Zoe By My Side- Our Journey with Cushings

Thanks guys:D:D:D what would I do without you. Leslie, you are so right speaking to another control freak. Hi Jane!!!!!!! How are you?????? I am so thrilled to hear from you!!!:D:D:D

I feel better this morning because I know now when Zoe can have her stim (scheduled it for 4/19) so I can count backwards from that date for starting 30 mgs and I know I have enough pills for different scenarios. Also, the good vet tech will be working with other IMS the week our IMS is gone so if I need something I can call her. I think I was mainly worried about do I have enough different strength pills. I think I do and if not I know I can call the vet tech that week and beg a perscription.

One thing we are wondering, with start low and go slow, do you just have to get to the magic dose or is it a 25% increase sometimes cannot have enough impact on them and you have to hit them with a bigger increase like 50%? I would guess it depends on what their post cortisol is would it not?

I just read back through my email to Dr. Allen after we switched to 20mgs and she pogoed back up. I forgot she flared when we went from 15 to 20. So far 2 days at 25mgs, she is fine, poops are good so far, water consumption has decreased a bit.

I do know a lot about Cushings. Hubby tells me that all the time. AND I know all of you have my back:D:D:D:D

I was so expecting to go to BID this has all thrown me for a loop. I had many months to get used to 20/10 dosing:D:D:D. This decision I had to make in 30 minutes at WORK!!!!! I hate it when that happens.

Day one of 25mgs did not phase Zoe. I took a relaxing bath and she and Koko were playing and wrestling in the hall way while I was trying to relax. I ignored them:D:D:D

Day two and counting

love you all

You changed your avitar? Or am I just getting old? lol I point the camera at my dogs they look the other way too. They hate that little black flashy box!

Sure am glad you are able to keep your head on straight, keep it all straight. Wow... as confurmed by hubby too! You lost me with the first sentence.

((((hugs)))))

Lol Janis,

Yes, I changed my avatar to my favorite pix of Zoe. It was taken the summer we adopted her and it was her first professional groom.

Yup, when I am at work, I don't make a lot of sense when I type:rolleyes:

Almost end of day two- not sure what to think, she's wrestling with Koko again but tonight she did "play bow". I can't remember when I last saw Zoe do "play bow":):):)

She does not seem to be chewing as much so that means she is not running to the water bowl all the time.

Almost seems like she was last fall before the potty licking and paw chewing started. She is still chewing her paw but not quite as much.

Don't you wish we had a Cush-O-Meter and it would work like a thermometer and we would just put it in their mouth and say" yup, 3.4 we are good to go:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Now come on with all of you out there, can't someone invent that?

I guess I'll see what day three brings. Hoping it brings her good luck tomorrow because it is my birthday. SHHHHH don't tell anyone, really.:rolleyes::cool::)

Happy Early Birthday! I'm so glad Zoe seems to be feeling better. (I should whisper that and not tempt fate) :)

Dear Addy
Just checking in on you. Good luck on the new regiment. You are a great Mom to Zoe and I am sure she will do fine. Just think she is still here.
HUgs Sonja and Apollo

Ha! I heard that... Happy Birthday Addy :D :D :D

Hugs,

Sas and Mhina :)

I never could keep a secret! :rolleyes:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDY!
@->-->----

:D:D:D:D :D:D :D ;)

Oh Addy, Happy Birthday from me, too!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

(And I can't resist telling you and Leslie that my Peg is now a card-carrying member of the "blue" Nolvasan club, too :o. I think she actually hurt her paw somehow, cause she's been limping the last couple of days. Well, overnight she licked the dickens out of it and it looks like raw meat and is all swollen up :(. Took her into the vet and her whole paw is infected. So what did he send us home with? -- none other than a bottle of the blue stuff to mix up for soaking. As bad as I was feeling, it actually made me smile when he gave it to me. I told Peg she's in very good company ;) -- although we're hoping that Zoe's "blue" days are all in the past now!!!)

Marianne

Happy Birthday, Addy!!!

:D:D Happy 29th Birthday, dear Addy! :D:D

Happy Birthday Addy!

Happy Day dear Addy! Hugs, Kim

Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu,
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu,
Happy birthday dear Addy........................,
Happy birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.!!!!!

