Have I finally found my friends? (Palmer has crossed over the Bridge)

Hi Susan,

Glad to hear that Palmer's symptoms continue to improve. I also recommend Diamondback Drugs. They are reasonable, prompt and great to deal with.

Louise

Hi Susan,

Glad to hear that Palmer is doing well! Friskiness is GOOD! Has his hair started to come back in? signs going away again?

Keep in touch, or I'll have to come looking for you! :p

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Thanks for all the replies!! Diamondback drugs should give you guys a commission!!:)

Leslie - Palmer's hair seems to have stopped thinning out. :D We got him groomed one week ago and he looks terrific. We have him cut very short since he minds the heat so and his black/gray hair gets so hot so fast. I was looking him over yesterday with the hair issue in mind....I don't see any bald spots and don't really see anything unusual. :D:D:D

His appetite has picked up a little, but I'm not concerned yet. My husband has been doing the feeding lately and I think he's a bit stingy with the food. (not purposely) He's drinking a lot of water....but nothing like he was there for awhile.

Our temperatures have taken a bit of a drop, so I can walk him more regularly.....and longer distances. In another 30 days he'll be allowed back on the boardwalk and he absolutely loves going there. He always meets several other doggies and they're usually pretty nice.

I'll keep you posted on any changes. I expect we need to do another stim test within the next month and I'll have to be talking with the vet about the compounding thing. All's been pretty "quiet" on the home front.

-Susan and Palmer:D

Susan,

Do you still have the appt. with an Endocrinologist tom. for Palmer?

Lori-
We canceled the appointment for the time being. We want to see how Palmer continues to do on the increased dosage.

And I think I'm going to stop bragging about his improvements. His tummy looks really big tonight.:confused::(:eek:

His poor little midriff is just too big for his frame. I sure wish this had never happened.:(:(:(

Lori-I meant to ask....what kind of doggie is it in the picture sitting in front of the larger black dog? Sooooo cute!!

Hi Susan,

You know we are keeping a close eye on you and Palmer, and want the very best for both of you. So I am glad that his signs seem to getting better, if ever so slightly...a step forward is always good, even if it's baby steps. ;) The heat has been affecting my pack, too, but we have had some nicer days recently and they really appreciate them. They have all felt a bit better!

Please keep in touch and let us know how Palmer is doing.
Hang in there!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

PS.
Ok, Lori, I gotta know about that little baby, too. I had not noticed it before, their coats blended together in my old eyes and the big one just looked really fuzzy! Now I can see another set of eyes in that big baby's chest! :rolleyes:

Hi Susan,

I too, am glad that Palmer is improving, even baby steps are huge improvements.

The little guy is a Pomerdoodle (Pomeranian/Poodle) named Tink/Tinker, tho I don't see any Pomeranian in him at all, and he is a handful. :eek::D The big guy behind him is his house-mate, a Rottweiler, named Ziggy, the most gentlest dog, plays so nice with Tink. Ziggy weighs 150lbs, Tink weighs 15lbs, now. I believe in that picture Tink was just 4 months old. I just talked to my girlfriend, Dusty, about him, and she said Tink is so strong minded, she's having one heck of a time house training him. :(

Love and hugs.
Lori

Lori-
Well that explains it. Palmer is a PomePoo! Aren't they just wonderful? :) I love all the smaller poodle mixes. Their faces just always seem so expressive. Palmer is very strong minded as well. He will not listen and come when called, if he has something more interesting to check out. :(:mad::eek::eek:

It's funny the two have matched up. I tried several months ago to talk Bob into our acquiring a puppy now. I got a very firm, flat, "NO!!!" I thought it would be good for Palmer and give him more exercise. Palmer likes dogs his size.,...the 15 - 20 lb range.

Have a good weekend, all!

-Susan

Hi Susan,

It's been quite a while since we heard from you...was wondering how you and Palmer were doing, hope everything is fine.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Hi Lori....thanks for seeking me out!

We are ding quite well here. :D:D Palmer's tummy has decreased, it seems. He is a lot friskier. :) His appetite is good-less than it was. We'll go back for an ACTH test in one month.

The only problem we're having is he frequently gets stiff necks. Last night was the worst. He almost doubled over in pain and cried.....and kept crying. I was able to massage it out. It really tears at me when he cries.....and he has never had an ongoing cry such as last night. Fortunately he will let me pick him up to work on it.

