Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

Hello, everyone!!!

Good news to report.....ALIVIA IS HOME!!!! She is sound asleep on the couch right now (I posted a picture). Her IMS said she would be tired and that she hadn't slept soundly all week. She mentioned that Ali is very sensitive (personality-wise). She is, but I am curious now about how she noticed that! I'll have to ask, next visit. She was released with antibiotics, pepcid and a bag of IV fluid that I have to administer, if needed. She wouldn't eat or drink at the vet's so they wanted me to have the fluids, just in case. She came in the house and went directly to her water dish, so that was good, but she hasn't wanted to eat, yet.

Her IMS said that her latest blood tests were pretty good and the hematocrit was coming up. In the excitement of picking her up, getting instructions on her medications and paying the large bill, I forgot to ask for copies of her test results, so I will have to call them on Monday.

They said her belly is still somewhat tender...I've been very careful about not finding that out - she's had enough pain! She's still very tired and weak, but there is a big improvement even in the last 24 hours. I think being home will help her progress.

Woo hoo! She just got up and ate a couple bites of food and took her medicine in 2 pill pockets! :) She is panting a lot when she walks, though. I hope that's just because she hasn't walked much in 6 days.

Last Sunday I worried if she would ever be home again, so I am VERY happy!!! All of your positive thoughts worked!!! THANK YOU!! :D

This is such wonderful news, Mary Beth. I am so glad that Alivia is home, and that she has shown such an improvement. I hope she continues to improve, which she probably will, as she is home with you.

Bless both of you. You've both had a rough time. I know Alivia has to be so happy to be home.

This news just made my whole day:):)

Mary Beth, I am so happy Ali is home with you and is improving.

I will continue to says prayers for her recovery.

Love,
Addy

Mary Beth,

The picture of Alivia Rose's homecoming made me bawl. Isn't it just the best when you get them back home after a such trying time. I'm so happy for you.

Sleep Well,

Rene & Snoopie

You guys have been the best! Thanks for helping me and Alivia through this.

Just wanted to give a quick report on her first night home. She is drinking water in normal amounts and she is eating a small amount. I didn't want to give her too much too soon since she hadn't eaten at all for almost a week. So, we are easing her system in gradually. Glad that the IV fluids will most likely not be necessary!

She slept soundly! Barely moved. :) My backyard is fenced, so that is where my two go to "go", but they have to go down a flight of stairs from the deck. I thought it would be easier for Ali to go out to the front yard since there are only a couple steps. Normally she loves the front porch/yard, since it means I'll be outside with her or we are going for a walk or car trip. She is absolutely refusing to go out the front door! I think she must be terrified that she will go back to the hospital. Poor baby! :(

I am just so relieved to have her home and to see the improvement in her each day. This episode definitely put the Trilostane/Lysodren decision on hold for awhile, anyway.

Have a great weekend everyone! Give your sweet pups a hug and belly rub from Alivia and me!

Mary Beth I am so glad you both had a good night and Alivia continues to improve. Baby steps are fine steps to take. She was very sick.

I would put the trilostane on the back burner for now. Little Alivia needs to regain her strength.

Keep us posted.

Love,
Addy

Hi Mary Beth,

What good news! Ali is home!!! :D:D AND she's eating and drinking on her own! :D:D

Did the clinic show you how to pick Ali up so her tender belly isn't bothered as much? You may already know! But just in case......slip one arm under her forearms and one arm behind the knees; lift by first moving the arm behind the knees forward so that she sorta sits on that arm the immediately lift her off the ground, gently, using both arms. Don't wad her up when you get her off the ground but hold her to you keeping pressure off the belly and keeping the spine straight.

She may be very hesitant to go up or down steps for a day or so as she is quite tender so carrying her up and down will help. Don't be surprised if she doesn't really need to go to the bathroom right off - she hasn't had much input for output. ;)

You are right - being home usually does wonders for the healing process! Being with her loving mom is the bestest medicine of all! Keep up the good work!

Prayers and healing white light continue flying your way!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

I am so glad that Alivia is doing so much better. I'm sure you feel very relieved. I'm hoping that she continues to do well. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Hi, everyone.

Alivia continues to slowly improve. She seems to be panting a lot and sometimes her rear legs still seem weak, though. Her appetite and thirst seem normal - not Cushing's normal, just normal. I made her a dinner of boiled beef liver with some rice and cottage cheese, yesterday, and she picked all the liver out first! Then ate a bit of the rice and cottage cheese but left some in the bowl (which, Maxwell happily finished)! I am happy that I have not had to use the IV fluids!! Most importantly, she does not seem to be in any pain! :) She is still sleepy but her body has been through a lot, so I think that is to be expected. If she continues doing as well as she is doing I'll try to take her on some very short walks to try to slowly build up her stamina.

