Hi Tipper's mom,
I am wondering if the throat, rasping sound and breathing issues could be related to trachea issues (collapsing). Or, possibly allergies.
Terry
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Hi Tipper's mom,
I am wondering if the throat, rasping sound and breathing issues could be related to trachea issues (collapsing). Or, possibly allergies.
Terry
Terry:
I do not think so as she never had any problem before she started snoring with the Cushings. Thank you for your help I appreciate it.
Hi everyone:
I got Tippers latest results back today and need some help to go in the right direction. They are as follows:
Tipper is on 20 mg Vetorl morning 10 mg at night
ACTH
Pre: 1.5 Last one was 1.4
Post 5.4 Last one was 8.7
The blood panel is where I need help also:
BC Ratio 30 no lab guide was 18 on last one in October
Triglycerides 625 { 20-150} lab guide Last blood work in October - result was 494
HGB 19.9 {12-18} in October this was 19.1
HCT 59.5 {37*55} in October 54.9
Reticulocyte 153 {10-110} in October 97
Absolute Lymphocyte 985 {1000-4800}
Albumin 4.3 {2.5-4.0} October it was 4.3
Could this possibly mean that Tipper is starting into Hemolytic Anemia??? These were all the highs and lows. Everything else was normal. On all her other blood work this is the first time she had a high Reticulocyte reading.
Is her ACTH where it should be. She is doing fine and every once in a while gets hungry at nite before her evening Vetoryl 10 mg. Has anyone else had experience with this and what should I be doing ?? If this means Tipper is becoming anemic what do I need to do immediately??? Thank you all kindly in advance, and God Bless all your babies.
Was Tipper fasted for the bloodwork? Was there any mention of hemolysis? I hope Debbie drops in to share her experience but I have commented below about the results:
These are great results, especially if all of Tipper's symptoms have resolved.Quote:
ACTH
Pre: 1.5 Last one was 1.4
Post 5.4 Last one was 8.7
I realize there is no reference range but does the labwork say that 30 is high or low? I believe normal values are between 10 and 20 but I have no idea if this differs between labs. This value is a comparison of BUN and Creatinine. Do you have the individual results for these? A low value indicates an increased creatinine or low bun. The bun is commonly low in cushdogs so a low ratio is what we are used to seeing. A high ratio is consistent with low creatinine or high BUN.Quote:
BC Ratio 30 no lab guide was 18 on last one in October
I asked about hemolysis and fasting because excessive fat in the blood that can cause an elevation and so can a recent meal. Cushing's and other systemic diseases like diabetes and hypothyrodism can also cause this increase.Quote:
Triglycerides 625 { 20-150} lab guide Last blood work in October - result was 494
This would be considered an inconsequential elevation which can be caused from mild dehydration. I'm not completely sure but I think if Tippy had anemia, HGB would be low. Where are you Debbie? :DQuote:
HGB 19.9 {12-18} in October this was 19.1
This would also be considered a mild elevation and again, can be caused from mild dehydration. As with HGB, I think this value would be low if anemia was involved.Quote:
HCT 59.5 {37*55} in October 54.9
I have to take a pass on this one as I'm unsure under what circumstances other than anemia, this value would be elevated.Quote:
Reticulocyte 153 {10-110} in October 97
Not a very significant abnormality and I believe that stress can cause this.Quote:
Absolute Lymphocyte 985 {1000-4800}
Again, not a very big elevation and mild increases are commonly chalked up to mild dehydration.Quote:
Albumin 4.3 {2.5-4.0} October it was 4.3
Did your vet discuss the results of the blood work with you? If so, what did s/he have to say about it? I'll send Debbie a PM and ask her share her thoughts on the bloodwork. She'll let you know if I'm full of it. :D
Glynda
Glynda:
Yes the lab considered 30 on the BC high. She never had this before, all these elevations are recent. Tipper did however have a meal before the bloodwork, as she was having the ACTH the same day and had to eat for that test. Her Triglycerides are so high though, could a meal cause them to be this high? It scares me. The Vet really never gets into a discussion with me about the results. He says he is going to go over all this with the vet at Dechra, and will get back to me. I question him thoroughly on everything, and I think he doesn't like me doing that. So he tries to put me off. He is as slow as molasses so that is why I was scared about the BC if I needed to do something right away that is why I came here. I trust the people on here before the vet as his experience with this is very limited. If I don't get the right answers off of him soon, I will call the vet at Dechra myself, as I have done in the past. My Vet never seems to have any sense of urgency for anything. The Bun was 27 the range was 7-27 and the creatinine was 0.9 range was 0.4-1.8 Glucose was 95. Thank you Glynda I always can count on you for the straight information. Let me know what else you think after reading this.
