Zoe By My Side- Our Journey with Cushings

IT IS NOT DIABETES.

I won't have the results of the other tests for probably another week or two but the unexplained weight loss and the worsening leg weakness is not diabetes.

I can breathe again for awhile.

Waiting is hard.

Hugs,
Addy

Hi Addy,

I'm so glad that it isn't diabetes.

It's so hard to play the waiting game. It would be so nice if we could get instant answers. Once you get the results back from all of the blood work, I hope that your IMS will make a positive choice on the best treatment for Zoe.

I know the weight loss has really been upsetting you. Zoe might not have lost that much weight, even though she lost weight. The morning Corky had his surgery and they weighed him, he only weighed 16.6 pounds. I told the tech that there was no way Corky lost that much weight. She reset the scale, and he weighed over 19, which was what he weighed on the visit to the vet before his surgery.

Corky and I are sending positive thoughts and prayers that the treatment will be the right one for Zoe.

In the meantime, try thinking of other things and do something you enjoy.

Take care my dear friend. (((((HUGS)))))

Lov ya,

Terri and Corkster

Thank you Terri for the positive support. It is the weekend and we will try to see a movie again for a break.

They weighed Zoe on two different scales and came up with the same amout. She had been drinking longer and urinating longer but yesterday morning when she had to fast and could not eat food or chew her Kong, she only went to the water bowl once and took a few sips.:confused:

We weighed her as soon as we got home as per IMS and our scale had her at 16.8.

This morning we weighed her after breakfast at the same time we normally weigh her and she was 17.2 or 17.4, I forgot to write it down.

She thinks in Zoe's case, since she already knows Zoe's intermediates are sky high, why would I want to use Trilostane and she concurs with Dr. Oliver. She seems very, very confident with her ability to use Lysodren on Zoe.

We tested again for UTI. I am afraid to giver her the Panacur today, her poops are really, really soft from yesterday. Think I will wait a bit. I only have tried Panacur one time and she got bad diahreea from it.

Are they supposed to get diahrrea from a dewormer if they have worms or parasites?

Have to go to work now. Thank you Terri, your support means alot.:)

Love ya,
Addy

Hi Addy,

I am so, so, so glad that diabetes has been ruled out! While weight GAIN is typical in Cushing's, we do have babies that lose instead. :rolleyes: So it could be that Zoe is just blowing raspberries at the rules. :p

Trink's weight varies since the colitis came to visit. She has lost 1-3 ozs every time she had problems but then gains it right back once she is able to keep her food in. I don't know about Zoe, but with the volume of stuff that comes out of Trink's little body, it is no wonder she loses. :eek:

I have to say that poop patrol has taken on new dimensions since our diagnosis. As of yesterday, I am photoing poop! :eek::o:p

When I have given de-wormers in the past, I have seen softer poops afterwards but the only one I remember having actual diarrhea was Crys when we first found her. But she was full of tape worms, hook worms, you name it, so I wasn't really surprised. The poor thing was so starved when she came home that the tape worms were leaving on their own! :eek:

I am hoping for the best results possible when the results come in!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Oh Leslie, you have this wonderful ability to make me laugh no matter what:D:D:D

LOL poo pictures!!!!!!

Hubby used to call me at lunch time and describe Zoo's mid day poo and then if it was even alittle off we would set up a system of pumpkin and rice snack to try to get it back to normal. All we talked about was poo and how to fix it before it got worse.:rolleyes: We were poo obsessed!!!!!!
"It has a tail? Quick, more pumpkin!!!!" We were nuts. I still am, I guess, just can't use the rice and pumpkin anymore.:(


Zoe never lost weight before durring a flare, this is the first time. It is also the first time she has been on metronidazole for more than a month. Vets were always amazed that her came Zoe having a colitis flare and I still had her on a diet.:p

One thing I noticed after we came home yesterday was Zoe was breathing faster than normal. It lasted a qood part of the afternoon.
Was that from the drug they gave her for the UTK panel? I never have seen that with Zoe.

