Molly, 13 yr, shih tzu - lhasa aspo - Molly has passed

Dr. Feldman isn't receptive to answering questions for us pet owners without an appointment so writing to him is usually a waste of time. Dr. Peterson has a blog and if I can find the time tomorrow, I'll drop him a line. Hopefully he'll think my question is worth answering. It is Dr. Peterson's paper that I refer members to whenever there is a question about starting treatment in the absence of symptoms. He does not treat patients who are not symptomatic. I believe he is, however, open to treating an asymptomatic dog if the dog has an underlying condition that might require that high cortisol levels be addressed.

Glynda

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade about trying to contact Dr. P, but I actually did e-mail him about 8-9 months ago, to which he did respond. I was politely, but firmly told that he did not answer e-mails directly from owners as he did not have the time. If his website for owners will allow questions to be posted, you might have better luck doing that.

Debbie

Well, fooey!

I got the same response from Dechra when I contacted them about body weight and starting dosage. *no talk to pet owners, only the vet in charge. :(

Sharlene

I am planning on posting to his blog and as I recall, he has a page for vets and one page for pet owners. It won't hurt to try. Too bad none of the experts give so freely of their time to us pet owners like Dr. Oliver did. I miss him.

Sharlene
from one canadian to another.
thank you for checking in on me. Canada might have some different options on cushing treatment than the states.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

Hey Sonja and Apollo.
So far I haven't found anything particularly different in Canada.
Now I'm worried about Trilo causing the rear leg weakness. :(

I'm made an appointment for Molly to have an LDDS test on 3 August. She'll be staying that weekend at the vets (boarding) so might as well do it all at once. She'll also have her yearly vaccines after the LDDS test. Maybe the next day.

Not sure but also might have the urine test done too. As long as I'm going to have a huge vet bill that weekend anyway, might as well go all out.

Sharlene and the Molly Muffin!

well this has me very curious, so since i just saw IMS, had loads of labs done and tests, what do you think if i ask if he has heard any news on this? all he can really say is no or wont reply, or doesnt apply to my situaition. if you think i should as i will be hearing from them tomorrow.....let me know...and let me know how i should word my questions........i am cst, usa.

That would be so awesome! Maybe just a question of whether or not they are aware of any connection cause and effect between taking Trilo and weakness in the rear legs. If so, is there any correlation between dosage amount, length of time on the medicine, etc.
Something like that maybe.

I didn't think about that a possible cause, although I notice so many of the dogs with cushings seem to also have this rear leg weakness and I thought, well, the cortisol has been covering up the arthritis. Now I'm wondering since Sonja made a note of it. And the skin issues. It's all very strange.

Like you said, it might not be relevant to you or he might not know or maybe he will. Either way, I appreciate it!

thanks, thanks, thanks.

Sharlene and Molly muffin

okay will make note of that!
i thought my understanding was rear wasting was likely and the cortisal does cover up alot of discomfort....then when that level does change often other areas that are problematic appear.
but treating cushings with meds before symptoms are severe is what is new to me and was wondering if i should ask about that???

Oh sure! Feel free to mention what my IMS told me. That from a conference she had recently attended, based upon a compilation of studies, that a new report was to be issued, about treatment of cushings in dogs, after tests have ruled out other possibilities for the high cortisol levels themselves prior to symptoms occurring. I'd be interesting if others have heard of this or if it was just something that those at that particular convention are aware of, when and what it will say. My IMS didn't know when it would be coming out, only that she didn't think it had yet, but she seemed pretty assured that a statement would be released.

Thanks again. Sorry I misunderstood. I didn't realize that Trilo would cause the wasting, only that the higher levels of cortisol could cover up other problems, none of which I am aware of molly having currently.