Dad of Lulu - sweet Lulu has crossed The Bridge

Hi all,

I greatly appreciate all the help. I told Dr. Booth I would see that he gets the website address, plus I know at least one other veterinarian that I am going to send this site too. You see many of the vets with high volume practices only see a handful of Cushing's cases. And the info is out there, but they can't possibly know it all. Dr. Booth seemed eager to get the site, he said give it to the office and they will put it in his notebook.

Yes, Dr. Booth agreed, and said let's check her in a couple of weeks. Another doc. we know suggested a month.

Lulu is doing well. For a bit she didn't seem interested in food about half an hour ago. But then she did eat a biscuit that was by her foot, and I gave her a small bit of chicken which she gladly ate.

She can be funny, and I have noticed that when dogs get older their personalities can change just like people. She seems to be doing well.

I want her to gain a bit of weight, though my wife likes her weight. You can feel her back with and the bone above her head with her skinnier physique. But I think some weight should come back if she is a bit hungrier. Now I did notice that she was pretty hungry late afternoon.

Lulu seems to be not as hungry tonight. She did eat a treat and she doesn't turn down chicken or ham. She did try to get up the stairs by herself and fell back a step, so she might have hurt herself a bit. She has been able to get around, but I think she is tired tonight. Will keep an eye on her.

Will keep an eye on her through the night as I usually do. But she was pretty active this evening so it may just be that she wanted to go to bed early and occasionally will go up early. I don't usually help her up till close to 11, since she likes to be where the family is.

Going to get her a small piece of ham and then retire.

Lulu doesn't feel as well today. She did fall on the steps going up to bed, early last night. I had to help her up. I think she may have slid down a couple of steps. They are carpeted.

This morning she did come down the stairs with my help, but she was bit hesitant. She went outside but after a while she lied down. She does this when she's tired. And she has a bit more trouble lying down, though she can get up.

I got her to eat only some soft food, like chicken, rice, ham and some canned dog food. She wouldn't touch her dry food, her treats or her pills. Now she did eat one meaty bone treat.

I think I will call the vet. I don't know if this would be a sign of Addison's or just that she hurt herself?

She was fairly active yesterday afternoon, and wanting food from us, which is typically normal for her.

So I thought I would post this. She does appear to be comfortable.

Morning,

Yes, I would have her checked out asap. She may have hurt her legs in the fall and / or the cortisol may be too low still. Be sure they check her electrolytes, not just the cortisol. And do NOT let them tell you she needs back on the Trilo - with this behavior, the med would have been stopped for a bit anyway. ;)

Please let us know what you learn and remember that not everything that happens with a cush pup is related to Cushing's so don't let the vets get tunnel vision. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

We have decided to go to vet at about 3 pm, five hours from now, or earlier. Dr. Booth will be the ER doctor at 5:30 pm and they expect a couple hour wait then. So we figure we would get there at 4:30 pm and then just wait until he comes on staff.

Lulu is resting well, she can get up and did so when my wife, Linda (a.k.a. Moo) gave her some chicken and rice. She just perked up when Moo came down. So I think she will be okay and we can see the doctor of our choice, even though it will cost us 12 dollars more for the ER charge.

I agree with Squirt's mom on this one. The lack of interest in food, overall tiredness, trouble with stairs - these are all things that happened to my dog when he was very very sick. He would perk up a bit and I'd think I was over reacting, but then he'd feel bad again. So now I'm of the opinion that it's better to be safe than sorry.

You know, I used to worry about Baxter's weight a lot with the cushings, but once he got cancer I was so grateful for the little bit of chub. And thank goodness for cushings that keep our doggies with a healthy appetite even when they are going through some rough times.

Lulu seems to holding her own. I have her in the basement and going to use the treadmill, she loves the basement. She is alert and can get up and walk outside and pee. I think she did either pull a muscle or otherwise hurt her leg. She will be fine till we leave this afternoon. It has been hectic, as I mentioned bank before, we had a serious break-in and of course the other stressful things.

We will do a short bit of shopping, most for Lulu and stop at my contract job, for money they owe and to touch base.

Lulu comes first for us, but it's been a struggle and I think one of my quotes shows that I am up to it. At least I hope so.

So see you on the other side of the treadmill!

Okay, I am glad she seems better. Let us know what happens with Dr. Booth. I wonder if you should have some prednisone on hand just in case. Some vets will give it to us, some refuse. Maybe ask to see what his feelings are about it.

I am going to ask Dr. Booth about prednisone. I should have some. It saved my life 30 years ago.

Yes, Lulu ate my wife's rice, spinach and something else, a very yummy and low-calorie soup. She added some chicken for Lulu, Moo is a vegetarian. Great recipe

Lulu seems in better spirits, she sat outside while I treadmilled, and then I brought her in with me, and then we both walked out the basement door up the hill to the kitchen for lunch. Now I am back in the basement to shower and get ready to take her to the vet.

Checking in on Lulu, glad she had something to eat. Low cortisol just makes them feel rough around the edges and so I hope that is all it is, but just in case, stick with the chicken and low fat food, don't want to get her pancreas upset.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin