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

Hi, Sharlene! Yes, like many of us here, I do feel like I am juggling lots of issues. Abbie's blood pressure when tested last week was 168 (average of five readings). From what I have read, this is considered hypertensive. This is a bit higher than readings done in October. Abbie is scheduled for an ACTH next Tuesday.

Abbie is now eating Purina Prescription DCO (diabetes/colitis) dry food mixed with Royal Canin gastrointestinal low fat canned food. This combination seems to provide the right amount of fiber needed to control Abbie's chronic diarrhea. The Purina has 21% protein and 10% fat.

Abbie actually left the driveway this morning to walk to the corner -- something she hasn't done in the morning for a very long time. She has been just going out to pee and sitting in the driveway checking out the neighborhood activities. She is not quite as chipper as yesterday but still better than she has been. I massaged her back this morning which she tolerated -- I even got a snuggle!

168 is a bit high but sometimes dogs get that "white coat syndrome" and it can make their BP a bit on the high side, was she nervous at the vets when they were taking her BP? And if her BP is running a high the enalapril may bring it down.

The one thing with those UPC tests, they can be falsely elevated due to any kind of infection, bladder stones, IBD...What I have read is that if 3 samples taken at different times are high that intervention needs to be started, was this Abbie's first PC test?

So glad to hear that Abbie is feeling better!!!!!

Hi, Lori! I think the BP average was pretty accurate. They do the pressure readings in a darkened room -- she was there with her favorite tech and they took about an hour to do five readings.

This was her first UPC -- there were no signs of infection in any of her other labs. Because it was so high, the IMS and my vet wanted to get her started on enalapril now. Hopefully, the next one done in 3-4 weeks will be lower.

Abbie went on her "regular" long walk after dinner! :D

So glad to hear she is doing well.

Yay for long walks Abbie. How is she today?

Hi, Sharlene! She was having a good day until we went for acupuncture. I almost cancelled but decided to go since it was scheduled already. Abbie was extremely resistant to having any needles inserted and howled before the vet even touched her! The acupuncture vet agreed that we needed to end our sessions. She was very pleased that the visit with the chiropractor went so well. I was concerned that the visit would set Abbie back but, after taking a long nap, she was back to feeling good and went for a good walk a short while ago. :D

I'm glad Abbie is doing well. Did the acupuncturist have her on any herbal supplements (I don't remember and am being lazy not wanting to go back through your thread ;)) If so are you going to keep her on them or just go with what you are now doing?

I don't think Shasta would do well with a Chiropractor, but then again we have never tried. I hope she continues doing well.

Angela

Hi, Angela! The only supplements I got from the acupuncture vet were herbal treats (can't remember the name) but, every time I gave them to Abbie, her soft stools returned so I had already stopped them.

I think Abbie might have been expecting to see the chiropractor today--she was amazingly calm in the waiting room. Then she had such a negative reaction to the needles. I wasn't sure what Abbie's reaction would be to the chiropractic treatment but it was certainly worth trying it. Does Shasta like massage? I've been using massage with Abbie for a long time (nothing formal although I have read the t-touch book) and she loves it.

I don't think she'd like massage either. She is quite the personality. We call her a cat dog in our house. Even though she is a toy breed Pom she just doesn't act like what you think she would. She never has been a cuddler or one for a lot of petting. When she wants attention she will let you know then let you know she is done. When she was younger and before her first seizure (these are not common) I think she would have preferred a dog house and lived outside. She is just extremely independent, aloof, and haughty. I am surprised she tolerates the needles, but once they are in she doesn't mind them at all. Most of the time she doesn't really mind them going in either, but sometimes there are some she balks at. Especially the ones in her paws and legs. The supplements she is on just make such a big difference on her ability to get around and help keep her stable.

I'm happy you found a treatment Abbie has taken to.

Hi, all! I spoke with Abbie's vet this afternoon to discuss the results of her ACTH run on Tuesday. Her numbers are:

Pre: 2.1
Post: 13.0

(compared to 2/25/15 results of pre of 5.7 and post of 13.7).

In light of Abbie's back issues, we have decided to keep her Lysodren dosing unchanged. She is drinking more water (although not as much as pre-Lysodren days) -- this may be due to kidney issues.

I got copies of her 4/15/15 lab results. Here are current abnormal levels (prior results are from 10/14/14):

ALK 386 (range 5-131)(220, same range)
Potassium 5.7 (range 3.6-55)(within range previously)
Cholesterol 654 (range 92-324)(661, same range)
Triglycerides 505 (range, 29-291)(471, same range)
Protein/urine 3+ (2+ previously)

and, as reported previously, UPC of 5.0 (range <=0.5).

We have scheduled a follow-up UPC for 5/21/15. The vet confirmed that the reason treatment with enalapril was started immediately (rather than waiting until after three consecutive high UPCs) was that the current result was so high. He is not concerned with present potassium level but we will repeat a renal panel in a couple of months.

Abbie had another chiropractic treatment yesterday -- she still had pain in several areas along her spine so I have scheduled another appointment for next week. She has been a bundle of energy today!

P.S. Abbie is going to be 12 in a few days -- almost time to change the heading!