Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

First of all everyone, absolutely no need to apologize for highjacking my thread!!! I welcome and appreciate the discussion. So feel free to continue here any time. Without a doubt this is a confusing disease with so many variables. I think where I am is trying to weigh any possible treatment risks against her symptoms and quality of life.

Overall, Ali had been doing really well. She recently had pyoderma, but we cleared that up with a round of antibiotics. She has had an ongoing problem with a severely itchy butt that's gotten so bad she has the fur licked off and the skin really swollen. The dermatologist and IMS thought it was allergies and she's been grain free and on tons of meds, shampoos, etc. - nothing helped. Been searching for answers and I think I may have come up with what it is on my own - Malassezia dermatitis, a type of fungal infection. I started treating for that yesterday (bathing her in Selsun Blue with salicylic acid) and there's been some improvement. Hopefully, the improvement continues.

Now, back to the other...potentially treating with low dose prednisone. Alivia's regular vet read the study and he's emailed me three times today. He discussed it with a specialist friend of his, the doctor that did Ali's sonogram back when she had pancreatitis and who knows Dr. Allen. (Dr. Allen spoke highly of him) They are not convinced it will work, but also are not convinced it won't. They both think it would be less risky to try (for Alivia) than either Lysodren or Trilostane. Ali's vet thinks it would not be dangerous but that the response may be hard to evaluate. I think she'd have to have testing done prior and during like with other treatments. We are still talking back and forth and haven't yet decided.

Hi Mary Beth,

It would seem to me that you would want to continue having the UTK panel run if you try the pred route since the claim is that the pred will work on the intermediates and they are the only ones I know of that do this testing. Plus, if you don't continue monitoring and sharing the results, how will we know if it's working? ;)

It's like some members who chose to try an herbal approach to Cushing's but never kept up the testing to see if the treatments were controlling the cortisol or just the signs - all we had to go on was their posts - anecdotal not scientific support. Every one of those folks quit posting and disappeared so we have no idea what the eventual results were...and I for one would have LOVED to see what was actually happening with the treatments as each one was using different herbs and formulas. I kept in touch with a couple of them via email for a while and started learning a bit about herbs from them but then they stopped mailing and responding. So please do keep up the testing, for many reasons, the least of which is our curiosity...you will need to know what, if any, effect the pred is having on her intermediates, cortisol, liver, etc.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Yes, the UTK panel is one I would definitely want run prior to beginning any treatment. It's been awhile since she's had this done. She will be due for a full blood panel soon, too. But, right now the priority for me is to get the itchy butt issue under control and then see where things stand. That seems to be causing her the most discomfort at the moment and I don't want that to skew any test results, either. Moving slow on this, but I do think it will be this route as opposed to either Trilostane or Lysodren.

Hope the itchy butt improves soon. That just sounds so uncomfortable to even type. ack!

Sharlene

Definition of:

ho-me-op-a-thy (n)
A system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a drug that in massive amounts produces symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the disease itself.

High doses of Prednisone will produce symptoms of Cushing's in healthy dogs. So, by definition, the administration of low dose prednisone could be considered homeopathic for treatment of Cushing's and not really that far fetched.

Happy Thanksgiving Mary Beth, Alivia and Maxwell!!!!!!!!!!!


I hope this post finds you all well and looking forward to eating lots of turkey!!!!

Let me know how you are doing, sweetie.

(((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))

I'll second the Happy Thanksgiving!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thank you, Addy and Sharlene. I hope you both had a nice Thanksgiving, too. I had to take both Alivia and Maxwell to the vets on Wednesday. Alivia had her rear and and feet licked raw. Nothing seemed to be helping her. The vet did a slide and was surprised there was no yeast and not nearly as much bacteria as he expected to see. She is on a spray and oral med that seem to be helping some - hope it continues. I think this is only the 2nd time in Maxwell's 12 years that he has gone to the vets for anything other than an annual check up and booster shots. He was shaking his head and scratching at his ear. The vet said it didn't look "too bad" but that it was obviously tender as Max normally doesn't mind having his ears checked and he flinched and yelped. :( So, he is on ear drops and seems much better. It's a really good thing he has always been so healthy because he HATES getting medication - he gets REALLY mad about it! Who knew?!

