Nell: This is a bit early. You haven’t got an appointment today, have you?
Me: No. I couldn’t sleep and then Poppy came upstairs to have a grumble so I thought I’d just start writing.
Nell: What’s Poppy grumbling about? David didn’t mean to eat the ham. It was a mistake. He thought it was part of the continental breakfast.
Me: What continental breakfast?
Nell: Exactly. There wasn’t one.
Me: Oh dear. Darling Big Brave Beautiful Boy. It wasn’t the ham. It was Harriet.
Nell: Harriet?
Me: Yes, she’s watching Poppy through the bannisters again.
Nell: I see.
Me: Ever since Poppy’s diagnosis Harriet’s been awfully concerned about her.
Nell: I think now might be the time to let people know about Poppy’s illness.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Recently we’ve all noticed Poppy’s been far more agitated than usual.
Me: And that’s saying a lot because Poppy is not the calmest of animals.
Nell: She’s also had a few minor accidents in the house.
Me: We thought it was wilfulness at first.
Nell: Anyway, at her annual checkup Kev mentioned all this to the vet and after several blood tests and a scan it was confirmed that Poppy has Cushing’s Disease.
Me: Yes.
Nell: Cushing’s Disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a serious health condition in dogs that occurs when the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol (cortisone) in the animal’s body.
Me: Which is why Poppy was so agitated.
Nell: And eating and drinking a lot.
Me: The good news is that she’s reacted really well to her medication and the levels have come right down.
Nell: Our vet Joe is extremely pleased as it normally takes a while to sort this out.
Me: She’s still not exactly calm though.
Nell: We’re talking about Poppy here. Poppy doesn’t do calm.
Me: No. You’re right. Sorry.