Happy birthday to the best pal a gal could ever have!

I took Bailey to get groomed today.....clipping this time, not scissors. I asked her to give her the "Palmer cut." YIKES!!!!! She's dang near BALD!!!!! The head is good, but the body.......YIKES!!!!! I'd take a picture, but I feel so sorry for her.:(:(

Knee collapsed at groomer's. Oh how I wish just once I'd have a dog that had ZERO problems. I love her no matter what.:D:D:D

Have a bite of birthday cake for me. By the way, my tummy sticks WAYYYYY out, I walk with a limp or two and I've just crashed back to earth after the latest medication change.:eek::eek::rolleyes:

Have a GREAT weekend. I love you. Best of hugs to Zoe and Koko.....and hubby. Cool that your birthday is so close to your Mom's.

Love,
Sus

Awww thank you all. I am having a very nice birthday. Actually I was born on my mom's birthday so we get a twofer:D:D

Marianne- I am so sorry to hear of Peg being a member of the blue solution club:(:(:( Sending you lots of hugs:):):):):)

I had a very nice birthday party at work and now we are off to see mom. Hubby is taking me out with the kids tomorrow night and we are bringing mom home Sunday for a family gathering. Should be a really nice weekend!!!

Thank you for the birthday wishes!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D Leslie, how did you know how old I am?;);););)

love,
addy

Say......Addy.......I just realized Marie Irene has a birthday coming up at the end of next week. Now, I know when certain drugs are given to me that I might not know who I am or where I am...................but please tell me that I was not in labor for 8 days - that you are not twins. YIKES!!!!! :);):D

LOL SUS,

Labor for eight days? Yikes is right!!!!!!!

Sister Marie Irene is the younger child!!!!!! Don't you remember all the babysitting I had to do?

Hope you are feeling better, sounds like you turned the corner!!!
Go Susan!!!

How is Bailey?

Zoe is starting to drink like a fish again:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Hope this next bump does the trick. When you did twice day dosing with Palmer when did you do the ACTH stim?

Happy Weekend!!!!

Four weeks later. I think you can rest assured that you've thought this through and that you will find that it turns out not to be so scarey.

Love,
Sus

Happy Day-After-Your-Birthday, Addy! I hope you had a wonderful day! ;)

Glad to hear Zoe seems a little better with dosage increase! What is the "blue" stuff mentioned a few times?

Argh! How did I miss your birthday, Addy? I am so sorry! I hope you and your mom enjoyed yourselves to the fullest because you'll never be that age again. :D:p:D

Happy Belated Birthday

Addy-

I missed your birthday!!! Happy belated birthday! So glad to hear it was a nice one. Thanks for checking in on me and Hannah last week. It was a busy week and I've had a lot on my mind about work. I'll try to post an update today. I love the new profile pic!

Take care,
Julie & Hannah

Hi Addy-

I am thinking of taking my Hannah-bear (that's what I call her, among other things-even though my hubby loves to make fun of me- since her name was Panda Bear when we got her) to see a derm vet because I feel so bad for her with her itching. I found a little scab on her chest, which I'm sure is from scratching. She did the same thing a few months back on the back of her front leg.

What did they do with Zoe? I am fairly certain Hannah's issue is outdoor allergens and not food. We did do a food trial and certain things are so much worse with warm weather (spring through fall). I also think she has some OCD licking. I am assuming the appointment is not really cheap since it is a specialist, but I am wondering if they might have another idea of a med to try since she can't use steroids.

I'd just love to hear more about the visit. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what they think. At her age of 13 I'm not sure I'm going to crazy trying lots of stuff, but I want my Hannah-banana (another nickname) to be comfortable.

Love to you and Zoe,
Julie & Banini (yes, another one):D:D:D

Hi Julie,

Well, for Zoe, derm vet read through a lot of history, IMS even called him, I supplied recap of her history. He checked visually and then put some tape on her paws, said no bacteria, no yeast, just pollen, offered up an OCD drug and told me to get her Cushings under control. I then asked about the white spots so he aspirated them and said yes, I was right it was calcinosis cutis. When I first pointed them out to him he thought it was the hair follicles . That was pretty much it. Nothing else. I asked what happens if her allergies get worse when I further drop her cortisol he said we would cross that bridge when we had to. He said he could give me topical but felt the more attention we called to her paws the worse she would chew them.

