Trinket-our little bauble! has crossed The Bridge

[Trish]

The steroid should work fairly quickly, hopefully overnight.. is her skin red? Yes, I guess at an intermittent prophylactic dose it should not cause any problems, hope it does the trick for Trink!

[molly muffin]

Which antibiotic are they using for the teeth? I've hard of antibiotics before a dental, but not as a preventative measure over all. That is interesting.

Molly has definitely developed an allergy to something too. Just not positive what yet. Yep, foot licking along with the ear infection. Now I have to star eliminating things from her diet. joy joy :)

Hope Trinket feels better soon. Poor baby

Hope those AB's kicked in for you too and you're feeling better also.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Good news....Trinket has had no more back scratching or feet licking episodes since around 4 the other day that I have seen - and I've been watching. ;) That night I went ahead and gave her 1/4 of a Benedryl tablet just to keep her comfortable. We've had a couple of brushing session, which she does not like, and cutting out matts she formed rubbing on it. The skin isn't as red as it has been so the shot seems to be helping....I just hope it holds.

As for the dental treatment with ABs. Brain fog struck again - I walked out of the clinic without looking at the bottle. It is ClindiMYCIN! :eek::eek::eek: All 3 that I want to try this with are blind, one already has little hearing (Grace). I'm just not sure the risk of deafness is anything to be less desired than the risk the teeth pose to general health for Trink, Brick or Grace. So I've got to do some research and soul searching before the first of the month when we are supposed to start this. ~~sigh~~

[molly muffin]

Yikes I can see where that would give one pause. Now this is the antibiotic right, so what we've talked about is mycin causing hearing loss when it part of the drops put into ears. So, if this is an oral, would it have the same effect?
Yippeee Trinket! No more of that stuff now. :) I'm trying to figure out what is causing molly to do the same thing. tomorrow i'll go get some benedryl.

huggers Leslie!
Sharlene and Molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

My understanding is that any mycin drug has the risk of deafness whether topical, oral, whatever. If it is in the mycin family this risk is present.

[labblab]

Leslie, I just came across this article and I can't speak to its credibility, but at least as far as humans go, it says that clindamycin seems to carry a low risk:

Clindamycin has not been reported to cause ototoxicity, by itself, and is probably safe.
The article lists all the ototoxic antibiotics in chart form. Apparently not all the mycins present the identical risk.

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/bilat/ototoxins.html

Don't know that I'd feel totally safe with the drug, but did want to pass on this info.

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks! That seems to be quite informative and human studies are fine with me! ;) I wonder about this tho -


Clindamycin has not been reported to cause ototoxicity, by itself, and is probably safe.

Didn't do any more in-depth reading on the site and will, but have to wonder what is meant by that phrase and what it has caused problems with when combined. Trink's not on any other meds at the moment and hopefully won't require any anytime soon....but Grace may and she does take herbs. hummmmm....they sure know how to keep us on our toes!

[Squirt's Mom]

Well, the shot hasn't held. :( Trink is once again rubbing her back on anything she can access - which at her height is a LOT! :D With the weather we've had I haven't opened the drapes the last few days. When I turned on the kitchen light yesterday afternoon, it hit her back just right and I could see bright red skin all the way up to her shoulder blades now. :( I have looked and looked but haven't found anything on the skin itself other than one tiny scab last week that I think was the result of her vigorous rubbing since it has healed. It's not dry, flaky, no spots or bumps or pimply things, no odor, no excess oil - just very red and itchy. Her coat in this area is thin and brittle. I am using an herbal rinse of Chamomile and Calendula and it does help calm the itching and soothes her but it's not addressing the base issue. The hair on her little feet is pink from licking them. :(

Starting today, her diet is going to change yet again. Going back to a simple, basic, one ingredient at a time approach. I am really hoping this is a reaction to something in the commercial feeds she has been eating. When the roads clear I'll get her back to Doc for a deeper look at this.

I've been thinking of other changes in her and there are some. Her appetite is very strong which is not like her, and she has become quite protective of her plate. Trink is the loudest and most aggressive during the mealtime Barkfests now. She is drinking more - she is the one I have had to syringe water into more than once because she wasn't drinking enough. She has become a bit grouchy - waking up from a dead sleep growling and snarling, growling and snapping at others if they get near her at times. She's panting, heavily, especially at night. She hasn't initiated our typical play time when we go to bed, instead going to her spot and curling up. I have not noticed her peeing more tho and when she does it is a good color and no foul odor. I'm wondering about her thyroid. She has had lab results that were a tad too low in the past but they seemed to be the result of her diet because once that was changed, those values returned to normal. Same with her BG - it has been a little high but seemed to be associated with her diet; the urine tests were negative. And I am wondering if she picked something up from the groomers - which horrifies me. When I mentioned that concern to Doc, he said with a frown, "Oh, I sure hope not." :(

I'll keep ya'll updated on her progress and any diagnosis we end up with. My precious Itty Bitty Girl. I just hate to see her uncomfortable.

[scoora]

Leslie, I'm sorry to hear Trink is having these problems.
Hope you can get it figured out.

[molly muffin]

Oh fooey, I hope this is a simple food issue that you can remedy easily. Well, once discovered anyway, but I sure can see why you are thinking thyroid, especially with the behavioral changes. Drat anyway. :( Crossing fingers for you and Trink.

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Well, ya'll who know me well need to sit down for this one. You comfortable? Secured in your seat? Ok...here we go -

Trink is eating frozen raw dog food! You may have heard me say this would be a last resort - it was and here we are. She has been on it for 5 days now and so far so good - no digestive upsets. The only raw I can find locally is Nature's Variety Instinct and she is eating the rabbit formula. She has reacted to chicken, turkey (of course!), duck, beef, and pork in other forms. The Instinct offers beef, chicken, turkey, duck, venison and rabbit. If the rabbit turns out not to work that only leaves the venison. If that doesn't work, I will have to ship food in - which will get expensive if she can't eat it. PetCo takes back everything she has reacted badly to and that helps a great deal.

Since this has gone on through at least 3 seasons and nothing has changed in her environment as far as cleaners, etc in the house, we are convinced these itchies are food based. WHAT exactly we have no idea. Her little legs, all four, are rosy pink almost all the way up from licking - wiping / washing her feet and legs after being outside made no difference in the licking. Her back gets raw from rubbing then gets better then starts itching again. Right now, she has hair on her back and it doesn't feel as coarse as it has when it came in before - but that change happened before starting the raw so I don't credit the feed with that.

So we are in the watch and see phase today with the raw. I hope it helps her as nothing else has and it is pitiful when this gets really bad. She can't walk without twitching and rubbing on something, anything. Injections will help for a few days but not near long enough to merit putting steroids in her little body - I won't do it. I have not tried to address this herbally for fear she will react to the plants and be worse instead of better since we really don't have any proof via tests it is food that is the problem.

Trink really is my snuggle bunny now. She often falls asleep with her tiny head on my arm near my chin, her body pressed up to my chest. She wants to be in my lap, on the couch or chair or bed - where ever I am there she is most of the time begging to be held. When she's not by my side she is usually in "Squirt's closet" exploring or sleeping.

For now we are working on getting her some relief and hopefully a cure for the itchies.

[molly muffin]

Awww, Trink the snuggle bunny. That has a good sound to it.
I do hope this food will help and the rabbit especially. It would be great if rabbit and venison would both work, then you could rotate if you need to.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

I work with a guy that has allergies, he buys honeycombs and then eats it, he swears this alleviates his allergies. I have never heard of this but who knows! :eek::confused::)

[mcdavis]

I just wish there was something I could suggest that would help, but I've such limited knowledge, so I'll just keep everything crossed that the rabbit works (and the venison).

[Altira]

Bitter sweet story friend. Glad you have someone looking after you too! :-)

I know I should report on Kira. But I'm not sure I can find her thread. So ill just say that our dreadfull looking yet amazing Kira who is now pushing 14 1/2 seems like she's working on 15. Unbelievable.

[addy]

The owner of our pet store had a little poodle mix with such bad allergies, nothing helped her. She finally switched her to a raw diet after a few vets suggested she euthanize the struggling pup. It worked miracles for the little girl. She does rotate her raw every few months, switching between two proteins.


I hope your snuggle bug can find the same relief, Leslie. I am so glad Trink is taking care of you.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is doing alright with the raw - no digestive upsets other than a little loose stool in the beginning but I think that's because I didn't give her enough time to transition to the raw. Once settled, her stool firmed up again...tho it is harder to find in the yard now since it is no longer orange from sweet potatoes! :p

Her coat is looking better as is her skin and she no longer twitches when I rub her back. She is still licking her legs but she is also licking the sheets at the same time and doesn't seem to care which one gets licked so it may be as much habit as anything at this point. Squirt used to lick her feet when she was sleepy; it was a comfort thing for her and seeing Trink's little head start to droop as she licks sure brings back memories. I tell Trink "enough" just like I did Squirt and she stops just like Squirt did. She is rubbing her face frequently the past two days tho. :rolleyes:

I got a real bargain on her feed this week. Whoever stocked the freezer apparently didn't pay the least bit of attention which food was behind which tag and the rabbit was behind a tag that said it was on sale for around $26. When I checked out, the bill was over $50 and I asked why since the feed was on sale. The clerk said it wasn't on sale and I said it was in line behind a sale sign. So she called the dept manager and we took a little walk. There were 5 more bags behind that sale sign and she tried to argue that "the sign said..." to which I replied, "As your faithful customer I should be able to trust what I see without dragging out a magnifying glass to read print that is beyond the ability of my eyes. I trusted that big red price I *can* see when I decided on this size bag." Then just stood there staring at her til she said, "Ok, we will get this fixed for you." :D

[addy]

If the sign says sale-----:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:cool:

It is so good to read about Little Trinket!!!

[molly muffin]

Awww, glad Trinket is doing better on the raw! Way to stand your ground :)

Molly too has to lick her toes clean before she can go to sleep. She's done it all her life, don't think she'll stop at this point. :) She also sucks her tail if she is really in need of that comfort feeling.
They do have their little twerks and habits.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[addy]

Hey Leslie,

Just wondering how Trinket is doing on her new diet. Hope everything is going well with that.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is doing well with the new diet. She has lost weight - they have all been on diets and have all lost weight! Her skin is much better as is her coat. The coat still has areas that feel different but not as obvious as before. Her feet and legs are taking the longest to show any real improvement. I can see they are a bit less pink/reddish and the coloring doesn't go as high up her leg as it did. I don't see her scratching or rubbing these days nor do I see her licking her feet except at bedtime and she will stop when I tell her to so I think it's more of a habit or maybe neurotic behavior at this point.

One thing I have noticed that is concerning me - she is panting! :rolleyes: All hours of the day and night, no matter the air temp around her. Of course, the old brain starts yelling, "CUSHING'S!" but that is the only thing I see, just panting. Hopefully next month I can get her in for a screening and see if there is anything we need to address.

She is quite playful these days and seems very content with her life. At the moment, Trinket is in one of her favorite new spots doing one of her favorite new things - under my desk playing Bulldozer with my bare feet as I am on the computer, pushing against my feet, growling, barking, and shoving her wide open mouth around my nekkid toes. :p She is so fierce but still my snuggle bunny and I love every second of it!

[molly muffin]

Oh Trinket is so adorable! I love her playing with your toes. Just too cute. Glad things are looking better for her with the skin irritations. Gads, hope that panting is nothing. You don't need no more cushings in your life. I'm sure you get plenty here :) hahaha

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Budsters Mom]

I can just see sweet Trinket playing with your toes.:p I'm so glad that she is doing well on her diet and all the babies are losing weight.:)

You have had enough Cushing's to last a lifetime, so no more at home. Only sweet little babies who love their mama. ;)

[Squirt's Mom]

Our little bauble has had another anal gland rupture. :( I am astounded at how fast these can come up! Since her diagnosis of Anal Gland Disease I diligently check her butt at least every 2 days, usually every day - and there was nothing last check then ruptured last night. It always scares me at first because I think it's the Colitis flaring when I see the blood but there's never any odor at all to the discharge, something Dr B finds surprising as well. It SHOULD stink and never has. And no scooting to indicate the glands are getting full - just surprises for Mom! ;)

She isn't feeling too well this morning but I can only imagine how much this must hurt. She can't sit without sitting on the area that's ruptured. These ruptures leave the biggest holes in her rear end - you could easily put a pencil in the opening. :( But they usually close up fairly fast once they are drained. So I'll be calling Doc soon to get some ABs for her. I have some Baytril but it is the 136mg tablets which is too much I know and I'm not sure of the dose she would need. So he may just tell me how much of that to give her and if he things another AB would be better, I'll go pick it up.

