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Hurricane Patti is gaining strength inland! High winds and flying crap expected in the morning hours, possibly waning in the afternoon hours but no guarantee. These storms are unpredictable and fierce when they are given impetus. The K9C Weather Service says this storm has the capacity to leave shattered egos in its wake. All those in the path of Hurricane Patti need to take cover immediately...or leave the state. :p
Leslie:
You are too funny, I laughed myself silly reading this. You sure have a way with words. Hoping you had a good nite and Squirt had the same. Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
The saga continues. I called the vet's office first thing this morning only to find out my vet will not be in until Monday. I will go ballistic by then. I am driving down there to see the vet on duty. My Tipper is not doing well and I have had enough ___! Someone better be prepared to give me answers and get my girl a prescription for 5mg Trilostane. You can only push me so far, and then you are going to get the anger of a mom that truly loves her girl. I will post later, I have my war face on now and I'm heading to the vets, hope who ever is on duty is ready for this. Blessings
Patti
Go get em Patti and "git er done" - how frustrating, and annoying. I'm still waiting myself, had to call my vet then the IMS and seems nothing has been done so far.
Good luck Patti!
That really stinks Patti!! Can't someone at least let you know the results so you're not waiting til Monday!! Then you can call Dechra yourself and see what they recommend. Wow...can't believe your vet is such a meany!! Is there another vet there who you can speak to for now??
Sorry you are going through this frustration!! :mad:
Barbara
Hi Everyone;
I have to quickly post and take Tipper to laser therapy. I had to get someone to watch her while I went to the vets. I got there and asked the girl to call the Dr. on his cell phone. She said "is it important?" and I said "very."
She called him and told him I needed him to come to the office. I sat there and waited quite a while, my anger boiling over. The girl tried to make small chit chat with me and I was not having it. Finally he arrived, and said " Patti where is Tipper I thought this was an emergency?"
I said " it is", but Tipper is not here." 'I am the one with the emergency." He said "I don't understand." I said" then let me explain it to you so you do understand." I said " I am not playing games with you anymore, I am done." I told him I knew he had these test results yesterday morning at 8am, and how dare he let me wait and carry my phone and paperwork around with me all day thru the house waiting for him to call. I said " Do I pay you on time?" and he said" yes always." I said then I am demanding the same respect from you, and want the results I paid you for the day they come in, not the next day. I proceeded to say how Tipper has been bad this week, and she is in a fragile state, and who does he think he is having her as a patient and not even caring about her enough to get this straightened out so she can get on the proper medication dose asap??? I told him I have busted my butt to keep her going and all I get from him is no cooperation what so ever. I said "look I am very ill from all this if you cannot deliver what I expect then it is time to part ways. There were people in the waiting room listening to this and I was very loud on purpose. I told him I know enough about this now to handle things myself and all I need is testing and RX's, and any flunky can do that. He said "I did not realize you would be this upset over waiting a day." I said when my dog is sick, and needs something don't mess with me, I thought you learned that before?" I said "This dog is my world, and I won't stand for this kind of shoddy care." He said I know how much you love this dog, but I can't personally involve my self in every case." I said ' I am not asking you to love my dog and be involved emotionally with her, I am asking for what I pay you for and giving me test results in a timely manner does not require you getting emotionally involved with my dog." He said I will make sure to get you the results as soon as I humanly can." I said the next time there is a problem, I won't be coming in here and calling you to meet me, I will be seeking help else where for the sake of my dog, and for my own sanity as I have put up with enough here and you better understand that. " He then reluctantly went over her results with me. She is pre 3.0 and post 7.0 so she doubled the numbers from before on both. He said he talked to Dechra yesterday about the situation. Dr. Fox is in agreement with me about 10 mg morning 10 mg evening, the next day 20 mg morning and 10 evening. So it will be every other day she gets 30mg total. The only caution was she must have her next ACTH on the 30mg day. I am still going to keep trying the 10 and 10 split. Yesterday was the second day I overlapped the dosage gave one at 7am and the next at 2:30 when she eats again. It seemed to help with the hunger, and I want to make sure it will work before jumping to the 30mg. I am hoping I can hold her where she is with the 20, as that also keeps the tumor from growing as it has some cortisol. I am trying for the healthiest way for her, without more harm from the cortisol. Please give me some opinions on if you think these last cortisol numbers are ok or not. Maybe they are too high???? Feedback please from our Vetoryl people. Have to run to laser therapy, I have a headache from telling this vet off and not sleeping all nite. Blessings
Patti
SO.....Let me get this straight..he did have the test results, he did look at them and he did call Dechra to consult with them about Tipper---ALL this happened yesterday, but then he didn't see fit to call and let you in on anything?? It makes no sense! He said he didn't think you would mind waiting a day but really you would be waiting until he came back on Monday? That's not A day, that's 4 more days. I don't get it, why didn't he just call you after he reviewed the results yesterday????
