Down the Cushings Road Again -- Abbie, 15 year old beagle is now at peace

Hi, all! Talked with the vet this evening -- numbers I got previously were accurate (5.6 pre; 12.7 post). We discussed a mini-load vs. an increase in her weekly dose and it was his preference for the increased dose with the next ACTH scheduled for 30 days out (unless earlier if symptoms warrant). Rather than increase the two doses she is getting now, we are adding a third dosing day so will be giving her 250 mg., 3x a week. I mentioned that Abbie has not consistently wanted to go on walks and we both think that the arthritis she has in her back left knee is bothering her more now that her cortisol levels have decreased. Being a stubborn beagle (definitely an oxymoron), I let her dictate how far she walks.

Thanks to everyone for your input!

I don't know as much as most of the other pros here about lysodren, but I do want to know I'm keeping up with you and Abbie. Hoping this increase does the trick!

hugs

Thanks, Sharlene--with everything going on with your family and Molly and also tracking everyone here, you are definitely a super extraordinaire multi-tasker! :D

Merry Christmas Judy and Abbie and Angel Maggie!!

Hoping you have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season and that Abbie continues to do so well in the new year.

hugs

Hi, folks! I have posted some new pics of Abbie thanks to beagle forum friends who visited on Wednesday -- they spend all their free time taking pictures of shelter dogs with the goal of helping them get rescued. Husband, Jason, is the primary photographer and he has become quite skilled.

Love the pictures. They are very good and Abbie looks wonderful.

Hugs

Happy new year Judy and Abbie.
Wishing you all the best in the new year

Hugs

Hi, all! Had discouraging message from vet this morning. Abbie had a one month (after Lysodren increase to 750 mg a week from 500) ACTH yesterday. I was really, really hoping that her numbers had come down but that was not the case. Numbers were:

Pre- is 5.6 (same as one month ago before increase)
Post- is 14.3 (was 12.7 a month ago).

Vet will be calling me back to discuss options (mini-load vs. another increase). He also wants to find out if Abbie's symptoms have abated. He is leaning towards a 5-7 day mini-load. Abbie has lost weight (glad but not sure why that happened) so need to talk about what would be her loading dose. She now weighs 24 lbs. (down from 25). Abbie is definitely drinking less water. She still wants to go out to pee after every nap but no accidents in the house. She still hoovers down her meals (doubt this will ever change-she is a beagle ...) but is not as ravenous outside (dead worm and frog hunting is less). Her pot belly has tightened up a bit. This past week we have had cooler weather and Abbie has been much more willing to go on walks. This morning she walked for 40 minutes.

I am assuming Abbie will have to have another ACTH after mini-load. I am definitely going to ask the vet to waive the $34 eval and $29 half-day hospitalization fees!

Well dang! Not what you wanted to hear obviously. I'd keep an eye on the weight if that is a concern. You said she normally weighs 25lbs and has dropped a pound. Does she seem more active over all? Maybe eating or wanting less treats?

hugs

Sharlene -- will keep an eye on weight although, as long as weight loss isn't indicative of any disease process, it would be nice to get Abbie back to her ideal weight of 23 lbs.

Spoke with the vet this afternoon -- will start a mini-load today. He wants to load her with 500 mg./day which will be less than what her weekly dose has been this past month. His rationale for that is that Abbie's numbers are not super high and he does not want to push a huge dose of daily cortisol into her system. I am okay with that -- just hope it works. I will speak with him on Tuesday unless sooner is necessary. Depending on how she is doing, next ACTH will be on Thursday or Friday with Friday being the preference. He agreed to waive $34 eval fee but not $29 hospitalization fee for Friday's test. Every little bit helps! Abbie does have a new lump on her left shoulder which I don't think moves (like other lipomas she has); vet will check it on Friday.

So back to being hyper-vigilant ...