we don't do halloween in the nl., but i hope you and molly have lots of fun!
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we don't do halloween in the nl., but i hope you and molly have lots of fun!
Happy your feeling better!!!
Sharlene, I see a retina specialist every year so I'm very familiar with those drops. His are even more potent. I've had to drive myself home from the last 2 appointments. Praying for a cloudy day when I go.
How cute Molly's bay window perch is. :-)
Bella barked at a few of the kids but after awhile she started whining in-between. I think that she was enjoying the sights once she saw the we were happy with the visitors.
Next year, I may consider putting her in a costume. We didn't get many kids and all was finished by 7:30pm. One man was crazy drunk walking his son around the neighborhood. I was NOT happy and was glad when he stumbled away from dad's house. The last thing we need is to be sued by a drunk man who fell. Ugh.
Sorry for the rant and I myself will have a few glasses of wine, BUT sloppy drunks do not impress me. Especially with my family history.
I am positive that the omega-3 is causing Molly's evening issues. Try a teaspoon of canned pumkpin when you give her the pill. Might bind her just enough..
I switched to giving her the omega 3 in the morning and that seems to have helped for now, she is back to firm poops.
hugs
Go Molly:)
Good! Maybe having it with food helps instead of later in the day?
Took Molly for her ACTH test today. Results will be called and emailed to me tomorrow by IMS. Will see if this has had any effect on her cortisol. Doesn't act like anything is different.
Her BP was high again 214. Darn it.
Hi Sharlene, sorry about the dang blood pressure. But please don't be downhearted even if the cortisol is still pretty high. You have started out on a low dose, so there is plenty of room for an increase if that ultimately seems called for. I think it's really good that Molly hasn't had any adverse effects from the trilo -- that's one of the most important things right now, too. :)
Okay, A massage and meditation music prescribed for our little muffin. Got to get that dreaded blood pressure down. ;)
I'm so sorry Sharlene. :o At least she's acting like the little diva she is.:p
Just spoke with the IMS, and we are increasing molly's benazepril from 2.5mg x2 to 5mg am and 2.5mg pm. See if that makes any difference and we'll retest the UPC in a couple weeks.
Prior to doing any of the ACTH testing, they did the BP readings and she was consistently over 200, 220, etc, with 214 being an average.
So, I'll talk to them tomorrow once the ACTH comes back and we'll go from there but at those levels, she is definitely in a Not good zone.
We have to figure out Why the BP isn't staying down and if it is due to the protein in the kidneys, if it is due to cortisol or if it is due to the nodule on her adrenal glad perhaps being a pheo.
So many things to try and get a handle on.
I think molly and me are both going to need the massage and meditative music Kathy. I'm pretty sure my BP is spiking every time I hear that Molly's is up again.
hugs all, thanks for hanging in there with us on this journey
One worry is that the nodule is a pheo and her BP is spiking.
Thinking good thoughts for you and Molly! Sure hope the increased BP meds will do the trick.
Hopefully the increased dosage will bring her BP down. Fingers crossed for Molly. Hang in there sweetie!!!
I sure wish her blood pressure could be checked not on an ACTH test day:(:(:(:(:(:(:( but if they did readings there while you were away with a high average then it just could be so.
I sure hope her cortisol came down a bit.
Hang in there Sharlene.
I asked them specifically to do the BP before they started the ACTH and they said they did.
I was wondering if just the atmosphere there makes her BP go up. Today there were a few emergencies and a lot of dogs in there.
We will just keep plugging along. :)
hugs
It should not have affected it then if it was before ACTH, bah humbug on the high number, but was it just a one-off BP or a few and averaged, might pay to check their BP procedure. I sure wish your local vet could do it where Molly would be likely a bit calmer.
I am getting a bit more concerned about the pheo, as you are too. So with you there, when is the next scan due?? Wondering whether a CT might give a clearer picture of the nodule?? Another question to ask when you speak to IMS. Because that BP had come down last check, now bounced back up again. Stink.... will line up with you for the BP meds for us after this stressful week, thank god we have a place to come and vent and everyone understands. Hopefully we see some cortisol shift in the downwards direction with the results tomorrow. xxxxx
Sharlene, I remember what Patti sometimes had to do to get Tipper's BP at the vets. She'd arrange one of the techs to come out to her car before they do anything else and get the numbers while she's holding Tipper. I know they can manage it because the BP machine is portable. We do it all the time to get Ginger's BP only we do it in the examining rm. Maybe you will get more accurate numbers doing this way. You know they are pretty accommodating, I'm sure they will do it for our Muffin but you have to ask. ;)
They do a series of BP, discard the first one as it is usually stress high and then average the others.
