Nikki may need re-load (update: I had to let Nikki go)

Hi Sharon,

Good news on the lowered stim results:D:D.

I'm glad she agreed to split the dose - great job on the note;):D.

BTW - my Wylie's tummy makes all kinds of weird noises. I actually started to record them on a digital voice recorder (his tummy is still pretty bear from the September ultrasound so I had easy access). I thought I would play them for the IMS and ask her about them. Then one day, I recorded my belly...it sounded just as weird as Wylie's and I feel fine...so, I nevered played the recordings for the IMS - I think she thinks I'm weird enough as it is:p.

-Susy

That's funny, Susy!:D It's probably always gurgled and I never noticed until she got cushings. Now I notice every little thing:( Every time she has a sip of water I'm sure she's drinking too much! I guess moms and dads just worry too much!

Hi all! It's been awhile since I've posted an update on Nikki because nothing has changed much, which is good.She had a 3 month acth Friday and her cortsol has creeped up to post 9 from 7. She is taking 200 lyso three times a week and we are going to try adding another day of 200 and check in 8 weeks.She isn't really showing any symptoms still, so the vet thinks this approach is better than a mini load at this time. Nikki will be 15 Sunday and she is really acting old.Her muscles are so weak, she just eats, sleeps and goes pottie.We started treatment in October and she has not really gotten better, but I think her age is against her.She is still the sweetest dog in the world, and she seems comfortable, which is what we all want.She's never had any medical problems except cushings and the acl tears in both legs related to cushings, so I've been very lucky.Never had allergies, ear infections, or even fleas. So she's had a great life!She still wags her tail some and goes out to go pottie and eats great.We are taking her to the beach today, which she used to love but now gets very stressed, so I will give her 1/4 pred per day, which helps alot.Her stress is caused by her limited eyesight and being in new places, but at least she will be with us.Getting old is tough and especially so for our furry children.Nikki and I send all our best to all of you and your babies:) Sharon

Hi Sharon,

You must have been reading my mind...I was just wondering about Nikki and here's an update. Thanks!

Enjoy the beach and just keep Nikki close and I'm sure she will be fine. As Squirt gets older, she has become more clingy and sleeps more and more (which I tried to blame on the melatonin!). As long as they want to be with us, then I am blessed and I know you feel the same.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi Sharon,

Yes, it sure has been a while… WOW… 15!

I had started to post about why you should do a mini-load instead, but given Nikki’s age and current condition, I’m on the fence. Just be aware that many times, gradually increasing the maintenance dose may bring the cortisol levels down for a time, but the levels often creep right back up… but maybe the adjusted dose might be the better option for her. (I did tell you I was on the fence on this one:p.)

Do you think the muscle weakness may actually be joint issues? If so, you might want to read the following links:

http://www.dogaware.com/wdjarthritis.html
http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html
(I haven’t read the second one yet, but it’s by the same person, so it should be similar – it is, however, much longer!) And keep in mind that some of the options she lists may not be good for Nikki – for example, I know Wylie gets sick on Rimadyl/NSAIDs, and I recently got a “high quality” fish oil for him, but I think it was the cause of mucous covered stools with him:eek:.

I sure hope she enjoys the beach… please take pictures and share with us :):);).

-Susy

Yesterday was a very scary day for me and Nikki. When she got up she had breakfast and started breathing very heavily, which progressed to very labored, noisy breathing. I immediately called the vet, thinking it was congestive heart failure, which would have been good because there are meds she could take. I took her in and they checked her heart and lungs and all was well.The rasping was so bad they gave her some oxygen, which didn't help.My wonderful vet said it sounded more upper respiratory and tried to look down Nikki's throat, which she would have none of. So she had to give her a little gas so she could see down her throat. She saw a burgandy red tumor, not big but very swollen and irritated.I said no biopsy because I will not put her through anything else. The vet gave me two meds, Temeril-p and baytril, which have made her feel better.At least she is able to breathe now.Yesterday I was ready to let her go, and I still am if she gets that uncomfortable again.Thinking back, I think she has had this tumor for awhile, maybe a year or more, it just wasn't big enough to bother her that much. She has been drooling for some time and at some point her tongue started hanging out, which it didn't before.Also coughing in the morning. Of course, I took her in for all these things, and they checked her mouth and teeth, but not her throat.I don't blame the vet at all for not finding this. Nikki is 15 and has had the best life.She has been loved every minute of every day. Anyway, as far as the cushings goes, I know her meds contain prednisone, so I'm just not going to think too much of the cushings right now. I just want her as comfortable as possible for the time she has left.She's drinking tons of water and I just take her out alot.I feel very sad but I won't let her suffer if I can help it. I love her too much, as I know you all love your babies. Sharon

Hi Sharon...

I'm so sorry you're going through this with Nikki right now. Keeping my fingers crossed that she feels better...and you too! You're a great mom:)

Gina

Sharon,

I am so sorry you and Nikki are going thru such a rough time.

We all want our cushpups to be as comfortable as possible, and if the meds Nikki are taking are doing that for her...Honey, I sure can understand that, I would do the same thing for Harley if he was in the same situation. We love you and Nikki too.

We know you are doing the very best for Nikki, like Gina said you are a wonderful Mom. Please let us know how you both are doing.

Hugs to you and Nikki.
Lori

Hi Sharon,

I too am sorry that Nikki is having a tough time of it right now. For what it is worth, I agree 100% with your decision not to treat the cushing's. There are times when other conditions take priority and this is one of those times. The good news is that if a cushdog doesn't have complicating factors, they arent' in any pain so if the only thing you are both dealing with at the moment is excess drinking and peeing, who cares. My Jojo will never stop guzzling water and peeing buckets even though his cushing's is under control. It's something that we live with and it's no big deal as long as I have waterproof hospital pads on hand.

We will be keeping fingers and paws crossed hoping that the meds make Nikki feel better.

Glynda

Sharon,

I have not posted to your thread before but I have been following Nikki's updates. I am so sorry to learn of Nikki's problem and do hope the new meds will help her to feel more comfortable. It is obvious how much your love your little Nikki. I am so sorry that you and Nikki are having to go through this.

Thinking of you both with loving thoughts.

Louise