That was it. No blood work, no allergy testing, no nothing.

I spend $140.00.

I was a bit disapointed because he did not even examine her paws or her nails. I mentioned I was worried about the way she chewed her nails she might rip them out. He never checked them. I think he was just hung up on the Cushings.

It was not what I was expecting after waiting two months for the visit:( But maybe I expect too much.

love,
addy

Hmmm....not really what I was hoping to hear. I looked up derm vets and there is one really close to me. It sounds like they do extensive testing. I even saw a pic of a dog's tummy getting the skin testing like people get. I think I might call there tomorrow. I am not going to do anything to treat her Cushing's now since it is just not bad, so waiting to do something about Cushing's wouldn't work for me. ;) I don't think you expect too much at all. I would have wanted him to do more if I were you. I'll keep you posted on what I decide.

Julie & Hannah

Hi Addy,
Some vets seem to work at a snails pace. When facing a problem they start with the simplest thing and slowly work up to worse possiblites. By the time they get to the real problem the dog could be dead! When my vet didn't have a reasonable answer about my Mira I went to someone could give me an answer TODAY! Cost me a fortune. I would be very upset too about him not looking at your babies feet! I'd gather up every scrap of records you have and head off to another vet, ask them to review it all BEFORE they see you and ask them to go over every inch of your doggie with you and get their opinion. Chances are you'll get an entirely differant opinion but at least you'll walk away feeling like you did everything possible.

Good Morning Addy Scarlett!!! Oh Wow!!! I didn't wish you a Happy Birthday!!!:) Maybe Mom is right and we really were born 8 days apart so I thought your's was coming up!!!:D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY A FEW DAYS LATE!!!!

I was a little confused when Mom said I have a birthday coming up since I don't really, but if I can celebrate for 3 months I am good!!:D

On the Zoe subject--if you went to a new vet or derm vet and didn't fill them in before hand--played a little ignorant do you think you might get a better answer and more attention??? Just a thought....

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!!!!

((((HUGS))))

Dear Addy
I have attached a site to help you out on the skin issues with Zoe.
http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Heal...Disorders.aspx
For Apollo numerous skin scrapings and blood test and finally a tiny biopsy came to a diagnosis. Apollo also has the white little bumps on his belly, etc. The cushing weakens their immune system to not have the ability to fight all the issues. I did read something about licking in between the paws. Look and see what is between Zoe's paws, use a magnifying glass to see. It could be a fungal infection, bacterial, etc. But the vet should have looked at it. Blood tests can determine if it is fungal, but a skin scraping might help more.

Quote:

---

Dog paw licking usually boils down to asking two questions:

1. Does my dog have itchy paws?

2. Does my dog lick his paws out of boredom, anxiety, or instinct?

Paw licking can be caused by environmental factors like allergies, mites, fleas, fungus, etc. Or, the psychological tendency of dogs (especially certain breeds) to lick their paws, sometimes to the point of self-injury.

If your dog licks only one paw with no visible injury, or just the front paws, it's probably psychological.

If she licks all four paws, it's probably allergies, physiological issues or environmental factors.

---

Hope this helps.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Sister Addy,

I almost forgot to tell you how cute is the picture of Miss Zoe...:)

Thanks guys, Im ok with the derm vet visit, don't get me wrong, I was just wishing he would have checked her nails. I think IMS calling him that morning, still not sure why she did that, put us on the Cushing focus. Had she not called, I think visit would have been different. Perhaps once her cortisol is controlled, it will be different.

Our server crashed at work, what a mess:eek::eek::eek:

Zoe gets bumped to 30 ngs Thursday. She has handle the 25mgs just fine. There are some days I think it is making a difference and then other days it seems not to have changed anything.

I have a story to tell. Zoe has always loved my mom. She has not seen her since Thanksgiving. Once I got mom settled in her chair we let the dogs out of the kitchen. Zoe came running with her chew toy as usual, saw my mom, dropped her toy (she never does that for anyone) and ran to see my mom. I had to pick her up so she could see Mom and say hi. The Zoe kept hanging around Mom's chair and when it was time for mom to go in her wheel chair to go to the dining room, Zoe walked along right next to her wheel chair. Zoe was so happy to see my mom. I cried.

