Jasper (12 yr old Mini Schnauzer) is now at peace

Hi Everyone,

We are still waiting for the stim test results, they were overnighted to MSU on Tues so hope for results before the weekend.

So I gave Jasper 2.5 mg of prednisone last night because he wasn't eating too well again. No other symptoms of low cortisol were apparent, but my vet told me to give him a dose Mon night for the same symptoms, so I gave it to him again. He was drinking more after it of course. Well, he had an accident real early this morning. Couldn't hold it and just started peeing. Poor little guy, he just looked pitiful afterwards. I let him out right away and he went some more. He is drinking a large amt again, and still peeing a lot. I know this is all related to the prednisone dose and am now wondering if I shouldn't have given it last night. How long until it is out of his system?

Thanks everyone,

Tina and Jasper

It shouldn't take too long for it to be out of the system but I'd cease the prednisone. It's OK to give on occasion to a dog that isn't addisonian but it mimics cortisol so the symptoms come back in cases where cortisol isn't too low.. so maybe you now can feel better that the numbers from the test won't be too low? :) I only used MSU 's lab one time and it took over a week.. I have no idea why but it drove me nuts. Most labs are 24 hrs. (Idexx) That said - MSU was the only lab that proved my dog was misdiagnosed so I am thankful. (false positive on all others)

Hang in there!!!! Kim

Hi Kim,

Yes, that's what I was thinking about his cortisol level since the Cushing symptoms came back. That didn't happen so much after the dose on Mon night. Those are the only two doses he has received. So maybe the level won't be super low like last time, but he has definitely shown some hesitation with his eating. No, I won't be giving any more prednisone unless something more is going on, or my vet says to.

The other two stim tests he has had both went to MSU and both were back in about two days. My vet did say that was faster than usual, so I guess we were lucky.

Tina and Jasper

Well it's good to that you now know he probably isn't having low cortisol. It's always iffy what to try and figure things out by, what symptoms. It might be that when the cortisol comes down, and that rush of good feelings that they have when they have high cortisol, that he just doesn't feel so awesome and not as interested in food. It will be good to get the numbers so you know whats going on.

Hang in there! Hopefully results will be in soon.
hugs,
Sharlene

My vet called yesterday afternoon with the results of Jssper's stim test drawn late on 8/27. It was even lower than it got after loading, and he has been on maintenance dosing for the past 4 weeks.

Baseline - 5 nmol (50-100)
1 hr post ACTH - 5 nmol (50-100)

I about died when the vet told me those numbers. (I know it is almost 0 when converted to ug/dl!!) She was surprised also. His levels when he got so low after loading were 15 and 14 nmol. And I thought that was scarey.

Let me say that he was not showing any of the critical warning signs of low cortisol, either back with the first crash, or now. He has seemed good all week except for some difficulty getting him to eat, which I have talked about in a previous post, as well as getting 2 doses of the prednisone one on 8/27 by order of my vet, and again on 8/29, when he wasn't eating so great. He got side effects from the last dose and his drinking and peeing shot up, and he had an accident in the house.

Since he didn't seem to be feeling bad and it had been 4 days since his blood was drawn, my vet recommended that I watch him and use the prednisone as needed, but didn't expect more severe symptoms to develop since we were a few days out, and no more Lysodren has been given.

Well, first thing this morning, he started vomiting. I thought I better give him a dose of the prednisone, but he continued to vomit. I know he would not be able to keep it down. Of course I called my vet right away, thank goodness she is working today, she does not work every Saturday. While I was waiting for someone to call back he vomited about 6-8 more times, and I decided he needed to be seen, and so did my vet. He is there now, they had me drop him off.

My vet called a bit ago, they did a bunch more labs. I did not get the specific results yet, but she said the CBC and WBCs are normal. He is dehydrated, sodium is now low at 133 (it was ok on 8/27), potassium is normal at 5, and the chemistry showed the kidney values were all ok and his blood sugar was normal. His alk phos is still mildly elevated and he continues to have high lipids (he has had this for a while and gets fish oil to help). Again this was all on a phone call, I will get copies of the labwork later.

She said she does not feel he is addisonian. She feels the nausea and vomiting are not related to the Cushings and mentioned pancreatitis. They are running a test for that now, but she said is not 100% conclusive. He has been started on IV fluids for the dehydration and to get the sodium level up. She will be calling back with an update soon, they close at 2:00 today. She said he may need to stay at the hospital tonight to get fluids, etc.

I am so worried and upset, I read a bit about pancreatitis and it sounds scarey. But I am SO thankful my Dr is working today, and that this happened this morning rather than midnight tonight or tomorrow with the holiday on Monday.

Any feedback or advice would be appreciated. I don't know what I would do without all of you here. Please keep my little guy in your thoughts. Sorry this is so long, I wanted to give as much info as I could.

Thanks and hugs,

Tina and Jasper

Hi Tina,

I am so glad your vet was in today when you needed her, too! Please let us know how Jasper is when you learn something, as you can. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Thanks Leslie, I am feeling scared right now. It is essentially closing time for my vet's office, and she has not called back yet. I imagine they will be keeping him now.

Hugs,

Tina

Hugs Tina! I know that has to be so scary. :( I hope your baby is feeling better soon.

Tina, I am so sorry you are having such a scary time with poor Jasper.
I am so glad your vet was working today.

Please keep us updated and let us know what is happening.

I can only imagine how frightened you are feeling so I am sending huge hugs your way.

Sending prayers as well

Tina, thank god the vet was on duty today. So they are going to keep giving him fluids for the dehydration. I think we've had some people here whose pups have had some bouts with pancreatitis. It is a risk with cushings dogs from what I've read.
The good thing is that he got in right away and I would expect a phone call in the morning to tell you how he did over night. Are they normally open on Sundays? Will your vet be coming in to check on him?
Hoping to hear that Jasper is okay now and able to come home soon. I know you are just worried sick and we'll all be here with you if you need to have a chat.

hugs,
Sharlene