And of course, I was up for a few hours after cleaning her and changing the bed wondering where to go with her feed now. Do I add some more fiber to the raw? Do I change the protein but stick with raw? Do I get another home made diet designed for her? ugh.... I thought she was doing good on this rabbit raw but maybe not. Her stools have not been soft and there has been no diarrhea with the raw but I did notice the other day that she seemed to be straining a bit but the poop appeared normal when she was through. I wonder if this is why she's been panting...but that would mean this has been building up for a while with no indications other than panting that I noticed. :confused:

Bless her little heart - she is so good about most everything. She only reacts when I clean the actual opening but otherwise seems happy to get cleaned up. She went in the crate and made her nest then slept all night without a peep. Her poop this morning also seems normal and there was no more discharge evident in the crate when she got out. And she's just started barking at the Beggin' Strips commercial so she's feeling a bit better! :D

[lulusmom]

Les, if she is doing well otherwise, do not change her diet. It is very weird that you could not feel that her glands were full two days before the rupture. I had a dog with chronic anal gland impactions and I had to drain his glands every week to keep them open. It's not a pleasant job. :D Did Dr. B show you how to do it?

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh yes as well as the owner of the Chihuahua rescue I work with tho I'm never able to get anything out. Hers are hard to express even by Doc. The last time I noticed them feeling full, I couldn't get anything out so I took her in and he couldn't get anything out either but she didn't rupture that time - just felt as if the glands were full. This time I didn't feel anything nor was there a "bubble" when I checked.

[mcdavis]

Oh poor little Trinket. I agree with lulusmom and wouldn't change her diet at the moment, although maybe some pumpkin might help?
I hope she's feeling better very soon.

[Squirt's Mom]

I went and picked up some Clavamox from Doc then came home and started cleaning up her butt again. The opening is smaller this morning and tho there is still some discharge it's not as much as last night. So she once again has a funny looking butt cut making her look whop sided and her tail is almost hairless for about an inch down. She is so good about being bathed and trimmed when this happens and it's obvious it feels good to have the warm water back there and all the sticky off.

So I guess I'll leave her diet as is for now. She has been doing well with it and this is the first time she's had gland trouble in a while so hopefully this will be the last one for a while again. I just dread the idea of having to have those glands removed. Putting her under terrifies me. :(

[molly muffin]

I think unless it becomes a frequent problem, I wouldn't risk her going under either. If it is not that often and she lets you clean it, then this might just be what she ends up living with. Another bump on the journey of her life is all. :)

Glad little Trink is responding well and it is clearing up!

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

yeah, unless this becomes life threatening, I just can't see removing the glands. From what I have read, it is a very involved and risky surgery.

I hope she will be able to sleep in the bed again tonite. The draining had almost stopped yesterday with nothing new when I washed her butt so it is closing up again. The opening is shrinking as well. She obviously feels better, appetite back to normal, drinking normally, personality shining...but I haven't seen her poop yet. I have picked up her poop but missed the action to see if she is straining or in pain when in process.

Something I would have never thought to find myself doing, ever, in a million years, but I have been trying to find out about anal gland massage. (where is that green sickie icon! :D ) Since her's are so very hard to express I wondered if regular massaging might not keep things loose and flowing more properly. It's worth a try in my mind if it could prevent this from happening again. Whether it's once a month or once a year - that's still too often in my mind. ;) But I am very grateful she hasn't had more of these ruptures!

[Squirt's Mom]

Just saw Trink scooting. :eek: I had finished cleaning and trimming some more on her tail area when she came in the LR and started scooting. Checked her again - the other gland feels fine and is not bubbling up as if it's ready to rupture. The one that just ruptured looks ok, too. :confused: So I am HOPING this is the healing itch in the one that ruptured earlier and not the other gland acting up with absolutely no indications that I can see or feel again. :rolleyes:

[addy]

Well, hopefully Trink just had an itchy butt:p;):D

[molly muffin]

I bet they do itch something awful when they start to heal after a rupture.
Cheers to bum scoots!

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is doing better but my gut says this isn't over yet. She's still panting some and her butt doesn't look quite right tho the rupture is healing well. I'm doing the massages :eek: but have no idea if it helps or not - she seems to enjoy them tho! :rolleyes: She also really enjoys the warm water on her butt when I clean it which tells me there is still some discomfort there. I'm increasing the amount of salmon oil that she gets so we'll see how that works.

[addy]

Poor Trink. I hope it is over. I would think the warm compresses would feel good to her. A sore butt is no fun.

[mcdavis]

Trink is doing better but my gut says this isn't over yet. She's still panting some and her butt doesn't look quite right tho the rupture is healing well. I'm doing the massages :eek: but have no idea if it helps or not - she seems to enjoy them tho! :rolleyes: She also really enjoys the warm water on her butt when I clean it which tells me there is still some discomfort there. I'm increasing the amount of salmon oil that she gets so we'll see how that works.

I'm definitely not an expert, but is it possible that there is still something left over in the gland which the antibiotics are in the process of killing off?
I do hope she's feeling better soon.

[Squirt's Mom]

No telling! I didn't feel anything in the glands just before it ruptured soooo..... :D I wander through my little world blind as Trink often as not! :p

[Squirt's Mom]

For the last few months I have been noticing some changes in Trink - slow but sure changes. Her coat is getting thin and coarse on her back and tail, she drinks more, pees more, increased appetite, grouchy, and pants. Does this sound familiar?! So we went to see Doc Stacy (Doc B is out of town) for some lab work Wed. afternoon and I expected to hear she was hypothyroid at least. Just about everything they looked at was perfect. The only things out of line are -

BUN 28 7-25 mg/dl
CHOL 286 125-270 mg/dl

PLT 921 x10(9)/L 175-500 L

Oddly, ALP was almost too low - 23 with norm being 20-150 U/L.

Doc Stacy said all the things I am seeing could be due to her horrible teeth so next Fri. she goes in for a dental. I am scared but know it needs to be done. Doc said she would use gas and not anesthesia to lower the risk for her. It may take more than one session but that's ok. I reckon she's fixin' to lose most of her teeth. :(

She doesn't act as if she feels bad at all, in fact has more energy than she ever has, due to losing some weight I think. They all got fat while Squirt was here her last year. Couldn't give her bites and not them! :p So I don't think there is anything other than her teeth going on, thankfully. And once this is done I hope these things disappear and she gets her thick soft coat back.

[mcdavis]

I hope all goes well next Friday - I'll be thinking of Trink, and you.

[Altira]

I think the teeth are a great idea, even if it's not the problem. Kira's teeth look dreadful and she's far to old to have them cleaned now. I gave the dogs a bone last night and kira couldn't even manage it. But she tried for about five minutes. I know her teeth hurt. I sure know about the dying dog making the others fat thing. Sometimes I send Neek outside so kira can have something special. But Neeka always knows. Then you get the horribly sad look! Kira got fat when Mira died.
If the vet is recommending just a teeth cleaning probably all will be well. My brother says us humans would live a lot longer if we just flossed our teeth every day. I don't of course but he sure does.

[Squirt's Mom]

Just heard from the vet's office - Trink is awake, and in the tech's arms of course. ~~whew~~ She lost only one tooth! Lori, the girl who dose most of the dental cleanings said she had so much build up that her profile is a bit changed and she has a lot more room in her mouth, it will feel different for a while. I can pick her up at noon. :)

[Budsters Mom]

AWESOME!!!! :p

[Trish]

I love when they come home from dentals and their teeth look so sparkly white!!! Sounds like she has done good!! Excellent :) xx

[molly muffin]

And Trink comes home with a brand new sparkling, roomy mouth! whoo hoo!
Glad it all went okay.

hugs

[addy]

Only one tooth pulled is pretty darn good!

Good job Trinket!!

[mcdavis]

Oh I'm so pleased to hear all went well and hope she's home now showing off a lovely set of pearly whites. :D :D

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is doing really well! She ate her supper last night from 5:30 - 10pm; I would give her a little bite, then a little more a bit later, then the remainder so she wouldn't get sick to her tummy from the gas. This morning she is ready to EAT! :D And it was such a pleasant awakening this morning, too, with that fresh smelling breath!

[labblab]

Awwwww, good girl, Trink!! :) :) :)

[SasAndYunah]

So glad everything went this well :D

Sas and Quincy :)

[jas77450]

Glad Trinket is doing well, such a cutie!!!

[Spiceysmum]

Glad to hear that Trinket is doing well.
Linda x

[Squirt's Mom]

She is back to her normal, snuggly, sweetie pie self now. I would see her yesterday smacking her mouth as if she were getting the feel of things. :p

[Budsters Mom]

YAAAAAAAAY!:p

[Altira]

:-) good news.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink has an appt with Doc B Mon. morning. I've taken her in for these same signs before but nothing was found so it was a watch-n-see. They got better for a while, other than the gagging to be explained shortly, and now are back again. Drinking much more, coat on her back feels rougher and tail is thinner, she's grouchie often, moody, and panting especially at night. The gagging Doc said was due to a gland that was left in one of her eye sockets - the one that makes mucous when we cry - and that is what is gagging her. But it has gotten progressively more frequent and strong. I can't help but think she is miserable with it...and it may explain the rest of what I am seeing. Otherwise, she is still my little snuggle bug and everyone's darling!

I'll let ya'll know what I learn Mon.

[molly muffin]

Awww, hope nothing serious Leslie. Let us know.

[mcdavis]

I was thinking about little Trinket this morning and hoping that all went well at the vets?

[Squirt's Mom]

Everything checked out perfect with Trink! No heart problems, no heart worms, nothing to indicate a cause for the coughing and wheezing. Doc said he has another little Pom who did the same thing and nothing was found with it either. They put the pup on Albuterol as needed, and it worked. So that is what we will try with Trink this time. Last time we tried Temeril-P but it didn't seem to do much. She is in good health otherwise. YAY!

So will give the Albuterol a shot and see how it does. She takes it as needed. ;)

[mcdavis]

So pleased to hear she got an overall clean bill of health, and hope the Albuterol helps.

[Budsters Mom]

Well, this is good news indeed!:D

[Squirt's Mom]

The news for Trink is not good..and please excuse my typing, I am having trouble seeing hte board. The Albuterol didn't help much so we went back today. Xrays show her heart is almost twice normal size, taking up most of the chest cavity and squeezing her lungs, making breathing difficult. A normal heart takes up 3 1/2 ribs; Trink's is taking up 6 1/2 ribs. :(:(:( He was surprised since listening to her heart it sounds to be in good health. We came home with Lasix and Enalapril with instructions to check in with Doc on Monday. He said this usually improves things quickly but....

I started crying in the exam room and haven't stopped. I've been preparing myself to lose a couple of the older babies but not Trinket. She's only 10. :(

[mcdavis]

Oh Leslie, I'm so sorry to hear this. I really hope that the new meds help and the Doc is right - I'll be praying for all of you, especially Trinket.

[judymaggie]

Leslie -- sending lots of prayers and healing thoughts your way. Hopefully, the meds will kick in quickly!

[Budsters Mom]

More prayers and healing thoughts surrounding you all.

[molly muffin]

Okay deep breaths Leslie. You haven't lost trinket yet and if the doc says that the meds usually improve things quickly, then there you go, maybe it will do so for your Trinket too.

Now, her heart sounds good and there is no fluid built up around lungs right? Just the pressure from the enlarged heart. Did he say if the heart will decrease in size with the meds?

We're going to just dry those tears up, because she is a spirit to be that won't give up easily. Lets see where the next few days take us and what they see on Monday.

You can do this. We are here and will be with you every step of the way.

[mypuppy]

Dearest Leslie,

I haven't logged on to the forum in a long, long while, but for some reason today I was drawn to come and catch up on my so missed family and babies, only to find this post on your little bauble. I am so saddened to come to this, but I hold your precious Trinket and you in prayer and in my heart.

Who loves you....muahhh.


Tight ones OOOOOO.
Jeanette

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is doing better on these meds. Her coughing is less frequent, of shorter duration and not as harsh as it was. She slept better Fri. night and slept well last night, waking only twice that I heard to cough a second or two, literally a second or two not 30+. :cool: She is still drinking quite a bit and has asked to go out at a couple of odd times for her. Typically she goes out 2-3 times a day but has asked to go out more tho not excessively by any means. I am taking her out as it is important that she pee more now and that should be happening with the Lasix on board. She does pee for a longer time than she did before however.

We have an appt with a Dr. Laura Erickson at the same hospital where I took Squirt for her IMS appts and the same IMS will be consulting with Trink. He is Dr. Larry Nafe. We see them Tues. morning at 9 and I will let you know what we learn and what plan they propose. I have also contacted Monica Segal and she will work up a diet for Trink to help the heart and kidneys hopefully. I do feel better with things coming together - I don't feel so helpless as I did. I promised Trink I would fight just as hard for her as I did for her sissy and we would walk every step together.

