Questions about Cushings - Charlotte has crossed the Bridge

Laurie -- as tough a diagnosis as it is, just having one can bring some peace of mind. The negative effects that the Davis vet mentioned are the primary ones to look out for -- if Charlotte demonstrates any of these, stop the trilostane right away and contact the vet. Did they give you any prednisone to keep on hand for an emergency dose? Since Davis is most likely a 24 hour establishment and they would want to see her right away, they may not have done so. That said, it would be a lot easier in the middle of the night to give some prednisone and head there in the morning.

Hang in there -- you and Charlotte will do just fine!

Thanks Judy! No they didnt give me any prednisone but now i wish i had asked for it. It would be nice to have it just in case. She had her first dose this morning and will continue with just once a day for the next 3 days. Ive noticed more trembling today but other than that she seems the same.

****UPDATE****I forgot to mention that Charlotte had diarrhea about 5-6 times during her last day at Davis while they were doing the low dose dex test. It started in the car ride there, she had diarrhea and vomited once. This was before any meds of course and they thought maybe it was the stress of all the tests. Ive been feeding her boiled chicken and rice since then. She has been very restless tonight and the trembling continues to be bad.

****UPDATE****This morning Charlotte had very loose stools and this afternoon she vomited. No blood in either. Called UC Davis and they don't think it's from the meds because she had diarrhea and vomited once the day of her low dose dex test, which was Wednesday, before starting any meds. I also asked about prednisone and they said they used to give that but they don't anymore. She seems to be acting fairly normal, was eager for her short walk and wants to eat. They said to continue the meds (only once a day, so that's 30mg which would be a half dose for her size) unless we see more signs. I have her on white rice, boiled chicken and cottage cheese and they suggested a probiotic which I just picked up from my local vet. Soon I'm going to be the one vomiting and having diarrhea! I'm a nervous wreck!!!!

Laurie

We just started Charlotte on her Trilostane, this is her 4th day. She seemed to be doing well yesterday after getting past some diarrhea and vomiting, which started before we gave her meds and while she was still undergoing testing at UC Davis. She is still on a mild diet and for the past few days has been given a probiotic. This afternoon she went outside to urinate and must have squatted 25 times after pretty much emptying her bladder. Im not seeing blood but she didnt even want to come in the house because she kept trying to pee. She is eating well, no diarrhea or vomiting yesterday or today. Any ideas of what might be causing this? Bladder infection? Side effect from meds? Davis is on emergency status only today and my vet isnt available either.

Laurie

Sounds like a UTI. My Gracie kept cleaning herself repeatedly because she kept having to pee. You'll have to take your dog in for a urinalysis/culture. She'll need antibiotics if it is a UTI.

Betty

It definitely sounds like a UTI. Only a urine culture can determine which bacteria May be causing it. Which symptoms did she have that led you to her cushings diagnosis?
My girl has been suffering with recurrent utis for over a year now. If she seems to be in pain, you may want to try an emergency vet or be prepared for her asking to go out all night long. I feel your pain!

MODERATOR NOTE: I have merged you post about Charlotte trying to pee into her original thread. We like to keep all info about each pup in one thread so it is easy to look back thru the history. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Gracie123

Sounds like a UTI. My Gracie kept cleaning herself repeatedly because she kept having to pee. You'll have to take your dog in for a urinalysis/culture. She'll need antibiotics if it is a UTI.

Betty

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Yes seemed like a UTI to me too but after a few hours she stopped this behavior and hasn't done it since. I expect to speak to the vet at Davis today so I'll ask about it. She may have a mild UTI that needs to be treated. My understanding is Cushings can increase chances of these infections.

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Originally Posted by CalliesMom

It definitely sounds like a UTI. Only a urine culture can determine which bacteria May be causing it. Which symptoms did she have that led you to her cushings diagnosis?
My girl has been suffering with recurrent utis for over a year now. If she seems to be in pain, you may want to try an emergency vet or be prepared for her asking to go out all night long. I feel your pain!