He's here sitting on my lap, making one handed typing a necessity!:eek:

In 10 days we get to return to the boardwalk for walks. I'm eager to get back to that. He loves the short ride and most times meets other four legged friends.

Oh-one other thing...his hair is growing at about 1/2 the rate it used to grow. At least we're getting a break on grooming costs!:D

If not before, I'll be back in one month with the ACTH test results.

-Susan

Hi Susan,

It's great that Palmer's symptoms have improved and he is friskier :D

I wonder what the stiff neck issue is tho...hmm...I have no idea, but I'm glad that you're able to massage it out for him...you're such a wonderful mom.

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If not before, I'll be back in one month with the ACTH test results.

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I hope before :D , but if not :( , I wish you and Palmer the best of luck with the ACTH test.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Hi Susan,

Congratulaltions.....sounds like Palmer is doing well on his treatment and the symptoms have diminished.

I would certainly check out Palmer's painful neck issue with his vet. Something's not right for him to be doubled over in pain and crying. I'm glad your massage is helping him but if it was me, I'd sure want to investigate and get to the bottom of what is causing this.

Good luck with Palmer's upcoming ACTH next month.

Louise

Hellooooooooo friends!! :):)

Palmer went in for his ACTH stim test yesterday. I just got the results and his Pre is 1.8; his Post is 3.6. He is truly enjoying this cooler weather and we are back to walking along the boardwalk. (Why don't some folks teach their pets that snapping is a No-No?):mad::mad::mad: Palmer loves to say "Hi!" to anyone he encounters....especially little kids and dogs his size....but he says "Hi!" to all of them. He wants to say "Hi!" to the back door, but I'm trying to get him trained (at 12 1/2?) to greet them at their noses or ears. We've encountered nasty dogs 2 or 3 times. The owners seem to think.........Oh, that's nothing. Don't do that Fido. Yikes!!:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Anyway-back to Palmer - he is playing with his toys.....that means he gets a stuffed toy, throws it up in the air and looks for it to land. Repeat that. Repeat that. :D:D:D I can get him to chase a toy once or twice....then he seems to say - I'm on to this game....you're not gonna run me all over this house!! So-the toy playing is back big time. The tummy continues to be a good bit smaller. The eating is mostly regular. The water consumption has come down with the cooler weather. Whereas last test time I felt like he was slipping away, I now feel like he's doing great.

So-no changes on the meds. Still one capsule in the AM and 1/2 in the PM. (Trilostane) And that's about all the news (thankfully, I guess.):):cool:

I've given you all a rest now......now I'd like to hear back from each of you telling me how you and your loved ones are doing!!:D

-Susan

Hi Susan,
Great news. :D:D:D

So happy for you and Palmer.

Stuffed toys are always a challenge in my house. Rozee like to chase and fetch, sometimes bringing it back within arms reach and as I go to grab it she turns her head. Brat :D

Littlebit like to chase and run with the stuffed toys, and sometimes destroying them. :eek:

Mickee, well he just likes to sleep. His age is catching up with him. Never was a toy player:(

Hi Susan,

It makes me so happy to read your cheerful post about Palmer...boy it's been a little bumpy here and there tho, huh? The pre of 1.8 is getting a little on the low side...but your such a wonderful and watchful mom, I know you'll keep an eye on him.

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he is playing with his toys.....that means he gets a stuffed toy, throws it up in the air and looks for it to land. Repeat that. Repeat that.

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I can see Palmer doing this...:D:D Oh Susan, doesn't this just make you feel so good when your pup feels so much better and they act like more of themselves, like they did before they had cushings. I am just so, so happy for you and Palmer...keep up the good work...Great job.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Wonderful news Susan! Just what we like to hear. I am so happy Palmer is enjoying himself. Way to go big little guy!

Did you ever find out what the neck pain was all about?

Shelba and Suni

Susan,

That is great, it is good to know that Palmer is happy and playful. And you deserve a break from all the stressing over him.

I hope the neck issue is fleeting.

Hear ya on the snapping dogs, guess you just have to be on the lookout when among strangers.

How long is the Dr. going to go between stims? The pre number we are told is not that important, in fact some Drs. will skip a pre draw as a cost savings measure. A low pre most likely indicates a very relaxed pup. Your post number is right in the range desired and that coupled with symptoms will be your guide to further treatment. I would keep a close eye on the hairgrowth issue and make notes which will be useful as you continue to treat.

Best wishes. Scott

Hi friends-
I've been a bit busy-meant to get back before this.

