New to Cushings

Sorry for the delay in replying and I don't have long now sadly but I am among the oddballs that prefers Lysodren to Vetoryl and don't see anything changing my mind. I have used it in both my dogs even tho the second one didn't actually have Cushing's as proven by her necropsy (autopsy for animals). Lysodren works ONLY on the adrenal glands while Vetoryl (Trilostane) works on the axis, or loop, between the pituitary, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands...and many other things operate along that axis such as those that have to do with stress responses, glucocorticoid responses (in addition to cortisol), and hormones for example. Since Annie's vet is more comfortable with Lysodren that is the drug you want her to have - the vet's comfort level is very very important. When I moved back home and started looking for a new vet for my Squirt every single vet told me they would switch her to Trilostane and I walked out the door. She was doing very well on Lyso and I was not changing her for anyone or anything. I ended up choosing a vet who knew nothing about Cushing's, educated him with the little I knew and told him where to find the rest of the information he needed to learn about Lyso and Vetoryl as well as the disease itself. He now has many cush babies and uses both drugs. Some vets still fall for the hype that Vetoryl is "safer" than Lyso - it is not. Both have the exact same risk factors up to and including death if not properly prescribed and monitored. But both are life savers in the right hands. Annie's vet is comfortable using Lyso so that is where I would stay no matter what anyone had to say. You are a great mom and I know you watch her like a hawk -which is a critical factor when using either drug so I have complete faith you will do just fine with the Lyso.

Hugs,
Leslie

First of all, Leslie I totally agree with you on everything.

Now for my update on Annie......she’s doing too well but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I think she has eaten enough at home and she has more energy and thinks she can leap tall buildings in a single bound. I could not even take a bathroom break today without worrying where I would find her when I came out.. She has jumped, barked at the neighbors, tried to play with her favorite toy, jumped in her favorite chair.....the list goes on and on all with her e-collar on, and I’ve had very little sleep in 48 hours. Her dad is fishing the Detroit river this week for Walleye....so I’ve been here with my post-op baby by myself.

Actually this is much better for me because now I only have one “Baby” to care for instead of two. I love the hub but sometimes I need a break and he needs to go fishing. End of story.

Thursday is Annie’s Lysodren day so I’m already a mess and trying how to figure this in with all of her other meds.

I can do it, i’m her mom. Blessings to you all and your pups. Karen

Annie and I both overslept this morning. She inhaled her Lysodren along with all her other drugs while I was standing in a corner of the kitchen holding my breath. I really hate Sundays and Thursdays. I gave her a pain pill about 30 minutes ago and she is passed out cold in her bed where I can see her. We have an appointment with doc’s other doc this afternoon at 4pm for a check up. I’m just glad the Lysodren is over until Sunday. Blessings to you all and your pups. Karen

Good luck with the doc appointment, let us know how it goes, please!

You're doing a great job!!!!

Well I had the experience of a lifetime this afternoon when I took Annie in for her check up. I have non-diabetic peripheral neuropathy in my feet, so just to be on the safe side, I called the desk to let them know we were there and all of a sudden three of Annie’s favorite people were at my car to help me in but most importantly to carry Annie inside. Jerry is on his way home from fishing and I know Annie is going to rejoice in her dad being home.

Back to my story, once she was weighed and we were in an exam room, all of a sudden everyone in the clinic was there to greet Annie and welcome her back. There were probably 25 people in this small exam room—- and then they brought in her boarder buddies— there was cupcake and all her small dog friends. Even dr, Elizabeth’s pup was there to greet Annie. I was surrounded by people and pups who truly cared about my little miracle. Poor Annie was overwhelmed and spent her welcoming by my legs.

Everyone there thought she was a dead dog when they handed her off to us last week.for our 2hr race to the specialty clinic in Chicago.

Finally ,the results of the check up........she is OK...........and is the proud owner of 33 staples! A new record for our local clinic. She is a small pup who has also lost weight and could be a poster child for starving refugees The doc and I looked at her diet and decided to double her grocery basket and she was a happy hungry baby tonight.

I have to say right here right now, never give up on your pup until he/she gives you that look (we’ve all been there before
that tells you it’s their time. Annie at age 10 now has a second chance to chase robins and to live her complete life, however long that may be. I just feel blessed for our local clinic—she’s a celebrity in our little town. More than that she is my hero....she never gave up on herself and we never gave up on her because she never gave me the “look”. Blessings to you all and your pups.

What a sweet story! That's the way it should be.

It reminds me of when our six year old Saluki, Isis, who had canine lymphoma, had to stay over at Manhasset Animal Hospital way back in 1996. She had gone into remission after the first round of chemo, but it came back a few months later and she was severely dehydrated and needed to be hospitalized. She had been getting the chemo there so everyone knew her. They wanted to know what she would eat. Now my Isis was very spoiled, did not like dog food at all. The one thing she especially loved was roast pork fried rice. Her vet, Dr. Hendrickson went out and got Chinese food for dinner that night and got Isis her fried rice and sat with her and ate his dinner. Now that's what I call excellent service. Isis died a few months later, one week before she turned seven, and they were all devastated.

When we moved away, we started using the vet we have now, and I don't get that level of care. They are good, but that personal touch is just not there. Sometimes I wish I had continued to use my other vet. They are like a half hour away, instead of 10 minutes down the road. I wonder if Lee would have lived a little bit longer. He always met me at the office, no matter what time or day it was, and he had someone living upstairs so I wasn't afraid to leave them. This vet has no one there at night and I would never leave any of them there.

There are times that I wonder if I should go back to them....

Your vet sounds wonderful and you are lucky to have them.

What a great story! I love it and love how everyone rallied around our sweet Annie! (and came to help you!) A compassionate, caring staff like that is hard to find and a true treasure when one does find them. What a blessing to Annie and to you. I am so glad she got a good report and KNOW she is gonna enjoy that increased food!!! What cush pup doesn't DREAM of that?! LOL :D:D:D

Continued prayers for sweet Annie and her mom and dad!
Hugs,
Leslie

PS I hope hubby brought home a lot of good CLEANED fish ready for the freezer! :D

Oh my gosh...I need to send instant hugs out to ,Marianne, Joan and Leslie. I know you take your responsibility as a moderator seriously. You have been there for me and my little baby,Annie from the be beginning of our journey. And you all are still here,not only for me and Annie but for everyone who has a pup in need. I’m personally grateful for your collective knowledge and dedication to this forum.

To everyone else who is watching, reading learning....you have come to the best place on the internet. No question Is a ‘stupid’ question....ask away and you will learn. Blessings to you all. Karen

So glad to read that Annie's check-up went well! And WOW, 33 staples!!!!

Hey everyone out there, it’s just me having a little panic attack. It is cool outside, it’s cool in the house and Annie is panting up a storm. I have given up on trying to keep her from jumping on or off anything....but right now she just had a big drink of water and she is sleeping beside her water bowl. What am I supposed to think, what do I need to do? Now she just flopped over on her side which tells me she is comfortable. She is due for a pain pill in about 40 minutes—does panting in a Cushpup indicate pain? Help somebody! Blessings as always. Karen