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I'm very tired of going to the vet, and so is my credit card! :) Not sure what was going on with Charlotte yesterday with the constant squating and peeing but she seems fine today. I will be watching her closely and will ask the Davis vet about it when she calls.

Symptoms that led us to the cushings diagnosis were: drinking a ton of water and urinating all the time (checked twice for UTI, before cushings tests started, but tests were negative), lethargic, loss of muscle and strength in her hind end, loss of hair, hyperpigmentation, trembling. After all the testing they determined she had the pituitary type and her condition was severe. She is on day 5 of meds and I've already noticed a difference. Less frequent drinking/peeing, more alert and active and less trembling. Hoping we are now finally going in the right direction!

Hi, Laurie! Sorry I haven't been around to follow up with you and Charlotte but have been without internet/phone for several days ... am sorry that you have been under so much stress with Charlotte but it does sound like she has turned the corner for the better. I do think it curious that Davis vet advised that they no longer prescribe it. Would love to know why ...

I have given my Abbie probiotics (I use Forti-flora) for several years and I do think that it has helped with her intermittent diarrhea/soft stools. I also now put pumpkin in with her food.

Hang in there -- you are doing great!

I used Forti-flora also with my molly.

How is Charlotte doing now after being on trilostane for a few more days. When does she get retested on the ACTH?

Maybe she passed a stone :eek:

Finally I'm back with an update. Charlotte had her ACTH test yesterday and I just got a message from the vet at UC Davis and he said was surprised at how good it looked. He didn't give me any numbers, he just left a voice mail because I was at work and couldn't answer my phone, but he said to keep her on the same dosage (60mg) and come in for another test in 30 days.

What I have noticed in the 2 weeks she has been on the Trilostane is she is drinking less water, still more than normal but way less than before we started the drug. She is definitely perkier and seems generally more interested in everything. She is still trembling a lot but overall I think she is doing a lot better so I'm happy at this point and look forward to more changes in the next couple of weeks.

Now I need to do some research and find the best price on Trilostane and also I'd like to know if I can get the ACTH test cheaper anywhere else. I just paid $240 at UC Davis, not sure if I will get it for a better price or not. Feeling broke but happy. :)

Glad to hear that Charolette is doing well on her Trilostane and that her symptoms have improved. Could you please get the results from her ACTH stimulation test and post them here, Thanks!

You may find the Vetoryl/Trilostane cheaper from an online pharmacy and I'm providing a post from me to another member that includes links to threads regarding online pharmacies, hope it helps.The price the vet charged for the ACTH stimulation test was pretty reasonable.

Keep us updated

Hugs, Lori

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Originally Posted by Harley PoMMom

To save on cost you could find an online pharmacy that may be cheaper that what your vet wants for the Vetroyl/Trilostane or you can get the dose compounded. A lot of our members use Diamondback drugs to get their dog's medication compounded : http://www.diamondbackdrugs.com/?gcl...FYk9gQodOI8Fsg However they can not compound a dosage that Dechra (makers of Vetoryl) already manufactures so, as an example, 30 mg of Vetoryl would have to compounded to either 29 mg or 31 mg.

You may want to look at these: to help you find the best price for prescriptions

Vetoryl - Best Site for Purchase

Where to get Vetoryl?

Hugs, Lori

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Thanks Lori, I will check into the vetoryl/trilostane links you sent. I paid Davis $114 for 2 weeks worth so I'm hoping to find it cheaper!

I'll post her ACTH test results when I get them. So far I've been playing phone tag with the vet but I'll email and have him send them.

Thanks again to everyone for all your helpful suggestions and support!

Laurie

I finally got Charlotte's ACTH Stim test results:

12/27/2016
Pre 4.6 ug/dL
Post 5.0

The vet was very pleased with this after less than 2 weeks on her full dose of 30mg of Vetoryl twice daily. Her original test results were:

12/13/2016
Pre: 12.8 ug/dL
Post: 41.5

Overall she is doing better. She is more alert and active, although nowhere near normal, she still sleeps a lot. She is drinking less and her temperature seems to be regulated, no more panting and actually wanting to wear her sweater and be under a blanket when it's really cold. I worry because she is still trembling a lot and it's so sad to watch. And she actually lost weight during all of this but maybe because she started having diarrhea and vomiting prior to her starting Vetoryl. I added a probiotic and put her on a bland diet for about 5 days and it cleared up. She has gained a little weight back although I'm not sure how much as I haven't weighed her but visibly I can see it.

