Lucygoo updates/Lucygoo has passed

Hi Gina,

I'm really happy to hear Lucy is doing so well.

I've used a disposable pie pan that I've washed well and sterilized (probably not necessary but I'm just that way). Then the minute the dog squats, I stick it under her. That way, even if the dog moves, the wide pan will catch it. When I had a diabetic dog, I could use a smaller container because we were both used to the process.

Despite being the hand washing queen, I'm not bothered about getting a little dog pee on my hands. If you are, you could use rubber gloves.

I'm sure others will have good suggestions.

Carol

Atty Cat and always Winnie & McGill

Hi Carol....
A pie pan is a great idea. I was thinking oven pan, but pie's smaller so there's a better chance of me getting it in place without her freaking out.
Thanks:)

Gina,

Munchie is a male dog who squats instead of raising his leg. :rolleyes: When I collected his urine I used either the disposable Glad or Hefty bowls that come with the lids. They have some fair sized bowls but I got so adept at doing this I could use the smaller size. I liked the fact that it came with a lid and I could just snap it on and nothing would spill out. Also good for temporarily storing in refrigerator. :eek:

Munchie would give me the "huh...what you doing Mom" look but never had a problem with collection and although I wouldn't have cared if I got some doggie pee on my hands....never happened.

Louise

Hi Gina,
Glad to hear the Goo is doing Great!!!!
What ever type of container that you use, just make sure to heed Carol's advice and clean and sterilize it. Years ago I used one of those plastic lids for the dog food can, because I needed something really, really shallow as when Sachi squatted she would touch the ground. So it was next to impossible to catch. But the long story short, a horrible bacteria was discovered in the sample. :eek: It took several tests and cultures to determine that it was just a common bacteria to be found in the kitchen, but not in urine!!!!! :D
Good luck with the MRI and we will be waiting for the results right along with you.
Smoochies for Lucy.
~Mary Ann

Gina, when my other dog had diabetes, I used one of the small bathroom paper cups. It's pretty easy to catch. And it is much easier with a girl! Glad she's doing so well!:D

Hi Gina,

Its not that big a deal as you will find out. Easy to catch, the main thing is do not contaminate the sample.

Good catching:D

Scott

Thanks everyone for all the helpful suggestions. Tomorrow's the big day, and I'm kind of nervous about the MRI..hopefully all will turn out well, and that I also arrive with an uncontaminated urine sample in hand.:) I'll post again with the results of the MRI.

Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,

Wylie squats if he pees on grass and raises his leg for the vertical objects... I get a steralized container from the vet, tape it to a stainless steel ladle and slide the cup under him as he pees. The ladle give me enough distance so I don't get into his "personal space":p.

I now keep sterilized containers at home - if I turn a urine sample in, I ask the vet for a new container for the next time.

-Susy

Quick update on Lucy..
Just got back from picking her up from her MRI...it took us 2 1/2 HOURS TO GET HOME...of what is normally a 20 - 40 minute drive. I swear I hate this town sometimes.

Anyway, the good news...all the tumor is gone:) They did all her blood work today, too, so I'll get those results in a few days. I'm just so happy about the tumor, though. I can't wait to see the MRI myself, to compare. I thought there might be some residual stuff left, but apparently not. What a crazy time this has been! I feel so fortunate....Lucy..the miracle dog:) She's almost back to her old self a few years ago, before she even got cushings:)

The only thing is, now she's not interested in eating anything except treats, and she hasn't eaten all day. Do you think it's because of the anesthesia? At least she'll sleep tonight...she hasn't been sleeping much these days. I'm thinking they're going to have to tweak her thyroid and/or prednisone...she's now on 2.5 mg. prednisone a day.

Hope everyone is good, and thanks for all the well wishes:)

Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,

Oh! This is GREAT news! The tumor is GONE!!! :D:D:D:D You couldn't ask for a better outcome there! How wonderful for you and Lucy! If the hospital and your doc haven't commissioned that statue for Lucy yet, they really need to get busy on that! She truly is a miracle dog and deserves recognition for her part in this medical advancement at the very least, if not just because she is such a sweetie! :):p

The anesthesia could easily be what is causing her to be a bit off. It may take a day or so for her to get over it, too. The sleep will help, in more than one way if she isn't sleeping much lately. So don't panic just yet....:p

Hugs and gentle belly rubs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi Gina,

We are sooo happy for you and Lucy :D:D:D Your story and Lucy's recovery is an inspiration to all of us!!! I'm crying tears of joy for you today!!!
Hope Lucy starts enjoying her meals again soon.
Thanks for the updates.

Dorothy and Mikey

Thanks, Leslie...
Not to worry. Lucy ended up eating a whole bowl of food about 2 a.m.....and got me up accordingly all night to go out:rolleyes: She also drank a ton of water. Then got me up at 6, just because she wanted me up. Indeed, she's back to her old self again:)

Gina and Lucy

Thanks Dorothy...
How's Mikey doing? I was reading your thread earlier but haven't posted. Hope he's feeling better:)

Gina and Lucy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Squirt's Mom

Hi Gina,

Oh! This is GREAT news! The tumor is GONE!!! :D:D:D:D You couldn't ask for a better outcome there! How wonderful for you and Lucy! If the hospital and your doc haven't commissioned that statue for Lucy yet, they really need to get busy on that! She truly is a miracle dog and deserves recognition for her part in this medical advancement at the very least, if not just because she is such a sweetie! :):p

Hugs and gentle belly rubs,
Leslie and the girls

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I feel the same way, and I know it's been said before, but it is truly a honor and pleasure to have gotten to know and love your LucyGoo and You, Gina.

Hugs from your PA. friends.
Lori

Thanks Lori..
Another update on the Goo. Her labs came back all normal!:D Dr. B said her cortisone is a little low, but that's where they want it. I'm to watch her appetite, as he said that's the best indicator of steroid levels. She's currently on 2.5 mg of prednisone and .8 milligrams of levothyroxine. I also give her 2 Dosequin (sp?) a day. He gave me carprofen to give her, but she doesn't seem to be needing it yet. I figure, why add something to the mix if she's okay without it.
Her pituitary function is low, which also shows they got all the pituitary as well as the tumor. (I'm hoping this means it doesn't come back) He said she probably won't need another MRI for three months:)
Lucy's doing very well, and we couldn't be happier. Her appetite is okay...she always eats her treats, but she's developed this little game now where for her meals, she hops up on the couch and waits for me to hand feed her a few bites, then she eats the rest out of the bowl voraciously. She just won't spontaneously go to her bowl and eat. I think she's doing it for the attention or something..wise guy.

Thanks as always for all the support, and will keep you posted..

Gina and Lucy

Gina...

All I can say is


YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many hugs, Beth, Bailey and always Scooter

Congratulations!!! Tumor gone and labs normal....wonderful!

Louise

Thanks everyone...
The only issue at this point is her exercise. She doesn't seem to want to move her ass at all when we go out for walks. I'm thinking she's taking after mom in the lazy department:eek: I'm trying to think of a way to have her get more exercise...actually googled "dog treadmills" today...isn't that ridiculous? And they're about $1500!
I know it's hot out now, but she's always like this. She does better when I take her to the park, less distraction, I think, but I can't do that every day. Maybe I can fashion my own treadmill for her somehow;)

Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,

That's a really terrific update on your girl. Woohoo!!!!

Ya know, I have a really big problem with exercise too and suffer from frequent power surges which eliminates any possibility of exercising outside in this heat. When you figure out what to do about Lucy's problem can you help me out. :D:p:D

G.

Gina this is really wonderful news about the Goo girl, I am sooo happy for the both of you.

Re: your treadmill; I've watched many episodes of the "Dog Whisper with Ceasar Milan," and he uses this exercise technique and I have tried it on my dogs myself...you can do this...but it takes patience and treats. :D:eek: You first have to get her to get on the treadmill (without it being on), you'll probably need to have a collar and a leash on her, just have Lucy step up and down on the treadmill, give her treats when she does this, until she will do this effortlessly. Then when she does this with comfort and she is on the treadmill, you go in front of the treadmill and show her the treat, turn it on the lowest speed until she is walking comfortably, give her the treats when she does good. Does this make any sense to you? :confused:

Hugs to you and the Goo.:)
Lori

Hi Lori...
I've watched that dog whisperer episode too. Wasn't that the one with Ed McMahon? I was actually kind of kidding about the dog treadmill. Sure, it would be great if I had one, but I'm not about to pay 1500 for one. Now I'm sorry I got rid of my own treadmill, but it had become a catch-all of sorts, and the belt got all messed up.
Do you use a regular treadmill for your dogs? Maybe I'll get a new one for me AND Lucy. Lord knows I could use it:eek:
I just wish the Goo would want to walk more...I think she just doesn't like the neighborhood...never really did, actually. (She's very peculiar)

And Glynda....if I end up getting a treadmill, you must get one as well, if you don't already have one. Then we can BOTH discuss how we don't use them:p

Gina and Lucy

Better yet...maybe I can get Cesar to come to my house. He is local, after all; and maybe he can get Lucy off the damn couch! Then I'll send him over to Glynda's house:p

Hi Gina,

That's a cute idea...Maybe we can fly him to NJ to get me off the couch!!:):)
So glad to hear the Goo is doing well ...exercise will come later.
Could she possibly just want to stay home or close to home because she feels safe there?
Dogs have their own way of dealing with psychological issues:D:D:D
The most important thing is that she is doing well!!!

Dorothy and Mikey

Hi Gina,

Quote:

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Do you use a regular treadmill for your dogs?

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Yep, just a regular walking treadmill made for people, you may be able to find one at a yard sale or in the newspaper for alot cheaper than $1500. You know, I don't use the darn thing, my dogs do! :D:eek: Isn't that just pathetic :( They're in better shape than me. :) I like using it especially in the summer when it's so hot outside, I can put them on it for 10-15 minutes and they are in the air-conditioning but still getting exercise. My one Pom. is solid black, and the heat from the sun really bothers him, so this works for him.

Lori

Hi Gina,
Just catching up on the Goo girl. So happy she is doing well :D:D:D:D

Can't help you with the excersizing, seems to be that time of year, maybe too hot and uncomfortable outside.

Maybe go to the Goodwill and look for a treadmill, probably get one cheap. When I tried to give mine to them, they turned it down and it was one of the good ones with BP monitor, pulse monitor, mileage and speed readouts. They had so many they actually refused it and I took it to the recycling center:confused: Then their are garage sales, take the Goo girl and she'll get some excersize while your looking for treadmills. It might be fun for her:)

Hi John...
Good idea:) I will check out Goodwill...thanks.

Lucy's doing good, but she's panting all the time, just seems really tired...even when I have the A/C blasting. Thought that would go away, but it seems to have increased. I'm thinking maybe it's a temperature control problem with the hypothalamus..who knows. She's still drinking and peeing a lot too, but today I was gone for around 8 1/2 hours and she held it...bless her heart. I've been trying to give her just one drop of the DDAVP (or whatever it is) at night, but when I know I'm going to be away for a long time I give her one before I leave. The DI seems to have improved a little, but not completely. She does have normal tear production now, so no more artificial tears...hurray:)
The chronic diarrhea is still there too, but I'm trying a new product called Gentle Digest, a probiotic thing and I think it's starting to work a little...and I do stress the word "little."
All in all though, she's doing very well. Her personality is back, and that's the best part.
I'm starting to think about putting her on the Carprofen. Does anyone have any experience with this drug? I know it's an NSAID, and I hesitate putting her on it, at least all the time, but maybe it will make her want to move more? I just get nervous giving her that and the prednisone, but she's only on 2.5 mg prednisone, and Dr. B said it shouldn't be a problem, but to give her a pepcid just in case.
I gave her a couple doses a few weeks ago, and she didn't have any adverse effects...but I still worry. What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Gina and Lucy

Hi Gina,

Many of us use carprofen (Rimadyl), there are many annecdotal reports of a wide range of side effects. Personally I think it is fine for most pups but I also think in many cases too much is prescribed. Moria has taken it first only occasionaly for ten or so years and for the last couple of years daily. When we began daily administration she got 1/4 the recommended dose and that controlled her pain for over a year, within the last year we have increased the dose to 1/2 the recommended dose. We also divide the daily dose in 1/2 and administer it twice daily.

There are other more modern NSAIDS if Rimadyl does not work for Lucy for some reason and there is a product called Adaquan which works well for Moria and some of the other pups around here.

Scott

Hi Gina,

I've been reading along even tho I haven't posted and I was glad to read the last report on Lucy. She is getting better all the time!

Can't help with the Rimadyl, sorry. We use Tramadol for pain around here.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi guys..