[Squirt's Mom]

I forgot to add that I am concerned about her appetite. I am having to hand feed her to get her to finish her meals and just had to poke the Enalapril down her throat as she would not take it in cheese - something she loves and will not be able to have much of at all any more.

[addy]

Leslie, I am sorry to read Trinket is having problems but I know she could not be in more loving, competent hands.

Keep the faith and we will all keep you and Trink close to our hearts.

Much love.

[Squirt's Mom]

I'm stopping her meds per Doc's initial instructions because she is refusing to eat period. She wouldn't finish her breakfast, ate about half, and has no interest in anything I have offered since. She didn't even make an appearance for supper then tried to bury what I brought her. Doc said if she lost her appetite to stop the drugs. She had her Enalapril at noon and isn't due another til noon tomorrow but is due another dose of Lasix at 8pm - she will not get that but I plan to try to get her to eat some cod and sweet potato plain then. It will have been 12 hours since she's eaten anything by 8pm. Have I mentioned I'm worried?

[molly muffin]

Yes it is so worrying when they won't eat. They can pee more. Eat more. Drink more but losing their appetite always seems much more worrying. Hope she will eat tonight for you

[mytil]

Oh Leslie I am so she is having troubles eating. Did your vet mention that while on Enalapril they can loose taste sensation and appetite. Fingers crossed...

Terry

[Squirt's Mom]

This is very strange....I posted here this morning with an update on Trink but it's not here. That happened on her thread the other day, too. No telling what I am doing wrong! :o

So I will repost the info -

Trink started acting hungry around 6pm so I fixed her several things but she wouldn't eat any of them til I boiled her raw rabbit bites and added some sweet potato then she ate but not with her usual gusto. I did not give the Lasix at 8pm but rather gave her some Dandelion. She went out and peed good around 10pm then again this morning. AND she DID eat her breakfast! YAY! She is not coughing any more than she was yesterday so I feel the fluid is moving out as it should.

Doc didn't mention the loss of taste with Enalapril, or if he did it didn't register - the only thing that registered is that these meds are hard on the kidneys and loss of appetite could mean they were in trouble. I will call him this morning and see what he wants us to do.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink sees Doc at 2 this afternoon. He said he would look her over and could give her a shot to help with stress if needed. No more meds till she sees the IMS' tomorrow tho.

[molly muffin]

Hope she continues to eat and pee well. Crossing fingers here.

[Squirt's Mom]

Doc listened real well with both bare ear and stethoscope and said her respiration is much better than it was Fri and her heart still doesn't sound as if anything is wrong with it. He gave her a shot of Azymiacin, which he said "they" call an anti-stress shot. And I am to withhold the meds still. I have her xray and medical history printed out to take with us tomorrow. As much as I dislike Hill's feed, I came home with 3 cans of their prescription cardio food just in case.

[Truffa's Mom]

Crossing fingers and paws here. Sending our Little Bauble lots of love and healing energy

[apollo6]

Praying for you and Trinkett,our little babble. Holding you both in prayer.
Sonja, Apollo and little Ariel.

[Squirt's Mom]

It's NOT her heart!!!! WOOHOO! The first thing Dr. Erickson said after the tests was - "It's good news - its not her heart it's her lungs!" The ECG shows normal function, valves, walls, all good in the heart itself. Their film shows it to be about 3/4 of a rib too big, not 3 1/2 ribs too big. YAY! And that is due to the extra work it is doing to provide oxygen. She said it was possible for that to shrink if the breathing can get regulated. Trink has a touch of pneumonia which they said was common with this. Oh "this" is probably COPD/asthma - we go back next Tues and they are going to redo all the tests to see how the meds are working then we will go from there. She is on Theophylline and Guaifenesin for the cough and bronchials and Zeniquin for the pneumonia.

[molly muffin]

That is good right that it isn't her heart? And that they think they can get this lung issue taken care of. Can they get that new allergy medicine? Would that help with asthma for her?

[Squirt's Mom]

It's excellent that it isn't her heart. :) As for the lungs, it may be a life time thing but I'm not sure. She said dogs get a lung condition that is like COPD and asthma but not really either one like humans have. The pneumonia she described as "a touch" so I took that to mean a mild case. My thinking is that when they redo the tests next week they will know more about the prognosis. By then the pneumonia should be cleared or nearly cleared, making a determination easier.

[Truffa's Mom]

Yippee, glad to hear this good news. I'll keep sending healing vibes to her lungs. Lots of warm hugs

[Squirt's Mom]

Back to see Doc this afternoon. She has eaten maybe 1 1/2 tbsp since yesterday morning. He gave her some Mertazapine and gave her a dose in the office. He said if she isn't eating by morning he wants to see her again. Supper is in about 30min so I hope she will eat for me. I went to Kroger and got organic chicken, beef, lamb, and 2 FreshPet foods plus 2 new canned feeds to try. ONE of us will eat good! :p

[judymaggie]

Sending encouragement to eat from Florida to Trinket!

[Squirt's Mom]

Trinket did eat a little bit of supper and ate a few bites of salmon I had cooked for her later. I also gave her all her medicine from the IMS around 5pm yesterday. At around 6:30 I found them partially dissolved in the bed so I poke the remains back in. I woke up this morning with one in my hair so she is hiding them in her mouth then spitting them out when I'm not looking! Little stinker! :D

[mcdavis]

I haven't had a chance to check in for a few days, so I'm just catching up. I'm so pleased to hear that it isn't little Trinket's heart but sad to hear about her lungs and also that she's not eating that well and spitting the pills out :(
Sending loads of "feel hungry Trinket" wishes from Henry and me xx

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks! Her breathing IS better tho she still coughs and wheezes at times, especially when stressed. Which happens at least 4 times a day when she has to take meds. She can fight and fight hard. I have been worried about her hurting her neck or shoulder she twists and flops so badly....and her lips and jaws from me having to hold her mouth open trying to hit it with a pill and poke it down her throat. For last nite and this morning's doses I ground the pills, put them in water, and shot it down her throat via a syringe. It is faster and less messy and I don't think she is getting any less of the drugs this way than she would drooling them out or spitting them out. :rolleyes:

Eating is iffy. She ate supper well but I have offered 3 different meals this morning with no luck so far. Cod and sweet potato warming to try now. This can go on for hours til I hit on something she will eat.

She will finish the antibiotic Tues morning and I am hoping that is part of the inappetence problem. We see the IMS and Dr. Erickson then too. I thought everyone at this hospital was an IMS but only Dr. Nafe has that level of degree. The DMVs that work there have specialized training in certain areas tho and Dr. Erickson is one with cardiopulmonary interest and training so I am comfortable with them on our team.

[Squirt's Mom]

We went back to LR for a recheck today and I left the house preparing myself to leave her there for oxygen since she has sounded worse to me since Sun. Her cough is harsher and she sounds wetter so I was expecting to learn the pneumonia wasn't responding to the ABs and she would need O2 and IV drugs. But she sounds much better to them and the xrays today show she a much greater lung capacity and there was more air showing today. So she is better. It is me, just getting into my hyper-alert state. :D

Doc did increase the bronchiodilator tho and wants her to stay on the ABs for 10 more days when we go back for another recheck.

She has been eating without the stimulant on board tho it usually takes several offerings before I hit on what she wants. I have also figured out she is SPOILED rotten! She will eat much better in the bed than on the floor at her usual place. On the floor she will take a bite or two then walk away...so I put her and her food in the bed so the others don't snag it. Now she just refuses anything on the floor! Little stinker! :p

[Squirt's Mom]

Trinket is doing better now that mom is on to her tricks and is making sure ALL her pills are swallowed...even if that means we go thru 3-4 pills to get ONE down the gullet! :rolleyes::p But she is adjusting to this routine as well and only morphs into a Bengal tiger crossed with an eel once or twice a day now instead of 7 times. LOL

She is eating better and has decided the last two days that she will once again eat her raw rabbit - thankfully as it has good mineral content for her. I hope to get started cooking for her soon. She has not needed an appetite stimulant in over a week now and that makes me so very, very happy. Tho I think I may have created a real Prima Dona when it comes to meal times - she still insists on eating in bed! :D

Her coughing is much less now and she doesn't sound as wet as she did last week. Her behavior is becoming more like my sweet Itty Bitty Baby usually acts - she has even participated in the breakfast Barkfest twice recently! She gets stressed more easily than she used to which results in a coughing fit but I can control quite a few of the stressors for her.

We see the docs at Hillcrest Animal Hospital again Fri for a check up but anecdotally I am very pleased with her progress.

[Squirt's Mom]

Dr. Erickson agrees that Trinket is MUCH better! Actually swallowing her medicine does make a difference for the little stinker. :D She has 7 more days of the antibiotic since we really don't know how much she got those first 7 days then she is done with them. She will remain on Theophylline daily and the Guaifenesin as needed for cough for life but the pneumonia is clearing up nicely - thank goodness!

I told Dr. Erickson that Trink is acting more like her old self, too. She tried eating a meal in her usual place on the floor but decided the next meal she truly does deserve to eat in the bed. :p She has participated in several Barksfests now, is usually at the door when I come in from outside, has stopped growling anytime someone walks by too close, and is sleeping better...tho she now snores. :rolleyes: (Think of Evinrude the dragonfly in The Rescuers. :D)

[Budsters Mom]

So glad to read this news today! Our little Trinket continues to shine brightly.:D

Great job Leslie!:p

[mcdavis]

Just popped in to see how things are going, and so very pleased to read that Trink is taking the pills and they are working :D
OH thinks I'm totally contrary - his snoring drives me mad but when Hamish snored I'd say how cute he was ;)

[Squirt's Mom]

I've been worried about Trink since Sun - she started coughing more and the wheezing came back as the days passed. I put her back on the mucous med Sun night but have been thinking the pneumonia was back. We saw Dr. Erickson this morning and I was right - she has fluid again. She got an AB shot and we came home with a new oral AB - we are using Chloramphenicol 250mg, 1/2 tab 3X/day. So that is 9 times a day I have to force her mouth open and cram a pill down her throat. :( I asked Dr. Erickson how long her jaw could hold up to that and she just shook her head in a sad manner. :( I've started using Pill Pals and that helps hide the taste of the mucous pill, which must be ungodly based on her reaction to them! But I still have to force the jaw in order to cram the Pill Pal down.

So the Little Bauble is in bed resting.

[molly muffin]

Oh no. :( Dang, that's no good. What about a liquid form? Something you could put in a syringe and squirt down her throat? shots?

Poor little Trink. Hope she is feeling better soon and can beat this nasty thing once and for all. I assume she is susceptible due to her COPD?

[labblab]

Oh, Les! I'm so sorry! I'm wondering, too, whether maybe something could be shifted to liquid? It's gotta be so hard on you having to force those pills down her. I'm just so sorry. :(

[Squirt's Mom]

The concern with liquids is that she may inhale a portion and get pneumonia. :rolleyes: Besides, they don't work with Trink - I've tried that plus powdered meds in baby food and applesauce or dissolved in water and watered down canned food. Bought a medicine feeder, not pill popper, and it didn't work. She shakes her head violently with her mouth open, refusing to swallow. So the med goes everywhere but inside. Holding her mouth closed is a waiting game to see how long it takes before Mom has to move to relieve pressure - then she becomes a Moray eel and the med goes sailing. Pill poppers are a joke in my hands and they are way too long for a teeny dog like Trink. It takes two hands to keep her mouth open long enough to slide the finger of my left hand in and try to hold it there while the right gets the med and delivers it, using some of the fingers of the right hand to hold the jaw during delivery. In other words, nine times a day I will wonder why on earth we weren't given at least 3 hands! :p For an itty bitty thing, Trink is a demon about medicine and has been from day one.

[mcdavis]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about Trinket. I know it's probably not an option but is there any way to give the ABs as shots?
I really hope she's feeling better soon.

[Squirt's Mom]

Honestly, I have wondered if all of these couldn't be given as a shot. That might be MUCH easier to do! :D

[Harley PoMMom]

Oh no, our poor little girl, sending healing energy and huge loving hugs.

[Squirt's Mom]

Once again I am worried about Trink. By Sat morning she had improved a little bit on the new antibiotic....but that seemed to plateau at that level with very little if any more improvement since. She doesn't seem to cough as much but when she does it goes for a longer time and just wears her out. The fights to get meds in leaves her gasping for breath and her heart pounding. She has refused to eat since yesterday morning other than a lick or two. She sometimes acts like she wants to and puts a bite in her mouth but wallows it around as if she can't chew then drops it out of her mouth without chewing or swallowing. Most of the time she just turns her head away and refuses anything to do with food. I have been putting these pills together in a wad of dough called Pill Pals. I can get all of them into 2 wads so I am only having to jack her jaw 6x a day instead of 9....but I am afraid that is already causing her pain in the joint so that it hurts to eat. If they give her an appetite stimulant to get thru this round of ABs that will be another time I have to open her jaw unless I can get it in one of the wads already going. Loss of appetite is one of the side effects of the AB, Chloramphenicol, of which she gets 750mg a day.