While at UC Davis for the Cushings study they found Charlotte has a heart murmur and an irregular heart rhythm. They did an ECG and is showed it was "atrial premature contractions" which evidently means that one of her heart chambers is beating early. They didn't feel it was something to be very concerned about at this time and the cardiologist said it could even be caused, or made worse by, the cushings. They suggested a follow up with the cardiology department but I'm out of money right now so it will have to wait. :(

I found Vetoryl online at Drs Foster and Smith for a reasonable price. It was $61.80 for a 30 pack of the 30mg which is 2 weeks worth for Charlotte. A savings of about $60 a month. The vet suggested I only buy a month or 2 supply since her dosage may change after her next ACTH Stim test. She is scheduled for the next test at the end of this month.

Laurie

Hi my name is June

About 2 years ago my dog was diagnosed with cushing's and they had suspected it for about 2 years before. I have a real problem trusting my Vet as for the first year I did what she said and had a test every month and the results always were just to stay on the 10 ml of Trilostane. She had a complete yearly check up and all was good on her lab work (kidney and liver etc) this was at about 15 months. I told my Vet I could not afford a $250.00 every month plus $69.00 for meds a month and because my dog was showing no symptoms for over a year of the hair loss, thirsty, hypertension, or starving, that I thought she could go on a test every 4 months. 3 days after I left her office she called and said she was taking my dog off of 10 ml and putting her on 5 ml Trilostane and would need a test in 4 weeks. I was very upset but did as told and the test came back questionable and she left the dose alone. She wanted me to go every month again after that. I have not come in for a test but I know that the 5ml is too small a dose and my dog has all the signs of cushing's again and needs to be on 10 ml. But she will put her back on 10 and then want a test every month. I was told that after they are first on Trilostane that every month for 3 months and if good once every 3 months and if still good you can go 4 to 6 months without a test. But she keeps finding ways to keep me on every month. I do not trust my Vet? What should I do?

Charlotte continues to tremble a lot. She started this a few weeks before diagnosis but it has gotten worse since being on Vetoryl. Her thirst has decresed and she is less lethargic but is still very weak in her hind end. I realize it takes some time, she has only been on the Vetoryl for 3 1/2 weeks, but it breaks my heart to watch her lay there and tremble all day. She will be having another ACTH stim test at the end of this month. Her numbers were good on her 2 week test so i guess i expected to see her improve more than she has. Would love to hear from some of you on how long it took to start seeing your babies return to a more normal life.

Laurie

With my molly, the trembling came and went. Sometimes it would be completely gone, then come back. Usually when laying down or when looking out the window. Getting her moving seemed to help a little bit with the tremors, but it can be a side effect of vetroyl too.

Muscle wise, some gain strength in hind legs back right away and some don't ever get back to what they where. Maybe some aquatherapy would help build the muscle?

Lena would tremble on and off, too. Mostly while she was laying down. I would put my hand on her back and just keep it there until it stopped. It is hard to watch them go through that, but I don't think it bothered her as much as it did me.

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Originally Posted by Junebug49

Hi my name is June

About 2 years ago my dog was diagnosed with cushing's and they had suspected it for about 2 years before. I have a real problem trusting my Vet as for the first year I did what she said and had a test every month and the results always were just to stay on the 10 ml of Trilostane. She had a complete yearly check up and all was good on her lab work (kidney and liver etc) this was at about 15 months. I told my Vet I could not afford a $250.00 every month plus $69.00 for meds a month and because my dog was showing no symptoms for over a year of the hair loss, thirsty, hypertension, or starving, that I thought she could go on a test every 4 months. 3 days after I left her office she called and said she was taking my dog off of 10 ml and putting her on 5 ml Trilostane and would need a test in 4 weeks. I was very upset but did as told and the test came back questionable and she left the dose alone. She wanted me to go every month again after that. I have not come in for a test but I know that the 5ml is too small a dose and my dog has all the signs of cushing's again and needs to be on 10 ml. But she will put her back on 10 and then want a test every month. I was told that after they are first on Trilostane that every month for 3 months and if good once every 3 months and if still good you can go 4 to 6 months without a test. But she keeps finding ways to keep me on every month. I do not trust my Vet? What should I do?

