Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

Leslie, you better quit beating yourself up or I'll have to come to Arkansas and do it for you. :D Why is it that we tend to forget all we've learned when we're talking about our own dogs? How many times have you, me and others told members that if our dogs were not symptomatic, we wouldn't treat, especially with Lysodren because the appetite and water consumption are all we can rely on for signs of loading? If Squirt's post stim is too high for your comfort what options are you giving yourself.

Options...hummmm...one is to increase her maintenance dose; one is to continue as we are until her signs become stronger; one is to keep beating myself up until you get here to take over from me! :p

LOL Leslie from your last post!!!

Oh how I remember the "what do I do" when I thought Maddie's numbers were going up and how the heck would I know if I gave her the right loading amount because how would I see any signs....:eek: Of course it is a guessing game but I did see just that hint of a change.

You know in your heart what to do, but I know it isn't easy. Squirt will do just fine.

I would love to see Glynda come and beat you up for beating yourself up....:D

((((HUGS))))

Hi Ya'll,

Spent the morning in Little Rock with testing. I liked what little I got to know about Dr. Nafe and he was very good with Squirt. Of course, she could have cared less, just let her out of there! ;)

He examined her and he did hear congestion in her upper respiratory tract...but didn't hear any heart murmur during the initial exam. She has had a grade 2 for some time ??? BUT, he kept her in the back for two hours and I didn't get to talk to him when I picked her up. I am to call Fri morning for the UTK panel results and he left instructions for me to continue treating just as I have until we get them back. Maybe he will have more to tell me then. It surprised me when he said he didn't hear a murmur tho.

I did get her resting cortisol from the test at Dr. B's last week -

5.48 ug/dl Normal range 1.0 - 6.0

So it is getting on up there. I am anxious to see the results Fri. but she was really stressed in the office today and probably got more so after having to leave her - I didn't like that part much. ;)

I'll let ya'll know what I learn as I do.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

No heart murr murr. Cool. I don't see how they can hear anything over a dogs breathing. I bought a stethoscope to listen for Kira's heart murr murr and I couldn't even hear a heart bet! I can't find a pulse either. I think she's dead.

Have we learned anything yet?:confused:

Today we are supposed to get Squirt's test results. I have already been calling but just get the recording. Don't they know someone should be on hand 24/7 when a cush mom is expecting test results?!? :p

Off the pace the camper for a few more minutes! Be back when I have the info.

AAAAHHHHHHHGGGGG!!!!

The office is open but Dr. Nafe doesn't get in until 9am! I told the receptionist that I have been up pacing since about 6 and calling for the last 10 minutes. :D

Bless their hearts....they had no idea what kind of mom they were taking on when Squirt and I came through their door.

Back to pacing and staring at the clock....

:D:D Just talked with Dr. Nafe - all results are normal with the exception of the
Androstenedione, which is "very mildly elevated". Dr. Nafe said the melatonin and lignans would continue to work on this hormone. Cortisol is "perfect"! :D:D

When he examined her last week, he mentioned her upper respiratory - he could hear some congestion and noise there. I asked about it and he said unless she started coughing, sneezing, struggling to breath - not to worry about it. I feel so guilty because I smoke and she has lived with that for 14 years. She makes the same noises I do on exhale so I was worried she had emphysema, too - or worse. Dr. Nafe said that smoking is, of course, not good for them to be around but that dogs are not as prone to the same respiratory responses we are - they rarely get problems beyond what he hears in Squirt. Cancers, emphysema and other conditions from second hand smoke are possible but not probable in dogs like in humans. He did say that smush-faced dogs are at more risk than dogs with snouts.

In the exam he also mentioned her mammary glands but we didn't discuss them further so I ask about that, too. He said what he found were some cysts on some of the mammarys but, again, nothing to worry about. He said that these are often found on spayed females that were allowed to go through a heat or two before being fixed, AND that elevated progesterones can cause deposits in the glands resulting in these cysts.

He feels the elevated ALP is the Cushing's and to continue doing what I am to try to help that - Burdock root. I had just put her back on the Burdock not long before the labs Dr. B ran so we hope it will help with the ALP. He was very supportive of my use of nutraceuticals and just asked that I let him know when I add anything else to her mix or change her diet.

Dr. Nafe seems quite knowledgeable and was so kind to Squirt and to me. He listened to my questions and concerns without interrupting then answered in language that was clear, explaining his reasoning in depth. I am very pleased with our first encounter with Dr. Nafe. :) Anyone in the Little Rock, ARK area - I can gladly recommend Dr. Larry Nafe. ;)

This mama is very relieved after talking with him this morning. ~~deep cleansing sigh~~ They are mailing the results to me and when I get them I will post the results.

OH! An important story to share with ya'll - when we were checking out after her exam last week, I asked the receptionist to make a note in Squirt's file to mail copies of all her actual tests results to me because I keep a file at home for her. A lady standing there heard me and said that was a good idea, one she had not thought of but would do from now on. I explained about Squirt having Cushing's and that I had been taught this little trick by my Cushing's forum family. She told me that she had had a dog with Cushing's that weighed 135 lbs and we got to talking about the cost of treatment with Lyso for a dog that size VS one Squirt's size. She then told me that her baby lived seven years after diagnosis and passed from old age. So I wanted to pass this story on, especially for newcomers, so you know that it is possible for our babies to live well and long with this disease with the proper treatment. Never give up hope. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

What a great update about sweet Squirt, we are all sighing with relief with you!!!

Wonderful story about the lady and the files...one never knows when them there angel wings of yours will reach out and touch someone.

Love and hugs,
Lori