I hope eveyrone has a good week
love
addy

Addy what a touching story about Zoe and your mom. I hope you got photos of that. Hugs

Will that story of your Mom and Zoe be part of your book? This way you will never forget and everyone can learn from your experiences.:)

I am glad you are not completely dissatisfied with the derm vet visit, but I agree that it shouldn't have all been about the cushing's because other factors ccould be causing Zoe's problems with her paws. Ella still has to chew every morning on her paws and then the rest of the day doesn't even care about them--they are such strange little beings sometimes.:rolleyes:

Love You!!! (((HUGS)))

Is it a Cha CHa ChA Friday???:D:p:);)

((((HUGS))))

Well did not manage too many cha chas:o:o

11 day of new dose, 7 days at 25mg sid and 4 days of 30 mgs sid.

Zoe was feeling great wrestling and playing, wanting to walk, still licking and chewing and drinking and having 1 accident almost every day but sleeping all night and holding it for almost 30 minutes when waking up. She has always done that. So I dont get the day time, take her out to pee and 30 minutes later she has an accident.:o

I noticed last week her eyes starting to get bloodshot, especially the left one. It started looking worse and yesterday I noticed discharge floating around at the bottom of her eye, then ending up in the corner. She has never had that. This morning I tired to gently open that eye up compared to the other eye and it seemed to hurt her to do that. I called 2 different emergency clinic, they thought she should come in. I could have taken off work Tuesday and possibly gotten any appointment with opthamologist- POSSIBLY. So off we went to emergency this morning.

normal pressure, normal tear production, slight scuff not a scratch on left eye and he thinks the redness is an underlying allergy. She is on Atropine 4 x a day and I am to follow up in about 5 days.

he said he heard a heart murmur- here we go again, I don't understand they tell me she has one, then she doesn't, which is it? why is this heart murmur stuff so back and forth and wishy washy? she has one, then she doesn't have one.

she stepped in a hole in the grass this afternoon and twisted her bad paw and I thought we were heading back to emergency but it seems better now. It has been bothering her.

meanwhile no other ill affects from dose change, poos are normal, I know her eye really bothered her last night and she slept alot.

I am a bit concerned about his allergy comment but he did make me laugh when he said"Zoe would not be the first Cushings dog to have allergies." Meanwhile he looked all of thirteen but was very nice and Zoe was very happy to go with him and he even wrote how good she was and what a pleasure:rolleyes::confused::o The vet tech knew Zoe and was not thrilled to see her. I had to wonder how many times Zoe must have tried to bite her:rolleyes::eek:

what can I say, Zoe is a flirt and likes younger men.:D:D

Not sure how I am doing these drops 4 times a day, she is sound asleep by 9:30pm and so am I.

any advice?

love,
addy

Advice on the eye drops--I just had a situation with my left eye and the doctor said as long as it is 4x a day it doesn't matter if it is spread out evenly or not. On the first day I was to start my drops he said (it was after 6 pm) I could get 4x in before I went to bed. So my advice is split it up as much as you can for the time you are awake.

I hope you had a Happy Easter dispite Zoe's situation.:)

((((HUGS))))

Hi Addy,
I only have a second, but I wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and Zoe and to tell you that I have used Atropine many times on Hannah. Usually they said 3 times a day was plenty, and I only had to do it for a few days. We always had an antibiotic (usually Gentamicin) that I had to put in 3-4 times per day for 5-7 days, depending on the injury. I would think 3 times would be fine. Did she need any other meds?

Sorry to hear about the confusion with the heart murmur, and with the little mis-step of the paw outside. Hannah did that yesterday in our backyard, but luckily was okay. She has been a little off since her grooming this week, but seems to be on the upswing now.

Sorry to hear it wasn't the best weekend, but glad Zoe is okay.

Julie & Hannah

;)My gosh it's hazardous living in Milwaukee!;)

Poor Zoe. Can't see. Can't walk without falling into holes. Can't tell the difference between grass and carpet.;)

I have never had to deal with allergy issues....other than Palmer chewing his paws for a bit one year. Is this a Cushing issue?