She just is not herself. When I put her down on the floor instead of walking off to some place she want to be, she just lays wherever I put her. It's almost like it hurts to walk, too. Another one of the side effects of this AB is bone toxicity, whatever that is, so I'm worried about that, too.

In the morning I am taking her back to see Dr. Erickson so she can exam her and so I can talk to her about the pilling. Surely there is another method of delivery for these meds that will be easier on Trink, surely! I'll let you know what they have to say. Meantime, keep my Itty Bitty baby in your thoughts and prayers.

[judymaggie]

Definitely sending healing thoughts Trink's way -- please give her a gentle hug from us!

[molly muffin]

Oh poor little Trink. I really hoped she would have shown significant improvement by now and hopefully you could cut back on some of those meds.

I agree, there has to be some alternative. hmmmm...can they give an appetitie stimulate injection that would make her Want to take the pill wads?

[Budsters Mom]

Poor little Trink. :o I hope the docs able to figure something out so she can get her meds down.

[Squirt's Mom]

We are back from the vet's and our Little Bauble is still quite sick. The oral ABs aren't working so the pneumonia isn't clearing like it needs to. Sooooo, we came home with 14 injections of Naxcel. She gets 2 injections per day and will get her first on at home tonite - the vet gave her one in the exam room this morning.

The good news is NO ORAL MEDS for now! Yippee!!! :cool::cool::cool: Trink and I are both very excited about that. I am quite nervous about giving shots but it can't be any harder on her than what she goes thru trying to get a pill down. I have given injections before to a variety of animals but it's been a while. I told her to give me a couple of extra just in case I goofed - I ended up injection horse medicine in my hand one time. :p At least this hopefully won't leave her gasping for breath.

I am to call the vet tonite and report in on how she is doing after the injections today then we go back for a follow-up Sat morning. I am glad I didn't wait til this round of oral ABs was done to take her in.

[mcdavis]

So sorry to hear that she's not well, but really pleased to hear about the injections as it sounds like they should be easier for her, and you.
Did the vet mention anything about her appetite - is lack of appetite a side effect of these ABs too?
Loads of healing thoughts for Little Trinket from us

[Squirt's Mom]

Hopefully stopping the oral ABs will help her appetite. She did eat a little bit of breakfast this morning to my great relief.

[mcdavis]

Everything crossed that she'll get her appetite back.

[molly muffin]

Drat. Poor baby, but glad you have come up with a solution to not have to do the oral AB's for now.

Just don't go injecting yourself!!! LOL

[Squirt's Mom]

OMG! Night VS day comparing this past week to yesterday! She is soooo much better with these shots! At 10pm she was rooting around on the bed for something to eat so she got something to eat right then. She was taking part in Barkfest this morning and ate all her breakfast with eagerness. She is not panting as much, coughing as much, and her nose is clearer (she's had a lot of clear mucous there). I am THRILLED! :cool::cool::cool::cool:

[Budsters Mom]

Great news!!!! So glad she's feeling more herself.:p

[molly muffin]

This is fantastic news!!!! Yay!!!

[Squirt's Mom]

We went back to see the vet this morning and she agrees - Trink is markedly improved! Dr. Erikson wants to be sure the pneumonia is kicked this time so we have another 7 days of injections for a total of 14 days on this AB. The vet wants me to check in with her mid-week and then see Trink again next Sat for a followup. We seem to finally be on the right track....and we have a few more day's reprieve from pills! ;)

[judymaggie]

So glad that Trinket is finally on the mend! :D Good for you with handling the injections with ease -- I will never forget having to give Maggie penicillin injections and hitting an artery!!! :eek: My vet actually chuckled when I called there in a panic. It took days to get her fur and my kitchen clean ...

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink has been doing much better til today. For some reason she is starting to cough more. And she's still getting these injections 2x a day. We see Dr. Erikson Sat morning and I'm glad.

[mcdavis]

How is she doing now? What were Dr Erikson's thoughts on Sat?

[Squirt's Mom]

HA! I didn't update! Sorry about that!

Dr. Erikson said she is still doing ok but could tell she had a bit more congestion than she had the week before. So she extended the AB injections for an additional week, making a total of 3 weeks on the Naxcel. Trink is still a bit wetter than last week but she has not lost any additional ground so I am ok with her status at the moment. I am to continue to check in with Dr. Erikson mid-week and report on how she is doing.

Her behavior is almost back to fully normal. She is trying to get Redd and Brick to play with her (or that is what I tell myself she is trying to get them to do :o:D), she's waking me up being a bulldozer, she's barking at commercials, and takes part in Barkfest every meal. Her appetite is probably the best I have ever seen it - she is HUNGRY and that is a rarity with Trink. She's not as grouchy as she was, snapping and growling at anyone who walks by either so I know she feels better.

Thru all of this, she has started itching a little more than she was and is licking her feet more so I am watching that closely. When she wasn't eating well, what little she would eat was widely varied; at that point I just wanted food in her, food of any kind so for a over a month she ate all sorts of things without me even looking to see what was in it - when she ate at all. She has been eating only the cod and sweet potato home cooked for a week or 10 days now so I am hoping if it is food giving her this reaction it was something from a few weeks ago and not the new home cooked recipe. Our mold count is off the chart this summer tho so who knows.

All in all, Dr. Erikson is pleased, saying we are on the right track and moving in the right direction. And I am happy with her progress and obvious improvements.

[judymaggie]

Glad to read that Trinket is feeling better--hopefully, the additional time on the injections will clear up the conjestion! During our worse allergy months, I wipe Abbie's feet with baby wipes after our walks. This seems to greatly reduce the foot licking.

[molly muffin]

Good to hear that Trink is doing a bit better, feeling that way anyhow. I think the extension of the antibiotics is a good idea until this is cleared up at least, maybe a bit past being cleared even, so it doesn't come back.

[mcdavis]

Really pleased to hear that the doc thinks she's doing OK and pleased to hear she has her appetite back.

It can take some time for food which is causing allergies to get out of their systems - I tried one food with Henry and he had a 25% portion for a day and a half and started licking his paws manically, so I stopped it immediately but it still took over 2 weeks for the licking to stop.

I also do the paw wiping after every walk, but in our case it's because of the amount of winter salt on the roads ;)

[apollo6]

Glad to here our little Trinket is doing better.
Sonja,Apollo,Karma,Ariel

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink will be done with the injections this week and I am sick about it. That means she will have to go back to the pills...and the fighting which I am thinking played a role in keeping the pneumonia so alive from her aspirating on saliva and mucous during the struggles. SO I have just written to Diamondback and begged for their help in another delivery system for the Theophylline or some other drug that will work the same. Now I wait to see if they can help us. If they can, I will put them in touch with Dr. Ericson and pray she is willing to go that way. If not, I bet Doc B will. ;)

[mcdavis]

Sorry if I'm being a bit dim but is it the same medication that she needs to continue with or is it something new? If it's the same is there a reason why she can't continue with the injections?

[Squirt's Mom]

The injections are Narcel, an antibiotic. The meds she will need on a daily basis from now on are bronchiodilators like Theophylline, which is the pill she has to take 3x a day regardless. There is another pill called Guaifenesin which is for when she is coughing more and has more mucous production that she takes as needed 3x a day. These are the two I would like to have another delivery system for - bronchiodilator and mucous control.

[SasAndYunah]

I know there is Theophylline Liquid, used for children...maybe that would be an option?

Sas :)

[Squirt's Mom]

If it's oral, it is a fight. Liquids end up on the walls and ceilings as well as the usual me, her, and stove top. ;) Plus there is the increased risk of aspiration with liquids.

[SasAndYunah]

definately no option then... :D

Sas :)

[Squirt's Mom]

In short, she has no other options. I have talked with Diamondback, Regal and US Compounding this week. There is one injection that would work like the Theophylline but it is cost prohibitive for us and would have to be refilled every 2 weeks because it doesn't keep but 30 days and 2 weeks of those 30 are used for testing each batch. The other one for the mucous can only be used in a hospital setting via injection because it crystallizes so easily. She finished the antibiotic injections tonite. I will give her a couple of days without any shots or meds, if possible, then start the pills again. Maybe by then I will have stopped crying.

[molly muffin]

Can any of it,be crushed and mixed with food which might even if you have to put it in her mouth be easier to,get her to swallow than a pill!

[mcdavis]

:(
hoping that Sharlene's suggestion of crushing will help and keeping everything crossed

[addy]

Oh Lelslie, I'm reading all the drugs for Trinket and thinking they are all my asthma drugs. Drat pneumonia anyway.

My heart goes out to you and our precious bauble. I know you will figure things out.

Love you all

[Squirt's Mom]

Yesterday was Trink's checkup and Dr. Erikson said her lungs sound clear and look better on xrays than they have since treatment started. YAY! Doc says she has "old lady dog" chest but it is much, much better than it was. We are to continue the Theophylline 2-3X a day like we have been doing.

I have been seeing some signs that we all know and "love" for a month or more so she took some blood and ran labs yesterday. Dr. Erikson called about an hour ago and said all the bloodwork looked excellent so for now we are putting the signs down to the med. She has increased appetite, panting, and drinking; peeing longer but not more often; grouchy; and is becoming more and more anxious when I have to leave her....so you know where my mind has been. ;)

The pneumonia has not come back since finishing the injected ABs and she has only needed the Guaifenesin once since then as well....thankfully as that one must taste HORRID.

She has gotten much better about taking her pills thanks to Vetoquinol Pill Wrap. It is a thick paste that you can form around any size or shape pill. It gets a bit slimy when it hits saliva so it slides down more easily as well as shapes more easily than any other wrap or dough we tried...and must taste better, too. I still have to open her jaw and poke it in the back of her throat but she isn't spitting her meds out any more. I set her on the stove top on a towel with her back to me, open her jaw, poke the pill and hold her head up while she swallows. Then we go to the bed where she gets 3 teeny bites of a crunchy treat. She has learned the times her pills....errrr treats :D are due and will show up licking her chops, waiting to be put on the stovetop. LOL

So all in all we are very happy with our Little Bauble.

[Squirt's Mom]

I forgot to give the link for the pill wrap in case anyone else can benefit from it! :o You can get it many places other than Amazon, too. ;)

http://www.amazon.com/Vetoquinol-429022-Pill-Wrap/dp/B00701NED2

[labblab]

Aww Les, overall, I think this is great news to hear. I understand why your antennae have been twitching a bit, but I'm so relieved to hear how much better her lungs are, and how much easier it is to give her the meds. Thank you so much for the pill paste info. That may turn out to be a big help to a lot of people!

It's wonderful to hear from you, and I wish you and all the Gang my very best for the New Year!

Marianne

[molly muffin]

That's wonderful that little trink is doing so well. Good for her and for you! You are a good momma.

Medication sure can play havoc with our nerves eh :)

[mcdavis]

Just so pleased to hear the vet visit went well, and that treat times are something to look forward to - it's great when you find a solution that works. Go Trink :D

and Thanks for the details of the pill paste. That could be really helpful in the future. Just out of interest does have a long use by date, and does it need to be used within a certain time frame once opened?

[Budsters Mom]

So glad that Trink is doing so well and YAY for the pill paste. :p

I have to use the pill shooter with Rosie. She always manages to find and pick out the pill, no matter what I try to hid it in. Little twit!:D She gets over it right away, but I still wish I didn't have to do it. :)

[Squirt's Mom]

MC, we use up a jar pretty fast giving 3 pills a day but there is no direction to use within a certain period of time after opening - just to keep the jar lid tight. The jar we have now expires in July of 2017...so there's not much concern about it going bad. :D

[mcdavis]

Thanks for the info. It's always useful to have a plan for pill times.

[Allison]

What wonderful news for the new year! I'm glad that Trink had a decent checkup. Also, it's always a relief when our critters will take their medication without a fuss. Maybe 2016 continue to be blessed for your family.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is doing so very well! Her cough is minimal now and she rarely has that wheezy sound. She is now able to take the Theophylline sometimes twice a day or even once a day and do quite well. Our pill times are a pleasure now instead of that horrid battle that resulted in her spitting the pills out later.