Maxwell and Koko are alike. Koko never goes to the vet except for check ups but he had an issue earlier this month as well. I hope Maxwell's ears are better. Poor guy. Koko is such a baby about his eye drops. How is Maxwell with his ear drops? Maybe its a guy thing;):D

I am hoping that oral medication kicks in for Ali. It is so hard to see them lick and chew. I remember what I went through with Zoe this time last year. Can we blame it on global warming?:):)

How are you feeling? I hope everything is okay with you health wise. I was really sick for awhile but am back on track, thank goodness.

When I got my new printer and it said I could print on card stock, I immediately thought of you and the lovely labels you made for your dog treats. I still think you could sell them on line. Packaging is everything:D:D:D:D

Love ya

Mary Beth:
Sorry to hear Alivia is having problems. Tipper does constant licking also, it is so hard to watch her do this. Thank God she still has no real skin issues from it. She does have her allergies though, and she scratches her face by her lip until it bleeds. Your poor baby, her feet must be sore. Do you give her Vitamin E? I give it to Tipper every day, but only 100 units as advised by the Vet. Maybe that would help her some.
Did you see the really, really, bad game with the Steelers? It was one of the worst I have seen!!
Hope you are well, and get Alivia on the mend. Wishing all of us to get thru the holidays without any incidents with the babies. That is what I want for Christmas, a normal healthy Tipper, and for all the babies on here struggling with this awful disease to be well.

Well, Molly would probably be called a tom boy, does that count? she certainly doesn't like the ear drops!

How is that going? Maxwell doing any better? It took almost 2 weeks for Molly's to clear up. :(
Hope Alivia is feeling better too. These allergy things are just horrible to try and deal with and I know it makes them feel so miserable.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Merry Christmas to you and Alivia and Maxwell.
I'm sending a note to both of them to behave so you don't have to go to the vets over the holidays for anything. :) (no thanksgiving repeat!!)

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Haven't been here for awhile. Just checking in with an update. Alivia had been suffering with skin issues for a long time and had her feet and butt licked raw. We tried everything: sprays, creams, shampoos - both OTC and prescription, with no luck. It was awful. Finally gave in and put her on a 10-day course of Prednisone. Cleared everything right up! :) Her fur has grown back, no more itching and she is doing wonderful. I know it was contraversial when I brought it up here before, but Alivia is now on a low dose daily Prednisone therapy and doing extremely well. I have to follow my head and heart and do what is best for Alivia. She will be 15 years old this month! :D

Oh Mary Beth, it is so good to hear from you!

We are never here to judge any one, and yes, opinions vary of various subjects but the only thing we want and pray for is that these sweet pups are doing fine and are feeling great.

I am so happy to hear that Alivia is feeling and doing well. Always go with your gut because you are the only one that knows Alivia best.

Please do keep us updated!

Love and hugs,
Lori

Mary Beth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

I am so glad you came back and to hear Alivia is doing well. I am sorry that her allergies got so bad. Allergies are so darn hard. Zoe finally stopped chewing her paws, just plain stopped. First time in 4 years I think that she stopped completely for an extended period of time.:confused::confused:

How is Maxwell? Have you made any more dog treats? How are you feeling? I have been thinking about you and now here you are:D:D:D

I am so thrilled to hear from you.

Mary Beth! Alivia! Yay, glad to hear from you!
You know my Tasha was on prednisone for years because of her allergies. Every time I tried to get her off the prednisone, it would just come back. She ended up on it her entire life. I now know it probably tipped her into cushings, but didn't know that then.
At 15 if it is helping her, then that is good! And coat back too.
So what have you been up to? so good to see you here again!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi, Lori, Addy and Sharlene.
Good to hear from you all! Besides Alivia's skin issues clearing up completely, she is not showing any cushing's symptoms, either (knock on wood). So, for now, all is well. :D

Maxwell will be 13 years old in August and he still acts like a puppy - full of energy and almost always healthy.

Everything has been going so well that we got a new addition - a baby parakeet named Zuni. Alivia doesn't pay much attention to him but Maxwell spends HOURS (literally) staring at him and wagging his little tail. I am not sure yet if Zuni is his new best friend or if he thinks he would be a good snack. Everyone has been teasing me about how I spoil my pets because Zuni is about 4 inches tall and weighs about 2 or 3 ounces and I got him a cage that is taller than me - they are calling it his mansion! :p He's a pretty little bird - I'll post some pictures.

