Zoe By My Side- Our Journey with Cushings

Addy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frustrate you any more than you already have been and that the last thing you need.
I was going with Zoe's recent demeanor and the ACTH test numbers where I didn't really see any increase in pre & post numbers which could mean she might be 'Functionally Addison's' per my IMS and not true Addison's.
Since Ginger and Zoe have been on different type of drugs I'm not even sure whether or not trilostane can even destroy adrenal cortex like lysdoren does so Zoe's case could well be temporary where as Ginger's looks more and more permanent.
According to both our IMSs in Ginger's case ( her ACTH numbers are 2.9 both pre & post which are even higher than Zoe's) her adrenals are not producing any cortisol to adequately respond to stress and prednisone therapy is needed.
Like Zoe we are planning on doing Ginger's ACTH stim test in a couple of wks and her IMS has mentioned that she will put Ginger on dexamethasone for a short time as she said this agent doesn't interfere with the test results where as prednisone does.
Nothing about this disease seems easy or simple and presents huge amount of worry and frustration to us parents because we love our babies so very much.
We are seeing her IMS tomorrow and get some blood work done to see where she is. I will make sure to ask some questions and post them regarding what it means to having these therapeutic but blunted ACTH numbers ( which is not considered being Addison's) and how to do the tests if your dog is on a prednisone therapy.
Let's hang in there as our babies need us to stay strong. Then again what other choice do we really have, right? :o Hugs. Song.

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hope this leg issue can be figured out pronto though.

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That has been a challenege since nobody including the surgeon cant say with any certainity what it is we are treating:)

I had planned to start Metacam until her IMS decided to run a "mini test" which I agreed to. She thought that even this low dose of pred may show some signs of the leg improving to confirm we are even dealing with inflamation. So far that is a no though she is walking tonight with her tail not tucked between her legs but that front leg is not good.

There has been no change with the front leg since starting the prednisone?
What is the dosage of pred again that you are giving? When do you talk to the IMS again?

It seems that either the pred is having a good effect on Zoe (for the moment) but not necessarily in relation to her leg, but maybe making other areas feel better.

Can they xray? and tell if there is any difference between now and previous when they saw something they weren't sure what is?

I wish there was some way to know for sure what is going on. What about white blood cell count? Where is that at? Is there anything they can test for to know if it is cancer or not without doing a biopsy?

You must find this whole ordeal very frustrating when all you want to do is fix the problem and yet it is so difficult to discover what the problem is. :(

Sending you big hugs!
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Big hug :)
Love,
Sus

How frustrating. I hope that they figure this out soon.

Addy:
Just letting you know I am praying for you both. Hugs from Tipper and I.
Patti

Dear Addy
an ultra sound showed the lesions in Apollo's intestines indicating cancer. MY vet discouraged me to do a biopsy because in his case it would have been too invasive,and he was so weak already. Only you can decide what you want to do. An ultrasound may show a mass on Zoe's leg? Maybe look up what test can be done to confirm bone cancer and what are the signs.
Because of the cushing's it is more difficult to decide what to do.[QUOTEDiagnosis

Your veterinarian will use X-rays to view the mass, often using several angles to get an accurate picture. Other tests include biopsies, blood tests, bone scans, and CAT scans to view the bone areas, and the mass, if discovered. If the diagnosis is bone cancer, it is important to note that the prognosis is often unfavorable and that there are numerous side effects to the treatment options. Management on your part will be required.][/QUOTE]

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Unfortunately, it is still unknown what exactly causes bone cancer in dogs. However, there are several theories being postulated. Since this form of cancer heavily affects dogs on the larger side, early rapid growth may be a culprit. Because there is a history of it occurring in dogs with metal plates or pins used to repair fractured bones, chronic irritation may play a role, explains veterinarian Jeffrey Philbert, in an article for PetPlace.com . Interestingly, a study on 3218 dogs demonstrated that dogs that were neutered before a year of age had significantly higher chances for developing bone cancer.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer in Dogs
When bone cancer affects the limbs, dogs may become lame and the affected limb may swell. The lameness may be intermittent at first, but as the cancer damages the bone, the dog may be limping continuously. Affected dogs are usually in pain, will appear to be less active, more likely to sleep and there may be loss of appetite. Often, the limb fractures with minimal trauma. Because this type of cancer tends to metastasize (spread) to the lungs, (secondary bone cancer) dogs may also start coughing and having breathing difficulties.

Other less common types of bone cancer may affect the pelvic bones, shoulder blades, vertebrae, skull and facial bones. In these cases, affected dogs may exhibit trouble chewing, trouble swallowing, facial swelling and nasal discharge if the cancer has developed in the skull or facial bones. Cancer in the ribs may be suspected when a hard lump is found on a rib.

If your dog develops any of these signs it is imperative to seek out veterinary care and rule out bone cancer by having x-rays done. Most forms of bone cancer can be diagnosed with x-rays, as the cancer leaves characteristic signs of the ''bone being eaten away''. A chest x-ray is also recommended to determine the presence of lung metastases.

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maybe this will help. Only you and your vet can decide what is right for Zoe,but Hope is that it is not cancer. Please do not overwhelm yourself with too much information overload.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Good Morning Addy & Zoe! :):D
A big hug to start your day and hope that things are going well today.:cool:;)
Love,
Sus

Addy:
Hoping you and Zoe have a good day today. Praying for you both.
Blessings
Patti

We are working toward our goal of improving that leg. The amount of pred she is currently on is not enough to treat inflammation, as I suspected. I have cut her dose of pred to 1/4 of a 5 mg tablet and told the vet that, she said that was fine. I need to see how she is off the pred - this was a trial not a necessity, I will do a taper off of it though I dont think it is really needed. Dose is too high for maintenance dose if she was Addisons and I dont believe we think that is the case, I have no proof of it anyway I wont keep her on 2.5 mgs of pred without a good reason.

Her tail is up more than the last two weeks, so that tells me she is feeling better even if that leg does not work well. The BID 1/4 piece of tramadol really knocks her out. Part of that improvement I saw with the pred was 3 days of SID tramadol which I suspected may be the case.

Last night she had a bad episode of standing and panting and not wanting to settle. I was glad I had already told the vet I was cutting the pred today after I saw that one.

We get an education quickly, dont we? I have a plan, it may be wrong but it is the best I can do as always, knowing my dog. I will proceed with it and pray and hope. I may not be able to help her but it is the only shot I have.

Thank you all for your input

Sus- tail up kiss Bailey for me, Sonja, we are ok, really.