Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

Leslie - Thanks for checking on the almond milk. I did a very quick search, too, with similar results. I hate when people post answers to questions on the internet when they really have no clue what they are talking about!! Seems like there was a lot of that when it came to almond milk! I won't chance it until I know. It's not all that important since my dogs have never had a problem with dairy products. I am curious now, though.

Addy - We have much in common! I work full time, have a house and yard to care for, 2 dogs and two beautiful grandkids, too! My elderly father passed away in October. :( Trust me....I am exhausted most of the time, too! Believe me, I have lowered my standards on a lot of things! I used to be a neat freak, but apparently I have gotten over that! :o

We had an "episode" early today. Ali and Max were in the backyard. I heard a lot of birds squaking and Ali barked the bark she does when she is telling on Maxwell. Max had caught a baby bird that had just left its nest. Needless to say, the tiny little thing did not make it. Max was quite proud of himself and really wanted to bring it inside. I finally convinced him to drop it and was left with having to get it off the deck....:eek:

Alivia LOVED her homemade food this evening and seems to be doing well today. I still am terrified that she could relapse with the pancreatitis...so, I feel like I am on eggshells watching her every move. I gave her a bath today and her fur seeems to be getting thicker! I think it is even starting to grow on her belly and shaved legs!! I wish I could have some type of gauge installed on her that would tell me hour by hour what her cortisol level was!! Wouldn't that be helpful for all of us?!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MBK

I still am terrified that she could relapse with the pancreatitis...so, I feel like I am on eggshells watching her every move.

---

I remember how nervous and panicky I was when Harley was dx'd with pancreatitis especially because he never showed any symptoms of that illness.

Every 3 months from his initial dx of pancreatitis I would have a Spec PL test done. I did this for almost a year and then seeing his Lipase numbers dropping I only did the Spec PL test when I thought Harley might be having problems with his pancreas.

You're doing a great job!

Love and hugs,
Lori

Lori -

I can understand why you would have the tests done. With Ali it was very evident there was something wrong. I had never seen her in so much pain and I never want to see that again. It was awful. It came on so suddenly. It really scares me to think it could happen again. She seems to be doing well, so hopefully with time I'll be able to relax some....at least that is what I am hoping!

Thanks for the kind words.

RE: Almond Milk....so far, the consensus is to use goat's milk as a substitute. Will pass on more as I get it! :)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Got this via email just now -

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5595045_nu...mond-milk.html

Hi Mary Beth,

I am sorry if it seems that I am pushing you to get the Spec PL test done on Ali. This is not true at all and if I have made you feel uncomfortable in any way, I truly apologize.

I am hoping, with this post, that I can clarify my reason as to why I had Spec PL testing done.

Harley's pancreatitis was first seen via an ultrasound. To confirm the severity of his condition I had a Spec PL test done. I also had other Spec PL tests done to verify that what I was doing did not further antagonize his pancreatitis, especially since Harley did not display any symptoms.

The first Spec PL test results were in the 500's and later on we were able to get that number down to 303. The Spec PL test is a diagnostic tool for pancreatitis but it can be used to monitor pancreatitis as well, much like how an ACTH stim test is performed to analyze how well the Cushing medicines are working.

Wishing you and Ali the best.

Love and hugs,
Lori

Leslie - Who knew info on Almond milk would be so difficult to find?! Goat's milk?! I see that is listed as an ingredient in some store bought treats I recently got them. Personally, I will just stick to good old cow's milk in limited quantities!

Lori - No worries. Nothing to apologize for! I did ask her IMS about that test and she didn't think it would tell anything we didn't already know at this point. But, may have it done at some point. Glad you told me about it so that I now know it is available.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday weekend!!!

Spent the weekend worrying an watching BOTH my dogs. Maxwell, my JRT who will be 11 years old in August, suddenly stopped eating completely. He killed a baby bird Saturday morning (but did not eat it); ate dinner fine on Saturday and that was the last he's eaten. Sunday around noon, he drank some water and threw up a little clear liquid. I never saw him drink any water after that. He had no interest in anything and was very lethargic - not at all himself. He is usually happy go lucky and full of energy. Max has never been sick a single time in his entire life, nor has he ever refused a meal or a treat. He didn't seem to be in any pain, but I started imagining cancer and all kinds of awful stuff. Took off work to take him to the vet's and, of course, he perked up there! He had a slight fever, 102.7, but nothing else obvious. The vet said it could just be a bug and gave him an antibiotic for 5 days, and I am to call him if he's not better in a couple days. He is still refusing food - I couldn't get him to take a pill pocket - and is back to sleeping.

These dogs are really going to age me!

Alivia still seems pretty good...I think. Her cushing's symptoms still seem pretty mild. She was very clingy this weekend, which concerned me because that's how she was right before the pancreatitis. She doesn't have the stamina to be running around chasing me from room to room and upstairs and down, so as a result, I spent a lot of time not doing much of anything. She does not seem to be in any pain, but there is just something about her...she just doesn't look happy anymore. :( Sometimes I feel like I am holding my breath waiting for the next crisis.

I sorry Mary Beth that you are the roller coaster again!!!! It just doesn't seem to end sometimes. Snoop got ahold of a rotten rabbit the week before last and gobbled down a good portion of it when she saw me coming. I kid and call her a "reverse muchausen by proxy pup"!

Sometimes, I think they want to get sick for all the attention. I spent the next few days waiting for the other "shoe to drop". Thankfully, it didn't...just really bad gas for a couple days!

Good thoughts coming your way for some relief and good times with Ali and Maxwell!

Rene & Snoopie

We all seem to be on a merry go round lately. A friend always used to say "you know dogs, always something":D:D

I hope Maxwell starts feeling better soon. Sometimes they just know to fast themselves.

I'm thinking we should have a case of Chocovine at work, not just a bottle:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Hugs,
Addy