Checking in for November 2005

[acushdogsmom]

We suspect that we have a good number of folks here who read the messages regularly but who don't post very often. Maybe that's because their dogs are doing well and they don't have any questions to ask, or maybe they don't feel very comfortable about posting answers to other members' questions.

It's perfectly understandable and acceptable for folks to only post here once in a while, but when we don't hear from people, many of us find ourselves wondering what those folks have been up to recently and how their dogs are doing. So we're going to post a topic called "Checking in" on the first of each month, where folks can reply to let everyone else know how they are doing.

In this monthly topic you can just say "Hi! We're still here and we're doing fine". Or you can tell us more, maybe tell us about a really good test result, or something funny that your dog did recently, or a camping trip that you went on ... that sort of thing.

We'd love to hear from you! :)

[acushdogsmom]

Hi! I guess I'll get the ball rolling here ...

Not much new with us, just getting ready for winter. Our boy helps us with the chores of course! We rake the leaves into nice big piles, then he runs through the piles, scattering the leaves all over the place and we have to rake them all up into piles again. :rolleyes: It's a great system, really! :D

[Mom2Misty]

We lead a pretty boring life and I like it like that! No problems with my girl. She just looks forward to her Sunday afternoon drive to the lake where she gets to roam and look for rabbits and birds, (on her leash of course). :p Funny how they know what day it is! :D We invite her half sister sometimes and they get pretty dingy when they are having fun! :D

[MabelBudZoe]

what a nice idea! Bud seems to be doing well. He is back to being full of boundless energy.
He is amother that so looks forward to the weekend - when that alarm doesnt go off - he jumps on the bed like a little kid cause he knows that means Mom will be home all day and he will get a long walk and lots of outdoor time (even if it does mean his sister Mabel stays out of her crate all day and can bug him!) :D

[acushdogsmom]

what a nice idea!It is a great idea, but not mine and I must give credit where credit is due.

My Internet friend Helen (owner of the Diabetes message board) came up with this idea a while ago at her board and we (the admin and mods at this board) really like the way it gives a chance to everyone at the board to just chime in and say a friendly hello to each other once a month and let everyone know how they're doing. So I asked Helen if it would be okay with her if we did the same thing here and of course she agreed. :)

So glad to hear that Bud is doing well. :D

[SachiMom]

Sachi had back surgery in October. She really gave us a scare. Her hind legs and functions were totally paralyzed. But I am thrilled to say that the surgery was successful and she is slowly gaining strength in her back legs and she has control over the other necessary functions. :D She will get her staples out next week. Unfortunately her cushings treatment has been put on hold, but I am hoping that within a few weeks we will be able to continue. :D

[Loraine]

Although I no longer have a Cushpup, I read and answer when I can. I now have Zedley a Wire Haired Fox Terrier aged 2. He was to be sent to the bridge for no good reason, so I rescued him. He flew from New South Wales to Perth (8 hour flight) and arrived in great form :) He took a few days to settle into a real good home, but now knows this is his place :p He can only be taken out on his lead, as he has a tendency to bolt into the blue. In all other ways he is well trained, just has no recall. When he is more settled I will get him to formal training for recall. He really needs to go for a belting run, rather than just a sedate walk. He gets on just great with all other dogs and people (I don't think he has a bad bone in his body). He loves visiting my son and his Weimaraner (aged 1), and it is so funny to see these two at play. When Zedley has had enough he hides under something low that Alfie cannot get to :) Most of my neighbours have dogs and he gets on great with them at our social gatherings (with the exception of one old lady dog who tries to attacj him - she just does not like him for some reason).

I really do miss my Coco, but Zedley is filling some of the empty spaces in my heart :)

Hugs
Loraine Coco's Mum for ever, Zedley's new Mum

[SkeltiesStepMom]

Well, Skeltie is on Day 5 of her Trilostane...we have definitely seen some improvement...she no longer drinks water like it will be her last chance to, and she had made it through a couple nights without peeing in the house. She goes back to the vet on the 21st for her ACTH test, to see if this dosage is correct. Fingers crossed!

Both Skeltie and Kelso (my other Scottie) are loving the beautiful weather - chasing leaves, birds and chipmunks whenever they can. Is there a more beautiful sight than a frolicking pup?