Palmer's neck deal hasn't happened since I last mentioned it to you. :) Oddly though, now I am experiencing great neck pains.:(:mad: It has been awful but I am being treated for it and it seems (?) to be getting less of an issue.

The space between Palmer's ACTH stim tests for now is 4 months. I did get Trilostane via Diamondback drugs. Thanks for all who helped out there. I got one month's supply to try out. Half of them are chews, the other half are capsules. He likes the chews! One less "fight."

He is now also taking Glyco-Flex III chews for his limping/arthritis in addition to the Tramadol. It's weird-I've been given Tramadol for my arthritis pain. He likes the Glyco chews also.

We've pretty much gotten the administration of the plethera of medicines down pat now. He still is looking good. He's still puppyish at times. We are back to the "Wanna go for a ride/walk??" down to the boardwalk. He's fallen right back into that. He starts getting fidgety and "talking" when we are 2 blocks away from where we park. And, I may have wishful thinking, but I think maybe some of the hair is coming in a bit thicker. His once lush tail is now about 1/5th the original thickness, but it still puffs up nicely.

So that pretty much brings you up to date.

I hope everyone is doing well. I love hearing back from you.

-Susan

Hi Susan,

It's just absolutely fantastic that Palmer is doing so great and I am so relieved that the neck issue didn't continue, but I am so sorry that you are hurting tho. :(

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I did get Trilostane via Diamondback drugs. Thanks for all who helped out there. I got one month's supply to try out. Half of them are chews, the other half are capsules.

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Chews huh, didn't know that they made the chewable kind...always learning new things. :)

My boy Harley is doing great, still running after his frisbee during the day and playing with his toys at night...at 13 y/o. :D At the end of Dec. he'll get the full work of tests :eek: poor guy, but I have to make sure his cortisol is still within the normal ranges and he is due for a full adrenal panel anyways plus there are other things we have to check, like his BP for one, and I want his vet to really take a good look at his teeth...boy I hope that money tree soon starts to grow. :p:)

Hopefully we will hear from you soon, we miss you and hearing about Palmer.

Love and hugs.
Lori

Hi guys and gals!
We're doing pretty well here. Palmer is playing a bit rough and I have a bandage on my arm to prove it!!:eek::eek:

The hair seems to be growing a bit better.

The ACTH stim tests are 4 months apart now...unless there is cause for concern.

Diamondback can flavor chews in either chicken or beef. It adds $1 to the cost of each chew.....but if that prevents having to fight to get his medication in him, it's worth it.

Not a lot going on here. I had to go to the hospital to get two skin thingies removed. Tuesday my husband goes in for removal of one. It will be the first time he has had to have a medical procedure done. He says he thinks he's relaxed about it. I dunno. I think crankiness, shortness and a bit rough handling of Palmer, and stomping around seems to indicate to me he's not so relaxed!!:mad::mad::(:p

We have a wolf roaming our area. He's been seen in our neighborhood. He comes out at night. Don't know what would happen if he and Palmer "met". Hope not to find out.

Palmer's limping is a bit worse. I had to carry him part way home from our walk the other day. I have an arthritic toe which needs a minor operation. Maybe I'll take Palmer along with me and they can reduce his arthritic pain!:D:)

I hope everyone remembered to set their clocks back. If not, you'll be early somewhere today!

Please keep in touch. I will also.

-Susan

Hi Susan,
I am very happy to hear Palmer is frisky and doing well :)
Sorry to hear about your arm, though :(
4 months between tests... FANTASTIC!!!!!
Hoping your toe operation goes great, and also that your hubby calms down.
All our best to you and yours
Jane and Franklin xx

Hi Susan,

Glad to hear that Palmer continues to do well. Hope he finds something else to chew on besides your arm when he's feeling frisky!!! :D

Thinking positive thoughts that the skin thingies you had removed pose no problem for you and ditto for your hubby.

Take care,
Louise

Hello friends-
Took Palmer to see the vet today. Tuesday evening he was unable to get his rear legs to support him. :eek: He's been limping pretty badly as well. :( I was getting concerned that maybe he had suffered a mini-stroke. The vet says Palmer has no cartilage left in all four legs. :eek::eek::eek: She hears lots of crunching going on in there. She completely ruled out anything like a stroke.

