is the case, I never would have gotten Jack, as much as I love him, if I would have known that he was going to be that attached to  me that my sickness would effect him so much, he would have been better off going to someone else ....

 

That is the very reason I did not have children and chose not to get married so that I would not bring all this crap into a relationship, I never considered for one second what my life situation would do to Jack.

 

I am not saying I am sorry I got him, He is my world I am just saying if what they are saying is true,  I would not have been so selfish.

 

I don't know if it is true, but it appears to be. I have spoken to other people who have said they have seen this with their dogs....

 

Anyone have any experience with this? I am feeling so bad for Jack and feeling like the worst person in the world for not considering how he would feel or react to my life.. I just didn't know better. I mean dogs work with people with disabilities all the time and you don't see them going to the vet sick when the owner is sick, or may you do and I don't know about it.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Jennifer, I have no idea if it is possible.  Jack may be a sensitive pup who reacts to your sickness but I have a hard time believing he is making himself sick or you are making him sick.  Just my opinion.  I have worked in health care facilities where they have resident dogs who cozy up to patients who want company.   Wouldn't more dogs be sick if they got sick whenever we got sick?  It just sounds a little nuts to me.   That being said......I can see why you would wonder.   My experience with labs is that they all get slightly different results so best to stick with one so you can compare apples to apples.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Thanks I didn't come up with the idea, I never would think that it is possible, that is what the vets are saying to me, not definitively, but suggesting it.

 

To me, I can't see it, and don't really understand how it would be possible. It seems nuts to me. I do know dogs can be sensitive to things such as before someone is going to have seizure, or finding cancer, or things like that, Those things are proven, but never have I seen a dog get sick because the owner is sick. I am capable of believing a lot of weird things,.... but  this is a stretch even for me.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My mom's Westie was extremely intuitive when she wasn't feeling well.  I don't know how far this intuition goes but on the surface, she always knew and appeared 'under the weather' when my mom was.  Now we didn't do vet checks on her but ..... they had a very strong connection.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

it has been known for men to "get pregnant" with the wife and crave strange things. I wouldnt doubt the possibility of an animal being so intune. Ive heard of animals not leaving another animal of a different species and the same species because they were dying. Its a possibility. Animals can tell when earthquakes are about to happen for example. Some are trained as seizure alert dogs....

[Adina P]

I don't think I believe it...perhaps for illnesses that can form from stress...I suppose...but not something like this.  It is one thing to be in tune and another for a dog to develop a disease.  However I don't remember what Jack has been diagnosed with...?

[Jennifer and Jack]

He is borderline addison's disease, he is on steroids for it now.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Well, for one: How would you have ever even have thought of this before you got him? Seems a bit rare or some of us at least would have heard of it. Second, I find it hard to believe from a medical point of view as well. The nurse in me is coming out here. It's one thing to sense an illness or pending respiratory event, or seizure, but another entirely to actually make oneself sick. I think that is taking empathy to a whole new level.  Unless he is so stressed by your being sick that it effects him physically, I just don't see it. But this is just my opinion.  And even if it is true, what can be done now is more the issue. How to minimize the symptoms.

As for labs, you know as well as I do how they can vary from one specimen to another, time of draw, handling of blood, technician doing the test, lab doing the test, person who drew the labs....on and on and on.

I hope you get a definitive diagnosis and cure so that you can feel some relief knowing what it is, why and how to take care of it and stop blaming yourself. That's the last thing you need on top of feeling physically ill.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I agree Sue, Thanks...

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

I am wondering how much exercise Jack gets. If your medical condition does not allow it,perhaps you can team up with another dog owner to go to the dog park or throw balls in the yard or something. I currently have a cast on my leg but have been getting rides to the dog park. The dogs like it that I am there with them but I don't have to run around with them to entertain them and it's good exercise and stress relief for my dogs. Just a thought.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack gets at least two miles of walking every day, sometimes three. Either by me or by a dog walker. He is very rarely left home alone as he can go to daycare, to my friends house across the street for dog play dates and in addition Molly is still in the house and he can play with her anytime he wants, He has literally about 50 plus toys that he has access to all the time, plus several times a day I sit on the floor and play with him, throwing the toy and having him retrieve it.

 

[Jennifer Tramell]

Okay, I have nothing but sympathy and encouragement for you and I really know nothing about what I'm talking about.  That said, is it possible that Jack needs time to just be a dog?  Maybe he is TOO in tune with you and is suffering some physical effects of anxiety? Some kind of PTSD (again, I know NOTHING about what I'm talking about - just brainstorming)?  Maybe some "doggy time" would do him good.  Sometimes I wonder if dogs that are treated too much like people can suffer anxieties that are not normal for dogs. Just a thought from someone who doesn't know what she's talking about :-)

[Jennifer and Jack]

I don't know, I don't think it is possible for him to get physically ill because I am. I do believe it can cause him anxiety.