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

That's such good news, Judy! I'm so glad she's eating again.

It is great news to hear that Abbie is eating and feeling better. I'm surprised that the neurologist didn't recommend a tapering down with the prednsione. Every now and then when I get those cluster migraines my neuro puts me on a cycle of pred and he always has me to slowly decrease the dose...thankfully you knew to do that, Good job, Judy!!!

So glad that Abbie is eating!!! Go Abbie!!!:p

Hi, all! Friends from Georgia came yesterday to visit Abbie (I just happened to be home ...). I posted some pictures to her photo gallery -- the only time I can get any is when I distract her and someone else takes pics. Abbie continues to recover -- she does have an occasional muscle spasm with some shaking but it is infrequent.

Aww great pics Judy. She is looking really good and definitely happy.

Hi Judy,

I have a soft spot for beagles. Abbie is beautiful! Love the pics.

~Katherine

Great photos!!!!! She looks very happy!! Her sweet, soft face looks so cuddly. Glad you posted these.
Terry

Loved the pictures!

Hi, all! Today was post-op check with the neurologist. She was very pleased with Abbie's recovery and remarked on how well she was walking. I was very surprised that Abbie has lost another pound since her surgery. She is down to 22.5. She removed the one external stitch and she showed me how she sutures with having them all internal. Really fascinating! She did say she needed to check whether Abbie had pain in her ribs which is very common after a dog has such severe muscle spasms and pain. Sure enough, when she pressed under Abbie's forearm, she yelped. Diagnosis: rib head subluxation. The recommendation was for Abbie to be seen by a chiropractic vet to adjust the rib head and spine. She also recommended for the acupuncturist to see her first to relax the area of the rib heads and spine musculature. I have a call in to the chiropractic vet -- Abbie did not respond well to acupuncture last year so want to get chiropractic vet's thoughts on seeing her alone as opposed to seeing both of them. We got the "all clear" to resume regular walking -- I told her Abbie was tiring out pretty quickly after our short walks and she said that she might do better after rib pain is gone. She also said "... and she is 12, you know!" I think she does pretty darn good for a 12 year old pup!

Yay, sounds like good progress and nice she can have some walks again.

Sure she will feel tons better once the rib issue is fixed too.

Really good job you have done with her Judy!

So glad to hear the Abbie is doing so well after her surgery!!! Hope the chiropractic can fix her rib issue.

Sending soothing and loving hugs, Lori

Hi, all! I am worried about Abbie. We got the all clear from the chiropractor after just one visit so I think recovery from surgery is complete. We have been having some cooler, less humid weather and Abbie has wanted to go on walks. Not sure how to describe it but, the last week or so, she has been laying down in unusual places. For example, instead of walking over to the carpeted hallway near the kitchen to lay down as usual, she just plops down on the tile. Every night we go out at the same time to meet our neighbor and her dog and walk back to her house for a treat. Tonight Abbie wouldn't stand up to go out--I helped her up and she was able to walk outside where our friends were. Abbie peed and turned around to go inside--my neighbor was worried about her as well. Even on the bed she is laying down as soon as all four feet are on the bed instead of walking up to her pillow.

I know this all sounds insignificant but Abbie is definitely a creature of habit and she is just acting differently. I haven't seen her rear legs give out but they definitely were not working properly tonight.

We have a vet appointment scheduled for tomorrow--kind of a mini annual check to get her shots and heartworm check so will definitely be discussing all this with the vet. We aren't due for an ACTH, etc. until the middle of May.

I definitely see why you are worried, it is very concerning when they do things out of the norm. Is she tender to the touch at any place on her body?

Please do keep us updated and hopefully the vet will be able to figure things out, do you think the neurologist would have any idea of what is going on, maybe the vet can confer with the neuro.

Oh no. You are really right. You know when something is off with her and I too see why you are worried. I'm thinking they might want to do X-rays to see if anything has changed with her discs.
Hoping for good news after the vet visit. Really glad you are going in right away.

How is Abbie today? Hat did the vet say?

Hi! Abbie is doing fine today. Vet visit went well -- he believes that her back leg issues are related to the trauma that her spine underwent so primarily neurologically based. Her back legs did splay out a couple of times when we were there so he could actually see what I was worried about. He said to try and encourage her as much as possible to go on walks and to gently massage her rear legs. He said muscle mass has not declined at all and commented on how great her coat looks -- I think that omega3 oil has really helped in that regard. All else checked out perfectly, even her ears! Rabies and bordatella done and we were on our way home. Thanks for checking on us!