If my vet did BP's they probably would, but not sure this big vet hospital would or not, come out to car. Not even sure it would make a difference as molly starts shaking the moment she gets in the car to leave the house. She is fine when we leave anywhere to come home though.
Waiting on the IMS to call with the results of the ACTH.
hugs
Alrighty, that is a good protocol. But repeated x 3 over a few hours would be better. I remember when I first went down this BP line of testing, Vet did not want me there, I wanted to be there. He said owners can make it worse not better as pet is just stressed and wants them to take them home. But they settle more than we realise in a quiet room, our stress increases their stress etc etc. It is a hard one and I grumbled long and hard before letting him get on with it... but I am glad they are doing several recordings on Molly. Tell your local vet to get a darn BP machine as I am sure the money you have paid them for Molly over the years would probably equate to 100s of BP machines!!!
Waiting along with you Sharlene xxxx
I read about Molly's vet visit and her BP last nite and all I could think of was "Good Golly Miss Molly!" I know you are frustrated at taking a step backward when she was doing so well the last BP check. I'm anxious to see what her ACTH results are. Something to me just doesn't sound right with the BP going from 140/150 last visit to over 200's this visit. I know anxiety plays a huge part, but dang. Is there a way you can discretely find out whether they use the same sized BP cuff each time or if they just grab one and test her. I know in humans the cuff size makes a huge difference. I, myself, after quite a bit of weigh gain on high dose steroids have to remind the nurses to use the large cuff or my BP is over the top and totally innaccurate with the smaller cuff. I know I'm grasping at straws but I want to see that little girl under good control, as I know you do. Or it may just not be the correct type of medicine for her. There are so many types and they all suppress the BP differently. Hopefully the higher dosage will give her good control.
Hang in there Sharlene. At least Molly is feeling good which is a huge blessing. I'm just sorry you are having to go thru this. I know your imagination runs wild with scary possibilities and that's no good for you or the hubby. She'll get there, it's just taking a little longer. Is the hubby's surgery coming up this month? Prayers coming your way honey!
Hi Sharlene!
Well I've finally caught up with all that's been going on in Oct and so far in Nov. I ran into that cuff issue with the BP test, also. When I had my blood clot scare, I got a reading of 180+ and that was after having been stretched out in the waiting room for 3 hours, while we waited. I had it retaken this week and it's at 117. Stress is a mess.
What is the husband's surgery for? I didn't run into that in all of the pages I read. When is it and what is the recovery scenario? I hope it's nothing serious......although surgery is always serious.
I love hearing about Molly's antics. She and Bailey would have a ball together....if they got along, that is.:)
Light a bunch of candles, turn down the lights, fill the tub with hot water and bubbles, if you like, and have something to drink there for yourself, lie back and relax. Take your iPod with you. Nice relaxing music. It does wonders.
Love,
Sus
Okay, so we have the ACTH results back. She is coming down, although her pre was up a bit from last time. We talked about increasing but in the end decided that with lack of symptoms, other than BP and protein, we should continue slow and low and see if she continues to come down any further on the 8mg trilostane.
Recheck of ACTH in 3 weeks (Daniel has his surgery at 30 day mark so I can't do that and neither of us think she'll be too low on the same dose)
ACTH Oct 17, 2014
Pre 74 nmol 2.68ug
1hr 858 nmol 31.09ug
2hr 1024 nmol 37.11ug
ACTH Nov 07, 2014
Pre 102 nmol 3.69ug
1hr 582 nmol 21.09ug
2 hr 608 nmol 22.03ug
I think I did that right, dividing by 27.59 to get ug.
We will recheck her BP this thursday and see if the increase in dosage for that has helped.
We fully expect this week she'll be either at 150 or too low the way things seem to go with molly. 1 time she is way too high and the next at 150. I think they use the same cuff on her, the small - med dog cuff. We'll see how this one goes.
We need to get the cortisol down and the protein controlled and then see how that adrenal nodule is doing. We can't really determine pheo right now till we rule out the other possibilities. She isn't thinking pheo off the bat, with the cortisol being raised, but anything is possible and it's not unheard of.
Daniel is having a double hernia surgery and will be in the hospital for 4 days at least.
I've ordered thai food for dinner and plan to have a weekend with hubby, who has had a rough week himself so guess I'm spreading the TLC between him and molly right now.
When this is all over and his surgery is done, he's healed and molly is more stable. I'm going to need some serious Me time. LOL
We're hanging in there and dealing with things as they come up. Molly doesn't act a bit different, is still a little diva just doing her thing. She doesn't know there is a thing going on in her life and she seems to feel just fine.
thanks everyone for the well wishes.
