14 year-old Shih Tzu With Recent Cushing's Diagnosis

Hi Julie,

Sorry for the news on the mange and all the work trying to get rid of it. How is our little girl doing?

Always thinking of you.
((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))

Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!!!!!!!
May all of your Christmas wishes come true...
May we all stay away from any and all cliffs,
Peace and Joy to all!
-Susan

I truly hope you are not sick with the bugger boo flu:(:(:(

Merry Christmas Hannah and Julie. It has been a hard year, I know, but I hope you found Christmas.


(((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))) )

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Hello Julie,
I've been reading your posts, and I have a dog that has the same/similar issues as your sweet baby Hannah. He has recently been confirmed to have Cushings, but he also has issues with his hips and legs. He has a difficult time standing and tends to sway and wobble. He also has trouble walking outside to use the bathroom, and at times has pooped while lying down because he can’t get up on his own. And he gets totally mortified when he does this. I know he is so frustrated and confused about this.
When he standing or walking, his back legs are quite close together and will cross over each other causing him to stumble. His back feet also curl under causing him to stumble as well. I know, from x-rays, he has some arthritis in his hips and knees, and I know that Cushings causes muscle loss/weakness, but now I am thinking it make be in his back and possible disk/nerve related.

Last week (Wed) he went in for his first acupuncture treatment and the following day (Thursday) I started him on Vetoryl. By Friday, he couldn’t get up at all and couldn’t even stand with the support of my boyfriend and I holding him up. He is a 94 lb dog and quite heavy. I know that they said acupuncture causes some weakness for a couple of days, but this was beyond that. Due to feeling he was overmedicated, I stopped the Vetoryl yesterday (Sunday) in hopes that he would regain some strength. He has regained some and can get up and move around a little easier, but still not where he should be.

As for the Cushings meds, I have decided to stop treatment on that (for now) because of his age (turns 13 in February) and I am afraid it will cause him to have no mobility or movement at all. I would rather him live the remainder of his life able to walk and to be as pain free as possible. Right now, I have him on Tramadol, Metacam, Cosequin, Milk Thistle and Fish Oil.

Do you think the acupuncture has been effective? His second appointment is this Wednesday. I have also wondered about Gabapentin too. What has been working for Hannah?? I am willing to try anything.

Thank you, Julie

Merry Christmas Julie and Hannah!

Stay warm and have a wonderful Christmas.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Merry Christmas Julie to you and Hannah. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.

Love and hugs,

Tina, Jasper and Shelby

Merry Christmas to Julie and Hannah, have a great day!
Trish and Flynn xx

Hi everyone-

Just a quick note to let you know we are alive and doing fairly well. I will update more later, and plan to check in on all of you as well. I have family coming over for dinner in a couple of hours and then my brother-in-law will be coming to stay with us tonight before leaving for New York tomorrow morning. When the guys are hanging out tonight, I hope to have a chance to get caught up.

Until then, Merry Christmas to all!

Julie & Hannah

Hi Julie
Hope Hannah is doing ok and her skin troubles are easing :)
Trish xx

Happy New Year to Julie and Hannah!! Hope you are enjoying the holidays and Hannah is getting some relief! Have great night xx