I'm hoping someone has a suggestion here. Lucy had me up most of the night with diarrhea, and she vomited a couple times. Unfortunately I have to work so I can't monitor her. She has to have some food with her prednisone and thyroid, and was wondering what or how much I should feed her? I was thinking of just giving her a little food and a pepcid. She seems to be okay now, and I've already e-mailed Dr. Bruyette, but was wondering if anyone had any quick advice:)

Thanks,
Gina and Lucy

Gina,

The only thing that comes to my feeble mind is a bland diet, and that is like rice, or maybe if she won't eat that try scramble eggs??? or boiled eggs???

Hope that helps and our Lucygoo feels better soon.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Lori..

Feeble mind...lol...I can assure you that my mind is the feebilest at this point:) Thanks for the suggestion...I just hope I can get her to eat something....but not too much.

Also, do you guys think I should lay off the Dosuquin and the probiotic this morning?

Gina,

Quote:

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Also, do you guys think I should lay off the Dosuquin and the probiotic this morning?

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This is I really don't know the answer to, the Dosuquin, is this for arthritis? Is Lucy still throwing up? The probiotic is this a pill or capsule?

I'm just thinking out loud here, but if her tummy is still yucky, and more meds are put in there, she might just vomit them back up.

Hopefully Dr. B. will be getting back to you soon. Another food you could try is crackers, but you might have to scrape the salt off of them for her, incase she isn't allowed to have salt.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Lori,

Tha Dosuquin is a glucosamine/chond. supplement...the probiotic is a capsule with just Lactobacillis in it. I know I'm butchering the spelling!
She vomited last about 2 hours ago, got her to have a few sips of water, but she's not interested in anything else. I don't think I'll hear from Dr. B until this afternoon...I know he has rounds in the morning. I think I'm going to just give her the pred. and the thyroid. The less the better right now, I think.

Gina,

Altho I am no medical professional, I think that's a good idea to give her only the meds. that she essentially needs.

Usually scrambled or 3 minute boiled eggs are a big hit with pups that don't want to eat.

Praying and wishing you the best of luck with Lucy today.

Love and hugs.
Lori

I just thought of something else, dry toast.

Thanks, Lori..

I really appreciate your help:) She seems okay, even jumped up on the couch, but isn't interested in food or really much water right now. Wish I didn't have to work today:mad:

Thanks again,
Gina and Lucy

They say getting water into them is more impotant than food, so if she's drinking, at least...today, I wouldn't be too worried. Please keep us updated, tho.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Hi Gina,
Wish I could help:( but this is where I think you need your vet's advice. Could you tell what she was vomitting? I would guess water is important to prevent dehydration.

Hi Gina,

The Dasuquin does not seem to have any warnings about gastro issues and probiotics are intended to settle the gastric tract. I would ask the Dr.

Have you began the Carprofen? this can cause gastro issues.

Scott

Hi Gina,
I have had great success treating GI issues and vomiting with Slippery Elm. My last foster dog had terrible diarreah for about a month and ate very little (vet could not figure out what was going on). I gave him Slippery Elm daily and even so he should have lost weight, because he sometimes would not eat for days, he had gained weight while on the Slippery Elm.
I make a syrup and add some honey to make it more tasty. If the dog does not eat at all I just use a large syringe and squirt it in their mouth several times per day.

Slippery Elm is Juliette de Bairacli Levy¹s "tree bark flour." It is a nutrient and food for very young, old, or very weak cats and dogs. It coats and heals all inflamed tissue internally and externally, and is used for the stomach, ulcers, bowels, kidneys, constipation, diarrhea, dysentery and colitis, and the entire digestive tract. Use it externally for wounds, burns, rashes, abscesses, boils, or insect bites, and internally for the lungs, coughing vomiting, and for stomach or bowel cancer. Use slippery elm as a food in convalescence, mixed with a bit of honey and water. It tastes sweet and pets take it readily.

The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats
Diane Stein

More info can be found here ..

http://tinyurl.com/m49hru (The Complete Herbal Guide: A Natural Approach to Healing the Body By Stacey Chillemi, Michael Chillemi)

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.ph...em=slipperyelm

Hope you find this information useful - it might be worth a try and perhaps it will give your dog some relieve until you can figure out the root cause of the issue.
Nathalie