Hello Mary Beth, so happy that Alivia is doing so well...how wonderful. I have to say I love the picture of her, she looks like she is driving. :D And Happy 15th Birthday to her. :D The best gift is good health. It is good to read some happy /cute news. Maxwell and Zuni, funny what brings us and our pupps joy...the simplest things. Every day is a blessing.
Sharon and Norman

Happy 15th Birthday, Alivia!!! :D Special treats and extra loving today!!

Happy 15th Birthday, Alivia!

You were born the same day as Squirt! What a special day that was indeed!

Happy 15th Birthday, Alivia!

Happy Birthday Alivia!!

Happy Birthday Alivia

Alivia!!! Happy Birthday!!!

The happiest of birthdays for you Alivia


Hi MB, hope she is doing well and you and Maxwell are too!:):)

Happy Birthday, Alivia!

Happy Birthday Alivia- I sincerely hope you and you mom have a wonderful day!!! God Bless you both.

I haven't been here for quite awhile...a lot going on, but I wanted to post an update about Alivia.

Ali is doing okay. She is really starting to show her age (15 1/2). I worry about her every day. She seems to be completely deaf...at least most of the time. Once in awhile it seems like she can hear - my daughter says it's selective. :rolleyes: Her arthritis in her back seems to be causing more problems than cushings. Steps are getting more and more difficult for her. Carpeting the hardwood stairs seemed to have helped a lot for awhile. But, even with the carpet, they are becoming hard for her to navigate again. Most concerning, is for the past few weeks, she will not let me touch her head - she will snarl her lips and bare her teeth and snap at me...something she never, EVER did. At first it seemed like it was because she didn't hear me and it startled her, but I tried making sure she saw my hand coming and got the same reaction. I know I need to take her back to her specialist for this new symptom, but I hate to cause her any additional stress and I am also afraid of what she may say. The specialist will most likely want to do another ultrasound and since I will not put her through surgery that I truly believe she will not survive, I am not sure what the value of the ultrasound would be. The US would be so stressful for Ali and I really believe any stress on her is not a good thing.

It is not all doom and gloom, though. Ali still enjoys watching television. She has good days and bad. She still attempts to play with Max sometimes, but tires easily. She does not have a ravenous cushing's appetite (never really did), but she usually eats well. Her mother and sister both were in good health and died at age 13, so that always weighs on my mind. One day at a time here.

Hi Mary Beth!

Good to hear from you again! :) These old gals can keep us in a tizzy, huh? I can relate to what you are saying about testing - especially when we already know we won't take any drastic steps such as surgery at their age. We just keep doing the best we can to help them enjoy each day as much as possible...and doing it all with love.

I wonder if Ali's mouth might be bothering her? Is she eating alright, chewing normally? Also wonder about a headache that might make her snap when you reach for her head. And she could be like me - just grouchier and grouchier as she ages! :p

Is she on treatment these days? Squirt hasn't been on her Lyso for over a month now since her seizure and no signs! Weird, huh?

Don't be a stranger! ;)
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Hi Mary Beth! :) So good to hear from you.
I totally get you. It's hard to know how much more testing one should do and at what point, you just stop the tests and go on with life, doing the best you can, all the time, which you already do.
Maybe it is a tooth or mouth issue as Leslie mentioned. Or maybe an ear problem?
I hope Ali has many more enjoyable days ahead of her. She has to keep Max on his toes :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

MBK:
Glad to hear from you. So sorry that your baby is having problems. I had to do some things with Tipper the last few months and she became very agressive to me and doing what Ali did to you. I can't remember is Ali on the Vetoryl? I have been told by many that this can produce many changes in their personalities etc. I hope you find out what is wrong, and God bless her for making it to that age, with your help I am sure she will be around a lot longer. I hope everything goes well and it was just some sort of fluke, and she didn't mean it. Blessings
Patti

I wonder if something is hurting her? Definitely worth a checkup with the vet.

Well, it's been awhile so I thought I'd check in with an update on Alivia. She saw her IMS last week for her 6 month check up - yes, she hasn't had to go in between for quite awhile!!! :D

Ali is 15 1/2 years old! The vet was amazed; said Ali looks better than dogs she sees that are much younger, including her own 12 year old! Her fur has all grown back and it is soft, shiny and thick. Most importantly, she has no symptoms of Cushing's!! Her blood work has IMPROVED overall from 6 months ago!! Her blood pressure is controlled. :D:D She walks like an old lady and she seems to be almost deaf. Just when I am sure she is totally deaf, she'll act like she heard something. :confused: The vet thinks the pain she was having is from arthritic changes in her back/neck. She wants me to give her fish oil and prescribed a pain med to keep her comfortable, as needed.