Hope you all are enjoying the aweekend. It is another rainy one in Pittsburgh!!!

Hurrah For Alivia

I am so very, very happy to hear of Alivia's continued improvement.
:D:D:D:D:D:D

Cause for celebration- I hearby declare today to be



ALIVIA DAY

Happy Alivia Day sweet puppy with the most beautiful eyes!!!!!


Love,
Addy

Thanks, Addy!

I am always up for an "Alivia Day"! Wish it could be tomorrow instead AND that I could have a day off work because of it! :) Oh well! I am certainly not going to complain. I really feel lucky that Alivia pulled through another serious crisis. She's a spunky little thing! :D Now, to get her strength up enough to deal with the Cushing's issue....

This is great news. I am so glad that Alivia is doing so well.

Mary Beth,

It is wonderful to hear Ali is improving...what a trooper! Not surprising though from what you have said about the little wonder!!!

When Snoop had her bouts of pancreatitis it was helpful to go very slowly and give her digestive track a chance to heal. Essentially it had been digesting itself. So the very bland diet of the white rice and a little cottage cheese for protien was a good idea. I would add extra water to the white rice, when cooking it, to make sure she was getting the extra fluids and cook it extra long to aid digestion. Also, I found that the Lucern brand of cottage cheese had a low soduim version.

Ask your vet about L-Glutamine amino acid supplment. It is suppose to aid digesive health by repairing damaged digestive tissues. It also is suppose to rebuild and repair muscles, blood proteins and help with the rear end weakness in our cush pups. So far it has seemed to help Snoop with both her pancreatitis bouts and rear end weakness.

Give Ali a hug for us,

Rene & Snoopie

Hi Mary Beth,

Stopping by to say if you have to go to work today, try not to worry too much. I hope the day flys by and you come home to Alivia and Maxwell and everything is positive.

I am glad everything is improving.

Hugs,
Addy

Hi, Terri, Rene, Addy, Leslie and all!

Happy Monday! Yes, I had to come to work today. :( Ali is doing really good, though. She seems to be coninuing to get stronger. When I was getting ready for work this morning, she actually crawled UNDER the blankets and went back to sleep. That is what she always did pre-Cushing's. When her Cushing's symptoms were really noticeable, she stopped going under the blankets. She isn't panting and she lets me pet her belly (gently, of course), without any indication of discomfort. I am still keeping her diet on the bland side for awhile and she is still taking antibiotics and pepcid. So far, so good. She seems happy to be home and I think getting back to the regular "routine" will do her good. My two are both little fuddy, duddies and like everything to be the same.

I just realized Ali came home from the hospital on Friday the 13th and she is 13 years old. I hope 13 continues to be lucky for her!!!

Hope everyone has a great week!

That Ali is feeling more like herself is really wonderful, wonderful news!! Continuing to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers and sending huge loving hugs, Lori

Wonderful news, Mary Beth! :D So glad Ali is steadily returning to herself.

So.....Fri. the 13th will be Ali Day from now on? :p

Hope you have a good day back at work!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

I, too, am thrilled to hear that Ali continues to improve!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a great way to start out our week! ;) :p :)

Marianne

This is really great news. I hope 13 does continue to be a lucky number for you and Ali.

Hi Mary Beth and Ali,

Just checking in on you, after your days work. Hoping you came home to a happy Ali, that she welcomed you home and you are snuggling in for a good nights rest.

Rene & Snoopie

Happy Tuesday!!!!

I hope you and Alivia had a good night. Thinking of you.

Love,
Addy

Leslie, Lori, Marianne, Terri, Rene, Addy and EVERYONE!

Alivia update: Ali continues to do well. She is amazing me again! She continues to get stronger evey day. Even her Cushing's symptoms seem to have subsided, somewhat! No panting and her appetite and thirst seem NORMAL!!! I am even having to keep her from going up and down the steps too much. When she does overdo it, she starts to get a little week in her back legs. Rene, thanks for the tip about the supplement. I'll ask about it.

Leslie, every day is Alivia Day to me! :D

Ali is a little stinky right now, which is very unusual for her. I think it is from being crated so long in the hospital. She HATES baths, so I have been being easy on her and letting her recover before subjecting her to that. It's been chilly and rainy here, too. I feel so fortunate with her recovery that I am taking everything slow and cautiously! :p

Alivia sends much love to everyone!!! There was so much positive energy coming her way that she had no choice but to get better!

:D:D:D Yeah! Another good report for Alivia! :D:D:D

Great way to start the day!

Keep up the good work!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Hi, all.

