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

Susan,

They go through periods up and down.

Like the others I am thinking it is not the Cush treatment.

The Cush treatment can lead to other issues as a Cushpup is imunosupressed.

A dog eats. A dog which will not eat is sick.

I also do not get the exhaustive fecal tests.

I think you need heart/liver results.

Scott

Debbie-One of the four medications we've been told to give right now is the metronidazole. The vet specifically told me to give the Trilostane.
Re: fecal testing-it is a number of tests. 3 I think.

I'll bring up spirochetes and giardia blood test. Regarding the eating-He has not eaten anything for one week. NOTHING interests him.

Lori his last dose of Trilo was 1/2 hour ago.

Scott-he has a heart murmur, but it seems okay to the vet. The liver is a possibility-when they gave us the original ACTH results-the special place, not Palmer's vet...the doc spoke of a liver biopsy. The cost for that was out of the question and the vet seemed to be playing that down.

Thanks to all of you for such a quick response. I am indeed very upset. This is my little guy. Your support is wonderful. I'll give you an update tomorrow.
Susan

Susan,

Sorry to hear that Palmer isn't eating. Annie just went thru a similar situation - no diarrhea but stomach cramping and she would hardly eat. Here are the tests I had done:

complete blood panel
B12/Folate (can indicate bacteria in intestines)
Pancreatitus
Ultrasound (to get a good look at what is going on with organs)

After those tests and more that I have forgotten and 2 months of no progress I took my dog to Kansas State (closest specialists) and they did a bunch of tests and finally got the dx when they did an endoscope. She had a nasty bacteria in her stomach that had caused ulcers and bleeding. Sores going all up her esophagus. Who would have thoughts.

Just sharing in case that helps you at all... Kim

Susan,

Is he drinking without being coerced? And if so is his thirst normal?

I think this is one ounce/lb/day.

Scott

Thanks Kim. I am on my computer to put together a fax to send to the vet so she'll have it first thing in the AM. I will include your thoughts.

Scott-there is NO coercing Palmer to do anything. His water intake has slowed down from what it was earlier on. When he comes in from outside, he usually goes right for water. The quantity, however, does seem to be down a good bit. He had two major messes on the carpet this evening....he didn't even let me know he wanted to go out. I don't understand what could be coming out since nothing is going in. We tried rice, this evening, and I just tried some very small bits of steak. The steak he was eating....it was our last resort. Now-nothing. I just played with him a little bit-pushing my hand around his head and he playfully gnawing on my hand.....very gently. He has been shivering this evening.....but the house does get cooler for sleeping. He won't touch the treats.....we have tried everything. I'm guessing at this point he has gone beyond feeling the hunger.

I just don't know where to go with this. He had four needles stuck in him yesterday-three for fluids and heartworm test. He screamed. I've never heard him make that sound. It was almost like a sharp moan.

I think we're meeting with the vet tomorrow. I'll keep you all updated.

Thanks.

Susan

Susan I am so sorry to hear about Palmer - here's hoping he will find something tasty enough to start eating again and that the vets have some answers for you tomorrow.

We are here for you honey,

If it were me I would definitely stop the Trilostane. If Palmer is not eating he is not absorbing the Trilostane properly: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:
Trilostane absorption is enhanced by administration with food. http://www.dechra-us.com/files/dechr...ts/Vetoryl.pdf

Missing a few doses of Trilostane, I don't think, will do any harm, in fact it might be what Palmer needs. Even though his ACTH numbers were perfect just maybe they were too low for Palmer. One can not go by numbers alone, one should take in account the way the pup feels too. JMO. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and hugs,
Lori

I'm with Lori on this one. I would not be giving trilo to a dog that wasn't eating.

Palmer is obviously feeling pretty awful and so I wouldn't want to make him feel any worse. Skipping a few doses wouldn't hurt and it may just help.

Hoping for some good news.

Jenny

Hi Susan,

I am so sorry that Palmer is having such a tough time right now. I would assume your vet has done bloodwork, yes? Can you please post the abnormal results for us, including the reference ranges? Has your vet told you what he thinks the problem is? Pancreatitis, renal failure, primary liver disease?

I absolutely agree with the others....there is no way I would be giving my dogs Trilostane if they were in Palmer's condition. No way, no how!!

Glynda

Susan, Just wanted you to know we are all thinking of you and wishing the best for Palmer. Big hugs, Kim