So glad to hear that Abbie is doing better!!!

That is good that Abbie was better when you went to the vet. How has she been since? If she doing her walks okay?

Sharlene--Abbie isn't very interested in her walks yesterday or today, even though the weather is very comfortable. I have seen her back legs splay out a couple of times, each time she was on the tile floor. I did some reading about this and it seems pretty common for senior dogs when walking on tile or hardwood floors. I did email the neurologist in case she had some thoughts about it but haven't heard back.

Other than not wanting to go on walks, Abbie seems to be in good spirits. I told the vet that she is going to start clucking with all the chicken she eats. I am now wrapping the cheese ball in a thin slice of chicken and have another piece ready as a chaser! What we go through to get all the meds down ...I am still putting some cut-up chicken mixed in with her food. I started after her surgery to get her to eat and now she won't eat without it.

That is so funny about the chicken. Molly never turns down chicken either. Or any other kind of meat and carrots, steamed carrots just really tickle her fancy for some reason.

Did you hear back from the neurologist at all?

Hi! No, never did hear from the neurologist--surprising as she has always been responsive. Abbie very quiet today--even passed up her favorite treat. I didn't sleep well last night and had a lot of muscle pain today--maybe she was just having an off day also.

Hopefully you both are having an off day and tomorrow you both will feel better. I sure do hope so.

Molly has some off days too. When they are off, she is quieter and doesn't want her treats either or to play. Recently that hasn't been the case, but about a month ago we where having Many off days and it was just hard to see. So I'm hoping that like Molly, Abbie will bounce back soon and feel better.

Here is a poem in honor of Abbie's 13th birthday (and adoption day)!

A companion, a pal,
A very best friend.
Someone to trust,
To love 'til the end.
Someone to trust,
When feeling blue.
Always a smile,
T'always greet you.
Always a smile,
To dry up your tears.
A person to be there,
To quiet your fears.
A person to be there,
When lonely or sad.
Loving regardless,
If hating or mad.
Loving regardless,
If caring or cruel.
No matter what,
Genius or fool.
No matter what,
They stand by you.
Who is this person,
Have you a clue?
Who is this person?
I'll tell you who.
This is your pet,
That loves through 'n through.
~~ Author Unknown

Sorry I'm late in wishing dear Abbie a Happy, Happy 13th Birthday!!!!

What a great poem to pay tribute to such a sweet girl, Abbie. I took the liberty and changed her age in her thread to reflect her recent birthday, I hope that was ok.

Love and hugs, Lori

Whooo Hooooo 13

Happy Birthday Abbie!

What a truly lovely poem!

Hi, all! Abbie had her 3 month ACTH along with a super chem and UPC yesterday. She was also supposed to have her blood pressure tested but that didn't work out due to an unexpectedly long surgery for the vet.

All of her test results are excellent except for the UPC. Her ACTH pre was 3.4 and post was 6.9 (2/4/16 results were pre of 3.8 and post of 8.5). Her alkaline phosphatase was only slightly elevated at 147 (range of 5-131; 2/4/16 result at 168). Only other elevated lab was potassium at 5.8 (range 3.6-5.5; 2/4/16 result at 6.0).

Then there is the UPC ... 6.6!! :( This is the highest it has been since we started measuring and last level on 2/4/16 was at 4.2. Since the last test I had added omega-3 fish oil to her regimen and it doesn't appear that that is doing anything positive. Very discouraging -- now we really have to check the BP. If her numbers are okay, then I think we'll just continue the current meds but, if her numbers are at all elevated, I will ask the vet to consult with Abbie's internist. I may also post on Dr. Peterson's blog to pick his brain.

I think it might be worth checking with the internist for that high UPC. Drat that thing is stubborn!!
Great though that her cortisol is good. Her liver is good too.
Are is feeding her a low phosphors food? I can't remember. Dog aware has tips for lower phosphorus foods. it is hard as I know molly is picky and none of the kidney diet foods interest her at all

A VERY belated wish for Abbie -

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY, SWEET GIRL!

Thanks all for the birthday wishes! Abbie really surprised me today--when we went out after dinner, temp was about 87 with pretty high humidity. Abbie walked for a full half hour--first long walk in several weeks! I have no idea what was different tonight but was very pleased.