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I'm so sorry to hear that June. From all that I've read here, many people have has issues with vets that really aren't very well educated on cushings. I feel so fortunate that I am close to UC Davis and can go there as well as work with my local vet. Can you search for another vet in your area? Do you have a VCA clinic in your area where they have specialists who could help you? I'm sure others on this forum can be of more help than me but maybe there is someone on here who lives near you and can recommend a vet.

Sharlene, thanks for the aquatherapy suggestion, I hadn't thought of that. This morning she jumped up on our bed with no assistance and I couldn't believe it! I'm hoping since Charlotte is still fairly young she will get at least most of her strength back.

Joan, yes I think you are right, the trembling probably bothers us more than them. Charlotte does it most when she is laying down but awake. When she goes into a deep sleep it subsides and when she is active it also seems to go away.

Laurie

Charlotte had a bad day today. She has had no energy and hasnt been as interested in food, even though she did eventually finish her food she rarely leaves any in her bowl so that seemed odd to me. She has slept all day and hasnt had much interest in anything. Is this something we need to accept, some good days and some bad days? Since we cant rush in and test her cortisol levels everytime she seems a little down what would you guys suggest i do when she has a bad day? Or is there anything i can do?

Laurie, concerened doggie mom

Hi Laurie,

Hopefully one of the more experienced folks will see your post and provide some helpful suggestions. Personally, since she did eventually eat, I would make a note of it and keep an eye out to see if that behavior continues. As it is possible for cortisol to continue to decrease during the first month of treatment, it could be that it is starting to drop a bit too low. In that case, it would be worth getting another ACTH test done sooner rather than waiting.

I know, I just said wait but don't wait. :eek: It's a fine balancing act. You know her best and I know that you'll make the right decision for her, even when you feel like you have no idea what to do. ;)

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Originally Posted by LaurieS

I finally got Charlotte's ACTH Stim test results:

12/27/2016
Pre 4.6 ug/dL
Post 5.0

The vet was very pleased with this after less than 2 weeks on her full dose of 30mg of Vetoryl twice daily. Her original test results were:

12/13/2016
Pre: 12.8 ug/dL
Post: 41.5

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Hi again, Laurie. I'm sorry Charlotte was feeling poorly yesterday and I hope she is better today. If not, I encourage you to contact the folks at Davis and let them know. It is very true that it is impossible to continually test cortisol levels, but this may be a time when it is very important to do so. Charlotte's cortisol lowered quickly and very significantly after beginning the Vetoryl, and as Judy says, it is common for cortisol to continue to descend further within the first 30 days of treatment, even when dosing is left unchanged. It is entirely possible that Charlotte's cortisol is now too low for her comfort and safety, and the dosage needs to be reduced.

The formal recommendation from Dechra is to test at both the 10-14 mark and again at the 30-day mark. So Davis was giving you a "break," if you will, by waiting until the six week mark to schedule the second monitoring test. And if Charlotte was doing well, this would probably be OK. But if she's not doing well, it is much better and safer to go ahead and retest now. Even if a dosage adjustment is called for, then you can have greater confidence that you are arriving at her truly optimal dose, at which time the testing window will lengthen.

Hope this makes some sense, and please keep us updated. But do please contact Davis, as well.

Marianne

Thanks Shana and Marianne! Today Charlotte ate well but she is no longer acting super hungry and scarffing down her food like she has since the day we got her. She is sleeping a lot and isn't very responsive like she used to be with a wag of a tail when we speak to her. I had hoped she would act a little happier by now but maybe I'm asking for too much too soon. But she was very excited to go for a short ride today and also slept 8 hours last night which is the longest she has been able to go without having to urinate so I guess that's a positive. And she is rolling around on her back like she used too which is super cute. I will email her Davis vet and ask him what he wants me to do but I have no problem going for the next ACTH test a little early.