His blood pressure was good. He needs to lose weight. (still) She gave us Cod Liver Oil to add to the already long list of meds/supplements.
I asked her about walking him when he was limping and she said not to. She said to get his exercise around the house or in a confined area where he could "quit" when he wanted to. As a double knee replacement person myself, I can really understand how he feels. Poor little guy.:( She also mentioned some medication which is injected. She would do the initial dose and we could carry on after that at home, or continue to go there for injections. They would be twice a week. My husband can't stand to even look at needles. Since Palmer bit me when we first started to give him some of these medications, I'm not about to try an injection.

Vet thinks he looks "awesome" considering his health issues.

Just wanted to update you all.
Susan

Hi Susan,

I'm sitting here overjoyed that Palmer hasn't suffered a stroke:D:D:D
That's great news! Also great that the blood pressure is good:D
Can they do anything about the no cartilidge situation? Or is that the needle med you mentioned?

All the best,
Jane and Franklin xx

Hi Susan, I think your vet may be talking about Adequan injections for Palmer which is what Casey takes for her arthritis.

It works very well for Casey and has made a huge difference in her mobility.

Hi Susan,

Good to hear from you and Palmer! But so sorry to hear about his little legs. :( My heart just stopped when I read your second sentence saying his legs couldn't support him. You must have been terrified to see that happen. Bless your heart!

I can well imagine the pain he is in. :( I hope the cod liver oil will help, but if not, holler and I will give you some alternatives. The Omega's are what can help the joints and you want the highest EPA and DHA you can find to do the job most efficiently.

Another dietary tip - avoid all veggies from the nightshade family, except sweet potatoes. Nightshade veggies include potatoes (not sweet potatoes), tomatoes, eggplant, sweet and hot peppers (including paprika, cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce), ground cherries, tomatillos and tamarillos, garden huckleberry and naranjillas, pepinos and pimentos. These things are part of a family of food called the Solanaceae family, and they are known to increase inflammation. Sweet potatoes are in another family and do not promote inflammation.

Please let us know how that sweet boy is doing. Yes, I said "sweet"! Your arm just got in the way of his mouth just like my body parts get in the way of my Goldie's mouth from time to time. But they are both simply perfectly sweet! :p (Have you noticed that us moms and dads can get kinda delusional from time to time? LOL )

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi guys-
Just a quickie to let you know I am having computer problems. Be back in touch soon. I hope.

Susan

Hi Susan,

Hope you get things worked out. We'll be here when you do! :D

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi -
The computer is working....not all the info I want is back in there, but I'm getting there slowly.
Palmer had no more of those neck pains until two evenings ago. He had one each of the past two evenings. The limping was really bad last night, so I gave him and extra 1/2 pill of the Tramadol. It seemed to take care of it for a few hours.
He growled at me a little bit last night, kind of under his breath, when I was attempting to get him to eat the Tramadol.

He has now taken to sniffing out every little crushed piece of any pills he is eating. He eats what is acceptable to him and spits out the rest on the floor.:eek::eek: We do our best to get all of each medication in him, but some days we are more successful than others.

We go away on Sunday for a week so he will be in "camp." It always bothers me some when we have to leave him there. He loves it there but he's sure ready to go home whenever we return.:D:D

I got this Rx for a new topical gel to treat arthritis pain. It does wonders. If I ever have any left over, I'll save it for Palmer!! (just kidding) It would be nice to be able to give him some relief.

Just wanted to stop by and say hi. I hope all had a pleasant Thanksgiving.

-Susan

Hi Susan,

Glad you are back on the wire! :D I think I would go absolutely nuts without a computer! :eek: Well, ok....nuttier! ;)

I'm glad he hasn't had a lot of neck pain and that he seems to be coping with the arthritis ok. He must have been hurting, tho, when he growled at you. :(

Do you have a mortar and pestal? Ruby has gotten wise to some of her meds so what I have done is crush them up very fine and mix the powder in some cream cheese or sweet potato or cottage cheese and she gobbles it up! Do check with the vet or pharmacist first, tho, to be sure it's ok to crush the med you are using.

Enjoy your trip and I hope Palmer enjoys his visit at "camp". ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

Hi Leslie and "TG" ,

We are off to the vet in about 5 minutes. Palmer has had persistent, consistent, separate neck pains for the past 24 hours. He's fine and then suddenly he's crying out. Since he'll be in "Doggy Camp" for the next 6 days, starting Saturday, and just because it's so concerning, we want to have Jenninfer DVM look at him. They're fitting us in. They don't always do that.