Sharlene--I haven't changed Abbie's food to a low phosphorus. Like Molly, she is very picky. After a while of not wanting to eat breakfast, she is eating all her meals. I hate to rock that boat. Also, all of the other kidney markers on her labs are normal. That said, obviously, with such a high UPC, her kidneys aren't filtering as they should. Hopefully, her BP is stil controlled.

That's great that her lab values have come down and that her cortisol is staying controlled. All sorts of things can elevate that UPC so just maybe it was a fluke result....crossing fingers.

Hi, all! Abbie had her blood pressure evaluated this week and it is exactly where it should be. :D Therefore, will be keeping all meds the same.

Abbie is showing more signs of aging--she is missing the grass when peeing more times than not and, on a walk yesterday, she stopped walking and pooped right in the middle of the sidewalk. Thankfully, her poop was firm ... When discussing these behaviors with the vet, he said he is seeing the same thing with his elderly dachshund and thinks it is a combination of senility and loss of impulse control. I have thought about trying Novifit since I have seen other signs of general confusion but Abbie is on so many meds already that I hate to add one more. Part of me thinks that this is all the natural progression and, considering all her other issues, she is doing pretty darn good!

P.S. Upon reading Virbac's literature again about Novifit, I decided that it couldn't hurt to do a two month trial Virbac says that, if it is going to help, changes will be seen within a two month period. I went on-line to order some and every site said "out of stock". I called Virbac and their rep told me that they are in the process of updating their manufacturing equipment. They don't have a date as to when Novifit will be available but suggested that I call them back in a month to check if they have more info.

Oh, Judy...it's so hard when they start to show signs of getting old, isn't it? We still want them to be the puppies we always think of them as.

Hi, all! New, concerning symptom ...Abbie's back legs have collapsed on several occasions. There doesn't seem to be any common thread as to where or when it happens. She looks surprised when it happens and is able to get herself up. If I push down on her rear end, she seems strong which leads me more in the neurological route. I always worry about the IVDD rearing it's ugly head again.

We have a chiropractor appointment this Friday and will certainly discuss with her. She will be able to determine if Abbie is having any pain. I haven't been giving Abbie any tramadol as she has been going on walks most days and seems comfortable. No walk this morning but it is already very hot and humid here!

Oh Judy,

I am so sorry to hear that Abbie is having trouble with her back legs. And I know how worried you must be with this new symptom. Is she having any knuckling under issues with her paws?

Sending comforting and loving hugs to you and our precious girl.

Lori

Dang. Poor baby. Just when she is doing good again.
So you are tHi king its maybe the spine again? Will they do more X-rays to see for sure? Hmm didn't they fuse a couple extra points to try and prevent future issue?
I know lots of questions right. :).

Oh Judy, I'm afraid I have no suggestions but I can surely understand your worry. That's how I'm feeling, too, when Peg goes down, although with her the cause is more obvious. It's darn hard to watch, though. Sending comforting pats to Miss Abbie, and I do hope a solution can be easily found.

Hi, folks! Thanks for your thoughts. During her surgery the discs in the thoracic area were all cleaned out so as to greatly reduce the possibility of future herniations in that area. Unfortunately, that still leaves the rest of her spine at risk. She has had episodes of pain in her lower back before which were resolved, at least for a while, with pain meds and chiropractic treatments.

She has no knuckling, only the collapsing. After our visit on Friday with the chiropractor I am going to contact the neurologist, primarily to find out if there is anything I can do to avoid things getting worse. If she wants to see her, that will be fine. If x-rays would show disc issues, I would prefer the neurologist take those herself rather than my vet. I honestly don't know if I would go the MRI, or god forbid surgery, route again.

Hi, folks! Abbie is obviously uncomfortable today -- was hanging her head a bit and shaking which was the pre-cursor the last time around. I gave her some tramadol at noon and she is resting now. I decided to call the neurologist and get her thoughts -- wanted to make certain that chiropractic appointment on Friday wouldn't hurt her. When I called the neurologist, her assistant told me that the vet would actually be in Tampa tomorrow at an imaging center (30 minute ride rather than an hour away in Sarasota) and could see Abbie in the morning. So glad I called! I did ask if I should give her any tramadol in the morning and she said to forego it so vet could see her without having had pain meds.

Think good thoughts for Miss Abbie (and me ...)!

Hi Judy, how fortuitous you called today! I'll be thinking of you both til then. Hope the tramadol helps her in the meantime.
Shana

Keeping you and Abbie in my thoughts and prayers and sending positive energy your way.

Hugs, Lori