I am seeing some side effects from the med, or that is what Dr. Erikson thinks anyway. Her appetite has tripled, she is often grouchy with the other babies at meal times if they walk to close to her bowl, she cleans everyone's plate/bowl when they are thru, and she drinks more (and this is the baby I had to syringe water to for so long!)...but she is also more active that she used to wanting to go outside just to sniff and roll and roam around. She reacts to someone coming to the door, too - barking along with Sophie to let them know who rules the roost around here. :p AND she has taught herself to use the peepee pads that I have down for Brick. She is just an amazing little lady!

Her colitis has not reared its ugly head for quite some time in spite of us needing to change her feed a couple of times and I am very grateful for that as I am sure she is as well. ;)

Trink remains my snuggle bunny and most mornings wakes me up playing bulldozer when she hears the birds singing outside.

[mcdavis]

Pleased to see some good news for Trinket too :D

[Squirt's Mom]

It's past time for an update on Trinket!

A while back I was diagnosed with a rather rare cancer and had to have surgery in early June. While I was in the hospital my youngest grandson and the grandmother he lives with came and stayed at the house with my babies. She is a nurse so I trusted her to know if Trink developed a wet cough. ;) In the past I have posted on the difficulty giving pills to Trink so I showed Becky our routine. Sure enough, Trink started fighting with her right off. Becky said she decided to try something - so she wrapped one of the pills in some of Trink's raw rabbit food, held it in one hand and Trink in the other....Trink gobbled it down!! :eek::rolleyes::p Little turd! :D When I got home my SIL was here to help and Trink would take her pills from her the same way. So Trink and I no longer have to go thru our stove sitting routine at med time; she will take it in some cheese or her raw food quite willingly! Tho she still expects her "bites" afterwards. ;):)

When I got home Trink did experience a flareup of her colitis...I am sure it was from the changes and stress while I was away. Nothing else had changed so I am convinced that was the cause. After I was home a few weeks and started being able to care for them again, she calmed down and is back to normal BMs, thankfully.

As for me, I am doing well all things considered. The surgery was successful - clean margins on the tumor - and the path reports on the lymph glands they removed were negative. So the first hurdle is in two years then if there is no return in five years, I can say I am cured.

[spdd]

Glad to see the update and all thing considered, life is starting to settle back down for you. Now to get over the rabies shots... and all will be good. You never cease to amaze me.:D

[Budsters Mom]

OMG girl! We don't hear much for a while, then zowie!!! :eek::eek:
So glad that all went well and you're on the mend. :p Rabies shots, really??? Only you Leslie. So sorry that you're having to go through that.:o

Trink is a little booger.:D That's one of the reasons that we love her so much! Little turkey! She plays you. I know. I have one of those.;)

A little DULL for a while, would be okay, you know.;)

Hugs,
Kathy

[molly muffin]

So glad to hear that little trinket is doing well and the poops firmed up. They do get really stressed sometimes. Tender tummies.

[mcdavis]

Pleased to hear the op was a success, although sorry to hear you're having rabies shots.
It's always interesting to see how our little ones behave with others compared to ourselves. It's like they know that we like life to be interesting......
It's good that things have firmed up for Trink.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink went to see Dr. Erikson this morning. She has been acting off for a while but I kept thinking it was due to the stress of my situation and the heat/humidity we have been having. I also realized the compounded Theophylline she is on is a slow release form and the pill we started with was not....I think that has played more of a role than anything. She did fine with the compounded at first but the longer she was on the more anxious, restless, and upset she got, her heart was racing and she would even whimper a bit at times. Her cough came back pretty bad, too. I put her on the cough meds for 10 days and cut her Theophylline dose from 3x and a day to 2 a day. She got better for a while then started getting restless again. So back on the cough meds which didn't do anything this time. After the groomer saw her this past Thurs and told me she was wheezing really bad, I decided to cut the dose down to 1x a day til we could see the vet.

Xrays show she has quite a bit of fluid around the lung but no fever or other sign of pneumonia. Dr. Erikson said Trink started the wheezing while being xrayed and she noticed Trink's tongue getting a bit blue. Doc did a CBC and should have results tonite or in the morning and we will know if she needs an antibiotic again or not. Dr Erikson gave her some Lasix and told me to keep her on the Theophylline 2x a day and start the cough med back again. Then Trink goes back this Fri for other Xrays to see if this is helping the fluid. So far she has not been inclined to pee more but she's only had one of the Lasix.

Hopefully this will get her turned around and back on more stable ground again soon.

[Joan2517]

Hoping everything goes okay.....

[Harley PoMMom]

I, too, hope that this new plan of action works for our dear girl. Sending you both huge and loving hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Awww, poor little Trinket. Such a sweetheart. Hope this treatment works out.

Huggers Leslie

[Squirt's Mom]

Dr. Erikson called this afternoon and Trink's labs are all good - so no infection, no pneumonia this time! YAY! Now to get her peeing more and get this fluid moving on out. I'm to call Dr. E Thurs and let her know how the wheezing is doing and we see her then Fri morning for another xray and exam. Thanks so much for the support! She means the world to me.....

[mcdavis]

Pleased to read that the labs are good......... sending lots of "go pee" thoughts ;)

[Allison]

I'm happy to hear that Trinket's labs are good! Keep us posted on how everything else goes.

[Squirt's Mom]

We went back to see Dr. Erikson yesterday for another xray....Trink's wheezing is a bit better but the xray shows minimal improvement in the amount of fluid in her chest. So the Lasix was doubled. Doc said Trink did not wheeze at all during the test and she was pleased with that aspect but I am to report in later this weekend and probably take her back to Little Rock early next week. With the Lasix increase yesterday, she drank quite a bit more but did not want to pee more. I got up and took her out 3x last nite just to be sure - the first time she stood for a bit with her leg out as if she was peeing but not a drop came out. The next two times it was dark and I couldn't tell if she peed or not but her little teetee was wet both times - whether from the wet grass or from pee I don't know. She did sleep well Thurs. nite for the first time since going back to twice a day Theophylline but didn't sleep as well last nite tho better than Mon - Wed. Her anxiety level is high again but not as bad as it was earlier. It really bothers me when she starts pacing and being unable to lay down for more than 10-15 seconds without moving to another spot, the whole time panting as if she just ran a country block. Still no fever or signs of pneumonia and for that I am most grateful.

[mcdavis]

Just to let you know we're thinking of you, and sending lots of "go pee" thoughts.
Hugs to Trinket X

[Squirt's Mom]

We went back for another xray this morning and the fluid in her chest is a bit better - enough so that we are cutting back to the original dose of Lasix for now. Dr. Erikson said she has air in her tummy, tho, from the effort to breath. She also took bloods today to check her kidney function since I don't think Trink's peeing as much as she should be for the amount of Lasix she has been taking. I am to call in the morning and get those results. I'll let you know what they are then!

[lulusmom]

That's good news for now but will be looking forward to your update after you talk to the vet.

[tank&kat]

Hoping for good results today (((((hugs)))))

~Kat

[Squirt's Mom]

Dr. Erikson just called and said her kidneys are ok BUT the ALT is about 3x normal. I was trying to get in the door when she called so I don't have the numbers but her result was 300-something and normal is 100-something. I go to LR in the morning to pick up an antibiotic and then Dr. Erikson will rerun labs next week. She is hoping Trink has just picked up a little infection and this will do the trick. She said she wasn't worried about any of the other results. I will have a copy of the test tomorrow and can give ya'll the real deal then.

I am very relieved about the kidneys regardless. If you recall, we were told Trink was in kidney failure after her eyes were removed, before she got to come home to us. Doc B tested her once she got home tho and everything had returned to normal. He's tested her a few times since with everything being in normal range so this is a relief to know her little kidneys are still doing ok best we can tell. ~~whew~~

[Squirt's Mom]

We finished the ABs and went for labs yesterday. Dr. Erikson tells me the ALT is down within normal range again but high normal so she wants Trink to take the Clindamycin every day til 2 bottles are gone instead of using it just 5 days at the first of each month like we have been. Dr. E is hoping this will knock out any remaining infection and bring that ALT down lower. Everything else is apparently fine. I should get copies of both labs in the mail soon.

[mcdavis]

So pleased to hear that the results were good, and keeping my fingers crossed that the meds bring the ALT down further.

[Squirt's Mom]

I got Trink's lab reports from 8/26/16 and part of the follow-up labs (the CBC) from 9/16/16 - the remainder are supposed to be in the mail today.

In Aug. her abnormal values are as follows -

From the Chem 18 w/SDMA:

ALP 887 H 5-160 U/L
ALT 366 H 18-121 U/L
GGT 30 H (verified by repeat analysis) 0-13 U/L
CHOL 381 H 131-345 mg/dl
CHLORIDE 92 H 108-119 mnol/L

From the CBC Standard:

MCV 58 L 59-76 fL
MCHC 42.5 H 32.6-39.2 g/dL
AUTO PLATELET 900 H 143-448 K/uL


The liver values are alarming to me - especially the ALT and GGT.

In addition this is also concerning -
SDMA 14 0-14 ug/dL

Her BUN is 31 with over 31 considered high but her creatinine is 0.6 with a range of 0.5-1.5 mg/dL. Her Phosphorus is 5.9 with a range of 2.5-6.1 mg/dL.

While the SDMA, BUN, creatinine and phosphorus are all within range, tho some barely, I am worried this is an indicator she is starting into kidney disease. I hope the Chem 18 from Sept shows some improvements in these areas as well as the liver values. Dr. Erikson didn't mention anything but the ALT when we talked and did say it had come back to normal range....but now I am wondering about the rest of these.

She has enough to deal with, she does not need liver or kidney problems in addition. :(

[Joan2517]

Geez, she sure doesn't...

[mcdavis]

Fingers crossed for the re-test results. Is it possible that some of the higher values were a result of the medications she was taking at the time? I recall doing some research when Hamish's results were high and reading that the values could be elevated by some medications.

[Squirt's Mom]

Starting early this morning I was finding piles of vomit but never caught the victim til just a few minutes ago....it's Trink. On her last labs her SDMA was 14, the upper end of the range, so I am worried about her kidneys again. She is one to go out and eat poop tho. The pile I saw her deposit did have a poopy smell but none of the others did...those piles had quite a bit of food and it looked like food one of the others eat, not hers. The one I saw her upchuck was pretty foamy so maybe she is getting empty. She won't get any supper and maybe not any meds tonite....depends on how she is. We see Dr. Erikson at 9:15 in the morning so I will let you know what I learn when we get back.

Send up a prayer and some healing energies for her, will ya?

[Joan2517]

Poor Trink! I hope it's nothing and she begins to feel better!

[Spiceysmum]

Sending lots of prayers and wishes that Trink is feeling much better soon.
Linda X

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks, ya'll!

She wasn't even interested in supper last nite. I syringed water several times to keep her hydrated then around 8PM she perked up and wanted treats then drank on her own - which made me feel MUCH better. She got half her normal amount for breakfast and did get her meds. She's my poop eater since she started on the Theophylline so hopefully that was the problem. More later!

[Squirt's Mom]

We're home but test results yet. Her lungs sounded really clear tho so Doc didn't feel xrays were needed today. She has lost some weight. I will get the lab results later today.

[molly muffin]

Hope the labs all come back good Leslie.

Good chance she got a nasty bite of poop though.

[judymaggie]

I hope Trink is continuing to feel better! Abbie's only poop episode involved her eating cat poop -- she ended up in the ER and was terribly sick for a few days. She hasn't tried any since -- maybe Trink will learn a lesson ...

[mcdavis]

Sorry to hear about Trink, although positive that she regained an interest in food. It does sound like she ate something which disagreed with her. Fingers crossed for positive lab results.

[Squirt's Mom]

Dr. Erikson called a bit ago...her SDMA is now 15 but she said the creatinine and BUN were normal so she's not overly concerned. I have not seen the lab results myself yet and wasn't in position to write anything down when she called. HOWEVER, Doc said the ALKP was skyrocketing so she wants to do the ACTH. :eek::rolleyes: I've been saying for ages Trink looks and acts like a cush or thyroid pup but none of her testing supported that until now. So I will be making an appt for the ACTH later this week.

Trink is eating dehydrated raw rabbit that has a protein level of 46% with moisture of 5% or less until rehydrated (then it becomes 15/70). So it is is high protein feed and Dr. E said that might be having an impact on her kidneys/SDMA...but could also be Cushing's effecting the kidneys, of course.

So that's where we are for now. When they mail me the lab results I will post the #s. And I may be moving this thread from EE into the discussion board with our cush babies soon. At least I know a bit about what to expect this time! ;)

[Joan2517]

Poor Trink~ I have suspected that Gable has Cushing's or Thyroid problems, but we haven't caught it in his blood work as of yet. I hope I'm wrong...we're going to test again next month.