Hugs,
Addy

Dear Friends,

I feel a melt down coming on tonite. It has been a hard day at work.

It has been a very long week of waiting and still I have no test results other than Zoe does not have diabetes.

Her back legs seem better since I cut her back to one dose of metronidazole per day (125mgs) She is not walking as crooked or stumbling or dragging her back legs somewhat. She is hesitant to jump on the sofa but will try.

Her poops are not very good, they are deteriorating every day. I cut back the dose the day we went to see IMS. They have gotten progressively worse each day.:mad:

I don't understand any of this any more and am starting to feel so discouraged.

I have not given the Panacur because I would have to give it on the same meal that I give her metronidazole. I searched the whole internet today and cannot find if they can be given within 30 minutes of each other. The vet tech said I could. Not sure if I trust her so if I can't find answer I have to wait for IMS to call.

I need some encouragement. How am I going to start lysodren when she is such a mess?

I'm sure you are all getting tired of our never ending prediciment. Okay, so I say let's try the tylan, lets try going off the raw diet to some other protein. How do all of those changes fit in with lysodren, even if it is just maintenance? And IMS is bound and determined to load her.

How do I do all of this at the same time? I won't know which end is up.:eek:

Almost 3 months on metronidazole and the only way she is better is to give her 125 mgs am and 65 mgs pm. It did not work.:(:(:(

All I do is waste time and end up in the exact same place I started. I am going to break down and give her her 65 mgs tonite. Poops are heading toward a watery squirty mess if I don't.

HELP,
Addy

Addy, I am so sorry and I can so relate to feeling like you are in a vicious circle of doubt. There were times I thought my head would explode and I couldn't think clearly... and everyone here helped so much. So you aren't losing it.... you are just normal. :D

You have been dealt a lot to deal with and I agree that lysodren would be a challenge. Its been a while since I used tylan and did all the research but if I recall it too can cause diarrhea if the dose is too high so double check that and make sure you don't overdo that. Since you haven't tried it and so many have had success with it... I wouldn't hesitate to try it. But I wouldn't do that and lysodren at the same time.

Hang in there and give dear Zoe a hug from me. Huge hugs to YOU. Kim

Oh Addy, I am so sorry there aren't any good answers. I so hated waiting for test results--it made me crazy when they didn't call.
I can tell you Maddie had no side effects at all from the lysodren, but she didn't have other things going on at the same time either, so I cannot help with any advice.

I say go for the meltdown it helps; right now that is all I do is have meltdowns, but it is getting better--trying to think happy thoughts.:D:D

Just being there for her is good--you are doing the best you can and believe me Zoe knows it. Maddie knew I was doing the best I could and she continue to do the best she could for me; so it works both ways.

Take care, get the box of tissues and go for it!!

Addy

I found a meltdown every now and then helps me to feel better after it. I am so glad that diabetes is off the agenda to worry about :D. You are doing the very best you can, and Zoe knows that.
Hoping that when her other results are in, it will give you and the IMS a more clear idea of which path to go down for her treatment.

Hugs,
Jane, Franklin and Angel Baiiley xxx

So glad the diabetes was ruled out. So very sorry about the leg pain. We have only had one episode of this and though it was so so drastic, it is almost gone for now. I get the feeling that it comes and goes in waves and I will be seeing that again. Hopefully Zoe will get many, many good waves soon. The limb problems are the most scary to me so I want to send many, many hugs. It's a series of ups and downs for all of us and it is painful to hear of the sadness you are experiencing, but there are still things to try. There's good days, bad days, confusing days. It's a rollercoaster of emotions. Find time to take care of you too, you know?

We were Rxed flagyl and panacur a few years ago for colitis and hookworms (our preventative failed). We went to route of slippery elm and panacur instead, then started the flagyl. Your IMS may find that you can do both. This might help the loose stool. I didnt catch what the flagyl was for, has there been a stool culture? So sorry the poops are not great. I am searching the thread for Zoe's diet.

