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

Of course I second guessed myself all night. Called the hospital back this morning at 7:00 and asked if I brought her back to the ER (and paid another ER visit) if they would refer her for an u/s today. No. They make the referrals to internal medicine at 6:00 A.M. so if I brought her back she would have to be admitted and referred TOMORROW morning! However, once again, and as always with Alivia, things are not so clear cut. She slept soundly but when she stood up this morning she yelped in pain. She is walking like the pain is from walking and will not even attempt to jump or go up or down a step. I was going to put her on my bed and barely touched her back and she yelped. Now I am seiously wondering if it is her spine causing this pain. I got the radiologist reports from May and last night - both say "spondylosis deformans" which is basically old age arthritis that causes the bones to fuse together and NORMALLY is not a problem in dogs and does not cause much pain or require treatment....BUT, sometimes it can cause a pinched nerve or spinal compression resulting in pain and neurological deficits INCLUDING rear leg weakness. So now she needs an exam from an orthopedic vet, too. :eek: She sees her regular vet later today...hopefully he can figure something out. Poor Alivia keeps having problem after problem and I can't get any answers for her.

PS - Leslie, I have sub q fluids to give her if needed but they said she will be alright without them today. They gave her all the meds they would have last night before we left the hospital. I wouldn't have risked anything with her. She has had no food since Sunday and no water or anything at all for almost 24 hours and won't until given the okay. After the last bout, I have learned more than I ever wanted to about pancreatitis! Now I am learning more about spondylosis deformas than I care to know, as well!

I know what you mean, Mary Beth! It seems we stay in the "classroom" sometimes, huh? :eek::D

Spondylosis could certainly cause some nerve damage and pain so I think you are wise to have an xray/US of her spine done again. Her yelping when you touched her back sure sounds like some sort of issue there.

I hope you get some answers today at the vet's office and some sort of plan to help her feel better soon.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Let us know, we are here, hoping for good news.

Hugs,
Addy

Hi Mary Beth,

Im so sorry you and Ali are hurting again. ((((((MaryBethAli)))))))

When Ali went through this the last time one of the things you were questioning was the back pain before you got the diagnosis of the pancreatitus.

Our working Shepherds and Malinois had a tendancy to develop Spondylosis after retirement...sometimes severe. They formed spurs or bridges on the underneath side of the spine. Sometimes this can fuse parts of the spine and/or cause narrowing of the spinal and nerve column. When it was minor to moderate narrowing (spinal stenosis) ours boys functioned just fine unless something else (inflammatory) came up.

As we both know when our babies are having a pancreatic episode a classic symptom is the arching or rounding up of the back.

I can't help but wonder if when Ali is having an pancreatic episiode the holding herself up or "rounding up" is applying additional pressure to the already sensitive nerves and cronic inflamation along the under side of the spine, as this would be a closing action around that diseased area.

Also, by chance did the x-rays show that the Spondylosis was located at the thoracic lumbar junction as there is a notion that damage at that area can relate to increased stomach and pancreatic issues. If so it may be that Ali's condition is circular.

Just a thought.

Big HUGS...Rene & Snoopie

PS...which Hollistic Select r u feeding?

:( So sorry it has been a rough day. Annie has spondylosis also. Give Alivia a big hug for us tonight. Kim

Okay, I didn't see this one coming. I was giving Alivia a bath on Sunday and she was losing clumps of fur. I assumed it was cushing's related and thought I better try to get an accurate diagnosis. Last night in the hospital I pointed out her belly, where she had been shaved for u/s and the fur never grew back, was pink and scaly (this was new). The ER doctor said it was probably a bacterial infection and to just use a medicated shampoo on it.

So today I took Ali to her regular vet and he takes a closer look. Separates her fur and her skin actually breaks open and bleeds and Ali snaps at him in pain! Looking through her fur the worst of it is over the area of her spine where the spondylosis changes are. He said he really can't tell if she is having spine pain because the "intermediate pyloderma" is causing her so much pain and obviously you can't feel the spine without touching her skin!! Looking through her fur, all of her skin is really pink. He thinks currently that is her most pressing issue.

He thought I did the right thing taking her home from the hospital last night and he agreed the stress on her outweighed anything beneficial they would have done. He gave her an injection for pain and started her on antibiotics. She may have a touch of chronic pancreatitis, but that doesn't seem to be her current problem. We discussed what's next. I asked about getting a third u/s with an IMS at the hospital where I took her last night and he brought up a good point - which of the three would I then believe? He thinks I should go ahead with the consultation with Dr. Peterson and hopefully based on his recommendations we can start treatment. I think he feels at this point Ali needs an expert in endocronology to figure things out and he is willing to work with him and follow his recommendations. On the plus side, he thinks Ali is really holding her own under the circumstances and that her blood work looked good. I am just so thankful Alivia has such a caring and knowledgeable regular vet to oversee all this. I had put the Dr. Peterson consultaion on hold when Alivia developed pancreatitis in May, so I guess it is time to move forward with that.

Sending you and Alivia hugs and prayers.....

Thanks, Laurie. I really appreciate that. Alivia has definitely hit another bump in the road this week. Her vet reminded me tonight what a fighter she is, though. I just wish we could get some relief for her. It is so hard to see her suffering like this. :(

Hi-
Just wanted to tell you I'm sorry to hear Alivia is having such a tough time. I've been reading your posts and just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and hoping she is feeling better soon. She sure is a fighter, and you are lucky to have such a wonderful, caring vet.

Julie & Hannah