Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

Hi Leslie-

That was such a wonderful post and was so well written. I can very much relate. Every day that Hannah is doing well is like a gift, and I purposely take (and make) time to just love her and enjoy our time together. She is such a sweet girl who loves her "mom" more than anyone or anything else. She has provided me with so much happiness and many, many laughs. Your thought about just having 6 more years is exactly what I did at the Cushing's diagnosis at age 12, but mine was can I just have a couple more years with her? Then it will feel okay. The truth is, it will never be okay to lose my Hannah, but it will be easier if I feel she has lived a long life to the fullest. I am so happy to hear you have had so much time with Squirt. She sounds like quite the character, and I can tell she has brought you loads of joy, love, and laughter.

Julie & Hannah

Hi ya'll,

Squirt got to go see Dr. B today, tho I'm quite sure that is not how she saw it - "got to"...in her mind it's more like "HAD to". :p

She has been panting a bit more than usual and I was concerned about the heart-worm situation. Good news and could-be-better news. She is heart-worm negative! :D Heart and lungs sound good! :D But some of her labs could be better. Here are the abnormal results -

Squirt - Hematology results 2/1/12 (abnormals only)

WBC = 18.0 x10(9)/L Normal = 6.0 – 16.9
GRANS = 15.5 x10(9)L Normal = 3.3 – 12.0
%GRANS = 86%
NEUT ~ 11.1 x10(9)/L Normal = 2.8 – 10.5
EOS ~ 4.4 x10(9)/L Normal = 0.5 – 1.5
PLT = 800 x10(9)/L Normal = 175 – 500
Retics ~ 0.2%

NOTES – General Hematologic Reminders:
Thrombocytosis
Moderate Granulocytosis
Some Diagnostic Possibilities:
Possible stress
Inflammation with little stress
************************************************** **********
Comprehensive Diagnostic (abnormals only)

ALP – 1012 U/L Normal = 20 – 150 U/L :eek:
ALT – 205 U/L Normal = 10 – 118 U/L
AMY – 1519 U/L Normal = 200 – 1200 U/L (Lypase normal)

Dr B. thinks this is all related to the cortisol levels and, bless his heart, feels he has reached his limit with Cushing's skill and wants us to see an IMS in Little Rock. He has recommended a Dr. Nafe (?sp?). Dr. B sent off a resting cortisol today so when we get those results in, I will make the appt. with Dr. Nafe.

Everything else looks fine to Dr. B and it was one relieved mama that came back home. I was so sure the heart-worm would be positive since it has taken so long to get them tested since learning about the HeartGard I used for decades. :rolleyes: Starting today, she is on Advantage Multi, which is supposed to take care of heart-worm, fleas, and intestinal worms...and can be used in conjunction with the Preventix collar for ticks.

I was also worried to pieces about the panting. Squirt has lived with a smoker for nearly 14 years now and the thought of lung cancer (of course! :o:rolleyes:) was at the forefront of my mind. Hopefully, the panting is just the first sign to show up indicating her cortisol is on the rise. THAT I can deal with! :p

Monday, it is little Brick's turn to get to visit with Dr. B. :D

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirty

Thank god no heartworm! Was there something wrong with your Heartguard? Expired? I often keep it in the closet from year to year (I usually stop giving in the fall, resume in spring)

Jeff

Yeah no heart worm. Prob right. Cortisol raising. Glad you were one happy mama today!:D.

Hugsssss xo

What was wrong with heart guard??

Hi Leslie,

No heartworm is a good thing. I worry about that as well.
I hope Brick has a good check up since he is next.

What are your thoughts on the high ALP? Does that relate back t.o Squirt panting more? I just wondered.