I wish you all the best, but most of all, I wish you strength and peace. Zoe wants to jump on the couch. That's the part that tells me you are doing right by Zoe so keep on! Firm everything with the IMS. :) Hang in there. Lots of love.

BTW, mine get diarrhea from preventatives here and there, and my yonger one gets it bad with dewormers for a few days, doesnt happen to most dogs though. He is sensitive. It happens.

Hi Addy,

Bless your heart. I wish there was a clear cut answer to all Zoe's issues. But there is only one CLEAR answer in all of this - do not let the IMS load Zoe. IMHO that would be a recipe for a sure disaster digestive-wise PLUS that is not protocol for treating intermediate hormones. So just lay your ears back, grit your teeth and tell them that is NOT going to happen - Zoe will start on a maintenance dose only at the lowest possible mg (recommended at 25-50mg/kg/week). :o:oahem...see post #413:o:o

Of course, I can be a rude old broad at times. :o:rolleyes::p

I can so sympathize with you since Trink started having issues. Everything that happens worries me, everything she eats worries me, everything she ISN'T eating worries me, giving meds worries me, not giving meds worries me. :rolleyes: And we have had no where near the problems you and Zoe have! And now we are more than likely going to have to make some major changes in both Trink and Squirt's diets and that makes me just sick. My docs started me on a new med that costs almost 1/2 of what I get each month! :eek: I don't know that I can continue to cook for them much longer. The very idea scares me to pieces for Squirt and makes my stomach knot up for Trink. :(

I haven't started the slippery elm bark for Trink yet because she is doing good at the moment and I am scared to add anything for fear of setting her off again. Plus I am still not clear on how to give it so that will wait until I understand a bit more, then I will share with you what we are doing and how it works.

Squirt is doing ok on the Lyso maintenance. The day of her dose, she doesn't feel too perky but that is not uncommon. She actually drinks more on those days, is less active and interested, and she has some nausea/indigestion. I had planned to have another UTK panel the end of this month, but after getting that prescription filled yesterday, it will have to wait til next month. :eek::(

Keep your chin up, Addy. You are doing such a great job of looking after Zoe and doing what is best for her.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Kim, Marie, Jane, Leslie, Annie: thank you all from the bottom of my heart for coming to my rescue. I tried to have the melt down. I laid on the floor and started a heart to heart talk with Zoe which she was very interested in (the attention, not the content). It was just getting good when Koko decided to join us. He kept smelling my head and then licking my face and then he would run to Zoe and do the same thing. Well, it started to tickle so I started laughing, at which point Zoe became upset with Koko for interrupting and started a wrestling match with him and that was the end of the melt down. :rolleyes:

I spent the rest of the night brain dead because you are right Kim, my head wants to explode. Something works for a week so I get hopeful and then it stops and I am devastated.:eek:

I am very frightened now because it has never gone on this long and I cannot stop the metronidazole. I worry about neurological side effects. She acts sick on 250 mgs per day. I know I have to wait for test results but the fear is ebbing up into my throat. I’m just scared.:(

I guess it is time to bring out my tomb of IBD/colitis research and start reviewing it all again. Leslie, I hear you and I know exactly what you mean. I truly hope for Trink this is a short term problem. I can't do the pumpkin and rice like I used to, works different on Zoe with the raw food. Maybe I should just put her back on the perscription ID canned dog food.:confused: Gosh, I hate to do that.