[chapmandou]

Carol and Sammy here -- just checking in to report that this month, it's TWO years since Sammy's successful adrenalectomy! :D Since the average survival after this surgery is 18 months, Sammy's obviously out to prove once again that he is, in fact, SUPERDOG. ;)

In August, we almost lost him to an episode of sky-rocketing blood pressure. But once again, he pulled through and is being nicely managed on blood pressure meds. To top it off, turns out that he does have another "encapsulated" tumor on the remaining (left) adrenal. Can you believe it?? Fortunately, it is apparently non-functional -- i.e., not producing any evil hormones, according to test results -- so we'll just remain vigilant.

Today was a great day for barking at the leaf blower, visiting the dog and cat next door, and enjoying the sunny, cool weather. We're happy to report that life is good. :) Thanks for letting us check in this way!

[bgdavis]

Hi,
Crissy Ann is doing pretty good. Her 'atypical' Cushings' seems to be well under control, but she still has swings of blood sugar which makes me wish her diabetes was in better control. It's been just a year since she lost her one eye, but travels up and own our 17 stairs on her own. She's putting on a little weight so I'm cutting back on her carbs.

Bonnie and Crissy

[ernietsmom]

Ernie and I are doing fine. Ernie is still on 5 mg of Prednisone every other day. Still waiting and hoping that his adrenal gland will regenerate. (We 'over' loaded him in Sept and got his Cortisol level too low). We've had a couple of crashes, but he bounces right back! I'm just trying to stay on top of things! It's very hard when you have a picky eater to begin with.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
hugs,
Audrey, Ernie's mom

[barb may]

[QUOTE=SkeltiesStepMom]Well, Skeltie is on Day 5 of her Trilostane...we have definitely seen some improvement...she no longer drinks water like it will be her last chance to, and she had made it through a couple nights without peeing in the house.

hi we're glad Skeltie is doing so well!! Sister started Trilostane on friday, 11/18/05 and today is the 21st...four days now and we are seeing similar results (Hurray!!) Sister has decreased her water intake by more than two thirds of her highest intake, she does not have to get up to pee during the night and this morning she even "stayed in bed" with me while my husband got up to go to work. I notice a slight concavity returning to her very bloated belly and she is much more playful and ...well you know how you know your own pets, Sister's eyes are just plain happier. her skin is still terribly dry, i moisturize her lightly with a safe "bag balm" (even her hair gets a little) and she just likes the belly rub.
Her one week retest is on next Friday...

best to you and yours!!
Barb and Sister

[wwhall]

Coda (9.5 yr old Great Dane) and I are doing pretty well. In June his ACTH stim was 3.5/3.8 and we have continued at 4 tablets per week. Just went for an ACTH today and he is a bit high, 6.9/6.8, so we will increase slightly. Coda acts pretty happy. He was especially pleased to catch an opossum in the (fenced!) yard the other night. He has a pretty strong prey drive. Coda still has the mysterious nasal discharge off and on; I just wipe his nose with tissue. He also has less bowel control; not sure what has caused that, either. Vet says his muscle tone appears good; yet sometimes he will be sleeping on the sofa, and jumps up and is pooping before he can get out the dog door. Not a great thing, but we cope with towels on the floor in the usual places. Sort of gross, but you know, poop is a lot easier clean up than pee. Just turning cold here in upstate NY, the two cats go into winter mode and stay indoors 24/7. Coda and our other three dogs enjoy cool weather for romping, and the warm coal stove inside.
Wendy & Coda

[EllieEskies]

Hi Everyone! Just checking-in for November.
Snowdrop was taken to the UPENN this month for a check-up.
It had been 5 months since her last ACTH test. We could have waited
another month, but I wanted this done before the ice and snow starts.
Her ACTH test results were fantastic...Pre - 1.2 and the Post - 1.5.
Only change is that she needs less Soloxine for her Hypothyroidism,
so she is now taking 2 - 3mgs each day instead of 2 - 4mgs. I will
be taking her back in about a month for another thyroid test....
either to the UPENN, or her General Vet. Other then that she is a
very energetic and happy little dog who happens to take Trilostane/Soloxine every day.
She is doing great.
More good new! Frosty is not a Cushing's dog. I had him retested and he
is just fine. We have no idea what caused the temp rise in his Liver Enzymes.
I am just happy that he is a normal and healthy little guy.
I'll check-in sometime in December and I'll let you know whether or not
another adjustment is needed in Snowdrop's thyroid meds.

Ellen & Snowdrop

[acushdogsmom]

Thanks for the updates, everyone! :)

We'll move the current monthly "Checking in" topic into the Archived Posts forum at the end of each month and we'll start a new "Checking in " topic in the Questions and Discussions forum on (or around) the first of each month.