[Squirt's Mom]

My plans for tomorrow got cancelled so I am taking her in in the morning instead of Wed. ;)

[molly muffin]

oh my. Well, best get it over with and find out one way or another.
Let us know what the labs show!

[Squirt's Mom]

POST HAS BEEN EDITED TO ADD MORE INFO:

Trink had the ACTH yesterday morning so now we wait for the results. I did get her latest labs and don't really see Cushing's...here are the abnormals:

ALP 419 UL 5-160 HIGH (can't find conversion to ug/dl????)

BUN 32 mg/dl 9-31 HIGH

GLUC 20 mg/dl 63-114 LOW

CALCIUM 8.1 mg/dl 8.4-11.8 LOW

CHLORIDE 89mmol/L 108-119 LOW

POTASSIUM 5.7 mmol/L 4.0-5.4 HIGH

SDMA 15 ug/dl 0-14 HIGH

WBC 19.7 K/uL 4.9-17.6 HIGH

NEUROPHIL 16430 /uL 2940-12670 HIGH

MONOCYTE 2128 130 - 1150 /uL HIGH

ESONOPHIL 20 70 - 1490 /uL LOW

Her Sodium is 144 so that gives us a NA/K ratio of 25.26 if my math is correct. Which is approaching the Addison's arena.

And the glucose??? That low??? It was verified by "repeat analysis".

BUT I am MUCH more concerned with her kidneys at the moment and am going to ask Dr. Erikson to do some more testing on them. I don't want to start treatment for anything without knowing their status for sure. fyi her CREATININE = 0.7 with a normal range of 0.5 - 1.5 mg/dl. Because of this value Dr. Erikson isn't too worried...but I am. Everything I read, including the notes on this lab report, say this value of 15 ug/dl indicates early kidney disease. Per this lab report:

"SDMA IS INCREASED AND CREATININE IS WITHIN THE REFERENCE INTERVAL which indicates early kidney disease is likely."

I have stopped the daily Lasix as of yesterday. Lasix is a nephrotoxic agent and can cause damage to the kidneys. So I am giving her a break on that, hoping her lungs don't fill back up. :eek::(:( If she starts sounding wheezy again I will use Dandelion Leaf or Wild Carrot and see if either of those help. They can also be nephrotoxic agents but are not near as harsh as Lasix so they are worth a try as far as I'm concerned at this point.

The signs I am seeing are:

Loss of hair on her tail
Failure to regrow hair from areas that have been shaved or cut very short
Increased drinking
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Panting for no reason
Seeking cool places
Incessant licking of every and anything
Dry nose
Less interactive
Peeing in the house
Weight loss

The increase peeing and drinking could easily be the Lasix and I have been trying to take some weight off so she can breath easier but her appetite is stronger than it has ever been. This is the dog I had to syringe water and hand feed when she first came - she had little interest in either for quite some time. BUT these signs can fit Cushing's, Addison's, or other conditions so......

I am starting to think we are coming to that proverbial "rock and hard place". Cortisol? Electrolytes? Kidneys? Pancreas? Treating one impacts the others...can she take it? Can I ask her to? Which is the most critical?

My sweet little bauble....I am worried about her.

[Joan2517]

Jeez! The poor little girl...

[labblab]

Oh Les, I'm so sorry you've got all these additional worries to sort through. Just wanted to add a couple of thoughts, tho, about the kidney stuff. First, as far as the SDMA, I think I've read that it is not unexpected for the SDMA to start going up somewhat just as a result of aging of the kidneys. In other words, in an older dog, it may not be that sinister for that marker to be a bit above optimal range. Wish I had a specific citation for you, and I'll try to find one. But I believe that's what I've seen.

So, in that vein, I'm wondering whether you really want to discontinue the Lasix if it has really been helping Trink with the fluid overload in her chest. I know you're really balancing quality of life issues, and I've had humans with congestive heart failure tell me that they start feeling like they're drowning or strangling when the fluid build-up gets to be too much :o. Have you discussed stopping the lasix with your vet and does she feel it's a good idea? As I say, just a thought to add into the mix...

Marianne

[labblab]

Well, I've been looking for a citation for my aging/SDMA comment and striking out so far, but I'll keep searching. Who knows, though, maybe I made it up. :eek:

[lulusmom]

Here's a link to IDEXX FAQ's about SDMA, which has a ton of information, including how cushing's affects the results. I didn't have time to do a comprehensive review but in my cursory scan, I didn't see anything about higher results in elderly dogs being dismissed as an effect of aging. I think dogs are like people and as we age, our kidney functions decline at varying rates. Everybody in my immediate family are old and none of us have normal kidney values but none of our doctors are concerned at this point. My sisters and I sit around and compare test results and play can you top this. :D It could be that's where Trinket is.

https://www.idexx.com/files/small-animal-health/solutions/articles/sdma-faqs.pdf

[labblab]

Here's a link to IDEXX FAQ's about SDMA, which has a ton of information, including how cushing's affects the results. I didn't have time to do a comprehensive review but in my cursory scan, I didn't see anything about higher results in elderly dogs being dismissed as an effect of aging. I think dogs are like people and as we age, our kidney functions decline at varying rates. Everybody in my immediate family are old and none of us have normal kidney values but none of our doctors are concerned at this point. My sisters and I sit around and compare test results and play can you top this. :D It could be that's where Trinket is.

https://www.idexx.com/files/small-animal-health/solutions/articles/sdma-faqs.pdf
Yeah to what Glynda said ;).

Outside of IDEXX, I think there are some remaining question marks about the real-life utilization of SDMA testing results. This is the kind of comment that I've seen floating around:


Some decreases in kidney function that could elevate your pet's SDMA levels are part of the normal aging process. They occur in humans as well. We do not know yet at what SDMA level it might be wise to begin giving pets medications such as those that increase blood flow through its kidneys (eg Semintra®) . If your pet's blood pressure is above normal, they are indicated. But what if that has not yet occurred ? We just do not know.

The test will have more utility once Idexx makes available SDMA values in specific pet age brackets and reports back in which percentile of an age bracket your pet's results fall.

This comes from Dr. Ron Hines' 2ndChance veterinary blog, and I've seen other conjectural comments in the same vein. I was hoping to find something more "official" to cite here, but I guess this will have to do for now.

[Squirt's Mom]

The link Glynda posted is the one I have been reading the last few days and still feel much concerned about her increasing value. Again, Dr. Erikson is not and I trust her...so far. ;) But trust does not ameliorate worry.

As for talking to her about the Lasix break, no I have not but I have given Trink breaks before and she knows I do this. I have NOT used herbal diuretics before tho and will talk to her about this before I use either the Dandelion or Wild Carrot. I will have to test Trink for allergies to them first, too. :)

[Squirt's Mom]

Annnnd another wrinkle...last nite I found what I HOPE is a rather large lipoma on Trink's groin. If it is, it has grown fairly rapidly because it was not there a few days ago or was too small to feel when brushing and rubbing her PINK belly. I wanted to check for any darkening of her skin and found this thing then. She has been walking oddly, like something was in a paw, which I have checked over and over to find nothing. So it may have been there just not big enough to feel but big enough for her to notice. So I am gonna call Doc B and try to get in to have him check this out today. Dr. Erickson is off on Thurs. ;) I'll let you know what he thinks it is.

[Squirt's Mom]

Doc B thinks the lump is a cyst. He said it could be drained but it would come right back. He also said she looked like a cush dog to him. She has this spot about the size of a pencil eraser end that was crusty, like a scab, but is now just very very thin skin - you can actually see thru it to the muscle, etc. underneath. He said her skin was thin by the way it crinkles. But her belly and other skin is nice and pink, not dark at all.

While we were there, Dr. Ericson called me and her ACTH post is >50! She will have an abdominal ultrasound Tues morning at 9. So the games begin AGAIN! :(

[Joan2517]

I'm so sorry, Leslie...the poor little girl.

[DoxieMama]

:eek: Ahh crap! Sorry Leslie.

[labblab]

Oh gosh, Leslie! Sobering news to say the least...:o

But please know your troops here are just awaiting our marching orders. As soon as we know what direction we're going, we'll be right there by your side! If it's Cushing's again, we'll have your back every step of the way.

[Harley PoMMom]

I'm sorry to hear that Trinket may have Cushing's :( so glad she has you as her Mom especially since you are so well versed in Cushing's.

Love and hugs, Lori

[mcdavis]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to read the latest on Trink's results :(
I hope you can get some clarity about the best way forward.

In case it helps, Hamish had 2 large lipomas in his groin (one behind the other). The vet used to drain them yearly when she took samples to check them, and each time they returned to the original size within a week or two. They also seemed to just appear overnight, which sounds very much like the one you found on Trink.

[molly muffin]

Wow over 50. Okay well, lets see what that ultrasound shows. We know other things can also cause the cortisol level to increase.

Whatever is going on, she couldn't have a better mommy to take care of her.

Hugs

[Squirt's Mom]

Well, as you see Trink is now with our other cush babies, no longer in Everything Else. :( The news is mixed but I am crushed regardless. :(:(

The ultrasound this morning found a growth on her left adrenal gland. Both glands were visible and BOTH were slightly enlarged. Everything else was "unremarkable" thankfully. The neurologist, Dr. Larry Nafe, did the ultrasound and reading...he thinks this growth may be a cystic growth, not tumor, since the right gland is not smaller nor atrophied. So the plan is to start her on a low dose of Lysodren then do another ultrasound in 2-3 weeks to see if it has shrunk. IF it has then he will be more convinced it is a cyst and not a tumor. If it has NOT shrunk, then they want to stop the Lyso and switch to Trilostane in 30 days.

My mind sorta went bonkers when I heard "adrenal growth" and I forgot to ask if Trink will go thru a load or not. But I am placing a call to Dr. Erikson with things I forgot to ask or get (like pred!! duh) and I will let you know about the load later. Her Lyso will be compounded by Diamondback.

With her COPD, Dr. Erikson feels she is not a candidate to remove this growth so this is our best option in her mind and Dr. Nafe agrees. Dr. Erikson said she told Dr. Nafe I have done a really good job with the COPD...and that if anyone could keep Trink going thru this it would be me. I pray she is right.

I am thankful that it is the LEFT adrenal involved and that there seems to be a hope this is not a tumor but a cyst. However my heart is broken nonetheless. She is blind (no eyes), has colitis, allergies, anal gland disease, COPD and now a growth on her adrenal with very high cortisol readings which we are treating as Cushing's. Our little bauble is one tough lady but enough is enough, ok?

[judymaggie]

Leslie -- for a little pup, Trinket surely does have a lot on her plate but, with you as her Mom, she will do just fine. As has been said, we are all right next to you and Trinket along this new road!

[Squirt's Mom]

I just talked to Dr. Erikson and she is prescribing a loading dose but much lower than normal. She said it would be 25mg/kg/day or less.

[Squirt's Mom]

EDITED to change dosing schedule:
Ok...her dosing is odd but that is because we are treating what is hopefully a cyst. She will get 50mg once a day for five days then 50mg a week after that. We will also have plenty of pred on hand. I hope this will address her cush signs and give her a bit of relief from her panting which is unreal! :eek:

[addy]

Oh Leslie,
I just saw this post and did a double take, thinking this can't be possible. I do take some relief in the fact that this could be a cyst.

Big hugs to you and kisses to Trinket.

She is in good hands but I cannot imagine how stressed you might be feeling.

Thinking positive thoughts!

[lulusmom]

Les, I've never heard of treating a cyst with Lysodren nor have I ever heard of a cyst secreting cortisol, especially the extremely high level of cortisol Trink had in response to stimulation. Was Trinket formally diagnosed with cushing's and if so I assume it is PDH, right? How much does Trinket weigh? I suspect Trinket is on the lowest loading dose (25mg/kg), which makes me skeptical as to how effective such a low dose will be after only 5 days. Lulu was prescribed the full 50 mg/kg loading dose and it took her over a week to load. Is the vet going to do an acth stimulation test after 5 days or is this just a trial to see if it shrinks the cyst? Or is the vet being super conservative because of Trinkets other problems?

[labblab]

Hi Les, and gosh, I'm so sorry you have all these added worries to deal with. Life just seems so unfair at time! :o

But we will do everything we can to help and support both you and sweetie Trink. I have to say, I was wondering some of the same things as Glynda. But I've just now been Googling human adrenal cysts and see that, although it is rare, some cysts do produce hormonal elevations as do tumors. So if that is also true for dogs, I assume that's where your vets are headed with this. Maybe they're hoping that Lysodren's erosion of the adrenal cortex will actually physically reduce/drain the cyst? If so, you're not really "loading" in the conventional sense aimed at longterm cortisol control, but rather you're temporarily using the Lyso for the actual physiological effect on the adrenal tissue. If it does not shrink the cyst and if you are facing Cushing's treatment for the long haul, then you'll make the switch to trilostane? I may very well be missing the mark entirely, but that's what I'm thinking may be the case.

