Down the Cushings Road Again -- Abbie, 15 year old beagle is now at peace

Judy and Sharlene, I'm putting you in charge of getting this cortisol meter in the works! Ok? OK! That would be the coolest thing since sliced bread!

Sure hope the throat will turn out to be nothing serious... About picking up a dog, well, at least the smaller to midsized ones, I was taught by an orthopedic surgeon that the best way to pick up a dog (again...depending on the size) was to place one fore arm between the front legs (the dogs muzzle is facing your elbow) and support the chest with that hand and to "scoop up" the dogs behind with your other fore arm/elbow area (almost as if the dog sits on your fore arm/in your elbow area) Maybe you could try this approach? :) Don't try this if you have a Lab or similar size dog :p

Saskia and Quincy :)

My Bear had a collapsed trachea, the slightest pressure and he would cough which sounded like a goose "honking." He never seemed to be in pain with it, but all dogs are different.

Hoping Abbie's throat issue turns out to be something minor and resolves itself quickly.

Hugs, Lori

Thanks for your support! I was up at 4:30 this morning worrying about Abbie and trying to decide what the next best step is, i.e., have her seen by my vet or see how soon I can get her in to see her internist. I decided to see if the vet could see her tomorrow which is his only day in the office this week. If she does need to see the internist, my vet can help me get a quicker appointment and it would be best if he had actually seen Abbie. I called the vet's office and explained what was going on and asked if the vet could fit her in tomorrow or, as an alternative, call me early in the day. The tech said she would call the vet and get back to me later. She called back in about 10 minutes to tell me that I should bring her in at 10:00 tomorrow. It will most likely be a long wait as they are fitting her in but obviously the vet is concerned about her.

Abbie was definitely not feeling good this morning. After much encouragement she finally got out of bed-- she walked outside with me but just sat on the driveway and wouldn't pee. Just turned around and walked back to the door. I put her pepcid in some canned food which is what I do every morning and she wouldn't take it off the spoon. I put it on my finger and tried to get it in her mouth but she spit everything out. A while later, just as I took out the emergency prednisone, she came up to me obviously looking for food!

I tried another pill first and she eagerly took it. After the 20 minute wait she gobbled up her breakast (although I gave her a smaller amount). I gave her more tramadol and she laid down to rest. I tried a couple more times to get her out to pee/poop before leaving for tai chi but she would not go out. When I came home she went out to pee but wouldn't go for a walk. She has since been sleeping off and on.

I did, of course, do some research last night and the majority of veterinarian produced articles listed Cushing's as one of the possible causes of acquired trachea problems. Abbie has been gagging when she drinks water for about a year and a half so am wondering if she wasn't starting down the Cushing's road at that time.

Saskia -- I appreciate your guidance on how to pick up a dog. I think I have been doing as you indicated but will definitely ask the vet to show me tomorrow how to pick up Abbie when necessary. I have limited flexibility due to fibromyalgia so picking her up has always been more challenging.

Sorry about the long post ...

I'm glad you got an appt with the vet. It rather seems like her cortisol has dropped again doesn't it. Abbie seems to fall right in the middle of too much vs too little.

Hmmm, well it does make sense that cushings could affect the trachea as it weakens muscles..Tendons and ligaments can be affected.

Awww... poor Abbie. I hate it when they feel bad and aren't themselves. I hope you can get some answers tomorrow about her throat and hopefully it is nothing serious. I hope she has a better day tomorrow.

You're such a good mom. :)

Hi, all! We are back from the vet and, considering the possibilities, I am feeling good. Abbie's pain is coming from her spine, not her throat. The vet did a very thorough examination -- absolutely no discomfort when he pressed all up and down her throat. However, as he worked his way down her spine, she flinched and her back sunk down. She has had issues with the upper part of her spine before but not the current section.

We talked about treatment options, agreeing that it is more than likely that a lowered cortisol level is the reason that the current problems are more evident. The vet suggested: 1) adding a small dose of prednisone to her every other day Lysodren dose; 2) lowering her Lysodren dose; and, 3) trying an NSAID for 5-7 days. I opted for #3. My preference was Deramaxx but he didn't have any so he chose Metacam. Abbie got her first dose at the vet.

She also was showing some allergy symptoms (dripping nose, discharge from eyes). Because Abbie has been on benedryl for a long time, we decided to switch her to generic zyrtec.

I dropped Abbie off at home and went to buy the zyrtec. When I got home, Abbie was much more alert than she has been and even started barking when I told her it was lunchtime (she gets a little piece of bread crust ...). After lunch she went for her first walk in several days. The insert with the Metacam did say that there might be dramatic improvement and I would have to say there was! I am to call the vet next week (or sooner if necessary) to let him know how Abbie is feeling. Hopefully, we are on an up trend!

I also got out the steps that I had used previously with Abbie -- she was great about using them to get in and out of the car. She used them to get up on the bed but only after a great deal of coaxing. Not sure she will use them if I am not with her but every little bit helps.

Oh poor baby. When that happened to molly last winter, I had to keep her from running around or jumping for 6 weeks. I too got steps and put them at the window seat, her favorite spot.

Hopefully she'll feel better soon.

Hugs,

Hi, all! Abbie continued to feel well yesterday but today was a setback. When she did walk, her head was down and again no vocalizing at all. I gave her some tramadol a couple of hours ago and she is sleeping heavily now. I probably should have given her some earlier but just didn't think of it.

My neighbor came over to look at Abbie's framed portrait (it came out really nice :D) and, when she saw all of Abbie's meds on the counter, she asked how on earth I could keep everything straight! I bet most of us have similar-looking counters. :rolleyes:

How is she doing Judy? I'm hoping no more setbacks. :(