Love you all,
Addy

Quote:

---

Zoe's test, sky high numbers, she was severly stressed and had colitis flare up going on for over a month, her symptoms are still mild,mostly coat and tail as they were then:

UTK Adrenal Panel Thu, 5 /27/2010 11:27 AM
Results/Comments
Endocrinology Lab Case# EN 10-4088
Test: Result: Normal Range** Result Normal Range**
(post ACTH)
Cortisol ng/ml 47.7 2.1-58.8 304.4* 65.0-174.6
Androstenedione ng/ml 1.05* 0.05-0.57 7.69* 0.27-3.97
Estradiol pg/ml 114.8* 30.8-69.9 102.2* 27.9-69.2
Progesterone ng/ml 0.99 0.3-0.49 5.91* 0.10-1.50
17 OH Progesterone ng/ml 1.18* 0.08-0.77 20.33* 0.40-1.62
Aldosterone pg/ml *** 33.9 11-139.9 357.1 72.9-398.5

---

Marianne reminded me of this post and the cortisol level when this test was done. Zoe's cortisol is quite high here which is more than likely why your IMS is insisting on a loading phase for her. I understand the reasoning now and am so sorry if I caused you more angst with my last post.

If she was calmer and not having a flare up when she had the most recent UTK panel and the cortisol comes back that high, then loading may be the best option to get a handle on the Cushing's - her cortisol and intermediates. If that is the case, it may be time to just bite the bullet and try to treat the Cushing's, hoping the colitis can be controlled until her body adjusts - hopefully adjusts.

I have tried to put myself in your shoes....what if Trink's colitis was a bad as Zoe's and she were the one with Cushing's, not Squirt? Would I use any of the traditional treatments? Of them, Lyso is my preference; would I load her? or would I start with a maintenance dose and see what that did? would I then load her if that wasn't enough? What if her system simply couldn't handle anything that had the slightest hope of lowering her cortisol and/or intermediates? Could I resign myself to watching her deteriorate, helpless to do anything for her? I have a feeling I would be continuously trying things and continuously cleaning my bed! :eek: It would be a constant battle of adjusting doses between bouts - "ok, 25mg is too much, we will try 12mg next" - until I either found a level that she could tolerate and we could work up from, or the colitis defeated that attempt completely. Then I would move on to the next treatment until they ran out and I was seriously considering flying her to some foreign country for a black market magic bean. Every time she had a flare-up, guilt would eat me alive for giving her whatever the latest treatment was. Every time I saw her signs, guilt would eat me up because I wasn't doing anything or not enough. In short, I would drive myself crazy.

And you have a melt-down???? PLEASE have 15 or 20....an hour if you need! Trinket and I have only just touched the tip of the iceberg so I can barely begin to imagine what you are going through but my heart goes out to you and Zoe.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Hi Addy,

Maddie stopped eating the raw would then only eat the rice, chicken, and pumpkin. She would still sort of eat her dry I gave her, but most of the time out of my hand. It helped with the runny poop towards the end.

I know the weakness in the hind leg area is part of the cushings and it got better when I started her on the lyso--she could climb the stairs better. I think there was more going on at the end than we knew so I think her numbers and the symptoms were kind of mixed up--that is why I was so sure she needed to be loaded again when actually her numbers went back down---sooooo confusing.

Keep the box of tissues close so when the 15-20 minute sessions start you are prepared.

Keep up the laughter sessions with Koko at least Zoe wanted to partake in the fun.

Leslie, you NEVER distress me or cause me anguish of ANY kind. I understood what was happening. You are my sunny port in the storm.:)

I know Dr. Oliver told me to add maintenance dose first because he knew I was worried about her chronic issues. That was why we even discussed Trilostane. IMS says her experience is maintenance dose will not lower cortisol enough and she is most likely right.:confused:

However, when I asked her if she ever loaded a dog with chronic diarrhea, she first said no, looked away from my stare, came back and said but I have loaded a lot of older dogs with chronic health problems.

I was worried enough about trying lysodren to begin with, that Zoe’s body won’t handle it. I never dreamed I might face the prospect of not being able to take her of metronidazole.

Can you load a dog taking an antibiotic on a daily basis? Has anyone here done that?

Love ya girlfriend,
Addy

Dear Addy,

I am so sorry for the decisions you need to make. You have gotten very good advice. Since I never used Lyso, I'm not familiar with what it can do.