My updates are uneventfully boring and I am SO happy about that! Alivia continues to do well - getting better every day! :D

I spoke to the Office Manager of the emergency hospital yesterday. The place that kept Ali all day on Mother's Day to supposedly do an ultrasound, but ended up doing nothing for her the entire day. They released her that evening saying it was spine pain, but did not explain why she had a fever of 104.9. I even asked about pancreatitis because it was obvious the pain was in her abdomen, but they said it wasn't that. Well, I think I figured out why they didn't do the ultrasound. Ali had one a few weeks before and I just found out their policy is repeat ultrasounds less than 30 days apart are not charged. So, because there was no money to be made, they chose not to do it!! As a result, Ali suffered an additional 36 hours, her condition got worse and she could have died! I paid over $600 to them that day, then the next day had to pay Ali's regular vet for an emergency visit and another vet for an ultrasound (would have been no charge at the emergency hospital if they would have done it!) and then was billed another $500+ by the emergency hospital to finally admit her Monday evening so she could be transferred into the care of her IMS the next day!! Plus, I had to take a day off work Monday to get medical care for Ali. I already paid the bill for the first day (which incuded unnecessary medications), but I refused to pay their bill for the next day. The Office Manger listened and said she had to talk to the ER vet and she would get back to me. Oh, and on Sunday, when I picked Ali up and they said it was "spine pain" the vet was "too busy to talk to me", even though I had just paid over $600 and there was not a single person in the waiting room.

I don't have a problem paying for care for Ali when she actually gets care, but that whole day was a fiasco! What really breaks my heart is Alivia suffered a full day and a half longer than she should have. I don't think I should have to pay the second bill. I think they should refund the first bill, too, or at least part of it, but that probably won't happen. So, we'll see.

I agree with you 100%. You should not have to pay ANY bill for their substandard care.

You go girl!!!!!

Love,
Addy

P.S. We love uneventful;)

Hi, Addy!!!

How are you?

Now that we are at "uneventful" , I can fight the vet bill mess. :mad: The people that know about the whole thing agree with you that I should not have to pay any of it. I can't think of anything they could say to justify what happened. I am just so thankful that Ali was able to pull through it despite the delay!

Love from us both!

Mary Beth and Alivia (getting stronger every day!)

Mary Beth,

I'm so sorry you are having such a frustrating time with the bills and the fall out. You both have been through a lot in the last couple weeks. You did so much for Ali, while trying to work, balancing it all and eventually it just took over. You did a great job bringing Ali home!

This time should be for healing, for both you and Ali.

It is what it is. Enjoy your girl.

Love,
Rene & Snoop

I am very thankful that the end result for Alivia turned out well. She was and is my first priority. The 6 days of treatment cost well over $4,000 and I would gladly pay that to get Ali whatever care she needs. What I am angry about is the $635 I paid for a hospital emergency visit where instead of doing what they told me they would do, they put Ali in a crate for a full day and basically did nothing to help her. Their lack of treatment caused her to suffer an extra 36 hours and if I had listened to them she would have died. It breaks my heart to know she spent the day in a crate, scared and in extreme pain for no good reason and no one was doing their job to help her. If they would have told me that was what they were going to do, I would have immediately taken her elsewhere. That is the only day I have a problem with paying for. Our dogs are so vulnerable in situations like that. We are their voice to make sure they get proper care and I do feel I need to speak up for how she was mistreated. Maybe, by me complaining, they will be a bit more thorough when another dog comes through their doors in pain.

Okay, that was my soapbox speech. ;) Ali continues to improve and her Cushing's symptoms also seem to have lessened! (Holding my breath and keeping my fingers and toes crossed!) She is no longer panting and is back to sleeping under blankets and drinking and eating like normal. She still doesn't have her full strength back, but she is getting stronger every day! :D:D:D

Hi Mary Beth,

We just LOVE uneventful! :D:D

I know so well the anger you feel at the way Ali was handled. When Squirt had her first ultrasound, a tumor showed up on her spleen - plainly! But the IMS who did the test didn't feel the need to make any note of it - not in her charts, not to the staff, not to me. When she had the second ultrasound, the IMS who did this one told me about it and showed me the first film that clearly showed the tumor then - FOUR MONTHS PRIOR!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: Luckily, the first IMS had left the hospital by then or I would still be in jail! If I had seen her the day I learned of her neglect, there is no telling what my reaction would have been because I was LIVID....and am still very angry at her for putting my baby's life in danger. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

You are absolutely correct - we are their advocates and when we are misled it is our babies that pay - through no fault of their own nor ours.

SIC 'EM, honey! :D

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Hi Mary Beth,

Here is a link to the AVMA State Legislative Resource page for PA.:http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/resources/pa.asp

I totally agree with you about the care and not paying that hospital emergency visit. I don't know if it would help you to write to someone on that list about this.

So happy to hear that Ali is continuing to improve.

