Checking in for October 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! :)

[travelpjean]

Hello everyone from Tricia and Foxy! Hope everything is going well for everyone. Foxy is doing well but, does need a test. I hope to go in the first of November. I will be posting her results to show how her maintenance is going. I also want to have her thyroid and liver checked as well. I will be posting from time to time.
God bless you all and good luck wishes to everybody!
Tricia and Foxy

[marygiles]

Hello !This is Mary and her little Chihuahua Boycie from the UK . We have nothing to report except that Boycie has had to increase the amount of Vetoryl he takes daily. Instant improvement, sleeping all night and not needing to take a drink of water in the night. He will be sixteen in January so every day is precious but I feel he is as well as he possibly can be . Mary

[Unregistered]

Kelly Update-Still drinking a ton and going out 2 times a night. Huge appetite after 5-6pm and through the night but only for dog cookies. I am exhausted. OnTrilostane 60-90 mg. When on higher doses like 120mg she acts even more strange. Trying to treat clinically and not go by the labs. I feel like the end will be near because our quality of life stinks and has for some time now.
If money wasn't any object I would get a second opinion.

[bgdavis]

Well, Crissy and I went back to Oklahoma State University Sept. 26 for another eye exam. As I expected, the tests showed that she has lost the sight in her one remaining eye. We have set a date to remove her left eye and put in another prosthesis. This will be Nov. 13. Then she will not need the 4 glaucoma eye drops ($300 a month) and will not have any glaucoma pain.

I just hate it that she went from my beautiful brown-eyed girl to blind with cataracts, to seeing again, to losing the right eye, to being completely blind again and losing the left eye. But, we're at the end of the road with her sight.

She's doing pretty well otherwise. She has just developed a 'hot spot' on one of her hips, which I'm treating at home.

Bonnie and Crissy

[FentonAcres]

We're new here...but Java is doing well with no treatment for her cushings. Frankly, her attitude is great. She is frisky in the mornings and the same booger she has always been (she is a chocolate lab and known for her antics).

We are thankful she is continent. She is just slower, pants a lot, and has a bare butt after her knee surgery last February (it never grew back). Her coat is starting to lighten - she is no longer the beautiful dark brown she was when young. Her coat is turning rusty.

Who knows what the outcome will be...will she just one day stop eating or drinking...will she weaken more and blow out another knee (we will not be able to afford another surgery or would want to put her thru it)...or will we get up one morning and her wet nose will not be pushing open the door for breakfast.

We just enjoy her silliness and spoil her rotten. What a great life she has had.

[Basuli]

Hi, everyone! Remember Sammie? I just want to tell you that she is doing great. Nothing more than a simple (well, not so simple really) change of diet took away all of the symptoms. She has her coat and appetite back, and has put all the weight back on. I truly believe she is healthier than she ever has been, which could be right since she has had HMD since birth. I know it won't always be like this so we savor every day. :-) Her special food is costly but really small beans compared to the output most of you have. And, hopefully no more expensive trips to OSU. Bless those folks. And all of you, too!

Susie, Sammie, and Robbie

[wwhall]

After about ten horrible days dealing with diarrhea, Coda is happy again. We've changed to dry, prescription Eukanuba Low Residue, although I have started mixing 2/3 of that with 1/3 of the Eagle Pack Natural, and he still seems to be fine. His back legs continue to be weak, and he is still getting thinner, but his attitude is still great. His appetite is good, and he still enjoys pets and belly rubs while we watch TV at night, and an occasional gallop across the yard, and constant vigilance for intruders (or opossums) into the dog yard. I've started giving him a small lunch daily to try to keep some weight on him. I know things could get worse any time, or, they could continue as they are now. I try to appreciate everyday with my big goofy sweet boy.

Wendy

[zazpi]

hello,
zazpi continues fine, as a normal dog, her symptons are not visible, she looks healthy and happy.
Her ACTH test was "normal" for the vet. I have read a lot about what is "normal" for a cushoid dog with treatment, and dont agree. But as the symptons doesnt appear at all, i decided to relax myself, not trying to know more than the vet. We'll do another test (and ultrasound and ...) in December, so the vet and me will discuss again.

[Debbie]

Hello,
It's been awhile and I probably should have just waited for 'checking in' in November, but thought I'd report in anyway. Sorry not to post more, but since Abbye continues to do well, I get complacent. She seems just as healthy as she can be in spite of Cushings and diabetes and being blind - it doesn't sound healthy, but she really is better than she has been for a couple of years.

We seem to still have the Cushings under control and the twice a day insulin shots have the diabetes well controlled, too. We are due for another blood glucose test and ACTH test sometime in November, but don't expect any change to occur as a result.

We have postponed Abbye's rabies vaccination this year and I'm a little hesitant to do that or have her teeth cleaned. Are either one of these things problems in well-controlled Cushings/diabetic dogs? I may come back and post a question about that.

Thanks for the opportunity for the update and for all the information that I find on this website.

We'll try to stay in closer touch.

Debbie and Abbye

[EllieEskies]

Hi Everyone!
Just checking-in for October. I have nothing new to report.
My happy little Snowdrop still has her attitude and loads of
energy. No Cushing's symptoms at all...except a thin coat on her
belly, but her coat has been like that for about 3 years. I really
do not consider it a big problem to put a tee shirt on her when
the weather turns cooler. Her specialist tells me not to worry...
that it is only cosmetic, and doesn't really show.
Snowdrop has her next appointment for an ACTH test, Thyroid
test, other bloodwork, and check-up, on November 2nd. We
could have waited a little longer, but I wanted to take her before
the winter weather sets in (her last appointment was in June).
I know we have been very lucky...would you believe it has been
5 years since we first went to a UPENN specialist for testing and
treatment? Hasn't always been easy, but Snowdrop is still here and
has an excellent quality of life.
I'll let everyone know Snowdrop's test results and how she does with
her check-up next month.

:) Ellen & Snowdrop

[KarenTascha]

Hi all,
just a note from Tascha and me from the Netherlands.
We will be posting from time to time I quess..

While I was at work today the internal specialist has called and left a message at the answering machine that Tascha has indeed cushing.
I don't have any results yet, we will be talking about it monday...

She seems to be doing fine though.. :-)

Best wishes,

Karen & Tascha