You and Zoe are in my thoughts and prayers that everything goes well.

(((HUGS)))

Luv ya,

Terri

Thanks Marie and Terri,

still trying to find a dog with colitis or ibd that loaded with lysodren.

Koko has been keeping the tears at bay, he has decided to be our little "Koko de Loco" again. He is not getting enough exercise with all the bad weather. Last night I wanted to have a cry session and he decided to chew up my reading glasses:eek: Then he snuck down in the basement and I did not realize it and he was locked up in the dark for about ten minutes. Who knows what he chewed up:mad: So far he is not vomiting:rolleyes: Man, it is going to be a long winter.

I put Zoe back on her 1/4 evening pill until I hear from the IMS. She did walk better this week when she was only one one pill rather than two. In fact this morning she wanted to go for a walk. We had snow last night and salt was all over the road. I could not let her walk on it, her paws burn and freeze. She stuck her face into that ice cold wind and stood there loving it in true Lhasa style:) She is having a good day today. I love good days:D

I plan to spend the weekend rereading all my IBD and colitis literature waiting for the vet to call. I can't really make any decisions until I see test results. All I can do is wait.:mad::mad:

Impatient Addy

Dear Addy
So sorry what you are going through. Will post on my own thread.
It seems like it isn't just cushing but other health issues on top of this.
I wish I could be more positive. I have long talks with Apollo also. Telling him we are going to fight this together and that I need him to hang in there for me. The walks are less and less. When we do walk he gives me this look and I just want to cry. He falls on his front legs now also and had a fall the other day scraped the skin off part of his little nose, my fault because he walks behind me and I assume he is walking when he can't. I embrace the good times as much as I can.
Love ya
Sonja and Apollo
Always praying for you.

Hi Sonja and Friends,

Just heard second hand, vet tech called hubby while I was at work, Texas gastro panel back and everything is normal. Still no word on CBC or urinalysis. Said UTK panel still not in.:confused: I will call and ask her to email results to me.

Not sure to be happy or not. If I had CBC results would feel better.
Tried reducing Zoe's metronidazole 50% am and she was already reduced pm. Seems to be going better than trying to stop pm dose completely but who know what will happen tomorrow.:mad:

Funny thing, I was reading at lunch something that perhaps may explain why we see this one day feeling good and the next day pup feels sick, it was tallking about the the fact that all the hormones including cortisol have cycles so with Cushings, one day the hormones could be in their high cycle, the next in the low cycle. Said that was why it is hard to get doses right and you have to test alot.

Gave me a better understanding of it. I never thought of it that way. That the pups have highs and lowsbased on hormonal cycle.

I will call vet tech tomorrow. The CBC panel has to be in, that was local. Maybe no news is good news.:confused:

Hugs,
Addy

Okay, not sure what this means. Vet tech said "everything was normal no problems" asked her to email test results. Still no UTK results.

In June her platlet count was high 589 out of 140-540 (was having cloitis flare not controled with drugs) now it is higher 614 ( colitis flare controled with metronidazole)

In June her ALK PTase was high 325 out of 13-289 now it is normal 283

In June her cholesteral was high 503 out of 98-300 now it is normal 269

So I should be really happy about this except not sure what the platelet count going higher means.:confused:

This time her neutrophil absolute is marked high .24 (Thought I read this is elevated with Cushings)

This time her creatinine is low .03 out of .5-2. (Again Cushings?)

What is a possible worry to me even though tech said "everything is fine, all normal " is BLD 2+ marked abnormal- last time was negative Also PROT is 30 marked abnormal- last time was negative. :eek:She is on a raw diet so not sure how that affects this or is this the start of kidney problems? Why is the platlet higher? What do I ask the IMS?

Breathe in, breathe out Addy, breathe in, breathe out.