Love and hugs,
Lori

Leslie,
That is AWFUL!! If something is not in a report, you would have absolutely no way of knowing it was missed. When Ali had the ultrasound at her regular vet's office they allowed me to be with her. The ultrasound vet was pointing out organs to me, but to be honest, I couldn't tell what any of it was! :mad:

I was doing some research on cortisol levels and pancreatitis and came across a question you had asked a long time ago on Askvet (I think it was called)!

Lori,
Thank you so much for the link. I will wait until the office manger gets back to me, but if they are not willing to drop the bill, that site will be very helpful!

Good morining Mary Beth,

I understand your frustration and I don't let folks take advantage. When I have come across this type of abuse I have taken advantage of the dispute services offered by my credit card service, that is of course if you paid by credit card. They suspend the charge in question until the dispute is settled. They require the vendor to explain the charges in full to your satisfaction before the payment is made. I don't know if yours offers it but I have found it most helpful and it is pain free. They do all the work and it is complimentary.

Enjoy every minute,

Rene & Snoop

First, let me say that I am so glad Alivia is doing better!

I've been a little preoccupied lately with my JRT, Jack, and his Cushing's, high blood pressure, bladder stones, etc. So I haven't had time to read up one anyone else's struggles until tonight when I read your thread.

I read your story from beginning to today's post, and my heart went out to you and your Alivia. We don't have the same health issues but I am a JRT mommy like yourself and fiercely protective of my little fella and his health as you are of yours. I think you've done a fantastic job to date!

I don't have any anything to offer but my best wishes for continued success and a "3 cheers" for JRT fortitude. They really do fight the good fight. You just can't keep 'em down! Hip hip Hooray!!!!!!

Kindest and best regards,
Kim and Jack

Hi, Kim.

So happy to "meet" you and Jack! I am so glad you posted here and thank you for reading my very long string!! I am a dog lover in general, but certainly have a soft spot for Jack Russells! Fortunately, I had not read anything at all about the breed to scare me off prior to falling in love with Alivia when she was 7 weeks old. I took her home when she was 8 weeks old and she has had my heart ever since. Both of my JRTs have always had high energy outside, but they are sweet, snuggly couch potatoes when we are at home. So smart, sensitive and intuitive. I am SURE you agree! :D

Sorry I missed welcoming you when you first started posting here, but as you know, I was in the midst of dealing with a medical crisis. Alivia continues to improve and I am thrilled about that. I just read your string and am so sorry to hear about everything Jack has been through. Their issues may not be the same but there are some similarities. Alivia has high blood pressure. She takes Amlodopine for that. I was interested to read that Jack has a bald spot on the tip of his tail, as Ali does, too! It has been there for awhile, but in the past several months it seems to bit more noticeable. I don't think there are any lumps, but I will check it out more closely today. Ali's fur barely grows. Her belly was shaved for an ultrasound about 7 weeks ago and she still only has peach fuzz. With the recently hospitalization, she's had three legs shaved. She will always be gorgeous to me, though!

I checked out Jack's pictures! What a handsome guy! His coloring over his ear is very similar to Alivia's. Oh, one of Ali's littermates was named Jack. :) Jack is very lucky to have you and I understand your feelings of doing whatever it takes to give him the best care possible. Some people do not get that; but, I think EVERYONE here does. I look forward to keeping up with Jack and wish you both well!

Hi Mary Beth,

Give that sweet Alivia hugs and kisses from me and Zoe and tell her we are very proud of her progress and what a trooper she is.

Such a good girl!!!!:D:D:D

I hope you have a stress free weekend, you deserve it.

Love,
Addy

Hi, Addy -

Alivia continues to do well. We finally have a nice day here so she was out in the yard with me most of the day. She seemed to be enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. She came in, had her dinner and is now napping soundly! :)

I hope you and Zoe are enjoying your weekend! Hugs to you both!!!

Hi Mary Beth,

I am so glad to see that Alivia is continuing to improve and is doing so well.

Thanks, Terri.

Even better, Alivia currently has no Cushing's symptoms! I am starting to doubt that she actually has a right adrenal "tumor". According to Dr. Peterson, with an adrenal tumor, they cannot suppress for the LDDS. Alivia clearly did. The second ultrasound she had done by a vet who specializes in u/s, showed the left adrenal gland of normal size (not atrophied) and the right one was larger but there was not a clear tumor. I left the report at work, but he said something to the effect that is could be an area of hyperplasia. Things have never been clear cut when it comes to Ali! :p

She sees her IMS for follow up on Wednesday, so we will see if she can expalin any of this!

Horray for Ali...Rene & Snoop!

Thanks, Rene.

She has a follow up with IMS tomorrow, so fingers crossed things continue to go well!