Laurie

That drop was a pretty big one and the worry is that it has continued to drop into an area that is too low for her. So, watch her carefully, and definitely contact the Davis vet. I'm guessing her post cortisol number has dropped some more.

Ive noticed Charlotte's inner ear flaps and bottom of her paws get really pink sometimes. It usually doesnt last long and then they are back to normal color. Could this be related to blood pressure? Ill be asking her vet at Davis when we see him but thought id ask all of you if this is something you have seen in your cush pups?

Laurie

Laurie--the pink coloring you describe happens to my Abbie when she gets stressed so I usually see it at the vet. Since Abbie has too many other things that concern me, I let this one go. Have you seen any pattern with Charlotte as to when this occurs?

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Originally Posted by LaurieS

Hopefully this works...Here is a photo of her blood and urine test results:

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7pfuwhz8.jpg

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Oops, never mind. Didn't realize there were more pages to this thread.

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Originally Posted by judymaggie

Laurie--the pink coloring you describe happens to my Abbie when she gets stressed so I usually see it at the vet. Since Abbie has too many other things that concern me, I let this one go. Have you seen any pattern with Charlotte as to when this occurs?

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I haven't seen a pattern with this and it's been at home while she wasn't stressed for any reason. I will keep a closer watch but she was sleeping in my husband's lap last night when we noticed it. It usually subsides after an hour or so. I have a message into her Davis vet and that's one of the questions I asked. I'll let you know what he says.

Laurie

We have an appointment for Charlotte's next ACTH Stim test on 1/23 but I have a message into her Davis vet to see if he thinks we should come sooner. She is with me at work today and acting very lethargic. But yesterday she had a pretty good day out and about with my husband. He said she was very attentive and more active than she had been the day before. So she obviously has good days and bad days.

One thing I have noticed is that they want to do her ACTH 3-4 hours after she gets the Vetoryl. I have seen it posted here, and also on Dechra's website, that the test should be run 4-6 hours after medicating. I have confidence in Davis but I think I should still ask why they want to test her a little sooner than recommended.

Laurie

I just heard back from Charlotte's Davis vet and he thinks it's ok to wait for our scheduled appointment on 1/23. In addition to the ACTH stim test he wants to recheck her chemistry panel also (electrolytes, kidney values, liver, etc). As for the continued trembling/tremors he said he would have expected those to get better by now and thinks we should see a neurologist. He said he would have expected some improvement by now if it were just related to muscle atrophy from cushings. I did read that "shaking" was a symptom of addisons disease and if her cortisol levels have fallen in the past couple of weeks could this be what I'm seeing? Not sure what they mean by "shaking". What is going on with Charlotte is the same as what she was doing before she started on the Vetoryl. Mostly trembling over or shoulder area and front legs when she is at rest. But I do believe it is worse now than it ever has been. Thoughts?

But I have a big problem. I'm out of money. I have just enough to pay for her ACTH stim test but nothing more. I feel sick because I want to do everything possible for Charlotte but I have run out of resources. I have maxed out the Care Credit card and my personal credit card. How do all of you pay for all these tests? I've spent over $3000 and if she hadn't been in the UC Davis diagnostic study it would be a lot more. I'm on a very tight budget and don't know what to do.

Call Credit Care and see if they will up your credit limit. Or see if your vet will set up a payment plan...can't hurt to ask.

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Originally Posted by Joan2517

Call Credit Care and see if they will up your credit limit. Or see if your vet will set up a payment plan...can't hurt to ask.

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I'll be calling Care Credit tomorrow morning. I don't know if Davis has a payment plan but I will ask them tomorrow as well. Thanks Joan!