Trying not to jump to conclusions, Addy

Hi Addy,

Something I found when looking for info for you:

http://www.vetinfo.com/dbloodwork.html

Quote:

---

These are reported causes of increased platelet counts:

hypothyroidism (usually fairly mild increases)

essential thrombocythemia (reported in the Feb 99/March 99 Compendium of Continuing Education) - signs were lethargy, weight loss, depression This condition is also likely to cause an increased white blood cell count due to neutrophilia and anemia.

myeloproliferative disorders (like excessive bone marrow stimulation, cancers of the bone marrow, metastatic cancers stimulating the bone marrow)

platelet function abnormalities sometimes lead to increased platelet numbers as the body tries to compensate for the fact that the platelets don't work well (usually mild increases, though)

iron deficiency and chronic blood loss (from any source - urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract) can lead to thrombocythemia

With the great elevation in these values, essential thrombocythemia seems likely, even though G doesn't seem to have the clinical signs expected with that problem. Bone marrow analysis is helpful in differentiating among the causes of increased platelet counts.

Mike Richards, DVM 7/19/2000

---

I am sure Debbie could tell you more and I will keep looking.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Hi Addy,

Have you ever had blood drawn by a really skilled nurse and then the next time you have the nurse from hell and everything puckers when the needle goes in sideways? Well that latter experience can cause a dog to release more platelets so I wouldn't be surprised if the really mild elevation you are seeing is probably Zoe getting a bit excited during the blood draw.

Some dogs with cushing's have slightly lower creatinine. This is largely due to catabolic effects of cortisol which causes muscle wasting. Cushing's can also cause elevated neutrophil but so can excitability or stress. According to what Leslie just posted, increased platelets can cause an increase in neutrophilia too.

Sorry but I'm not sure what BLD 2+ is nor what the normal reference range for protein is. Are these from the blood chemistry or urinalysis?

Glynda

SubTest Name Normal Values Results
SP-TY CYSTO N
Color YELLOW N
Turb CLEAR N
Gluc mg/dL NEGATIVE N
Bilirubin NEGATIVE N
Keto NEGATIVE N
Sp-Gr (1.018-1.045 normal value) 1.019 N
Bld 2+ A
pH (5.2-6.8 normal value) 6.0 N
Prot (mg/dL) 30 A
Uro NORM N
Vol mL <5 N

from urinalysis, Glynda and yes she does get stressed.

but instead of being happy which I should be I don't understand, HOW CAN EVERYTHING BE NORMAL?:rolleyes::confused::eek:

I'm freaking out,
Addy

Hi Addy,

I know what you mean when things come back normal, but you know something just isn't right, but what.....

Hang in there, there has to be some answers in the test results you don't have yet....

Go ahead and start the breathing exercises--in out in out and grab the tissues:D:D

((((hugs)))):)

Oh Marie, you are exactly right. At first I thought the labs were mixed up. I expected to see worsening liver values, I expected things to be worse since last May. I can't get her off the metronidazole and even the gastro panel is normal. I almost wished it showed SIBO so I would know what to do.:confused: I was so shocked yesterday I thought I was going crazy, my mind would not stop racing.:eek:

Does anyone know what the two abnormals are on her urine test? I thought BLD meant blood in urine 2+. Is that from the needle to get the urine? IMS's office was not concerned about it.

Also PROT 30 mg/dl is that protein? is that from her raw diet?

Unless that bacteria she has is from her raw food and the leg weakness I was seeing was from the metronidazole. Maybe the weight loss was from the metronidazole too?

I sure wish the UTK would come in. It has been 2 weeks.

Still confused,
Addy

Addy, the 2+ blood is in the urine. Don't panic. The strips that are dipped into the urine to check for various things such as glucose, blood protein, & a few other things will detect both intact RBC & free hemoglobin. If the RBCs have be lysed (destroyed), they will release free hemoglobin into the urine. Urine is normally pretty acidic which will cause RBC destruction so this isn't all that unusual. Yes, this result very well could be a by-product of the collection by cysto. It's similar to when a human is catheterized to collect a urine, there is always some trauma involved simply from the procedure, so it's not unusual to find a few RBCs. Now, if I remember the report, there were no RBCs seen which leads me to believe that this is free hemoglobin. Guess what, a major component in the structure of hemoglobin are several kinds of protein, so if you have RBCs or free hemoglobin, you will also have protein in the urine. Now, how much is significant, you will have to discuss with your vet.

