Checking in for September 2006

[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.

"Checking in" is a topic that we start on the first of each month, where folks can post a reply to let everyone else know how they are doing. You may just want to say "Hi! We're still here and we're doing fine" or you may want to tell us more -- 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! :)

[Loraine]

Although my Coco is at the Bridge I still come to see if I can help others, I am also still very interested in the treatment of this disease. My new friend, Zedley, is turning out to be a great dog, but he can never take the place of my heart-dog.:)

[MattiesMom]

Hey Everyone! Happy Labor Day to all! :)

We're doing pretty good here in Mississippi. Mattie is doing well with the cushings still. She really likes her fat free cream cheese, loaded and unloaded. She still has days where she just doesn't want to eat at all. I started cooking chicken breast with carrots and celery and mix that with her dry food. Her and Murphy just love it! She hurt her leg chasing a squirrel and is on previcox for about 4 more days. She really seems to have her energy back and her hind legs are stronger since I posted last. She is also back down to 5 1/2 lbs. At the height of the cushings she weighed 6.10 lbs. I am so proud of her.

Murphy, our chihuahua, is going deaf bless his heart. I took him in to the Dr. thinking he had an ear infection because he seemed to be losing his hearing. She said his ears were clear and he is just old and is losing his hearing. He seems to be doing ok with it though. I have to yell at him sometimes for him to hear me, kinda comical at times. He always hears the treat jar though..funny! :)

Well, you all take care and hope everyone is doing great!

Mattie & Ruthie

[MabelBudZoe]

Buddy is doing good - shedding like a bear but other than that he is adjusting well and the meds seem to be at the right level
Hope everyone else is doing well as we fall into fall:)

[Snoopysmom]

Nothing new with Snoopy. We did the loading in Aug. Had stim test and he was low. He got really sick 10 days after the last dose of lysodren. Was on pred for 2 days. Was suppose to start maintanance on the 28th of Aug. Was going to wait another week to start but talked to the vet and he wants to do another stim on Thurs to see were we are at before any lysodren. A couple days last week Snoopy had what I call a couple down days. Wasn't really sick but wasn't quite his old self. So we are in a holding pattern for now. I'm glad the vet wants to do another stim first. Pam & Snoopy

[dvorah]

Hi everyone,

Nathan, Schmoozer and I just returned from our annual trek to Cape Cod…..If you recall I started Nathan on Trilostane prior to our vacation…..after 7 days his ACTH levels had dropped to 14 from 52…..everyone was pleased…..but , he started to produce fewer red cells…..while on vacation I had his bloods taken and again his red cell account was lower. Today he had an ultrasound and they found nothing other then the typical Cushing’s diagnoses ……yesterday his blood showed another drop in red cells…..my vet has never heard of anemia caused by Trilostane but, who knows maybe someone in this forum has experienced anemia. I do want to say that Nathan has stopped panting, he is drinking far less water and his pot belly is greatly reduced……Also, he did have a normal red cell count prior to the Trilostane.

I am praying that someone out there can give me some advise……I am taking him off the Trilostane for a week and then going to re-test his bloods….

Anyone have any answers????

Dvorah, Nathan and Schmoozer

[bgdavis]

Crissy is holding her own against the diabetes and Cushings', but has lost the battle with glaucoma in her remaining eye. We will be going back to OSU on 9/26 to discuss options.

I will be leaving for a well-deserved break tomorrow morning. I will be out of the country and so won't be on the board until 9/19. Crissy and the 'boys' will be staying at my vet's...and hopefully, getting everything she needs.

Bonnie and Crissy

[ventilate]

Bonnie: have a great trip, sounds like your "kids" will be well taken care of. Enjoy, it is nice to get away, although if your like me, my kids were not far off my mind.
Take care and stay safe.
Sharon

[danni]

Hello all!!

Buffy is still doing well on his Lysodren. He's bright & happy except for the occassional day when I can tell his back's quite painful. We are both very happy that spring has arrived - won't be long before he'll have his winter coat shaved off. Buffy turns 12 next month but everyone he meets asks me if i'm sure that's his real age - he's holding up pretty well for a little old man ;)

I'm always pleased to read that all his friends are doing well & thinking of others who are having a tough time. Hang in there everyone.

Danni

[wwhall]

Since Coda (Great Dane, diagnosed with Cushings summer 2003) turned 10 in June, I feel like every day is a bonus. He is doing pretty well. He was losing weight, so the vet had us reduce his thyroid meds by half to try to keep some weight on him. He actually looks a bit heavier to me from a month ago. I have tried to give him some high calorie treats, also. His cortisol numbers were a bit low in July, so he got a month off Lysodren, but has been back on his maintenance of about 2000 mg/week. My goal is to keep him feeling good; if his back legs give out, I know his numbers are too low. Also, if he eats his dinner reluctantly, that's another sign, and I skip a Lysodren dose. After three years, I don't panic quite as much as I used to. He still gallops around the yard, is a terrific guard dog, and enjoys pets, treats, and barking loudly when visitors come. When he first gets up from sleeping on the sofa, he does a strange cross legged dance, and occasionally walks like a drunken sailor, but, he's happy. It's hard to believe we've had him 10 years. He's a great dog.

Wendy

[sydney]

Sydney is doing very on trilostane; until tonight. We came home after going out for a couple hours and she had thrown-up her dinner and had #1 & 2 accidents. She was very wabbly, listing towards her right, not able to stand up to walk. We picked her up right away and sat with her. After awhile we put her back down and she was still unable to stand up. She has had some signs of arthritus. I called the vet and he said the symtoms should not be from the trilostane. I will be taking her in first thing in the morning. Anyone have any such symptoms with trilostane?

[bichon]

Hi Everyone,

I posted back in March when my dog had trouble with Lysodren and Ketaconzole.

We started my dog on Vetoryl a few months ago and he is doing much better. Still has the pot belly, some hair loss and still pants on occasion, but the vet tells us it will take 6 months or so for him to return to normal. Overall, he's much better.

We're very relieved there is no stomach upset with the Veteroyl.