New to Cushings

Hi Karen. Excessive thirst and panting are common symptoms of elevated cortisol levels associated with Cushing’s. I don’t believe the panting reflects pain, per se, but instead is a response to the body being in a consistently “stressed” state due to high circulating cortisol.

In Annie’s situation, however, it’s hard to know exactly what may be triggering the panting. It’s possible that her cortisol level has indeed been creeping up during the course of her illness. Or it may be a side effect of some of her medication. Or it could be pain still related to the surgery. If she’s sleeping comfortably, pain seems less likely. However, if the panting subsides subsequent to taking the pain pill, then discomfort does seem to be a more likely cause. Perhaps her higher degree of activity and jumping around is making her feel more sore or irritating her staples. Was the surgeon pretty insistent about keeping her as still as possible right now? If so, maybe you could set up a temporary pen within which to confine her for the time being. It sounds like it’s pretty hard to keep her quiet right now, but putting strain on her incision could definitely cause pain and set up additional problems for her. I’m guessing she won’t be very happy to be confined, but it might be necessary to allow that incision to fully heal.

Well, I talked myself off the mountain and called the clinic in Chicago where Annie had her surgery. They immediately put me through to a tech who helped take care of my baby and she told me that panting is an indicator of pain. I feel so guilty because I had cut her pain meds down from 3 a day to two because she was so groggy. Welll, when I dumped out the remaining Tramadol, I was in shock to see I only had enough left for one day. So, there I am back on the phone with the specialty clinic in Chicago and I was told to take a big deep breath..........why do people keep telling me that?

Anyway, they said they would work with my doc at home and if he did not have it in stock, they could call a local pharmacy so we could have it on board tomorrow.

I sincerely appreciate the universe for letting me vent, screem cry,sob, whatever I need for my little miracle pup. Right now I have no numbers on anything...... I ‘m just glad my little baby is alive with her 33 staples. I need to send out special blessings to all of you out there who may have been cheering us on....remember this, I hold your pups in my thoughts and prayers every day. We are a family here and you all have taken care of me and somehow, I hope to pass it forward . Blessings to you all and your pups. Karen

Oh Marianne, you are correct on all levels. She was so sedate until her dad got back from his fishing trip. She’s always been a daddy’s girl—can’t blame her for that. The pain pill helped her a lot and i’m going to add that third pain pill back on th list for tomorrow. I had taken one out—probably too soon, hence the extra activity, etc. In almost 50 years of pups I ‘ve never had to deal with anything like this. My little Annie is the engine that could and she won’t take NO for an answer! Would I have it any other way? No! Just please don’t tell me to get over myself and “breathe “.

I am concerned about her cortisol and bg levels, but nobody else is right now. So maybe I just need to breathe. Blessings, Karen

Yes, panting may very well be the result of pain. I am with Marianne on this one. Allowing Annie to jump, even once, is dangerous. It's not about what Annie wants at this point. They don't know their limitations, so you have to set them. Pain meds are a double edge sword. They help and are needed, but can also help the pup feel like they can do more than they should. Pen her as soon as possible and keep her penned for the duration. I have a soft sided play yard. It works great for when I have to curtail my pup's activity. it is almost impossible to be right there with our babies every minute, while they heal. Penning will force her to rest, while giving you a much-needed break, knowing that she's safe . If I had just spent thousands of dollars on surgery, my dog wouldn't be jumping at all! It is the middle the night here on the West Coast, I apologize if this message does not come across as sensitive as it should. Penning is a must at this point.

Oh my gosh—when two of the most respected people on this forum tell me the same thing, it’s time for me to listen and send the hubby to Petsmart when they open this morning. The surgeon did stress the no jumping low level activity stuff but I guess I really wasn’t able to translate the information into reality at the time. I have no problem with penning her her up for a few days until the staples come out....it’s her dad that’s going to be the problem.

I’m really glad you were able to make contact with the surgical practice. And I’m totally in favor of sending hubby off to buy that pen first thing today. He needs to understand how risky it is for Annie if that incision is compromised or if an incisional hernia were to develop. The last thing you want is the need for another surgical repair. So you’re going to have to draw the line with them both — no jumping until the surgeon gives the OK. I know it may be hard, but it’s necessary. Good luck with them both!

Keeping them from doing what they usually do is really hard, especially when they seem to be able to. I have a hard time doing it, too, but you really don't want that incision to open up. When Sibbie was spayed I didn't put a collar on her because I didn't want to see her uncomfortable, and she didn't seem to be bothering it. Then I noticed she was licking at the stitches the minute I wasn't watching. I ran right out and got a soft collar.

Annie will get used to being penned. Put her toys in and some special treats, and it's probably movable so you can put it wherever you are. The pills will help to make her sleepy. And like Kathy said, it will give you a break too. It's exhausting watching them all the time...

Miss Annie is now the not so proud owner of her own personal play pen/jail cell plus she has her soft e-collar on all the time except when she eats. Now here is what she is doing. She has been been constantly standing up on her little thin back legs ,grabbing the netting with her toes saying “Get me outta here! “. Now I’m worried she’s going to stretch her little tummy and pop something doing that. She has her favorite two toys, access to fresh water, and she can see us wherever we go. Now what do I do?

I keep going over to her and placing her feet on the carpet and she just gets right back up on her hind legs wanting out. This is actually turning out to be more work then when she had free range. She would jump on the couch or chair and she would stay there for hours. Help from anyone will be appreciated. Blessings to you all and your pups. Karen


,

She's pulling at your heart strings, which is exactly her goal. Standing up is not as dangerous as jumping. When she does it, she's getting attention, so she'll keep it up as long as it's working. I would try another route, by acting like you don't see her standing and fussing. Reward her with attention when she's down and quiet. This is new for her. She doesn't like it, but will eventually adjust once she realizes that this is the new norm for now. In order to make this work, Everyone around Annie (Particularly Dad), need to hang tough and follow the same plan. If Annie senses that someone is about to cave under the pressure, than it's all over. You can do this!

Another option would be to leash her, keeping her with someone ALL the time. I would not personally choose that option. Pet parents need breaks too. Surgeons/Vets often recommend crating/penning, knowing that the pup will most likely fight it at first. That means standing, whining, crying, pawing and even trying to chew their way out. If you hang tough, it'll get easier. This is more about you and hubby and less about Annie's reaction. Many of us have had to pen our pups. Newsflash!!!, Not many are happy about it.

So to recoup.... My opinion is to tough it out with the pen! Good luck!!

STOP THINKING ABOUT THE PLAYPEN AS A JAIL CELL!!! This is a good thing for Annie!!!

I'm going to tell you a true story that will scare you :( but also make you understand how important it is for Annie to be limited in her movements right now. One of our Admins had her new rescue dog spayed. Simple, ordinary operation that happens at least a thousand times a year. Nothing as serious as what Annie has been thru. Her baby decided to tackle the steps soon after and before her mom could stop her, she had done just that...apparently with no harm done. However that night her mom heard her whimpering in her bed so she got up to check on her....and to her horror found her baby covered in blood because the incision had burst open and several of the organs were outside the body. They rushed her baby to the ER and thankfully the dog survived. But it was not an easy go for either of them. And her baby only did that ONE time, once. But once was all it took for the stitches both internal and external to come undone. Please steel your heart and protect your precious baby girl from herself. If necessary get a carry case which won't allow much movement at all. Annie will be fine....pissed maybe but alive and unharmed. And you won't have to face the nightmare our Admin did with her baby girl. This time will pass much more quickly than you think and soon she will be able to run and jump and carry on to her heart's content....but for now she must be protected. :)

Hugs,
Leslie