Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

I took Alivia to her regular vet this morning - the one that has treated her for YEARS and who I trust completely. Just got back. He felt up and down her spine and she did nothing. He touched her belly lightly in two places and she yelped and snapped. He has done everything to her over the years and she has never had that reaction. Her fever is 104. He agrees with me and doesn't think it is "spine pain". He has an internist he works with, who goes to various vets to do ultrasounds, as needed. So he will come in ultrasound Ali later this afternoon. Since I am only a block away, he gave Ali a pain injection and I brought her home. They will call when the ultrasound doctor gets there and I'll run her back over. Even with the injection she is still in a lot of pain. I feel so bad for her. :(

We are hanging in there with you, sweetie. Please let us know what the U/S shows and what they plan to do to help her. Know we are here any time you need to talk, even if it is just to vent. Most of us have been in scary situations like this ourselves and understand how you must be feeling. Just know we are here, ok?

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

I am so glad that you're getting more input about Alivia! I'll be checking back all through the afternoon to see how things are going.

Continuing healing hugs to you both,
Marianne

Thanks, guys! I appreciate you hanging in here with us. I just posted a couple pictures of my baby not feeling well. One from at her IMS office yesterday and three of her just a few minutes ago. She is so sick that there were cats meowing and all the usual commotion at a busy vet's office on a Monday morning and she never lifted her head. The pain injection has helped her to sleep a minute here and there, but she is still in pain. :(

Hi Mary Beth,

I am so sorry that Alivia is experiencing so much pain. I'm glad you were able to take her to your vet this morning. I hope you will get an answer as to what is causing the pain and that your vet will be able to start a treatment for it today.

I'll also be waiting to hear what you find out.

WOW! I e-mailed Dechra (Vetoryl manufacturer) Friday evening and asked questions about Trilostane. Dr. Tim Allen from Dchra just called me and he had reviewed all of Alivia's information. I sent him ALL of her test results! :cool: He offered some suggestions on what her current issue might be - pancreatitis or pyelonephritis (kidney infection). He thought the repeat ultrasound was a good idea and doesn't think I should rule out surgery just yet, but thinks Trilostane is a good altrnative option. Now here is where the small world part comes in. I told him I was waiting for the ultrasound doctor to get to my vet's office and he asked if it was Chip Meyer - it is!!! He knows him and said he is one of the best he knows and that Alivia is in very good hands! That makes me feel so much better. I already knew Ali's regular vet was the best, so I shouldn't be surprised that he has good people around him!

Double WOW!! Talk about a small world, indeed! What reassuring news about Dr. Meyer. And Dr. Allen is sooo nice. He has been really helpful to any number of us here. I've got to run some errands now, but I'll keep checking back afterwards.

Marianne

I am here too Mary Beth and am relived to hear Alivia is in your trusted doctor's hands. It can sometimes be a small world; it always amazes me. Now you can have confidence in the ultra sound.:) I am so glad you spoke to Dr. Tim.

We are all praying for Ali to find some pain relief and that they can now get to the bottom of things. Please keep us posted as we all get very close and protective of you all. When you and your pup hurt, we hurt too. I can only imagine how worried you are. Stay strong. You are doing everything you can for her and she knows that.
We are here for you, you know that.

Love,
Addy

Thanks, Marianne and Addy. It is a help to have you guys around throughout this.

Ali's pain injection must have kicked in and/or she is just totally exhausted and she is sleeping (peacefully!) beside me. :) We are waiting to hear when we can go for her ultrasound, but knew it wouldn't be until afternoon sometime.

I cannot believe Dr. Allen knows the doctor that will do Ali's ultrasound!! I feel so much more comfortable! Dr. Meyer is also the internist my vet consulted with initially. I have not had 100% confidence in the first ultrasound done by her IMS - partly because they did not provide the results at the same time as they sent me the other test results. Then when I finally got them, there were 2 dates on the report, neither of which were dates she was at the IMS. I could understand one might be the date of dictation, but two incorrect dates? And, also, partly because the IMS never mentioned a gall stone that showed in the u/s or the changes to her liver. This will give me peace of mind that this doctor is good at this and Ali's regular vet will be right there watching it, too!

One thing I am learning is that my first instincts have so far proven to be the best. I need to sometimes quit second guessing them. :p

I'm glad to hear that Ali is sleeping peacefully. I do hope that the u/s will show what is causing her this pain.

Please keep us posted and wishing you both the best.

Love and huge hugs,
Lori