My Pug Scoop (Precious Scoop has passed... )

Thanks everyone. Hearing from you really helps. I am glad I am not the only one who gets frustrated with the vets. I thought maybe I am a bad person for feeling that way.

Mel-I don't know if another regular vet would be any better. I do think it is a lot for a regular vet to deal with. There might be some that would be better but how do you know which one it would be? It's frustrating.

Tipper's mom-Yes Scoop has issues with his back legs. He lost a lot of muscle back there when he first started with Cushing's. When he sits down he has a hard time. He plops down. He also has arthritis in his front legs. That bothers him at times. I'm glad to hear you're taking Tipper to an Opthamologist. Hope it turns out to be nothing but at least you will know then for sure.

My husband and I went out for lunch today. Our daughter was home with Scoop. When we got home she said he was having a problem. He's done this before. She took him out to pee and he went pee in a couple of spots. Then when they went in he peed several times on the rug and she put him in the kitchen and he did it in the kitchen too. She was really scared that he had just lost control of his functions. He stopped just before we came home. I took him out and he went pee again. He did that before he got sick so it isn't something new. It's not something he did often. Usually he would squat and pee many times and then he would finally poop and then he'd be OK. He didn't have to poop today so I don't know what that was all about. He was having trouble with his front leg. The one that bothers him the most. Maybe it was because he was standing on it for a long period of time. I told the vet about it when he did that a little while back. She said she'd check for infection and got a sample with a needle and ultra sound. It was a week or so after he did that. Then the sample had to sit for 72 hours. It was negative. He seems off more today than usual. Just doesn't seem right. The thing this morning with the yelp, then the pee thing and more out of it than usual. He only drank 11oz. of water today. That's low for him.

Sharlene-That's a good idea to lightly press around and see if anything bothers him. I can't believe they charged you $75 for a referal. WOW!

Addy-You're lucky to have a place that won't sock it to you.

Back in Nov when Scoop saw the neurologist he also saw an IMS on the same day. She agreed with everything the vet is doing. She said Scoop's vet was doing a good job. There are times the vet consults with her. This place is where Scoop had his ear surgery. It's a little over an hour from us. She charged $195 for the first visit. We have a place about 15 minutes from where we live that has some specialists. That's where Scoop saw the Opthamologist. They have 2 IMS there. A while back when I was frustrated with the vet I said something to my husband about going to see another vet. He doesn't see the point in doing that. I am the kind of person who's afraid to open her mouth so to not rock the boat but it is killing me. I want to go to the IMS but I can't get the nerve to say something to him. It is tearing me apart. I feel so horrible.

Vicki:
Just a suggestion if you are not going to leave your Vet. I can't leave mine as I am in the country and the other options are worse. I take a very agressive approach with the Vet I have, and sort of tell him what to do. I consult with the Vet at Dechra- I think you should call them, and start a file on Scoop. You may get some help that will put your mind at ease. They are good for helpful information, and helping you resolve issues. I consult with everyone on the forum, and tell my Vet what to do after consulting with everyone. He is by far no expert in Cushings. He couldn't hold a candle to the people on this forum!! I need him for emergencies, so I cannot just get rid of him, he is the closest Vet to me. I forgot to mention, at the onset of the Cushings I am the one who told my Vet Tipper had Cushings, and I got a consultation with Dr. Peterson who is an expert in this disease. He told my Vet what to do at that point. With these dogs you never know when you would have an emergency, so that is why I keep my Vet. I let the panel help me and then tell him what to do. I also let him know that I am consulting with the Dechra Vet, and ask him to do the same. He has consulted with the Dechra Vet many times now. They can help guide an otherwise useless Vet in the right direction. I just always double and triple check anything my Vet says. After all it is your precious babies life at stake. My dog is just another paycheck for my Vet and I know that. That is why I take the upper hand in anything concerning Tipper. I do believe in taking full control of my dogs care. I know you said it is hard for you to speak up, so I am praying you get the courage and take charge. No one will care about your baby like you do as they are just another patient to a Vet. Not trying to sound negative or cruel, just being realistic. With the help of Dechra and this forum I have guided my Vet every step of the way in Tipper's care. It has helped immensely so far, because if I would have listened to my Vet there would have been many errors made, that could have really hurt Tipper. This forum has educated you, and empowered you, so you can do it girl just trust yourself. It's a shame, but I learned many years ago, before this even happened to Tipper to not put your trust in any Vet. Check, check and triple check what they tell you. I am not saying there are not great Vets out there, but there are very few. I think from what you said, maybe Scoop yelped from the arthritis, and /or leg issues. I know when Tipper's back legs bother her, she gets kind of growley. I know for a fact this Vetoryl has changed her personality. One of the Vets even told me it would. She would never think of growling at me for touching her leg if it hurt prior to all this. Trust your instincts and you will be Scoops best ally. God Bless you and Scoop Tipper and I will pray for Scoop to get better.