Ok...water under the bridge I guess.
As for the dosing...so it's one day 20mg and the next day 30mg, alternating each day? If the drug is cycling out of the system every 12 hours does it help to have one day higher than the other? I'm just asking because I don't know?
Why wouldn't you increase each day's dose? maybe going to 26 or 28 each day from 20? Giving 12 or 14mg at each dose?
Is the thinking that too small an increase would not make a difference?
Are you comfortable going up 10mg in one day all in one dose?
I am not expert enough to know, I'm just asking. Seems like a more balanced approach would control Tipper more consistently. Getting a jolt of 20mg-double from what she's used to, once every other day seems daring to me.... I really don't mean to doubt what you and the Dr. feel would be right, I'm just wondering about why it would be best. I hope whatever the new dosing is that Tipper gets controlled and feels better...that's all I wish for her and for you too Patti.
Barbara
just adding that Trixie had an acth in April that was Pre: 3.2 Post: 7.2 (very close to your current result)
In May she had Pre: 8.0 and Post: 10.4
so that was a big increase for one month. We raised to 28mg a day in 2 doses.
July acth was Pre: 2.9 and Post 4.1. Good numbers but still symptoms. Stayed on 14mg 2x a day and now symptoms pretty much gone...we'll do another acth in a few weeks unless she shows signs of too low.
Way to tell him, Mom! :cool:
Since you are seeing signs to accompany the 7.0 post number, that tells me she does need the increase. Dechra says a post of 9.1 is ok as long as all signs are controlled - Tipper's are not so the post of 7.0 is not ok for her.
One of our members, Corky, had an adrenal tumor and he had a hard time staying regulated through the day and night so they went to a 3x a day dosing schedule. Just something to put on the back burner should you need to consider it at some point. ;)
Of course Patti, I can't give you any advice, but I will say this.
Next time I EVER get into a sticky situation with anyone... can I bring you with me? That was great what you said to him, and I feel he deserved it. I want you on MY TEAM !!!!
Hi Everyone:
We are back from laser therapy, got in a torrential down pour none the less. Tipper is in the closet as it is coming down in buckets. Yes I too am wondering about this every other day dosage. I am thinking it over. I am probably going to have to get 5mg of Trilostane from Diamondback. I just cannot have this willy nilly crap, up and down, that cannot be good either. Even though I have mixed emotions on the compounding, I may have to do it. I cannot have her feeling like this. Today at laser therapy she just wanted the Dr. to let her alone and was getting quite annoyed at her. She was panting a lot, and shaking. Could be how she is feeling and could be the weather. She has not been real good the last five days and I am extremely worried about her. I think I am going to call the vets and have them call him to get an RX for the 5mg.
Back Again!
Well I just made an executive decision to get 5mg compounded and go with that strategy. I called Diamondback and gave all my info and credit cards, and the vet that is currently in at my vets is to get me an RX and get it to them today. She will be on 25mg then which I will probably do in one ,as her previous dose was 30mg 1 dose. I just do not want to be flopping around with her dosages especially the way she is feeling. Tipper shows very strong symptoms right away when uncontrolled. They said if the vet gets a move on I can get it in 4-5 days. This vet better not fool around any more, cause he has not seen me when I get really angry, and where Tipper is involved- he better look out as I made myself crystal clear to him today as to what I expect. It's only right especially with what I have paid him. I could have blown a gasket waiting in his office today for him. Any more miss steps and things will be flying in his office, and in his direction. I am exhausted from no sleep and all this crap that I should never have to go thru. it is just like a battle and it does not have to be like that, just do your ____ job! Hope all of the babies are doing ok in these storms. Blessings
Patti
Sometimes you just have to make a decision and go with it. :)
I think you are doing excellent. I think a balance is good for them with cortisol, but I also think with an adrenal tumor that is is hard to get that balance because it might be more active at different times of the day. That is hard to know when it would be happening and only by really being able to tell by her actions might you know, which I'm sure you would, since you know her so well.
You're doing great
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Patti...I too am doing a vetoryl/trilostane combo. I get my 4mg caps from Diamondback too. It's been going fine...they definitely have been working. So most part brand name and part generic. It must be up to par because Trixie is finally getting back to normal.
I hope the 25mg will do the trick for Tipper.
We had one storm pass a few hours ago...Trixie hid in the bathroom. The skies are darkening right now so looks like we've got more coming. Hope your weather is cleared up by now!
Barbara
Patti, Tipper is lucky to have you for her mom. I hope things get better for her soon. Just so I understand, she was on 10mg twice a day, and now you are switching her to 25mg once a day? Are you gradually increasing her, or changing it right up? Junior has been getting 5mg compounded without any problems. Diamondback seems pretty well liked on here, so I wouldn't worry about the compounding.
Patti, Daisy has been on compounded Trilo since day one. She's doing well as you know.
Hi Everyone:
Well I guess my vet did understand my feelings after all. I called into his office to have the vet on duty order Trilostane at 5mg for Tipper. They must have called him at home immediately. He called me and said ' I thought we decided to follow Dr. Fox's approval of the 30mg every other day?" I said " well after giving it much thought Tipper was on 30mg, and her pre number got low from it, and 20mg is not enough, so 25mg is in the middle and that is what I want to try." It should not overdose her as she has had the 30 and didn't, so I am praying this will go smoothly and that this will even her out, and not drop her too low as I am going for the once a day dosing of 3 pills. My vet is against compounding, I don't really like it either, but for Tipper's health I need to get this done already, and that may or may not be the solution. If not then I will try the every other day 30mg. I am trying to balance not having this tumor grow with keeping her symptoms at bay. He knows I never do anything without researching it and thinking it through, so he said he would call it in last nite. He said since I am with her 24/7 and know her so well ,I will know in a day or two if it works. If it doesn't at least I tried that avenue first. If not I will be buying 3 boxes of 10mg Vetoryl a month, very expensive way to treat. The other way I have to buy 2 boxes of 10mg Vetoryl and 5mg of compounded capsules, so it is expensive either way, there is nothing I can do about it. It poured here on and off all nite. Tipper was in and out of the closet. I saw her chewing at her back foot thins morning. When I got close to her she was like sucking on it. I looked at it and sure enough there are 2 small calcium deposits about the size of a pin head. She has it bleeding from sucking and biting it. I may have to wrap it, but she is an expert at unwrapping anything. Any ideas on this are welcome. I am going to put some Panalog on it, since that won't hurt her if she licks it. I will have to show it to the vet Wednesday when she gets her booster for Adequan. It has been raining this morning also, and she needs to walk, she has not walked in 2 days because of the humidity. I need to get this xtra weight off her she picked up during this uncontrolled spell. I pray this week of being uncontrolled has not done any further damage to her already. I got a beautiful Rosary yesterday that was blessed and prayed on by Father Madigan of Oblates. They say a prayer for Tipper. God help all of us and our babies.
Patti
Patti, I have no experience with calcium deposits so I can't offer advice. Others will chime in shortly I'm sure :)
I agree that 25mg is the way to go. It can't hurt, right?
Hi Patti I was wondering...Lillo was given the tablets in 5mg...what they did was the pharmacy split the tablets so there was twice the amount. it cost 45 euros (around $60). That would work out for your dose you talk about at $150 per month @25mg and $180 @30mg. Wow thats a lot! Is it the same price in america as Europe?Quote:
Originally Posted by goldengirl88
Sending hugs and prayers for you and Tipper..