Have you considered setting up a "Go Fund Me" page? I don't know how much it would raise but I will contribute. Since I am going through nearly the same process with Skippy, I am painfully aware of how expensive this is. Also, UC Davis may be able to help. Charlotte is in their research study; certainly that benefits you and Charlotte, but it also benefits Davis. Someone (maybe Drecha?) funded them to study Cushing's treatment. Their research will bring prestige and credibility to them. It will also bring additional research dollars and new patients to their clinic. My experience with Purdue X 2 is that they are very firm in their payment policies and people who look as if they ill prepared for the exorbitant costs somehow raise up the money. But, these are not clients whose pups are in research studies. I am also aware that Purdue offers deeply discounted rates to veterans and their staff and students, as they should. I would discuss this first when you meet with them as it is clear that many issues are yet to be determined regarding Charlotte's conditions. Let us know how this goes and hang tight.

Hi again, Laurie. First off, I want to address your earlier question about the timing of Davis' monitoring ACTH testing (3-4 hours after dosing). For quite some time now, Davis has advocated for a testing window that is a bit earlier than Dechra's. I can only speculate that perhaps Davis thinks it is more likely that they are catching the cortisol at its absolutely lowest point by testing within that window. Regardless, as long as all of Charlotte's monitoring tests take place within the same time frame, I don't think that should present any problems because you will be comparing apples-to-apples, if you will.

As far as the tremoring, since it started even before the trilostane treatment, it does seem as though something other than low cortisol is likely involved. Coupled with Charlotte's lethargy and lack of appetite, one disconcerting possibility is that the pituitary tumor that is causing the Cushing's may be enlarging and putting pressure on other areas of her brain. Given the shape of a boxer's skull, I believe that she may be at a heightened risk for this problem, and that may be one of the possibilities that is prompting the Davis internist to suggest a neurological consultation. Unfortunately, neurological diagnostics and subsequent treatment can be quite expensive. I know this personally because my husband and I opted out of pursuing neurological imaging or treatment for our own Cushpup, partly due to the expense. We ultimately ended up losing him to what we assume were the effects of an expanding tumor. :o

Under your current circumstances, I believe I would just try to hold tight until the ACTH is performed, and if at all possible, it would be great if your vet could also run at least a very basic blood chemistry panel. Those tests alone may provide you with some answers, especially if it appears as though a dosage change is warranted. However, if Charlotte's cortisol level is optimal at the same time that the tremoring and other problems worsen, then some other decisions may need to be made. I don't want to worry you unnecessarily about an enlarging pituitary tumor, but I do feel compelled to mention it because I do think it is a possibility.

I surely understand your frustration and sorrow over these medical costs. In a perfect world, we'd hope to be able to opt for any treatment or any test that's necessary. But very few people are lucky enough to be able to do that, and the rest of us have to choose whatever will deliver the best hope for the least cost. I do think the money spent on the next ACTH will be worth it. And then, as I say, you may have a better idea as to whether there is value in looking elsewhere for the source of these problems.

Please hang in there, Laurie. You've done a great job of advocating for Charlotte, and she's very lucky to have you as her mom.

Marianne

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Originally Posted by labblab

Hi again, Laurie. First off, I want to address your earlier question about the timing of Davis' monitoring ACTH testing (3-4 hours after dosing). For quite some time now, Davis has advocated for a testing window that is a bit earlier than Dechra's. I can only speculate that perhaps Davis thinks it is more likely that they are catching the cortisol at its absolutely lowest point by testing within that window. Regardless, as long as all of Charlotte's monitoring tests take place within the same time frame, I don't think that should present any problems because you will be comparing apples-to-apples, if you will.