Debbie

Thank you Deb :):):)You explained that so I can easily understand:)

I will ask IMS if she ever calls with UTK results:confused: They said everything was "good" so it did not seem like they were concerned about it.

I guess I was so expecting bad things so I jumped on anything marked abnormal or high or low:rolleyes: But your explanation and Glynda's make sense.

Deb, does it seem strange to you that her symptoms would get worse but her blood work, etc would be so normal? Dr. Allen from Dechra told me to expect whatever symptoms she has to worsen and then she will develop new ones. So now even her cholesteral is normal? Normal, never thought the word would freak me out so much. I should be used to it, it is what I have heard for 3 years except for the Cushings. That was "significant". I got hung up on that word too:eek:

She has been on melatonin and lignans since August. Could it be that helped her intermediates? She has been on metronidazole for 3 months!!!!

Thanks Deb, for shedding some light on it. I have to go see what happened with Winnie.

Hugs,
Addy

Hi Addy,

I had this whole little reply done and then it disappeared--darn!!!! :eek::eek: Oh well, it must be normal for this last test to take this long so hang in there--get some Koko time and laugh a little!!!:):)

Dear
Addy
I would ask for a copy of the results look at the notations. Then in my case I asked the vet what the results meant for the different readings. Always get the copies so you can compare from previous labs.
On the blood 2+ , Apollo had the same -more than likely due to needle used to get urine.
Apollo had same reading on Specific Gravity -Zoe is still in normal range.
The reading on the Protein is what I would ask the vet about(Apollo's was neg) I did read can go high if stressed.
Apollo stopped losing weight when he was on medication, but the leg weakness is still going on , now in front also.
HUgs Sonja and Apollo
will post on my thread tomorrow.

Thank you Sonja, that info helps.:)

I guess it will just be another long weekend. Hopefully her adrenal panel will come in next week. Can't believe it takes this long.:(

She is walking better since I lowered the metronidazole. Maybe it was side effect. She had never been on it that long. I was going to give her the Panacur tomorrow but we are to have the coldest weather that we have seen in 2 years. If you gets diarrhea, I don't want her running outside all day in 25 below:eek: Guess we wait again.

Hugs,
Addy

Kind of thinking maybe we won't be doing the Panacur. Won't be the first time:rolleyes:

Hi Addy,

I hope you are keeping warm. :D:D That is a good thing Miss Zoe is walking better.

Please enjoy the weekend snuggled up all together inside by the warm fire....

Take care of yourself--my husband said beer cures all.....:) I prefer white wine or a tall sweet exotic drink--mojitos are goooood if made right!!!:D:D

Hey Marie,

Thanks for checking on us. It has been freezing but funny thing, I am not as cold as I anticipated so that is a good thing!!!

Hubby says it is not my imagination, that he thinks Zoe is walking better, she was like a drunken sailor some times and lots of trembling, back legs giving out. It can't be that her increased melatonin and new lignans kicked in, but maybe. I think it was side effects from metronidazole. I did not feel good about keeping her on that. My gut said no but figured maybe I should listen to the IMS.:confused: Then IMS said don't change anything while we wait for test results but now I did not listen and cut her back to 125 mgs. Glad I did because I see she is walking better. I guess sometimes we need to disobey and follow are own instincts!!!!

Now if I can only get her off this dose to nothing I would be happy.

How are you doing? Hoping the zinnia garden is starting to take root:D

I like beer when it is really hot. Otherwise fruity and ice cream drinks are fabulous. Though a good margarita can do the trick:D

I had a furlough day Friday so I burned off a lot of stress cleaning and reorganizing closets, playing with my puppies and being a stay at home Mom. I love that;)

Happy Saturday!!!

