Have I finally found my friends? (Palmer has crossed over the Bridge)

Hi Lori....thanks for seeking me out!

We are ding quite well here. :D:D Palmer's tummy has decreased, it seems. He is a lot friskier. :) His appetite is good-less than it was. We'll go back for an ACTH test in one month.

The only problem we're having is he frequently gets stiff necks. Last night was the worst. He almost doubled over in pain and cried.....and kept crying. I was able to massage it out. It really tears at me when he cries.....and he has never had an ongoing cry such as last night. Fortunately he will let me pick him up to work on it.

He's here sitting on my lap, making one handed typing a necessity!:eek:

In 10 days we get to return to the boardwalk for walks. I'm eager to get back to that. He loves the short ride and most times meets other four legged friends.

Oh-one other thing...his hair is growing at about 1/2 the rate it used to grow. At least we're getting a break on grooming costs!:D

If not before, I'll be back in one month with the ACTH test results.

-Susan

Hi Susan,

It's great that Palmer's symptoms have improved and he is friskier :D

I wonder what the stiff neck issue is tho...hmm...I have no idea, but I'm glad that you're able to massage it out for him...you're such a wonderful mom.

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If not before, I'll be back in one month with the ACTH test results.

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I hope before :D , but if not :( , I wish you and Palmer the best of luck with the ACTH test.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Hi Susan,

Congratulaltions.....sounds like Palmer is doing well on his treatment and the symptoms have diminished.

I would certainly check out Palmer's painful neck issue with his vet. Something's not right for him to be doubled over in pain and crying. I'm glad your massage is helping him but if it was me, I'd sure want to investigate and get to the bottom of what is causing this.

Good luck with Palmer's upcoming ACTH next month.

Louise

Hellooooooooo friends!! :):)

Palmer went in for his ACTH stim test yesterday. I just got the results and his Pre is 1.8; his Post is 3.6. He is truly enjoying this cooler weather and we are back to walking along the boardwalk. (Why don't some folks teach their pets that snapping is a No-No?):mad::mad::mad: Palmer loves to say "Hi!" to anyone he encounters....especially little kids and dogs his size....but he says "Hi!" to all of them. He wants to say "Hi!" to the back door, but I'm trying to get him trained (at 12 1/2?) to greet them at their noses or ears. We've encountered nasty dogs 2 or 3 times. The owners seem to think.........Oh, that's nothing. Don't do that Fido. Yikes!!:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Anyway-back to Palmer - he is playing with his toys.....that means he gets a stuffed toy, throws it up in the air and looks for it to land. Repeat that. Repeat that. :D:D:D I can get him to chase a toy once or twice....then he seems to say - I'm on to this game....you're not gonna run me all over this house!! So-the toy playing is back big time. The tummy continues to be a good bit smaller. The eating is mostly regular. The water consumption has come down with the cooler weather. Whereas last test time I felt like he was slipping away, I now feel like he's doing great.

So-no changes on the meds. Still one capsule in the AM and 1/2 in the PM. (Trilostane) And that's about all the news (thankfully, I guess.):):cool:

I've given you all a rest now......now I'd like to hear back from each of you telling me how you and your loved ones are doing!!:D

-Susan

Hi Susan,
Great news. :D:D:D

So happy for you and Palmer.

Stuffed toys are always a challenge in my house. Rozee like to chase and fetch, sometimes bringing it back within arms reach and as I go to grab it she turns her head. Brat :D

Littlebit like to chase and run with the stuffed toys, and sometimes destroying them. :eek:

Mickee, well he just likes to sleep. His age is catching up with him. Never was a toy player:(

Hi Susan,

It makes me so happy to read your cheerful post about Palmer...boy it's been a little bumpy here and there tho, huh? The pre of 1.8 is getting a little on the low side...but your such a wonderful and watchful mom, I know you'll keep an eye on him.

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he is playing with his toys.....that means he gets a stuffed toy, throws it up in the air and looks for it to land. Repeat that. Repeat that.

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I can see Palmer doing this...:D:D Oh Susan, doesn't this just make you feel so good when your pup feels so much better and they act like more of themselves, like they did before they had cushings. I am just so, so happy for you and Palmer...keep up the good work...Great job.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Wonderful news Susan! Just what we like to hear. I am so happy Palmer is enjoying himself. Way to go big little guy!

Did you ever find out what the neck pain was all about?

Shelba and Suni

Susan,

That is great, it is good to know that Palmer is happy and playful. And you deserve a break from all the stressing over him.

I hope the neck issue is fleeting.

Hear ya on the snapping dogs, guess you just have to be on the lookout when among strangers.

How long is the Dr. going to go between stims? The pre number we are told is not that important, in fact some Drs. will skip a pre draw as a cost savings measure. A low pre most likely indicates a very relaxed pup. Your post number is right in the range desired and that coupled with symptoms will be your guide to further treatment. I would keep a close eye on the hairgrowth issue and make notes which will be useful as you continue to treat.

Best wishes. Scott

Hi friends-
I've been a bit busy-meant to get back before this.

Palmer's neck deal hasn't happened since I last mentioned it to you. :) Oddly though, now I am experiencing great neck pains.:(:mad: It has been awful but I am being treated for it and it seems (?) to be getting less of an issue.

The space between Palmer's ACTH stim tests for now is 4 months. I did get Trilostane via Diamondback drugs. Thanks for all who helped out there. I got one month's supply to try out. Half of them are chews, the other half are capsules. He likes the chews! One less "fight."

He is now also taking Glyco-Flex III chews for his limping/arthritis in addition to the Tramadol. It's weird-I've been given Tramadol for my arthritis pain. He likes the Glyco chews also.

We've pretty much gotten the administration of the plethera of medicines down pat now. He still is looking good. He's still puppyish at times. We are back to the "Wanna go for a ride/walk??" down to the boardwalk. He's fallen right back into that. He starts getting fidgety and "talking" when we are 2 blocks away from where we park. And, I may have wishful thinking, but I think maybe some of the hair is coming in a bit thicker. His once lush tail is now about 1/5th the original thickness, but it still puffs up nicely.

So that pretty much brings you up to date.

I hope everyone is doing well. I love hearing back from you.

-Susan

Hi Susan,

It's just absolutely fantastic that Palmer is doing so great and I am so relieved that the neck issue didn't continue, but I am so sorry that you are hurting tho. :(

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I did get Trilostane via Diamondback drugs. Thanks for all who helped out there. I got one month's supply to try out. Half of them are chews, the other half are capsules.

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Chews huh, didn't know that they made the chewable kind...always learning new things. :)

My boy Harley is doing great, still running after his frisbee during the day and playing with his toys at night...at 13 y/o. :D At the end of Dec. he'll get the full work of tests :eek: poor guy, but I have to make sure his cortisol is still within the normal ranges and he is due for a full adrenal panel anyways plus there are other things we have to check, like his BP for one, and I want his vet to really take a good look at his teeth...boy I hope that money tree soon starts to grow. :p:)

Hopefully we will hear from you soon, we miss you and hearing about Palmer.

Love and hugs.
Lori