Molly, 13 yr, shih tzu - lhasa aspo - Molly has passed

Back from the vet and we'll have to wait of course for the results of the ACTH but should have them back in a day or two.

I am pleased as punch to say that molly's BP for there stay there was consistently 150/160 range. Whew, best its been since early last year and this mess started!!!!! No change in medication dosage for either BP or protein in urine since it 1.0 I couldn't be happier with that.

We had a bit of a panic as when we first got there, she was obviously stressed, tried to bite the vet tech (visions of Zoe for a moment there) and just was NOT happy. Her BP was 230 twice, so we thought oh no this is not good. However, as the day went on and she was comfortable it went down and stayed down. By the time I picked her up, she wanted to hang out with Chris, the vet tech, she had tried to bite and normally likes and wasn't interested in me at all! Traitor. LOL Actually I'm very happy that she likes Chris as he is usually who does her testing.

I mentioned the shivers as being the only change she has had, so we are now waiting to see what the cortisol level is like. She had diarrhea today when we got to the specialist office, took about 15 minutes outside in the snow with her having a bad time of it to get it settled down. I Think it was because she didn't have her morning poop (sometimes she doesn't) but then had a car ride during which she was nervous (she hates car rides and shakes the whole time, unless we are leaving somewhere and going home, then she is fine) or if she is having some tummy troubles.

I'm considering not giving her the trilostane till I hear back on results, not because I think she is low, I don't think so, she had plenty of room on the post to come down and we didn't change dosage, but just if she has an upset tummy, then better to hold off and a day or so should see her settled back down. Since she has had the tummy upset with diarrhea before, we know it doesn't take much to set us off on a bout of gastro upset and best not to rock that apple cart too hard.

My only qualm with not giving her trilostane is that dang BP/protein, is finally in a good place and I don't want to risk that going up if the cortisol coming down has been a contributor to that being good, which is rather has to have had an effect since it all seems to work together hand in hand.

Argggh, so frustrating sometimes.

hugs all

Choices, I feel your pain, Sharlene. Do you think skipping one day will affect her blood pressure?

Sorry to hear her tummy is upset, poor girl.

I admit to laughing out loud that Molly took something out of Zoe's playbook! Bite the vet tech, such a Zoe move! Glad they made up, she must have really been stressed.

I'm so glad the blood pressure is controlled.

Sharlene--sounds like a stressful visit for Mom, too! I am glad to read that Molly's BP is finally in a good range. Hoping that ACTH results are great!

Hope the tummy trouble is over quickly. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for a good ACTH report.

I will see if she has a normal poop in the morning and see how that goes and then decide about the trilostane. One or two doses missed probably won't be a problem. It has just taken so long to get the bp and UPC better I hate to do anything to put that at risk.

I don't know if I am looking for a perfect ACTH test for her as in post to 250 so much as I am curious to see if it has moved at all since we didn't raise her dosage over the holidays. Now with us going away I am loath to raise it with me not here with her too. We will just take it one step at a time.

Hi Sharlene,

I know how frustrating this all is and how easy it is to feel helpless at times.:o At least it was for me. If I was having the challenges that Molly is facing right now, I would want you on my team. That way I would be guaranteed of getting the best possible care and the most amount of love.

Molly has everything she wants right now. That's you and her daddy spoiling and loving her. She's happy Sharlene. I am sure of it!

Big, loving, hugs

yay Molly! I'm so glad the protein and the BP are in a good range. That's progress!! Now if those stim tests are good then you can take a big deep breath and relax a bit and enjoy your trip!

Glad to hear about all the good results. Sure hoping this last test comes back good as well. Regarding the poop problem... do you think she knew where she was going and that started it? Keesh knew and he'd start up at the end of the road prior to even pulling into the parking lot. It got so bad, I'd take him a few times to the vet just to have a good experience, like walk in the door, get a treat, get weighed and then back outside and home. It worked cause the next few vets I took him to there was no problem.

Yay glad to hear the tests results and Bp are heading in the right direction.

Sorry had to laugh when I read she tried to bite the vet tech, Woody was the same, he almost got Craig my vet a few times but as soon as his exam was over he was up on Craigs knee for kisses, gotta love them feisty ones. :D

IMS just called with the ACTH results:

Pre - 89
1 hr post - 378
2 hr post - 499

so has gone up a bit.

Once I am back from holidays we will up her trilstane to 11mg from 8mg and see how that works. it is a 38% increase.

She seems fine today but didn't poop at all this morning (maybe just empty from yesterday) but was playing this morning so I gave her the trilstane.

Yes definitely could have been jitters from not having a morning poop and then a car ride she hates. So, I'll just keep an eye on that. Over all I think she is doing good with everything going on. We'll recheck BP in a month, same with UPC and of course start back on the ACTH testing.

You bet we love those fiesty ones! They keep things interesting! :)

hugs all!