As far as the tremoring, since it started even before the trilostane treatment, it does seem as though something other than low cortisol is likely involved. Coupled with Charlotte's lethargy and lack of appetite, one disconcerting possibility is that the pituitary tumor that is causing the Cushing's may be enlarging and putting pressure on other areas of her brain. Given the shape of a boxer's skull, I believe that she may be at a heightened risk for this problem, and that may be one of the possibilities that is prompting the Davis internist to suggest a neurological consultation. Unfortunately, neurological diagnostics and subsequent treatment can be quite expensive. I know this personally because my husband and I opted out of pursuing neurological imaging or treatment for our own Cushpup, partly due to the expense. We ultimately ended up losing him to what we assume were the effects of an expanding tumor. :o

Under your current circumstances, I believe I would just try to hold tight until the ACTH is performed, and if at all possible, it would be great if your vet could also run at least a very basic blood chemistry panel. Those tests alone may provide you with some answers, especially if it appears as though a dosage change is warranted. However, if Charlotte's cortisol level is optimal at the same time that the tremoring and other problems worsen, then some other decisions may need to be made. I don't want to worry you unnecessarily about an enlarging pituitary tumor, but I do feel compelled to mention it because I do think it is a possibility.

I surely understand your frustration and sorrow over these medical costs. In a perfect world, we'd hope to be able to opt for any treatment or any test that's necessary. But very few people are lucky enough to be able to do that, and the rest of us have to choose whatever will deliver the best hope for the least cost. I do think the money spent on the next ACTH will be worth it. And then, as I say, you may have a better idea as to whether there is value in looking elsewhere for the source of these problems.

Please hang in there, Laurie. You've done a great job of advocating for Charlotte, and she's very lucky to have you as her mom.

Marianne

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Thank you Marianne, as much as I don't want to think about it I do realize the tumor could be enlarging and causing these additional problems. I appreciate your encouragement and understanding. I'm so sorry you lost your cushpup to this. I will wait and see what the ACTH test and blood panel reveal and go from there. I'm calling first thing in the morning to see if I can move up her appointment.

I think I've gone through a whole box of tissues tonight. I'm not ready to lose her. She has been with us less than 3 years. I got her the day after I lost my beloved dog Tanner who most likely had a brain tumor. I truly believe he left this earth when he did so we could rescue Charlotte. As she lays here in bed with me I'm trying to be strong and positive.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge, advice and stories. It's been so helpful and I don't know what I'd do without all of you!

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Originally Posted by Carole Alexander

Have you considered setting up a "Go Fund Me" page? I don't know how much it would raise but I will contribute. Since I am going through nearly the same process with Skippy, I am painfully aware of how expensive this is. Also, UC Davis may be able to help. Charlotte is in their research study; certainly that benefits you and Charlotte, but it also benefits Davis. Someone (maybe Drecha?) funded them to study Cushing's treatment. Their research will bring prestige and credibility to them. It will also bring additional research dollars and new patients to their clinic. My experience with Purdue X 2 is that they are very firm in their payment policies and people who look as if they ill prepared for the exorbitant costs somehow raise up the money. But, these are not clients whose pups are in research studies. I am also aware that Purdue offers deeply discounted rates to veterans and their staff and students, as they should. I would discuss this first when you meet with them as it is clear that many issues are yet to be determined regarding Charlotte's conditions. Let us know how this goes and hang tight.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I may try a Go Fund Me page once we know more about what's going on. I will also check and see if Davis has any sort of help or payment plans available. One day at a time I guess. I will keep you all posted.

One day at a time is the only way to go. You just never know how things are going to progress.
Just wanted you to know that we are all here with you.
I really think all forum members should just invest in Kleenex stock. Obviously we would keep the market value up by our use alone!!! :)

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Originally Posted by molly muffin

One day at a time is the only way to go. You just never know how things are going to progress.
Just wanted you to know that we are all here with you.
I really think all forum members should just invest in Kleenex stock. Obviously we would keep the market value up by our use alone!!! :)

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Yes for sure on the kleenex comment! Sad but true.

Charlotte has an appt at Davis on Friday for her ACTH stim test and a chem panel. I never thought id say this but i hope her cortisol levels are low because maybe a medication adjustment will help her. She did so well for about a week or so then back downhill again. The trembling is so bad. Its so sad to watch. I hope she isnt hurting. I made an appt with the neurologist already because they are booked about 6 weeks out. Our appt isnt until March 6th! I may have to go to VCA if she gets worse and it doesnt seem to be related to the meds or cushings.

Ill post again as soon as we get her results.

Laurie