Tipper's mom-Thanks for all your help and suggestions. You do such a fantastic job with Tipper. I sure wish I could be like you. My emotions are all over the place. I am having such a hard time. Scoop and I dropped off a urine sample #2 this morning at the vets. It's the check for protein in the urine. The vet came out and actually took a couple of minutes to talk to me, not that I got to ask much. She gave me some papers to read about Proteinuria. I'm just sooooo uptight and frustrated and upset and worried right now I can't think straight or know what to do.

What does everyone pay for an ACTH stim test? Last test I payed $147.73 for IDEXX ACTH Stimulation and $105.00 for cosyntropin 0.25mg/ml. Total $252.73 Is that a lot? Then if I would leave Scoop there they would charge for that too. Last ACTH I stayed with him so they didn't charge me for that. Thanks.

Vicki

I am so sorry you have so much on your plate.

I think when you feel crappy it is hard to see the way forward. Changing vets can be a pain and IMS is always more expensive and I know our little ones cost a lot already so you cannot feel horrible about that. You have done so much for Scoop already

I think you just have to ignore the current vets attitude you know your scoop better than anyone. Consulting with dechra too is a great thing, they don't talk to us in the uk ( I tried!)

I wish I could say more to make you feel better but know you are in my thoughts and I hope Scoop feels better soon

Mel and Tia x x

Mel-Thank you. It's so nice for you and others who are mending your own broken hearts to come here and help others like myself. It really means so much to me to hear from everyone on here. Hope your doing OK.

Scoop's pituitary tumor is always in the front of my mind but now this protein in the urine, probably kidney disease, is also driving me crazy. I took urine sampe #2 in today but now have to wait another 2 weeks to take in sample #3. Then there will be more testing. I don't understand why so much time has to pass before something will be done about it.

I was on Drs. Foster and Smith website. I started looking at some of the things that I get from the vet. One thing is Cosequin capsules. It looks like the exact same thing on the website for less than half the price the vet charges for the same amount of capsules. Unbelievable!

Hi Vicki,

Has your vet gotten back to you about checking Scoop's BP? Elevated blood pressure is hard on the kidneys so if this were me I would press the vet to have the BP checked.

The vet told me that after the 3rd urine sample shows the protein then a work-up will start and that will include a BP check. That's at least another 2 weeks away. Do you think 2 weeks could make a difference? If his BP is high what can be done, meds? Would they start something like that before they know what the protein is from? The vet will be calling tomorrow with the test reults.

A high percentage of dogs that have kidney issues also have high blood pressure. The drugs that are used in dogs with protein loss are also used for dogs with high blood pressure, which are ACE inhibitors such as Enalapril or Benazepril or a calcium channel blocker (Amlodipine).

If this were me, I would want to know now if my dog has high blood pressure.

Vicki:
I know how you feel about all these different issues going on with your baby. When Tipper first got this I was going crazy about all the things that seemed to be going wrong. Even though she is controlled with the cortisol now, I am still always on the edge being afraid something will happen to her that I cannot fix.This disease will devastate you if you let it. It is wonderful, yet horrible to love you dog as much or more than a human. It has great rewards, but also tough consequences. I am right here with you and say a prayer for your sweet baby every night. You are on the ball so Scoora could not have a better mommy than you. Your dedication to your baby will be rewarded. Wishing you and Scoora have a better day today. God Bless All of us on this forum, and all our babies.