14 year-old Shih Tzu With Recent Cushing's Diagnosis

Thanks so much for your messages. I really appreciate knowing I have a support group.

Hannah is the same. I am relieved she is not worse. I keep waiting for the dragging back leg, and praying that it will not happen. I barely slept last night and because Hannah has always been on our bed, she was not content even on a fluffed up comforter with my robe. She kept whining and looking at the bed. Finally, my husband and I decided to take the mattress from our spare bed and put it on the living room floor. That way she could either sleep on it or right next to me. She slept on the floor the whole night and I woke up every time she moved to itch or get a drink.

One thing the ER vet said I could try is acupuncture. I have never had that done on myself, but I am willing to try it to see if it will help. My vet also thought that was an excellent option, especially with her Cushing's. They can get us in tomorrow. It is $170 for the the consultation (and hopefully treatment as well) and then $80 for each treatment after that (they told me to plan on once per week for a month, but that all cases are different). I realize it might not end there, and there is no way I could keep up with that expense on a regular basis, but for now I will try it to see if we can get her feeling better.

They said this vet has a background in Chinese medicine and chiropractic. I am really worried about him wanting to do some sort of adjustment on her back. I have never seen a chiropractor and have a friend who is a physical therapist who is very against it. But I know many people think they are wonderful. It makes me really nervous.

Does anyone have any experience with acupuncture? Or a chiropractor vet?

I am holding it together, but barely. I'm SO terrified she will be paralyzed. I hold my breath every time she gets up to see if she will be able to stand. I hate it. I'm praying for the best.

Julie & Hannah

Julie I am so sorry to see this. I think acupuncture is an excellent idea. I know some humans who have had marvelous luck with it and my secretary had a dog who couldn't use his back legs.

The vet gave him some kind of shot in his back and in 2 days they worked again. She didn't ask for details so I have no clue what it was.

big hugs to you and Hannah. It is so hard to concentrate when we know our babies are hurting.

Judi

One of Administrator's, Kim (frijole), is having acupuncture treatments done on her sweet girl, Annie, and I do believe it has helped Annie a lot. Hopefully Kim will stop by and tell you all about this.

Love and hugs,
Lori

:D Ask and ye shall receive.

My Annie has an adrenal tumor and spondolosis and one of her back legs is almost lame. She has lost a ton of muscle mass.. if you really want to see how much check out my photo albums.. you will be shocked..

She is skeletal, very delicate to look at but I attribute the fact that she is even still alive to her weekly acupuncture visits. They give her B12 shots each week too. My vet went to the Chi Institute for certification (Florida) and she varies the treatment but Annie comes out energized and with a huge smile on her face every time. She loves going to the vet.

I am heading out of town for 4 days leaving tomorrow morning and I know I leave her in fantastic hands and that she won't be afraid because she loves them so much. So definitely give it a try.. I was desperate because the IMS did not want her on any pain meds... and frankly she isn't in constant pain... she suffers episodes when the tumor is active that drain her (HBP). Anyway... do give it a try! Hugs, Kim

Hi-
I just thought I would post a quick update on Hannah. I am relieved she has not gotten worse. We went to the vet who is licensed as a regular vet, but also practices Chinese medicine. Hannah got acupuncture. It was a little nerve-wracking and she did make a couple of little cries when he put in a couple of the needles. He said she is really tense in her back and the muscles were really hard so she is in a lot of pain. He did say that her reflexes are all good. I try to keep telling myself to focus on that-the positive-but I am still soooo worried it will get worse. I have not had a decent night of sleep since Monday because I wake up every time she moves, worried that she will hurt her back by itching/biting because of her allergies. We are supposed to go back next Thurs. for another session. Tonight she was a little more perky and was barking at me for more food, chewed on a bone, and wanted to move around a little more. I guess that is encouraging too, but she is still so stiff and has a strange gait. I know it could take a long time for her to get better, if she does...it is just so hard. I can't sleep on the living room floor forever, but I can't have her putting her front feet up on the bed, begging to get up. I don't feel like I can keep this close of a watch on her forever, so I sure hope she will get better. I know she shouldn't jump up or down or do steps ever again, even if she fully recovers, and that in itself will be a bit of a challenge, but certainly easier than me being worried every time she MOVES now.

The vet also gave me something to put on her food to make her stools a little softer since we determined the sore back is probably why she had such difficulty going poop. She was able to go much more easily tonight, so that was good.

Does anyone know of any good and safe calming agents? I am currently using a DAP spray on a bandanna, but wonder if there is something that will last longer. The diffuser didn't seem to do much. The spray works, but it is short lived.

I brought home my first cold of the year, a gift from my third graders, so I hope I can get some sleep tonight.

Take care,

Julie & Hannah

Melatonin seems to calm some dogs, I used melatonin for my boy, Harley. Harley was terrified of thunderstorms but while on the melatonin he no long had a fear from thunderstorms, it made him very calm.

Hi Julie,

Stopping by to give hugs and see how you and Hannah are doing.

Love,
Addy

Hi Addy,
Thanks for checking on us!

Hannah seems to be about the same. She had acupuncture last Thurs. and we have another appointment this Thurs. Last night was her last day of pain meds.

My problem is that I truly CANNOT relax. Each day when I get home from work I am so worried that something is wrong. Something seems wrong. Like tonight I am wondering why she is not chewing on her bone. She seems a little out of it too. She did poop tonight (the acupuncture vet gave me something to temporarily soften the stool to help so she doesn't strain her back as much) and she is still moving around (sometimes with a little more speed in the house--although then I want her to slow down), but I am always worried.

I wish I knew if I was "over the hump." We were at the vet last Monday, so it has been just over a week. She seemed to be in a little less pain, but now we'll see without pain meds. I still have not slept in bed. I've spent the last two nights on the floor by my bed, to try to get her to sleep in the dog bed. I intend to move to the bed each night, but it hasn't happened yet. I can't do that forever either, but last night she still wanted to be in bed because Izzy (my other dog) and my husband were there.

I just need something to get a little easier. I feel like I am a stressed out wreck at work too. I'm starting to think I might go crazy. I look forward to the appointment Thurs., but it makes me nervous at the same time. Ugh. I just want it to get easier...

My aunt rubs her dog down with a dryer sheet - vet told her it gives them a calming effect:rolleyes::):cool::confused::D Dont really know - aunt said it worked on her pug - i hope things get better for you and Hannah - I know the feeling sleeping on the floor - the couch - when Penny could walk I didnt know where to put myself - and shes 82 lbs alittle much to lift - we are sending love and prayers to you and Hannah!!! The only thing that has helped Penny is going off Vetoryl and going on Rimadyl :eek::eek:I know!!!!

Oh Sweetie,

I am so sorry you ae so stressed. You are not going crazy, you just are filled with anxiety and not sleeping properly makes it worse.

There is nothing wrong with asking doctor for temporary help.

Love,
Addy