How is Jasper today?
hugs,
Sharlene
Printable View
How is Jasper today?
hugs,
Sharlene
Hi Sharlene and Leslie,
Thanks so much for the support and for checking on my little man. I think he is doing ok for the most part. I gave him the dose of prednisone 2.5 mg on Monday night as my vet instructed after we got home from getting his labs drawn. He did finish his food a couple of hrs later. Yesterday morning he walked away from his food a couple of times while eating, but he did finish it all. The prednisone is prescribed to be given once a day as needed so I figured I would give him another dose last night if he didn't eat like normal. Well, he ate all his food with no hesitation last night so I didn't give the prednisone. This morning he walked away a couple of times briefly while chewing, but returned each time and did finish it all. He is not showing any other signs of low cortisol, no vomiting or diarrhea, and his energy seems ok. I didn't give any more prednisone this morning.
So tonight he walked away from the bowl a couple of times while chewing again. He resumed and did finish. I went ahead and gave him another dose of the prednisone, 2.5 mg.
My vet said she would call if anything was wrong with the electrolytes, otherwise would just call when the stim test results were back. I didn't hear from her yesterday or today, so I am guessing there wasn't anything significant with the lytes.
I hope I did the right thing by giving him another dose of the prednisone. I feel torn since he isn't having other symptoms. I don't think it will hurt anything, will it?
I am hoping to have the results of the ACTH test tomorrow or Friday. Will post when I get them, but I suspect he is going to be low. I will ask for the electrolyte results then too. Gosh, this is such a roller coaster. I worry about him ALL the time.
I hope your pups are feeling well this evening. :)
Hugs,
Tina and Jasper
Keep us posted. Don't worry too much about it. If he were really low you'd have diarrhea and lethargy to the point you thought he was dying. I'm thinking he's loaded. I hope I'm right. You are doing great. Once loaded the hard part is over. Kim
Not having lytes out of wack is a good start and no call means hopefully no problem. Kim might be on the right track and he's loaded now. That would be really good!
Hugs,
Sharlene
Thanks Kim! He has been on the maintenance dose for the past 4 weeks after really bottoming out while loading, where his level got down to 0.5 ug/dl. He didn't show any of those severe symptoms then, so that is why I feel worried about it now since he is showing a change with his eating. I am looking forward to the hard part being over, that's for sure!
Tina
Thanks for reminding me.. I remember now. Hopefully the numbers will be good. I stand by my opinion though - addisonian dogs have more extreme issues. Anything over 1.0 is good. If on the lower side you can adjust by simply waiting a week or two to commence regular dosing.
Yes, that's what we did the last time. If the level is low again this time, I imagine we will need to decrease the dose after waiting again to restart. I am hopeful we can get it stabilized soon, of course! He seems to be very sensitive to the drug.
Tina
Look at it like this - it will be cheaper to treat! Those pills aren't cheap ;) You just have to figure out the correct amount. Keep us posted!!
You are certainly right about that, they are not cheap! Gotta look at the positives. And from what I have read it sounds like Vetoryl is even more expensive than Lysodren.
Dear Tina
Thank you for the heart felt words. Trilostane is cheaper on line than with the vets. They have a ridiculous mark up. I have bought from Dr. Foster and Smith on line. Just search trilostane and the dosage you need. Be sure the company is reputable. Other's can tell you where to buy also.
HUgs Sonja and Apollo
Hi Everyone,
We are still waiting for the stim test results, they were overnighted to MSU on Tues so hope for results before the weekend.
So I gave Jasper 2.5 mg of prednisone last night because he wasn't eating too well again. No other symptoms of low cortisol were apparent, but my vet told me to give him a dose Mon night for the same symptoms, so I gave it to him again. He was drinking more after it of course. Well, he had an accident real early this morning. Couldn't hold it and just started peeing. Poor little guy, he just looked pitiful afterwards. I let him out right away and he went some more. He is drinking a large amt again, and still peeing a lot. I know this is all related to the prednisone dose and am now wondering if I shouldn't have given it last night. How long until it is out of his system?
Thanks everyone,
Tina and Jasper
It shouldn't take too long for it to be out of the system but I'd cease the prednisone. It's OK to give on occasion to a dog that isn't addisonian but it mimics cortisol so the symptoms come back in cases where cortisol isn't too low.. so maybe you now can feel better that the numbers from the test won't be too low? :) I only used MSU 's lab one time and it took over a week.. I have no idea why but it drove me nuts. Most labs are 24 hrs. (Idexx) That said - MSU was the only lab that proved my dog was misdiagnosed so I am thankful. (false positive on all others)
Hang in there!!!! Kim
Hi Kim,
Yes, that's what I was thinking about his cortisol level since the Cushing symptoms came back. That didn't happen so much after the dose on Mon night. Those are the only two doses he has received. So maybe the level won't be super low like last time, but he has definitely shown some hesitation with his eating. No, I won't be giving any more prednisone unless something more is going on, or my vet says to.