Regardless, we are here for you and we'll stay right beside you girls. We love you both, Les!

Marianne

[Joan2517]

I'm so sorry, Leslie. Poor little girl going through so much, and you too. I hope this works for your sweet Trinket.

[Squirt's Mom]

Yes...Marianne has the right track. This is sort of a trial to see if the Lyso will shrink this growth. If it DOES then we will assume it is a cyst and not a tumor which will mean she has PDH. If it does not shrink then they plan to treat it as ADH.

However, I cannot get Squirt's journey out of my mind and can't help question the Cushing's. This growth could be causing enough internal stress, just as that tumor on Squirt's spleen did, to cause false-positives as well as signs. Squirt did NOT have as many signs as Trink nor were the ones she did have as strong until she became true cushinoid VS Atypical.

I have been saying for about a year that Trink presented as a cush pup but none of her labs supported that so we put the blame on the Lasix and Theophylline. She started poop eating when she started the Theophylline - something she had never done before - and her appetite in general slowly increased after starting the Theophylline. The peeing and drinking started with the Lasix and it will wan when I give her breaks from it. She holds her urine all night - sometimes 12-14 hours. She will sometimes find and use a peepee pad if I'm out and the color has been yellow - not pale.

And perhaps my "questioning" is more on the denial side of things. I do not want her to have to deal with anything more. It kills me to think she will. :(:(:(:(:(

Trink has 2 docs on her team - Dr. Erikson is a DVM whom I was told had extra study in cardio-pulmonary which is why they put her with Trink in the first place. Dr. Nafe is an IMS with specialty in neurology; he is a well-known neurosurgeon in our area and well respected. He is the IMS who worked with Squirt and me. I am very comfortable with both of them. Dr. Erikson listens to me and talks with me, not at me. She has been more than willing to work with me any time I have asked. She knows the dangers of both Trilo and Lyso...and is favorable toward Anipryl. We discussed all three meds and it was at my request we went with Lyso in the first place and Dr. Nafe chose it after the US to try to shrink what is hopefully a cyst. I am still not sure if I will go with a switch to Trilo if this does not shrink but that decision is down the road a few weeks so I have time to consider things. I know it is better for ADH but I do.not.like.that.drug. I am much more comfortable with Lsyo...but I will do what seems best for Trink, always.

Diamondback called this morning and her meds, Mitotane (since it is being compounded) and pred, will ship today or tomorrow. Starting today, Trink will be isolated in my bedroom with her own water bowl so I can get a handle on her water consumption. She will remain isolated those first 5 days...which means I am going to become isolated for the most part as well for the next week or so. Thank goodness for laptops! :D

[labblab]

Thanks so much for this additional info. One thing I'm not sure about is why shrinkage of the growth would mean it's a cyst instead of a tumor. As I understand it, in some cases Lysodren causes adrenal tumor cells to die off as well. Reduction of the growth would be good either way, but I'm not understanding why it would be specifically diagnostic of a cyst. But I guess that part doesn't necessarily matter right now -- we'll just hope for improvement!

[Harley PoMMom]

Gosh dang it Leslie :( you certainly didn't need this added stress and I am so sorry that you and sweet Trink are having to go through this :( We are here for you both and if there is anything we can do you let us know.

Love and hugs, Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

I'm with you on this, Marianne. Part of the reason I am hesitant to switch to Trilo if it doesn't shrink. I know often in ADH higher dose treatments are needed in time so the Trilo is often better but I also know Lyso can shrink the adrenal tumors sooooo......

There is something about the appearance of the growth that makes Dr. Nafe think it may be a cyst not tumor. Dr. Erikson didn't go into detail and my wee little mind was misfiring by that point badly so I didn't ask further...and the sobbing didn't help. :( She did say it was located on the tip of the left adrenal, sort of poking off the gland.

There will be discussions with Dr. E and Dr. N about switching, never doubt that. ;)

[Squirt's Mom]

AND with my luck it is entirely feasible that Trink will have both ADH and PDH. :rolleyes:

[labblab]

I am putting the cart ahead of the horse, but if an adrenal tumor is involved, one of the considerations may be that perhaps you really have to aim at total adrenal ablation in order to try to "kill" the tumor as well. I really don't know about that. But if so, that may be a reason why the vets think trilostane would be the better option for Trink. As you already know, adrenal tumors may require increasingly higher doses of Lysodren. But there is some new research that suggests the very opposite with trilostane: that dogs with ADH may require even smaller doses of trilo than do dogs with PDH. So all of that may enter into the equation later on down the road.

[Squirt's Mom]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.12303/pdf

My afternoon reading....leading to being further convinced I want to stick with Lyso and more questions for Dr. E and Dr. N. :D

[labblab]

OK girl, now you've got me confused...:confused:

The conclusion of this 2014 study is that since neither Lysodren nor trilostane appear to grant an advantage in terms of length of survival, trilostane may be the preferred treatment option for ADH due to less adverse effects.


Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The type of medical treatment (mitotane versus trilostane) does not influence sur- vival time in dogs with ADH; therefore, trilostane, a drug with less frequent and milder adverse effects, might be used as the primary medical treatment when adrenalectomy cannot be performed.

Since the time of this study in 2014, I think that more and more clinicians have shifted to a preference for using trilo to treat ADH. Is there something that you're seeing in this study that makes you think that mitotane is the better choice?

[Squirt's Mom]

Yes - the fact that there was no appreciable difference in survival times between the two and because I personally do not believe Trilostane is a safer choice. In the right hands both are beneficial...I understand Lyso better than Trilo and trust it, and me with it, more than Trilo. ;)

[Squirt's Mom]

I am going to start Trink on 4 small meals a day VS 2 full meals starting this afternoon to see if that helps with her panting. It is off the charts for an hour or so after breakfast and even longer at nite after her supper. So I am hoping having less food in her tummy at one time will put less pressure on things, making her panting less.

Her water intake is not as much as I had thought. It just seems more because she has never had much interest in water. But for her weight she is within norms so far. I'm getting a math work out keeping a chart on her, too! Measuring water by ml and converting to oz. and cups. LOL Then there's Bud, who drinks 4-5 cups at a time, making my heart quiver thinking "not another one!"...but I tell myself I'm just not used to large dogs. ;)

[Squirt's Mom]

Annnd we are on our way to see Dr. Erikson. Trink has been really straining to poop this morning and a knot has suddenly appeared beside her rectum. It wasn't there earlier when I cleaned her butt but it's sure there now and big. I don't know if her anal gland is about to rupture again, if this is related to the cyst in her groin, or what. But I will let you know what Dr. E has to say.

[DoxieMama]

Oh Leslie! I'm so sorry, Trink just can't seem to catch a break! I'm keeping you both in my thoughts this morning.

[molly muffin]

oh dear, sure hope not another rupture! Let us know what he says.

[Squirt's Mom]

Not an anal gland rupture....tho that would be much more preferable. :(

She has developed a hernia beside the rectum and it has poop in it. Dr. Erikson said it was so tight in there she couldn't get around the hernia to tell much (and she has small fingers) so she wants the surgeon, Dr. Nafe, see Trink Monday morning. Dr. Nafe is not available til then so meantime I am giving her mineral oil to help move things out easier and keeping watch. Tonite I check in with Dr. Erikson and continue to do so thru the weekend.

This happened so quick it's scary. Trink is miserable and is having a hard time getting comfortable between the groin cyst and this huge hernia. As for what they can do....we don't know yet til Dr. Nafe can see her. She is NOT a good candidate for surgery but we may have no choice but to try. If this ruptures, well I can't even bear to think of that.

She just ate 1/2 of her normal supper amount that had .04ml of mineral oil mixed in and surprisingly she ate it right down. Further indication of Cushing's. geez, my poor itty bitty baby girl. :(

[DoxieMama]

Ohhh. :( Poor baby.

Sending you all the positive thoughts and virtual hugs I can.

[labblab]

So, so sorry about this added worry!!! I'll definitely keep checking in on you girls.

[molly muffin]

Oh my gosh. Poor trink that must be so uncomfortable for her. :(.

[Harley PoMMom]

Oh poor Trinket and poor you :(:( (((Hugs)))

[Joan2517]

That really sucks, Leslie :(

[judymaggie]

A gentle hug for Trinket and you--she must be so uncomfortable and I know it is hard for you to see her that way.

[Budsters Mom]

Poor little girl and poor mom.:( :o I hope the surgeon is able to do something which will help her feel more comfortable. Cushings, now this. So unfair.:o

[mcdavis]

Oh no, poor little Trink. I really hope they can figure out a way to help her. Very gentle hugs from us.
Take Care

[spdd]

Got up first thing this morning and was wondering how you made out yesterday. Hopefully things are ok and today goes smoothly enough. Trinket is a fighter, just like her Momma..... I know things will be ok.

[Squirt's Mom]

My itty bitty girl obviously does not feel well and there are negative changes occurring, unfortunately. Yesterday she started downhill - she would not drink from her bowl so the only water she got was from her food. Her total intake yesterday was just over 2 oz. So today her meals will be mostly soup. Until yesterday she was drinking about 1/4 c from her bowl in addition to the water in her food.

She is not holding her tail up at all, not even to pee today. It drags the floor/ground and if she will wag it is minimal movement. She is walking very gingerly and having a very difficult time getting comfortable and does not squat to pee. She has not tried to poop at all today.

Yesterday morning around 6 AM she did try to poop but it was too dark for me to see how much she passed. When I cleaned her butt there was one teeny very hard ball of feces stuck in her hair and quite a bit of oily smear. She gets .5ml of mineral oil in every meal - and the fact that she eats it of course tells me her cortisol is quite high. Her Lyso has not come in yet and I don't know if we will start it now or not with this going on.

Her breath has been horrible due to her teeth but that odor has now changed. I sometimes swear I smell feces on her breath but she has not vomited any. At times, I almost hope she will vomit some feces just to get it out of her body and hopefully prevent this hernia from growing, or gods forbid rupturing. She is passing a little gas and it is usually an little oily spray due to all the mineral oil, I guess. She smells of feces, not dog, even tho she gets clean with a baby wipe or wet cloth frequently.

Today she will get a tiny meal every 2-2 1/2 hours, mostly soup. I have added some baked Sockeye Salmon to the dehydrated raw rabbit she eats since it is on the human list of low residue foods. With her allergies I am trying to be careful....but truthfully I have thought seriously about giving her turkey or chicken just to make her colitis flare which would give her diarrhea - but I can't make myself take the chance that would cause more harm than good. She just ate 1/4 of a rabbit patty and about 1 tsp of salmon in 2 tbsp of water and .5ml of oil. She got her COPD meds with this meal. I will feed her again in a couple of hours. In this manner we hope to help the food move thru her system more easily....hopefully a little will come out at some point today.

Part of me is very, VERY, anxious to get into see Dr. Nafe in the morning...and part of me is sick with fear that she won't come back home with me. I don't know what our options will be. If he is not comfortable putting her under to fix this hernia, I am going to ask him to consult with Dr. Terry Dew in Russellville ARK. Dr. Dew has been known to perform miracles...but to be fair, so has Dr. Nafe. These two surgeons are the best in my area - people come from all around to have their dogs operated on by both of these men so I know she is in good hands either way. I will do anything I can to give her any chance available. But neither will I let her suffer if nothing can be done.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers today and tomorrow, sending energies, positive vibes, whatever suits your faith/Soul.

[labblab]

Absolutely I will be hoping for good, healing news tomorrow. I imagine today will drag by for you with the slowness of a snail :(. So hard to sit by and try to calm your fears and worries. I surely hope Trink gets some relief sooner rather than later. I know how much that would ease her mama's heart, as well :o. I will stick close by to keep checking on you girls.

Sending huge hugs,
Marianne

[Harley PoMMom]

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers, also sending positive energy with tons of love.

[Joan2517]

Praying for you and Trink...

[mcdavis]

Masses of good thoughts and prayers from us for all of you.

[judymaggie]

Joining others in sending lots of healing thoughts and prayers for Trinket and you!

[DoxieMama]

I am here too, sending all the positive healing thoughts and prayers I can muster!

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks, ya'll! Trinket's appetite remains good which is helping get water and mineral oil down. Fair warning, this may be TMI for some -

but she was able to pass a little poop a few minutes ago with me acting as a mama dog with warm baby wipes. It was just a small amount and the feces was small, hard, spiky bits...but it was better than nothing. At some time since this morning she has had some leakage because her little butt and base of her tail were nasty. So after our potty adventure outside, we came in and got cleaned with warm washcloths...causing a little more to pass thru. If this is what it takes, I'll play "mama dog" every 15 minutes! :o;)

So far, she has had 6 oz of water (she weighs 5 lbs) and she will get about 4 more oz before we call it a nite.