Hope Tipper is having a good night now that the storms are gone and the cool weather is here. Did you already get your compounded capsules and start on the 25mg?
I hope it gets Tipper controlled and feeling good! :)
Barbara
I hope his new meds adjustment helps sweet Tipper feel a little better. There should be a break in the storms soon. Xxxxx
Patti,
I hope the new dose will be just what Tipper needs.
Hi Everyone:
I guess it did the job lighting a fire under my vet. He ordered the 5mg trilostane from Diamondback. They sent me an email saying it shipped. I am hoping this will be what Tipper needs to feel better. She has had a miserable week, and I am very concerned about her. I noticed where the vet tech shaves her leg on the bottom, to get a good blood pressure that the 2 small calcium deposits are close to the shaved area. I am wondering if that irritated them as she is chewing and sucking on them and they are bleeding. Any suggestions on how to get this leg chewing stopped. I would use bitter apple, but it will burn now that it is bleeding. I had put some Panalog on, but she has since licked it off. Yesterday afternoon Tipper had a really bad vestibular episode. It was the worst one to date and lasted the longest. I tried to hold her so she did not fall, but she was not having it and was growling. It scares her to death. This time I though the head tilt was not going to go away. She has had 2 walks already this morning so that will help get the xtra weight off she gained from being uncontrolled this past week. I took her out to potty last nite and there sat a homing pigeon, very beautiful one in fact. He is there again this morning, maybe injured or tired and resting. I took some food out for him, and he came to me. I will keep and eye on him and if necessary take him for help to the Naturalist over at the lake by where I live. A few years ago I found a sick beaver on shore that must have been hit by a boat and took him there, and they helped him. Not so sure they will be thrilled with a pigeon as they are considered by many as a nuisance. Hope everyone has a good weekend with their babies. Blessings
Patti
The only thing I can think of to help her stop gnawing the leg is a cone or a wrap. But the idea of a wrap bothers me as I think air getting to areas is often very important for healing. Are you thinking this could be CC? Any possibility she got a bite from something that is itchy? Do you see any other white spots anywhere?
You're a good gal to save beavers and pigeons. Most folk would simply walk away and let them die. What a blessing you are to those Souls around you.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Leslie:
No other white spots around it but it may be CC as that is one of the only things we have not had a problem with!! I am going to have the vet look at it. I don't want to cone her because of her trachea, even though I have a soft one I don't want to put anything around her neck. I know if I wrap it she will rip it off. Maybe a Betadyne soak or do you think it would burn her too bad?
I got some stuff from our vet in TN when I had Crys because she was always getting torn up one way or the other. They gave a blue sudsy liquid and a very thick brown goo. I was to clean the area with the blue stuff then coat it with the brown stuff. Names for this "stuff" would be nice, huh? :D I'll find them and let you know. There is also a great product called Vetericyn that is for wound care that I think you can get at places like PetCo. I know you can order it online.
Patti,
Just wanted to say hi and that I'm praying for you and Tipper.
Donna and Angel Tia
Donna;
Thank you, she needs all the prayers she can get. She has never been this bad. Hopefully I can turn this around. I wish I never heard of this disease. I hope your heart is on the mend, I know it would nearly kill me if something happened to my Tipper, so I know what you are going thru. God Bless You.
Patti
Hi Patti,
I hope that the skin irritation is getting better and not worse. I hate the collars and some dogs are really spooked by them...mine definitely is. When she was spayed she freaked out with the collar..I ended up making her the equivalent of a sausage casing out of an old shirt sleeve..it was just loose enough to not touch the stitches and it kept her unable to get at it. Maybe you can put something on Tipper to keep her from gnawing on it....loose enough to let air in but covered enough to keep her away from it. Maybe some kind of dog clothes, Trixie hates any apparel on her body but some dogs don't mind it. It's hard when they are constantly licking and biting at themselves.
I order 4mg compounded capsules from Diamondback. I add it to a 10mg of Vetoryl to get the 14mg that I give twice a day. I hope your new dosing plan will be the trick to get Tipper controlled. I got their shipment pretty quickly I think. Hope yours comes really soon!
At least it is cool out now! It was jacket weather here this morning...it's since warmed up some, but I'm not complaining. Trixie had a great walk. I see the difference in her right away when it's cool outside.