The other two stim tests he has had both went to MSU and both were back in about two days. My vet did say that was faster than usual, so I guess we were lucky.
Tina and Jasper
Well it's good to that you now know he probably isn't having low cortisol. It's always iffy what to try and figure things out by, what symptoms. It might be that when the cortisol comes down, and that rush of good feelings that they have when they have high cortisol, that he just doesn't feel so awesome and not as interested in food. It will be good to get the numbers so you know whats going on.
Hang in there! Hopefully results will be in soon.
hugs,
Sharlene
My vet called yesterday afternoon with the results of Jssper's stim test drawn late on 8/27. It was even lower than it got after loading, and he has been on maintenance dosing for the past 4 weeks.
Baseline - 5 nmol (50-100)
1 hr post ACTH - 5 nmol (50-100)
I about died when the vet told me those numbers. (I know it is almost 0 when converted to ug/dl!!) She was surprised also. His levels when he got so low after loading were 15 and 14 nmol. And I thought that was scarey.
Let me say that he was not showing any of the critical warning signs of low cortisol, either back with the first crash, or now. He has seemed good all week except for some difficulty getting him to eat, which I have talked about in a previous post, as well as getting 2 doses of the prednisone one on 8/27 by order of my vet, and again on 8/29, when he wasn't eating so great. He got side effects from the last dose and his drinking and peeing shot up, and he had an accident in the house.
Since he didn't seem to be feeling bad and it had been 4 days since his blood was drawn, my vet recommended that I watch him and use the prednisone as needed, but didn't expect more severe symptoms to develop since we were a few days out, and no more Lysodren has been given.
Well, first thing this morning, he started vomiting. I thought I better give him a dose of the prednisone, but he continued to vomit. I know he would not be able to keep it down. Of course I called my vet right away, thank goodness she is working today, she does not work every Saturday. While I was waiting for someone to call back he vomited about 6-8 more times, and I decided he needed to be seen, and so did my vet. He is there now, they had me drop him off.
My vet called a bit ago, they did a bunch more labs. I did not get the specific results yet, but she said the CBC and WBCs are normal. He is dehydrated, sodium is now low at 133 (it was ok on 8/27), potassium is normal at 5, and the chemistry showed the kidney values were all ok and his blood sugar was normal. His alk phos is still mildly elevated and he continues to have high lipids (he has had this for a while and gets fish oil to help). Again this was all on a phone call, I will get copies of the labwork later.
She said she does not feel he is addisonian. She feels the nausea and vomiting are not related to the Cushings and mentioned pancreatitis. They are running a test for that now, but she said is not 100% conclusive. He has been started on IV fluids for the dehydration and to get the sodium level up. She will be calling back with an update soon, they close at 2:00 today. She said he may need to stay at the hospital tonight to get fluids, etc.
I am so worried and upset, I read a bit about pancreatitis and it sounds scarey. But I am SO thankful my Dr is working today, and that this happened this morning rather than midnight tonight or tomorrow with the holiday on Monday.
Any feedback or advice would be appreciated. I don't know what I would do without all of you here. Please keep my little guy in your thoughts. Sorry this is so long, I wanted to give as much info as I could.
Thanks and hugs,
Tina and Jasper
Hi Tina,
I am so glad your vet was in today when you needed her, too! Please let us know how Jasper is when you learn something, as you can. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Thanks Leslie, I am feeling scared right now. It is essentially closing time for my vet's office, and she has not called back yet. I imagine they will be keeping him now.
Hugs,
Tina
Hugs Tina! I know that has to be so scary. :( I hope your baby is feeling better soon.
Tina, I am so sorry you are having such a scary time with poor Jasper.
I am so glad your vet was working today.
Please keep us updated and let us know what is happening.
I can only imagine how frightened you are feeling so I am sending huge hugs your way.
Sending prayers as well
Tina, thank god the vet was on duty today. So they are going to keep giving him fluids for the dehydration. I think we've had some people here whose pups have had some bouts with pancreatitis. It is a risk with cushings dogs from what I've read.
The good thing is that he got in right away and I would expect a phone call in the morning to tell you how he did over night. Are they normally open on Sundays? Will your vet be coming in to check on him?
Hoping to hear that Jasper is okay now and able to come home soon. I know you are just worried sick and we'll all be here with you if you need to have a chat.
hugs,
Sharlene
Thanks so much for all the support you guys. I heard back from my vet at about 3 or so. They are keeping Jasper in the hospital tonight. She said the test for pancreatitis was negative, which is good news. I didnt get the name of the test, she was giving me so much information, I forgot to ask. I think she said the test had 95% reliability when it is negative, but when positive can show a lot of false positives. So she feels confident that it is not pancreatitis.