Hugs!
Glad to hear Molly is acting like she feels ok. You definatley have your hands full for now. Take care of yourself too!
(((((((hugs)))))))
Sending healing white light to Daniel, praying all goes well and he is up and at 'em again very soon.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Hi Sharlene...so weird, I posted on your thread here late last night...I must have not clicked on the POST button hard enough as my post is not here!! :confused::confused::confused::confused:
Anyway...I have missed a lot of things going on with Molly. Happy to read she's acting like herself though...and not showing any signs that she's uncomfortable in any way.
Looks like really good progress on the decrease post number..looks like the Trilostane is doing a good job and not causing any issues for Molly. Hoping you notice a positive change in the BP number, though it is not easy to get a good reading and we never could with Trixie...just too nervous and hyper walking in the vets...
Between your husband..(hope all goes well there) and Molly you must be ready for your "me" time...hope your day comes soon!
I wonder what happened to my late night post!? :confused: I'm so puzzled!!
:) Barbara
Hi Sharlene-
I'm sorry to hear Daniel is heading for a rough go. 4 days is a very long stay, these days.
I'm glad Molly is hanging in there.
You know-I think I posted on here yesterday and mine is not here either. That is weird.
Maybe you could take your "me" time in Florida???:cool:;):D
Susan
Hey Sharlene, I think you're on exactly the right track with the trilo (that's great the cortisol's coming down!:)), and I'll surely be thinking positive thoughts about the BP and most certainly for Daniel's surgery. What day does Poor Boy have to go in? :(
He goes in on the 18th. Surgery is on the 19th and 20th. (it's a double hernia so they do one side each day) He's doing it under a local instead of general anesthesia. I feel nauseous just thinking about it.
The hospital said today he will be in till Monday the 24th. So, it's a fairly long stay. 6 nights. Everyone says they have good results though with healing and want to make sure there are no complications going forward. He'll have mentors that are going through the same thing before he goes in and then he will mentor others until his release. Interesting eh. They are up on their feet 4 hours after surgery. My neighbors dad had his hernia surgery at the same hospital and said it's more like a 5 star resort, with their entire focus being on the patients well being and whole health recovery. This should be interesting.
Molly is still doing good. I have a couple things that have to be worked out in that I can't keep going to the IMS for the BP readings every week or other week. It's too far and I'm running out of vacation to take doing all these tests and being there all the time. My vet however, does not have a BP machine. *sigh*
I can find another vet, but none of the other vets do boarding and after some not so great experience with boarding her at other places, the vets is the only one I currently trust. My current vet though is the only one who does dog boarding and doggie day care when needed.
So, what to do about all this. Do I see if I just get a vet to do the BP readings and stick with my current vet which is what I'd like to do? Or do I have to switch because my vet doesn't have a BP machine and then what do I do about boarding.
I feel like I'm stuck in a hard place with no good solutions. I've been trying to figure this out since September, with no real answers.
I need to make sure my vet can do the ACTH and send to the lab that the IMS wants used also. IDEXX. She wants consistency with the testing since molly is not symptomatic and harder to determine what is happening without the tests being done in the same lab so we can see the drops or increases without any other factors (lab factors). I'm pretty sure that my vet can send to IDEXX lab, but need to verify. Also that she will order the trilostane compounded from same place my IMS orders it.
My head hurts just thinking about it.
hugs all
Sharlene and molly muffin
Sharlene--one thought re trying to find a solution to get Molly's BP tested. Since vets (and doctors, in general) seem to prefer conferring with each other, do you think your vet would be willing to locate a vet nearby who can do BP readings and ask him/her to work out the details (a professional courtesy would be ideal)?
Will be thinking good thoughts for your husband's surgeries--sounds like a great facility!
Sharlene,
Is there a mobile vet willing to come to your house to check Molly's BP? This would rule out the stress factor of being at the vet's office.
Double hernia under general. Wow! Hubby is brave!
Happy that Molly acts no different.
Hope hubby is doing ok!!!:)
Just a thought, they have glucometers for animals to check Glucose...I wonder if you can buy BP machines and cuffs. When Cosmos BP shot up so high I got a BP cuff from the vet but the connection was different so it didn't work on my machine. Don't know if or where they sell them for pets but I will try to look if you want. or, maybe the vet can order it for you...you could do it at home and give her the results. Reaching here.
I am so sorry Sharlene. Your plate is overflowing!:o
Yes, your hubby is brave. OMG! I can't imagine repeating it the next day. It sounds like torture. It does sound like he's in really capable hands though. Sending prayers and healing energy your way.