Hope Tipper has a good day and night tonight.
Barbara
Patti, awww poor Tipper.
On the plus side, I'm so happy that the vet seems to have gotten his butt in gear!!!!
Hi Patti,
You might think about using some sort of soft e-collar on Tipper despite her trachea issues. As long as she keeps sucking and chewing on her leg, it won't be able to heal. The more she chews, the higher risk of infection. I know you'll get it figured out. Xxxx
there is this sticky guaze product....it sticks to itself, not to the skin or fur, makes a wonderful wrap, they have it in wrap and gauze, allows good ventilation . However....i always tend to worry about if they would get wrap off when not attended...and depending on size, baby leggins work well too, the footless ones.
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had a decent nite last nite. It would seem the cooler weather is better for her to sleep, even though I have central air. The cool weather has done so much good for her. She had a lot of muscle contractions last nite, and I worry if this is a pheo working on her while she sleeps. She is not as restless when it is cool, and seems to stay in one spot longer and get more sleep. She is up before dawn though, and that is ok as long as she is with me she can get up at 2am and I don't care. I have to run out and get my flu shot so I have to get someone to watch her until I get back. I hope the 5mg trilostane comes by Monday so I can tell the vet when I see him Wednesday if it worked. I am working on some ingredients for a birthday cake for Tipper. She will be 12 on October 4th and I want something nice for her that won't make her sick. It needs to be real low fat, so I am thinking applesauce or bananas in the batter instead of oil and maybe yogurt icing. If any one has any low fat recipe please let me know, as I would appreciate it. I wish with all my heart this was her 2nd or 3rd birthday- oh how I would do things differently. I can only pray that she would reach the age her breed usually lives to 17-18, but I am scared that will not happen. I keep hoping as that is all I have left. Blessings to all and all the babies.
Patti
Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper has been acting really depressed and tired today. I don't know what to make of it yet, I will see when morning comes. It could be the 3 walks she did today, as she has not been doing that many because of the heat. She could just be tuckered out. I hope so as I am worried about her after this week that she has been off from not being controlled. I have said this many times over, but this disease has aged me 10 years. I am dragging today and that is not normal for me to be sooooo tired. I hope I am not coming down with anything. Mel where are you??? I miss you and Tipper is sending kisses and hugs to you and Boyce. My first experience with Diamondback is kind of a bust. They charged my bank card twice in one day for the same thing. I will have to deal with that tomorrow. Loving the cool weather, and wanting more like it. I pray the 5mg comes tomorrow. Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
Another decent nite for Tipper. She slept right next to me and never left the bed. Not too many breathing noises either so I consider that good. She has walked already this morning, and does not seem as out of it as she was yesterday. I am praying the 5mg comes today, it should especially since they charged me twice for it!!! We had a gentle rain shower last nite, it never bothered her. Today is nice and cool again thank goodness. I am thinking of taping a baby sock over Tipper's foot as the spot she is chewing is by the ankle area, and that would cover it. That way the air can get in thru the sock. I am betting my money on Tipper tearing it off in minutes, but it is worth a try. I may take it to the vets on Wednesday and see what they come up with. Blessings
Patti
Persistent licking and gnawing can result in a condition called Lick Granuloma. Here is some info on it and some ideas on how to handle it.
http://www.dogleggs.com/granuloma
http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-hea...e#.Ujb7Iz9HZk0
http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/lick-gran...king-sore-dogs
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vth/sacp/d...nuloma_000.pdf
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites...-disorder.aspx
Leslie you rock girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Patti, I purchased a pair of kids tights, and made a cut in the butt. This way I was able to get them on Junior's legs, and the waistband slipped over his head to hold them in place. Just a suggestion.
Hi Patti,
Glad Tipper had another good one last night--not restless and good breathing. I hope she has the same tonight. I think this beautiful cool weather is the best for Cush dogs. Trixie has not been panting at all. We can walk more and for Trixie the more she's out walking the better she seems.
Did you receive your 5mgs from Diamondback? I hope they come soon so you can get Tipper started on the new dose..keeping my fingers crossed. :D
Barbara