She had initially said that she didn't think he was Addisonian, I think because his potassium wasn't elevated even though his sodium is low. She said she did not feel comfortable with his sodium at the level it was. She said she had consulted with all the other vets at the office today, and also did a lot of reading, and felt it would best to give Jasper Percorten. From what she explained, this is an injectable med that is given for Addison's to treat the deficiency in the mineralcorticoids which causes the electrolyte problems ( low sodium). Apparently these can also get low along with the cortisol when treating Cushings, this is why it is so important to check the electrolytes in addition to cortisol levels. Please feel free to correct any of this if I didn't understand correctly.
So he is on IV fluids over night to get him rehydrated. He had some IV medication for the nausea, an injection of cortisone, and the Percorten. Poor little guy! My vet said he is being a trooper and is handling it all well. Hasn't even messed with the IV.
She said that the vomiting had stopped thank goodness. The on call Dr was there till 6 or so, but then Jasper will be there by himself through the night. :(
The IV is on a pump so I don't have to worry about it over infusing. They are closed on Sunday's, but someone will be in to check on him and the other patients first thing in the morning. And my vet said she was going in also in the morning to check on him and wanted to recheck his hydration. She will call me then and we will see if he has responded well enough and is feeling well enough to come home.
So yes, I am very worried and scared, and worry about him being alone all night. I am wondering if all the problems today can possibly be a delayed reaction to his cortisol level being so low from Monday? Maybe his adrenals are not regrowing well this time and the level has stayed critically low for the past 5 days and now his body is showing it?
Well, I feel like I have 3 guardian angels looking after me and my baby boy. 1. The fact that my vet was working today, 2. That this didn't happen later in the weekend when my vets office was closed, and 3. All of you here to help this worried sick Mom cope with all of this.
Many hugs, and thanks,
Tina and Jasper
TIna I will say a prayer for Jasper & you. I know you are scared with him there alone over night. :( I hope you can get some rest & peace will wash over you till morning. He has his angels there with him too.. ;)
Hi Tina,
I know it is worrying about the over night thing but would they leave him alone if they had any concerns? Low Cortisol and low sodium could make him feel sick I would think.
We still right here with you :)
Hugs
Sharlene
I hope you were able to get some sleep and I sure hope Jasper is feeling better this monring.
Let us know when you hear from your vet.
I am so glad it was not Pancreatitis.
((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))0
Mornin' sweetie,
How is our boy this morning? I hope his night went very well and that he will be able to come back home to your loving arms today. Bet you didn't get much sleep though, huh? :( Let us hear from you when you can and know we are all still with you!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Checking in on you and Jasper! Hope he can come home today!
Hugs,
Sharlene
Hi All,
Waiting for a call from the vet this morning. They are closed today but she said she would be coming in herself to check on him, rather than the on call Dr. She said it would likely be between 9 & 10 that she would call.
I did get some sleep, but not a whole lot. I am sure you all know how that goes! :rolleyes: ;)
I have an 8 month old mini schnauzer pup also, so she kept me company. She is missing her brother, that's for sure!
So I am sitting here by the phone ready to go get my baby boy. I hope he did well through the night. Will keep you all posted. I hope all your pups are feeling well this morning.
Hugs to all,
Tina and Jasper
any word yet? jasper is feeling good today.
I just got Jasper home from the hospital, the Dr felt he was doing well enough to come home. Yay!!!!!!!!! :D :) :D :) :D :) :D
They said he was doing much better, hydration was much better, and his electrolytes were much improved this morning. He is drinking and they said he seemed hungry and ate a few treats. He was sent home with 2 more doses of the anti nausea medication that I am to give the next 2 mornings, and he is to continue on prednisone 1/2 tab (250 mg) daily for 3 more days starting this evening.
He seemed to have much more energy at first, but since I got him home, is somewhat subdued and seems very tired. Not too worried about that right now because I am sure he is tuckered out from everything and being in the hospital overnight.
I am a little worried because when I gave him a little food after we got home, he ate a couple bites and then walked away like he wasn't too interested. It was just half his normal portion as the vet directed, but I could barely get him to finish it with a lot of coaxing. I would think he would be hungry after no food for more than 24 hrs, and all the meds he has had. He had an injection of dexamethasone while in the hospital, you would think that would help his appetite.
So I will see how it goes. I am going to try to feed him the other half of his breakfast in about an hour.
Thanks everyone for your support and checking in on him this morning!
Hugs and sloppy dog kisses to all,
Tina and Jasper
I am so glad he is home. Maybe Jasper needs a nice long nap and will feel like eating a bit later. He must be so exhausted, poor guy.
Oh, I am so glad Jasper is back home! I know you are thrilled to have him there, too!