Regarding little Miss Muffin... You mentioned that Molly was acting like her normal self and seemed happy. That is a true blessing. When it comes down to it, isn't that what we all want? FWIW... Focus on Daniel for now and try not to stress so much over Molly. :o Easier said than done. We all worry about you too!
What exactly is "Me time?" I don't think I know what that is? lol
I agree it would be ideal if you could take Molly's BP at home, either with your own cuff or a mobile vet. But the equipment may be pretty darn expensive for you to buy.
If those options aren't available, I really don't see how your regular vet could be miffed if you line up another vet to check BP, especially if you enlist your regular vet to help recommend somebody like Judy suggested. That way, your regular vet is participating in the process. ;)
I will say that this situation maybe should even prompt your GP to get a cuff. I must admit to being surprised to find out how many GPs don't seem to have them. Good grief, since they're doing surgical procedures on animals all the time, don't they ever need to check BPs just for safety's sake?? (Not singling out your own GP, just wondering about this is general :confused:).
Marianne, you are so right. I didn't believe when one of my regular GP's techs told me that they only use BP machine once or twice a year and I know for fact that the vet does surgeries there, spaying and stuff. I just thought they didn't want to deal with Ginger anymore tho I still think that was the bottom line on their part.
I now believe that the tech might be telling me the truth when she said that which is kind of scary. Surgeries and they don't bother checking their patients BP? :eek:
http://www.bpmonitordepot.com/08a-ve...eterinary-use/
Sharlene, above is the link where Vicki purchased her BP machine for her Snuggles for a home use. I almost bought one if our IMS had Oked it but she was a little iffy about it and soon thereafter Ginger's BP got down under 200s so I thought no need for it any longer. I couldn't really understand her reason why she thought it may not work for Ginger then and I still don't but our Muffin is bigger than Ginger so this may just work for her. Just run it by your IMS and ask her what size cuffs you should order for Molly.
My IMS gave me the cuff size in inches. We all know when Vicki used it on Snuggs I think it was satisfactory in results. At least check it out and I hope it helps. Hugs, Song.
I was gonna say pretty much what Marianne did. ;) I would stick with her usual vet that you both trust and just use someone else for the BP readings, having them send the reports to her usual vet. I hope there is someone close by who can do the readings?
Sending prayers and healing, strengthening energies to your hubby. Please keep us updated when you can, sweetie, but don't feel like you have to be here during all of this. Take the time away you may need to care for your family there. Don't let the site add to your pressure or stress, 'k? ;)
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Hubs is going to be fine, I think the trouble will be getting him out of that 5-star hospital and all the pampering to return home!!! It is going to be so good to get this over with and him feeling much better.
Pleased Molly is still acting the diva she is!! She is such a beauty that girl, just like her Mom!! :) xxx
At Sampson's vet a vet tech does the BP readings, if a vet tech performs Molly's readings I would ask her/him if they would consider checking Molly's BP outside of the vet's office.
Hugs, Lori
I hope you can find a solution for the bp readings. Your vet should understand. And at least if your husband is in the hospital healing he can call nurses to come help him and you can hopefully get some rest.
hang in there
I'm not sure fear is a big factor. I saw her interaction today with the vet techs and her IMS and we got tail wags from her when she saw them. She even laid down in the waiting room and she doesn't lie down when she is stressing. I take her to small walled off area and she likes it there.
Anyway, so today, was Just suppose to be a BP check and pick up her trilostane. But her BP is still high even with the previous increase in benazepril, so they did a UPC and an electrolyte test. Her BUN was a big high and her calcium was a tad high too, so something else to keep an eye on. Her creatinine was good though, so yay for that. Expect her UPC will be high as it is when her BUN is higher it seems. So, once again we increased her benazepril to now 5mg morning and 5mg evening.
Depending on how the UPC is, if we'll try to introduce a BP drug or not. The IMS will call me tomorrow. She wasn't even suppose to see the specialist today and we saw her twice, but she didn't charge me for it and she also went through and checked to see what we could do to get the best price for the tests, looking at various bundles, etc. I thought that nice of her.
The journey continues, just need to get her stable on all the fronts.
Next week will be devoted solely to Daniel and his surgery recovery. Yes, he'll have nurses to take care of him. :)
We also have some issues now with Daniels mom's health. Hoping that will be okay too.
I'm pooped, anyone else? LOL I need a serious nap. Molly is sound a sleep in her window seat.
hugs
If only we could nap at the window;););)
thinking of you