I can't do eye drops myself. I always apologize at the eye doc office. My reflex to keep them out is really high. I always wondered why they could not let you keep the lid closed, apply the drops, and let you open your eye. They insist on raising my eyelid up over my eyebrows!:eek:

Heart murmur-we had that with Palmer....and I think maybe also with Peaches. I gathered that it was not a real big deal.....I guess if it gets stronger or something then they worry. The first time they told me I almost panicked. It sounded so awful. But it never did show itself that I could tell.

Love,
Sus

Thanks guys, we'll do the 3x a day and I think I will do the follow up with opthamologist if we can get in Saturday.

Right now the calcium deposits (white spots) on her shoulders look smaller.

I think I may have to decide about giving her something for pain for her bad paw.

It will continue to be a balancing act. I feel like I am walking a tight rope sometimes with no net:eek:

and then I remember all of you are my net:)

wish I could take the day off and dig in the dirt!!!!!:D:D:D:D

love you,
addy

Hi Addy,

Squirt's heart murmur seems to come and go, too, but I think it has to do with how hard they are breathing when the vets listen. If they are calm, it is easier to hear; if they are stressed and panting, it is harder. I was first told about a murmur when she was quite young and it never progressed past a grade 2...then they couldn't hear it anymore. But by then, Squirt had been going to see the vet often for testing, surgery, etc and she started getting nervous at the vet. Just a theory...;)

I'm so glad the new dosing is going well and hope her eye and paws get better real soon. I HATE eye drops! It was such a battle with Trink trying to get drops into her socket. That little 5 pounder can fight like a 50 pounder! :p

Keep up the good work! You are such a great mom.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

PS. Speaking of moms...how is yours doing?

Well, so far, Zoe has been an angel about the eye drops. I wonder how long that will last? Last week she got stuck in between the sofa and a table with her Comy Cone on and really freaked, I could not get her out and she took a small chunk out of my hand:eek::rolleyes: Yikes, that baby Kujo routine gets old so dang fast and then she turnes around and is so dang sweet, It was my fault, I knew if I put my hand there, she'd bite it, but she usually controls her bite better.:o:o She really gets mad now when she has to wear that Comy Cone. We have been trying to not use it unless we have no choice. Koko is no help, he goes and bites on to the end of the Comy Cone and tries to play with her:eek::eek: It's like having two three year olds!!!!

Hubby is worried the trilostane is not doing anything. He is worried her stim will show she is still too high.

I am not sure what plan B will be. Trying not to cross that bridge until I have to.

Mom was over yesterday. She did really well but seems very frail. She sat in her chair beaming from ear to ear and for a few hours, we forgot how things are and it seemed like the clock had been turned back and things were like they had been before this journey started last year. Thank you for asking, Leslie.

love,
addy

I love it when Moms have really good days!!!:)

I know how bad the bites are. I don't seem to heal up like I use to... Miss Ella still likes to do drive bys but those usually leave bruises.:eek:

I hope Zoe gets all better fast, except for the Cushings, we know that one isn't going anywhere, but it could get better in the numbers. :o

I would love to dig in the dirt with you!!! Ella loves to do gardening. When my daughter is weeding Ella helps by eating the weeds and doing a little digging to get them out--it is the funniest thing--I took a picture of both of their butts up in the air getting in the planter--my daughter wasn't too proud of that snap shot!!!:eek: I think it is so cute--but then a mother would!!!

Here is to creating a wonderful Monday for ourselves--SURE!!!!!:D

Hi Addy: So sorry you are having problems with Zoe. I just read your post about Zoe getting stuck and the bite and I can just see the predicament she got herself into, but the way you told it gave me a good laugh this morning. Hope Zoe gets better soon. Take care. Hugs to you and your babies and family. My CoCo seems to be doing about the same, is getting really bald on his head and has lots of gray hair on his back which is the way the head baldness started out. I started him on Melatonin 1.5 mg a week ago, but no difference yet, am going to start the HMR lignan after i read more about it, I think it is benign, but seems like it could cause stomach sensitivity since it is flax seed hulls. My vets do not seem to know much about Cushings so I am getting most of my info from this site and the internet. Good thoughts to you and yours. JoAnne