The meds, the experience of being in the hospital, the trauma from being sick - all that may have combined to give him more stress than he could easily handle, and coming home where he is comfortable allowed him to let go of all that and rest, which I am sure he badly needs. Hopefully, once he has rested his appetite will return as well. It could be that the meds have made his little tummy kinda blah and the idea of food isn't very appealing right now, too.
Hugs and gentle belly rubs!
Leslie and the gang
Yay so glad Jasper is home.
Maybe he feel more like eating once he's rested up from what was probably a stressful night.
Hope the rest of the weekend is more relaxing for all of you :)
Hugs
Sharlene
Hi Tina, I'm sooooo glad Jasper's home, too! Can you double-check that prednisone dosage, though, because a 250 mg. tablet does not sound like a dose that could possibly be correct -- maybe more like 25 mg.? In addition, with as low as his cortisol dropped, I'm feeling worried about the vet only planning for a 3-day course of supplemental prednisone. I'm assuming you'll be checking in with the vet, though, over the next couple of days in the event that Jasper does not perk up and needs a longer steroid boost.
I so hope he soon starts acting more like himself.
Many hugs,
Marianne
Oh my gosh Marianne, I meant 2.5 mg of prednisone daily for 3 days, beginning with this evening. It is half of a 5 mg tab. I got it confused with his Lysodren dose, which is on hold. I am not surprised, I am pretty frazzled with all that has been going on over the last day and a half!
Thank you so much for checking in on us. Yes, I will be in contact with my vet in the next couple of days, for sure. They are closed tomorrow for the holiday, which is a little anxiety producing at the moment. Jasper has been pretty much sleeping since we got home, I imagine he is pretty wiped out. But it is still making me nervous. I am constantly checking on him. He is not very perky at all. I just got him to eat the rest of his breakfast. (Yes!!) Hopefully he will eat a little more later. Can anyone tell me if it is ok to give the prednisone on an empty or nearly empty stomach, in case he won't eat any more later?
Thanks Addy, Sharlene, and Leslie for the reassurance. Leslie it makes perfect sense what you said. He has been through a lot, and of course I am watching and scrutinizing every little thing. :rolleyes: ;)
Love and hugs to you all,
Tina and Jasper
My gosh... just caught up... have been gone two days.. poor Jasper. He showed no signs of this really.. wow.
Yes you can give prednisone on an empty tummy. I would force it down if you have to. Even though your vet is not thinking addisonian - the cortisol is low and this is what is keeping him going right now. I agree with Marianne and find it unlikely he'll be ready to go off it completely in 3 days. From what we have seen over the years most take it very slow and wean off of it. Otherwise it is too great of a shock to the body.
The prednisone is mimicking the cortisol he's lacking so it is imperative he get it. That is probably also a part of why he is lethargic. As it kicks in he'll start to come around and be more comfy. So glad you took him in when you did and that they were there for you!
Saying prayers for your little one and sending strength and love to you. Kim
Oh my gosh Kim, can you believe it? What a scare this has been, especially since he didn't show signs of this, like you said. I don't think you should go out of town again!! :D ;)
I am wondering if the prednisone being prescribed for 3 more days is just until I touch bases with my vet again. She works again on Wednesday, so that would fit. Of course I can call one of the other Drs on Tuesday if needed, but I hope that won't be necessary.
Yes, I will force the prednisone down him if he won't take it in a treat. I am not messing around. ;)
I was very lucky with the timing of everything. I would have had to take him to that emergency vet clinic in Omaha if it happened last night, or today. Whew! Very scary.
Love and hugs,
Tina and Jasper
yay! I bet it is just him being tired. Boriss wouldn't eat after his day at the vet on Thursday. I think they have to de-funk after a day like that. Glad he is home! :)
Mornin' Tina,
I hope Jasper is feeling much stronger and more like his old self today....and that you were able to rest a bit last nite.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Keeping any eye on Jasper. How is he today?
hugs,
Sharlene
Good morning everyone,
Kind of touch and go with Jasper. Got him to eat his breakfast this morning with a lot of coaxing, but he ate it finally. Very low energy continues, he is not interested in anything and still seems very subdued. He is absolutely not interested in playing with his sister, she seems to annoy him so I am trying to keep them separated so he can rest without her pestering him. She is a typical puppy.
I got up twice during the night to let him out just in case to try to avoid any accidents. He is drinking and peeing a lot again, I am sure because of the prednisone. Just wish his appetite and energy would pick up. He got his prednisone last evening and the anti nausea med this morning. There has been no more vomiting so far thank goodness. Hopefully we are out of the woods with that!
Does it typically take several days or a week to recover from this type of thing and get back to normal?
Thanks for checking on us, and I hope everyone's babies are feeling well this morning and that you are enjoying the holiday!
Hugs,
Tina and Jasper