I went to a pet expo today and talked to an aromatherapist there about Ali's arthritis. I bought an essential oil mixture from her that is safe for dogs (and people). She said to massage it into her spine area - it has peppermint and several other essential oils (diluted to be safe for her size) - I'm thinking it may be like Ben-Gay for pooches! It was expensive, but worth a try, and will be worth every penny if it helps her feel better!

About the pet expo...loved seeing all the dogs but there were a lot of rescue groups and I wanted to save ALL of them. It always breaks my heart to see homeless ones - especially the seniors. They just don't deserve to be tossed away. :( I had a hard time leaving without one! Shorty (Pit Boss) was there with his dog Hercules. It was fun seeing them - he is really funny.

Well, that's my update! Give all your babies hugs from me and Ali. I am not here much anymore but I still think of you all often!!

Hi Mary Beth!

It is great to hear from you and getting a wonderful update about Ali is a bonus!!! I am so thrilled that Ali is doing so well, Kudos to you!! Sending huge and loving hugs to you both, Lori

Hi!! I'm so glad that Alivia is doing so well. Kudos to you! 15 1/2, Yay, she's Really do well. What a sweetheart.

Oh don't I know how hard it is not to take every one of those precious babies home with you. I agree it is very sad to see the elderly ones and know that someone probably gave them up. Optimally every dog will have a safe loving home to grow old in and be loved, but it just doesn't happen always :( I love the rescues that try really hard to find homes for them especially.

Hugs and don't be such a stranger! :)
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

It's right here, Addy! Well kind of...2 postings up! ;)

Here it is!!!!!! I must be having a senior moment:p:p:p

Oh Mary Beth this is such a good report. You have overcome so much with Ali and I beam with joy that she has no signs of Cushings and the chewing stopped and her little butt is no longer sore.

Zoe lost much of her hearing two years ago but she can always hear me go to the kitchen:D:D:D;) I think they have selective hearing indeed.

How is Maxwell? I'm sure he must be fine. Koko just had a dental and is milking it.:D:D

I am so happy to hear from you. Please keep coming back with updates on Alivia who has the most beautiful eyes.

Thank you, Lori and Sharlene. It is good to catch up with everyone and I should check in more often. So many people here that I don't know now, but the stories are all sadly familiar. You regulars are amazing to keep up with it all.

Addy, I will have to agree...Alivia has gorgeous, soulful eyes. And, there is absolutely nothing wrong with her eyesight. She loves to lay on the couch and watch TV. She NEVER misses spotting an animal, even if they are in the background for a second! She will bark at them. When her hearing was good, she REALLY disliked any animal that could talk like a human. There is a Beggin Strips commercial where the dog talked and that would really upset her! She just sees no need for talking animals. :p

Oh, the sore butt and severe itching to the point of being furless and having red, raw skin...you'll never guess what we finally resorted to. Prednisone! I just regret that we waited so long and she suffered so much and for so long before we tried it. I was terrified, but the outcome could not have been better! Almost immediate relief from the constant itching and it seems to have also had the side effect of alleviating her Cushing's symptoms as well.

I feel so fortunate to have Ali still. There were definitely times that I never thought she'd see life this long. She is absolutely amazing and such a little fighter. She has left multiple vets scratching their heads and wondering how she reversed something they had seen in tests. Her IMS is continually amazed with her and says that she has had several miracles. I'm okay with that and hope the miracles continue! :D

I was petting Ali last night and noticed a patch of missing fur on her neck. I started to panic thinking here we go again. Then I remembered the tech at the IMS's office told me they had to shave a spot to do her blood tests last week and that's what I was seeing! :o Her fur has grown back so thick, that you really have to search to even find the area they shaved! It already has fur growing back, too!!

Just goes to show that even when they are doing well, you never stop worrying. Thankfully, it was a false alarm! :D

Happy 4th, everyone!

ROFL! Way to freak yourself out Mary Beth. :) That sounds like something I would do. hahaha

Just really shows that Alivia is doing very well. yay for that!!!

Happy 4th!

Sharlene and Molly Muffin