We have.....well I have, been crushing Palmer's meds up. We have used peanut butter, cream cheese and hiding it in his food with a little ham or chicken to trick him. He's become wise to all attempts. Sometimes we can just put it in a pill pocket and he'll take it. There are two meds we seem to get away by doing that. The rest, including his food, he seeks out the med and spits it out.:p:p:p

He's eating less now because we want to be sure he finishes his food and gets the meds. Once he realizes there's nothing else coming, he will go for it. He still usually tries to spit out any bits he can find. Bob doesn't "get it" and does not crush the pills very well. I try to get it done, whenever I can.

I'll be back with the vet's opinion as to this neck thing. I hope it's nothing really serious.

-Susan

Hey Susan,

Looking forward to the vets thoughts on his neck issue and hoping it's nothing serious.

This little boogers can get so smart about things like meds! It's amazing how they can pick out such seemingly small amounts from the rest of the food. As long as it just SMELLS like it might have something edible on it, Squirt will take anything! :D My little Miss Piggy!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls (TG :D:D cute!)

Hi!
Better late than never. The vet examined Palmer thoroughly and checked for possible spine injuries. She poked and prodded and Palmer did not object. She said if it was a disc, spine issue, he would not have been able to tolerate what she had done without complaining.

She gave us an antibiotic for 10 days plus a Rx for muscle relaxant. As we were going away the next day, I sent all pertinent information between Vet and kennel. We also left instructions for what to do in an emergency if the vet is not available.

We went off on our trip. I was a little worried. We got back last Friday and the Hound Hotel told me that they had no incidences of which he was aware. :)

Since we've been home there have been no seizing of his neck. The doctor agreed we could stop the muscle relaxant but keeping an eye on him. He's been great through all this.

So that's where we stand. He's getting excited about Christmas now. He has been playing very gently.

Best wishes to all of you for happy holidays and a wonderful new year. It's great having you as friends. :D:D:D

-Susan

Hi Susan,

Well, isn't that perplexing...but I am glad the muscle relaxers, or something, seems to be giving him some relief from these episodes. And how great that he didn't have any problems while ya'll were away on your trip, I know that was a relief!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

Hi Susan,

I have no idea either of what could be causing these episodes with Palmer...poor pup. :( And hopefully they won't come back.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday too!

Love and hugs,
Lori

Happy, happy holidays to you all!! :D
You're great friends and have been quite a comfort to us (Palmer & me.) :)
He pooped yesterday and I needed to get some junk out of his tail. (Does anyone else wipe their pups butt??) His poor little tail is so thin of hair. :(:(
He was like an old man, today, with the unwrapping, but he seems fine and still no return of the scary neck things. :) He's eating well....and less. I think he lost a little weight while we were gone, but he's put it right back on! (I just can't resist giving him treats, although I'm trying to cut back on them a little.) :eek:
We've had a very nice day. Cloudy, but not wet yet. They're calling for a good soaker tonight and all day tomorrow. We do NOT need the rain!
In case I'm not back here until after a week, Happy, Happy NEw Year to you all. Let's hope that 2010 brings us nothing buy joy!! :):):D:D

Love and hugs to you all!
-Susan

Happy Holidays to you too!!

Oh Susan, With Harley and Bear any orifice that needs wiping gets it. :eek:;):p:D In fact if they have a dingleberry (a piece of poop) on their behinds they come to me and want me to get it off of them...it's so funny to watch, Bear, my black Pom. is the worst, he acts like that dingleberry is lethal to him!

So happy to hear that there were no more neck episodes for Palmer, and maybe the rain coming is what's making him feeling like a "old man" today. I know the changes in the barometric pressure does a number on me and I can tell you before-hand when it is going to rain or snow.

Let's do hope and pray that 2010 brings us nothing but joy!!

In case you don't get back here...Happy New Year, Susan, and we love you.

Love and hugs,
Lori

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it's so funny to watch, Bear, my black Pom. is the worst, he acts like that dingleberry is lethal to him!

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That just got me to laughing out loud:D:D:D

I wish Rozee would tell me but nooooooo, instead she sits down and trys to wipe it off ususally ending up in an unplanned bath:eek:

But yes we do butt wiping here too:o:):D

Hi Susan,

I'm glad Palmer hasn't had any more episodes with his neck.

I also wipe Corky's hiney. I've been doing it for quite awhile. He's so use to me doing this, that when he poops, he stands there and waits for me to see if he needs to be wiped.

Have a Happy New Year.

Terri