Tank~ My corgi pit mix (Tank has passed)

[labblab]

Hi Katherine! Just wondering whether you've been able to get Tank in for the x-rays yet, and if so, whether any helpful info was revealed...

Marianne

[tank&kat]

Hi Marianne,

Tank had his xray a few days ago. It was rough at first because the vet wanted to sedate him. She wasn't able to manipulate his back legs without him moving/resisting. She did manage to get two clear images without having to sedate so I was happy about that. I got to see both of them and she explained in detail how to recognize arthritis in an xray.

There was only mild arthritis in his right leg. Her words were "very mild arthritis." I barely saw evidence of it. The outlines of the joints were smooth. Some proprioceptive deficits associated with DM were noted during that visit and if he has this it's in the early stages. He is on demaraxx only for a week to see if there is any improvement. It's been 4 days and I haven't noticed anything.

Also, liver enzymes were checked and ALT and ALP are higher than last time. ALP was 937 before vetoryl, 465 after 5 months of treatment, now it's at 760. He's been on vetoryl for 7 months. Vet has no clue why they have increased. She said she would call Dechra to see if they could offer an explanation.

I received the DNA test for degenerative myelopathy in the mail today. Hopefully, those results are normal. I'll know in a week or two. I am nervous about it. His legs have been shaking more and for the past couple weeks his right leg seems paralyzed when he tries to get up. It's sweet of you to check up on him. I'm so worried. Something doesn't seem right.

~Katherine

[labblab]

Hi Kat! It's been a while since we've heard from you guys, and I hope things are going OK?

We'd love to get an update when you have the chance.

Marianne

[tank&kat]

Marianne,

Tank is doing very well right now. He is going on his 9th month of treatment with vetoryl. Still has a few accidents in the house but I think it's related to the scent still lingering or just canine incontinence. He has had some off days but for the most part he is loving life.

I am learning so many new things about this disease and don't want to go a day without helping someone in need. I'm just glad this place exists.

Oh yeah, and no degenerative myelopathy! He test was clear.

~Katherine

[tyry]

Hi Katherine,

Great news about no DM. I've now owned two Corgis, my most recent one is the Cushings pup we have. But in both of them, as they got older, their rear legs would shake. And same thing, I could touch it and then it would stop. Perhaps it is a Corgi trait and Tank happened to just get that trait.

Tracy

[tank&kat]

Thank you Tracy, that actually helps a lot. I'm not sure what triggers these spasms but sometimes it just happens more. One week I might see it several times a day and the next week, only once. No pattern at all. When it happens, he just stares at me. I wish I knew why so I could fix it.

~Kat

[tank&kat]

It has been so long since I checked in with Tank. Looking at the date I last posted, It is really hard to believe it has been 6 months.

Tank had his 6 month ACTH test about a week ago. I am happy to report that his levels are perfect, pre 4.1, post 4.4 ug/dL. His previous ACTH was pre 1.5, post 5.8. His ALP increased from 760 to the 1200 range but I am not too concerned with that number since the ALT has not increased. The vet recently told me it was ok to give denamarin anytime and it doesn't have to be given on an empty stomach. Is that true?

In the last few weeks, he stopped taking walks all together. He only goes right outside in the yard to pee and comes right back inside. It is difficult for me to determine if he is in pain. Everything I know about this dog's behavior tells me he isn't or if he is, it's minimal but there is always the "what if I am wrong" replaying in my head. I am wondering if I should give deramaxx another try. When he took it before, he was very active so maybe that's why I didn't see any improvements. Would a week on this drug raise his ALP more than it is now? Or is it not even a good idea because his ALP in on an increasing path already?

An orthopedic specialist is definitely an option. I would have taken him sooner but he had to have the ACTH and some other $$$ tests done first. He hasn't been to the lakefront in a couple of months but I am going to try to bring him tomorrow. Will update soon and let you all know if it was a success or not.

~Kat

[Harley PoMMom]

Those are great stim numbers!! With Tank's cortisol being within the therapeutic ranges I would try the deramaxx again especially since it helped him before. It may raise the ALP a bit more but if it does give him comfort I wouldn't worry so much about that ALP but I would keep monitoring those liver enzyme levels.

Denamarin should be given on a empty stomach to be absorbed properly. This excerpt is from the manufacturer's web site:

For optimal absorption, tablets should be given on an empty stomach, at least one hour before feeding, as the presence of food decreases the absorption of S-Adenosylmethionine.

http://www.nutramaxlabs.com/dog/dog-...marin-for-dogs

Hugs, Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Great numbers! Good for you, Mom!

At one time I was very worried about Squirt's ALP but her IMS told me he wasn't the least bit concerned...and her number was in the 1000's. He said that simply told how hard the liver was working and, on its own, that all it meant. It was when the ALP in combination with the other liver values started elevating that he began to worry. He said the ALP represents living cells while the other values represent dying or dead cells. He had just come from a Cushing's conference where this very thing was a hot topic and the consensus was the same - the ALP on its own was not a big worry, only when the other values got involved did it indicate a problem with the organ. In our cush babies, the ALP is very often high and remains high, never to return to normal range...but the liver itself is fine.

I used to make Squirt swim every day at least once, which she absolutely hated, but it did help with her arthritis. So if Tank likes to swim that would be great....it would be hard to control a reluctant dog in a lake I would think. I would carry Squirt to the far side of the pool then beat her back to the other side and carry her back again, over and over. Tank is a bit bigger than Squirt, tho, plus she couldn't escape the pool on her own while Tank might be out of the lake and running back home before you could get out.

[molly muffin]

This might interest you Katherine. My vet said to use a dog treat that my molly loves and will move for, then make her take a few steps toward you, tell her to sit, give a piece of the treat. Repeat, repeat, repeat, moving her slowly forward and each time, the sit, then stand walk, sit then stand walk. It's like doing exercise for your legs to build muscle. Works the same way in dogs.
Another one that was mentioned is a blow up bed. Block the sides then throw a treat onto the bed so they have to walk up on it and use their legs to steady themselves to get the treat. Another way to build muscles. Some dogs will do it and some won't.

Just thoughts on the muscle issues, again, something we and most of us with cushing dogs are dealing with.