Love ya,
Addy

Glad to hear Zoe is walking better. Wish I could say the same for Apollo. Will post on my thread.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo.

Could someone help me try to figure this out? I feel like I am losing it. Our saga started end of October with the colitis flare up. I could not control it as I used to. Thought perhaps it was her lignan's fillers complicating her problem. Cut back on her lignans and she was better, not well, but better. Continued the metronidazole at 125mg bid per IMS instructions on the day before Thanksgiving.

Beginning of December she started losing weight even though I had increased her food. She was drinking longer and peeing longer and I was seeing increased back leg weakness. She would stumble, walk crooked, sometimes back legs would start to give out. Her colitis was controlled on the 250 total mgs.

December 20 started new lignans with no filler. Cut back metronidazole to 125mg am and 62.5 mgs pm. Maintained stool quality after a week.

January 1 started 1mg more melatonin at night.

January 6th went to IMS, stools controlled with 125mgs metronidazole am 62.5 mgs pm.

Blood work, Texas gastro panel came in normal. Her Cholesterol is even normal now as well as her ALK. No diabetes. Urine okay.

Cut back metronidazole to 62.% mgs BID, has been a week and stools maintained very nicely, no problems cutting back.

Leg weakness has improved. Weighed her this morning and she has now gained 4 ounces.

I feel like I live in the Twilight zone.:eek: What does any of this mean? Is it all just a fluke?

Still waiting for adrenal panel.:rolleyes:

Need input Addy

Dear Addy
All I can say is just be greatful for the improvement. Sometimes there is no clear answer. Little miracles happen and there is no reasonable answer. Apollo climbed a flight of stairs a few days ago, can't tell you why but he did.
Our babies can suprise us with their well to live.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Sonja - I find it bizarre that Apollo has lost strength in both front and rear legs but yet can still make it up onto your sofa and climb steps?!!!! Annie's issues aren't nearly as bad but she hasn't even attempted the sofa in 10 months. Its like Apollo's issues are intermittent? Sorry.. just noticed I posted this on Zoe's thread. OOPS.... Kim

Zoe's is intermittent. Not sure of Apollo's. Zoe always walks with a stiff gate in the back legs. Here and there she will attempt to jump on the sofa but as with the bed, it is getting less and less. She won't even attempt the bed anymore or the car.

Her back legs tremble off and on but that has not happened now for over a week.

The stumbling is much improved. That was bad for awhile. You can see the muscle loss in her back legs and thighs when you look at old pictures and look at her now.:(

We used to tease her and call her the mutt with the butt but now her butt is tiny:(


Hugs, Addy

Dear Addy
Same with Apollo. The massage therapist for his legs said he used to have a cute muscular behind not any more.
Will post on my thread what results of ultrasound and what IMO said.
Let's just say I was sobbing in the parking lot. I need to regroup , I don't think Apollo has inflammatory bowel disease. He doesn't have any symptoms.
I am glad Zoe is doing better.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Hi There,

Who would have ever thought we would appreciate a big butt...:D at least on the cute little ones. I remember we use to call Maddie Fluffy Butt. I wish there was a way to put muscle back there for them to make it easier for them to get around.

Take care!!! I hope the test results are on their way for you today!!!!

I called yesterday before I left work and the results were not there :(
They were having a tech call UTK to check today.

I noticed a new bald spot on the back of one of Zoe's hind legs last night:( The rest of her thin coat is shiny and soft.

She seems happy and this morning she wanted to take a walk since it was warmer outside but she had a mushy tail on her poo this morning. I am hoping it was from eating crumbs off the floor Sunday when the kids were over. I thought I would cut back a tad on her food today and see if that helps. Sometimes it does.:confused:

I feel like I have been waiting for these test results forever. I'm numb.

Thanks for checking,
Addy