Super mama Lesie will get it all worked out I know.:D:D So hard to have to wait for test results, then ponder them when they finally arrive.

love you,
addy

Jeff - back in August Dr B told me that the HeartGard had been found to be ineffective against heart-worm as were many other such products. There is a thread in Everything Else about it - here's the link -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3579

I noticed yesterday that Dr. B's office carried nothing for heart-worm now but the Advantage Multi and a new who's name I can't remember but it starts with a "T"....I think. :o:rolleyes: He still recommended the Advantage Multi for my babies so that is what we went with...and it was a bit cheaper than the other one.

Since learning about the HeartGard, I have been a nervous wreck waiting 'til I could get them all tested. When he came in with that little white test contraption, my heart just stopped and when he said "negative", my head dropped in gratitude. Squirt is clear so I expect the others to be as well, tho Brick is at a bit more risk with his short coat.

Unless it has recently started reproduction, the medicine used to treat heart-worms is still not available. But the doxy treatment can be affective it just takes so much longer.


Addy, yes Dr B feels it is connected to rising cortisol. This morning wondered if one the supplements I started her back on a few months ago could be playing a part so I will be researching and asking some questions about that once again as soon as I can. She took the last one this morning...before the thought hit :rolleyes: ...so I will check it out before reordering. She can't take milk thistle so I will also be seeing what else is out there that might help. And there is always the Denamarin/Denosyl. OH! I just remembered SAMe! I have some of that! geez...this old brain...:rolleyes:

I have started convincing myself that her panting is the result of her liver. ;)

I went ahead and made the appt with Dr Nafe yesterday for next Tues. morning. I suggested they call Dr B and have Squirt's novel sent over so they could read it beforehand. :p The girl just giggled so that made me feel good about things there - a bit any way.

I also found out that Dr. Nafe was the 2007 Veterinary of the Year in Arkansas. His specialties are small animal IMS and neurology.

Now for the part I'm sure most of you have been expecting - the GUILT IS EATING ME UP! I was literally sick last nite, puking, thinking that I have made her worse by starting the maintenance instead of loading her. I let my arrogance and finances stop me from doing this the right way. There wasn't any money for an ACTH then but I am telling myself I could have found a way. That's why I couldn't wait for the resting cortisol to come in to make the appt. with Dr Nafe - I have to know and get this going the right direction. I console myself that she is showing only one possible sign - the panting. Her thirst, appetite and urination is all normal, hair and coat normal, belly normal - but her labs could be better. So the Queen of Guilt is firmly ensconced on her thorny Throne this morning.

Hugs,
The Queen of Guilt and the Queen of Dogdom

Leslie

Thanks for the info on the HeartGuard:eek: Got to look into that and check which one Penny is on - cant think right now but will look

Leslie please dont feel quilty - I know how it is - there are so many tests and treatments for Penny and I have to pick and chose - financially it is so difficult - id we hit the lottery right now we wouldnt hesitate - but we didnt- yet:D - so we have decisions to make - just dont feel quilty - you are a WONDERFUL MOM!!!!!! :)

love and hugsss xoxo

Dear Queen of Guilt,

You have always done what was right for your pups and did the best you could. Always.:):)

We all try things. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. We can't feel guilty when they dont turn out right. How is that any different from me trying Trilostane rather than Lysodren? You tried a maintenance dose and it worked for a while so why do you feel guilty?

So it was not exactly by the book. Our dogs dont read the dang book anyway so what the hey?;);)

Now no more guilt. You are the best mom to your babies and they love you and they could not ask for a better home.

And

we love you to:D
addy

Hi there Leslie,

It's been a while, but I'm glad Squirty tested negative for that yucky heartworm...ugh...As you know, I can't offer anything on the lab work, (Debbie, where are you? lol), and hope there is nothing to be concerned with.

Thinking of you and the gang with love.

We love you...xo Jeanette and Princess

Sweet Leslie,

You have nothing to feel guilty about, you do everything possible for your furbabies.

Your deep love, commitment, and devotion to them all is very, very evident. No more guilt, hear me!

Sending tons of love and hugs, Lori