After I sign out this afternoon, I probably won't be back on the forum until after we see Dr. Nafe in the morning unless something changes overnite. So I will let you know what he has to say when we get home.

Thank you again. This family never fails to stand by me and I cannot tell you how much that means.

[Squirt's Mom]

Trink is with Dr. Erikson and Dr. Nafe for a bit. Dr. Nafe is going to check out the hernia and they will call in a bit to let me know what they think.

This morning she got up and walked about 120' - no coughing, no wheezing, no labored breathing. She peed and assumed the position to poop. I watched her a bit then came in to go potty myself. When I went back to check on her I couldn't see her but could hear her coughing and wheezing - bad. :eek: I don't know if the straining to poop irritated her respiratory system or if she is developing pneumonia again all of a sudden. Her breathing has been fine until between me going in and coming back out. She has been on all her meds, including the Lasix ;), so I don't know what's going on with that but they will, of course, be checking out her lungs this morning as well.

She was actually a bit better last nite and this morning when she got up. Her tail was held up when she walked outside and while she was trying to do her business. She has been peeing very well so I know the fluids are moving out good. She was loving and played bulldozer a little bit when she first woke up. Then that coughing and wheezing came on suddenly.

So now I wait, and cry. :(

[Squirt's Mom]

O.M.G. We are so so blessed!

Dr. Erikson just called - the news is much better than thought. What Dr. Nafe found is not a hernia but a diverticuli - sort of a little room just above and to the side of the anus where poop is collecting. Dr. Erikson gave her a few enemas, massaged the area, and Trink has passed most if not all of the poop. YAY!!! I pick her up at 3:30 this afternoon and they will show me how to do the massages and manually help keep that little "room" clear. She will be on stool softeners and I will be going thru surgical gloves like a mad woman....but oh so thankful to be able to do so.

Thank you for standing with me...I couldn't face going thru this alone and I know I never have to with my K9C family. You are all angels that keep my Soul glowing.

[labblab]

Oh thank goodness!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

Now I can quit hovering here and get on about my day! :D ;)

[spdd]

Hurray..... no words can express how glad I am to hear that... if diverticulitis you can be glad over..... so happy for you.

[Joan2517]

Oh, such good news! You must be so relieved, Leslie! I'm crying, I'm so happy for you and Trink~

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh! and her lungs are clear listening to them but Dr. E said she would do an xray to make sure. She thinks it was the straining that irritated the respiratory system.

[judymaggie]

Hooray!! :D:D Considering all the other possible outcomes, Trinket (and you) won the lottery!

[DoxieMama]

OMG YAY!!! What wonderful news to come back to this morning.

[Squirt's Mom]

Goodness! Trink was glad to see me and very happy to be home. We had to stop twice on the way home for her to potty...and me to clean her up and change blankets and towels. She is leaking often but that is to be expected. She is one STINKY little girl but that is going to be our norm from now on. The process to keep this little "room" emptied is not pleasant but I can and will do what is needed to help her. Dr. E and Dr. N feel this is the result of the cortisol weakening the tendons and muscles that make that system work - similar to what happens with our babies back legs.

Trink's Lyso and pred came in today as well and I plan to start that on either Thurs or Fri. With the extremely low dose and only dosing once a day I am not too worried but with everything else she has to deal with I'm glad we are taking it this slow.

Gotta go help her evacuate then shampoo her butt before we go to bed....and pray she makes it thru the nite with out too much issue. ;)

[mcdavis]

Well I'm so relieved to read that this is something that can be helped, and will continue to keep you all in my thoughts.

[tank&kat]

That's wonderful news. Such a tough little girl you have! I'll be thinking of her when she starts the lysodren... sending lots of positive vibes your way.

~Kat

[molly muffin]

Yay. Glad for some good news! Trinket the most precious gift.

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks, ya'll...but I am concerned this morning. Trink slept very well last nite - I assume because she didn't rest much at all since this popped up Fri morning. But she's acting weird, like she has lost most of her hearing and isn't sure where to go any more. I take her outside and she just stands there, swinging her head from side to side like Stevie Wonder on the piano. She did pee but then acted like she couldn't find her way back to the ramp - something she has had no problem with at all until this morning. I call her name and she starts turning around and around, looking for me. If I hit on the floor she comes right to me, tho. It is reminding me way too much of my Dane that was deaf and blind. I also considered that her glucose might have been too low since she didn't eat much yesterday and her last labs were ridiculously low so I gave her a drop of honey plus two small breakfastes, like Hobbits. :D I am going to check in with Dr. E this morning as she asked and will let you know what she says.

Her appetite is still strong, even with the mineral oil added. I cannot squeeze the stool softener capsule to get that started tho, it's way to hard. If I use something like tweezers or small needle nose pliers they just break and the oil all comes out - she's only supposed to get 1-2 drops. So I am going to talk to my pharmacist to see if they know which, if any, of the OTC stool softener caps are soft and pliable. I am going to ask Dr. E about using castor oil, too, instead of stool softeners. It will have less additives. ;)

She had a small accident overnite but slept thru it and it wasn't enough to wake me with the smell...just enough to get her butt a bit of a mess. We did our cleaning out and I was pleased to find that little pouch is soft now, not hard like it was. This means the poop is softer making it easier for her to keep it moving. Our goal is to get her poop like soft-serve ice cream. It's a weird feeling when things move out of that pouch and into the tract! It literally pops over very quickly once you have it in the right place.

This may be the impetus I need to get these carpets out of here at last and put in vinyl. :rolleyes: Shampooing is very hard on me physically and with the lymphedema, getting down on my hands and knees is risky - I have lost a great deal of flexibility. There have been several times I thought I was going to have to call for help to get out of the tub or off the floor....so I just don't get in those positions any more if I can help it. So mopping seems to be the solution. ;)

This is going to be a change for all of us in so many ways. Most of our routines are gone and all the babies are confused but I hope we will settle into the new patterns soon.

[Squirt's Mom]

Dr. Erikson said to watch her today and if the hearing/confusion isn't better then call tomorrow. Trink is doing better as the day has gone on...tho she still acts as if her hearing has decreased.

She is not having BMs, not even trying, but is leaking just about all the time. I have gone thru a whole container of baby wipes since morning and she has had her butt washed with baby shampoo three times. It is red and raw so I am using some herbal oil I made from Calendula and almond oil. It should help the skin heal and protect it as well. She hasn't needed any help evacuating tho I did do the deed this morning and found nothing - she was cleaned out. The mineral oil may be enough to keep her stool soft tho I'm not sure continued leakage is what we want. I'll fill Dr. E on that this evening when I check in.

The fourth load of towels and dog blankets is in the dryer and the first load from the bed is in the washer -tho the bed is my bed....around 10:30-11AM I kicked a cup of hot coffee off the nite stand and onto the bed. :rolleyes: I had to disassemble the whole bed, memory foam mattress!, to clean the mattresses, frame, and carpet and just now got it put back together. The dishes are stacked and quietly waiting their bath...may be tomorrow for them! LOL

I haven't stopped to put on my compression hose so my legs and feet are swelling which means I have to put my wraps on tonite. oh yay Trink and I are gonna have to find a way to live with this that doesn't keep me constantly cleaning floors, bedding and towels...and doesn't keep her little butt raw. :(

I need more wine.

[molly muffin]

Oh my goodness! What a day you have had! I wonder what could have affected her hearing like that. It seems awfully sudden or do you think it's been creeping up and just now noticed with everything else going on with her?
Did the vet have any thoughts on that?

Okay so why this pocket thing now? Did an opening just develop or get spread open enough that it is getting stuck over in it? If she tried to go would she be able to move it on her own? Will the pocket hole get smaller?

I think I'm like the question machine right now, but this is new to me! LOL

I think you are doing an excellent job with her and we know it isn't easy with everything you have going on health wise.

Take care of yourself too

[Squirt's Mom]

Whatever happened to her hearing happened quick, literally over the nite it seems. She went to bed normally and woke up like she is now. She is still not hearing correctly but is not acting as confused as she was and has been able to find her way around the house and yard. At first I thought she had had a stroke like Squirt only with no outward indication like the vomit I found Squirt lying in. But the confusion seems to come from a change in hearing.

Her little butt looks much better this morning after using the Calendula oil frequently yesterday. Her coat on her back end and hind legs is not very attractive but that's ok.

The pocket is a diverticuli that has grown, not a tear like a hernia (thankfully!) - Dr. E described it like a little room above and to the side of the rectum where her poop leaves the intestinal track and gets stuck instead of exiting via the rectum and anus. They think it is related to the changes cortisol causes in muscles, tendons, etc., a weakening of those things that allowed the room to open and function. Will it ever close? I don't know. They didn't say anything about that and I didn't think to ask at the time. But I have been wondering the same thing. Will lowering her cortisol strengthen that area again? Is there something short of surgery that could be done to help strengthen that area- diet, herbs, supplements, massage, acupuncture? I just don't know yet. I am going to ask on my herb mentoring site and see if they have any ideas to offer. For now, I am just trying to learn how to make her life ok. I have started a conversation with Monica Segal about a home cooked low residue diet and have ordered some Honest Kitchen that says it has high soluble fiber - a fish based food with limited ingredients. Not the best time to change a diet I know but I am really torn about which is the best way to go. I may hold off a week on starting the Lyso but I'm not sure yet.

Can she clear the little room on her own? At the moment, no. That is why we are using the mineral oil and a stool softener when I find one that will work. Altho the way she was yesterday with the constant oozing I'm glad I haven't been able to start the softener yet! :eek: This is also why we want a low residue diet - more of the food is used and less passes out so less can collect and she will be able to move more out hopefully.

So we start another day in our new normal and I hope it is better than yesterday for us both. Patti and I were talking last nite about how little attention we, and another friend, paid to our own health while our babies were with us....and here I go again. It's so very hard to think about my needs when one of my babies is not well. But I am going to try to take care of myself as much as I can...tho she will always be first. ;)

[Joan2517]

Lena's hearing seemed to come on sudden, too. All of a sudden I noticed she didn't seem to be listening to me. Then she started looking the wrong way when I called her. When I pounded on the floor or whistled, she would look. That's when I realized she had lost most of her hearing...I cried for a week!

My husband left her outside when he went to work one day, she hadn't heard him calling them all in, and he didn't realize she hadn't come in with the rest of them. When I got home and she wasn't at the door to greet me, I knew right away what had happened, and sure enough there she was at the back door. She'd been outside for at least five hours. Let me tell you, he NEVER let that happen again after he got my "screaming" texts.

She and I learned to adjust. I made sure she was looking at me when I was talking to her; we started signing; when I wanted her attention I stomped on the floor, clapped my hands, or whistled. She learned to watch me for signs and we always made sure she was in before we left for work. She slept soundly, even with all the other dogs barking, but if they happened to jostle her, she would get startled. That's when I noticed the trembling, which I thought was just that they had frightened her. Now I know it was the Cushing's.

[tam2toys]

Waves to Leslie! Girl are you in AR?! I didn't know the mags where we are too! We feel so thankful to have you in our life you have such a precious loving heart!
Sending our love Tammy & Precious

[Squirt's Mom]

Last nite was one of the tough ones for me where I don't sleep much so I had lots of time to lay and think - yay. :rolleyes::D And I decided unless Dr. Erikson calls and recommends otherwise, I am starting the Lyso in the morning. That will put her last day on Mon unless I see signs she needs to stop before then but I don't really expect to see that at all on such a low dose. ;)

I had to run to town and came home to a real mess in the house and on her so there was much cleaning to be done. I just don't think a stool softener is needed - the mineral oil seems to be doing a great job of keeping her stool VERY soft. I did pick up some castor oil since the pharmacist couldn't tell me which if any of the OTC stool softeners were in a soft gel cap. So if need be she will get a drop of that but so far the mineral oil is doing a great job!

[Squirt's Mom]

It seems Trink has little control over her bowels. Whether this is temporary or how things will be, I don't know. She continues to get only the mineral oil, no softener. She had a bath around 5:30 this morning because she pooped all over herself in her sleep. She never even moved her tail out of the way. :( It was very cold outside this morning here but I took her out to pee after her bath and a minute to dry then put her in her tub bed (blankets and towels in my big jacuzzi-type tub) to dry since I keep the bathroom warm and the rest of the house rather cool. Now she knows I'm on the bed and is jumping and barking, wanting out to EAT! :D:D She is not drinking much water on her own but gets plenty in her meals so that is not a concern at the moment.

I am going to start the Lyso with her breakfast then stare at her for the next 12-24 hours. ;)