I think some of the abnormalities are definitely because Tipper was not fasted. That includes the high Bun Creatinine Ratio. The Bun was at upper limit of normal but creatinine was very normal so non fasting would explain the higher ratio. Not fasting can also cause fairly high triglycerides, especially if Tipper is on a higher fat or higher carb diet.
The acth stimulation test results are good so if all symptoms are much better or completely resolved, a call to Dechra would not normally be necessary. If your vet has to call Dechra so they can interpret Tipper's other bloodwork, I'd be pretty concerned about his experience or lack thereof. IMO, there is absolutely no reason why any vet should get annoyed with a pet owner for taking a proactive participation in their dog's treatment and asking questions. If your vet is not willing to sit down with you to discuss the results of the blood work and answer any questions you have, without copping an attitude, I would suggest you either 1) ignore his unmerited annoyance and don't leave the office until he's answered all of yoiur questions or 2) find another vet who is very experienced with cushing's and appreciates an educated pet owner. Believe me, I've interviewed more than a few vets over the years and none of them have thrown me out of their office....a few probably thought about it but managed to keep their composure. :D I trust very few gp vets to know their butt from a hole in the ground where cushing's is concerned so I'm very picky about who treats my cushdog, and my other medically needy kids for that matter.
Glynda
Glynda:
Thank you for taking the time to help me. Tipper is on a low carb diet. She eats Hills WD and some chicken breast, that's it. When she first started with the Cushings and was tested her Triglycerides were high, somewhere I read Cush dogs do get these higher numbers. I don't see how it could be her diet, as she gets nothing else except maybe a piece of carrot or a bean. The Vet I have is the best of the ones around here, and I try to put up with him for the sake of an emergency situation with Tipper. I think the reason he wants to check everything out with the Dechra Vet is that he knows I research everything he tells me, and am sure he wants a second opinion. He never called me today, so I will call the Vet at Dechra. Basically I am the one who finds the solutions and just use him for any meds etc. That is why I got Dr. Peterson as a consultant, I am aware of the short comings of my Vet and I always double and triple check everything before I let him do anything. We live in the country and this is the best way I can manage things. I never, never ever trust him under any circumstances. It's a shame, but it is what it is. There is also a younger Vet in the practice that I talk these things over with. This is the best situation I could come up with. I am with Tipper 24/7 I never leave her, so that is one saving grace. I am able to see any problems and deal with them quickly. I do all the work, and the Vet collects all the money. Oh well enough I cannot dwell on it. I will have some answers on all this tomorrow, and will post then. Again thank you for all you do for me.
Just wanted to mention that WD is not a low carb diet. It is actually kinda high in carbs with corn being the first ingredient. Corn has a fairly high glycemic index which I believe will increase triglycerides after a meal. You are correct that cushing's can be responsible for high triglycerides but once the cortisol is reduced, those elevations should normalize. It could be a combination of both.
I totally understand your predicament with your vet and all I have to say is Tipper is sure lucky to have you as her mom and excellent advocate. Before long, you will be qualified to run your vet's office and see patients. :D Keep up the good work.
Glynda
While I haven't a clue about the blood work results and what they mean, it's really good to see Tippers ACTH results, being so good compared to last time and symptoms abated.
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Sharlene and Glynda:
Thank you both for your help. I questioned my Vet when he put Tipper on WD and he said the nutritionist at Hills said this is what she should be on. I told him the first ingriedient was corn and that did not make sense to me to put her on this. She was eating Newmans Own for Senior dogs prior to this. Can anyone recommend a good low carb diet for her??? I am going to contact the Vet at Dechra now and will let you know what he says. I thank God for you all every day, you are so much help considering the Vet problems I have to deal with. To think I got him and all his staff some baked goodies for Christmas, to try and break thru to them that I am not trying to be a bitch, I am just trying to save my dogs life. None of them even thanked me so I guess that is a message in itself. All I want form them is a little cooperation, fighting this uphill battle with them is daunting to say the least. My Dr. has had to give me a mild tranquilizer because of my blood pressure being high from all this stress.