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

Hi Mary Beth,

Here is the info you asked about. I posted on my thread but did not know if you saw it. I am also puting the dry matter comparison. The guaranteed analysis on link is as for as served and makes it hard to compare.


Steve's Real Food Beef
Protein 48.62
Fat 26.79
Carbs 23.00

Steve's Real Food Chicken
Protein 54.50
Fat 30.87
Carbs 23.00

http://stevesrealfood.com/rawmeat-pr...ood/beef-diet/

It seems Snoop and I are taking our turn on the roller coaster today! She ate a squirrel's intestines with fresh poision in them. Will post all the drama on my thread!

Love,
Rene & Snoopie

Now that I know my Maxwell is fine, and after reading Rene's hysterical Snoop story, I can now kind of laugh at what happened to us. There was a birds nest built on top of one the posts under my deck. Of course my dogs found it first and were sniffing it through the floor boards. I put a carpet on the floor over it so they would not traumatize mama bird and I delayed cleaning the deck so as not to disturb the nest. Saturday morning I let the dogs out and there were so many birds squaking that it reminded me of that old Hitchcock movie, "The Birds". Then Alivia barked her, "I'm telling on Max" bark and I suddenly remembered the... BIRD'S NEST! Ran out to find Max with a baby bird in his mouth, running up the deck steps towards me, probably trying to make a break from all the birds threatening to attack him! I'm screaming, "Drop it!" and he's completely ignoring me (and, Rene, he is NOT deaf!). So, I start trying to pry his mouth open and the poor baby bird is still moving but obviously injured. In my mind I'm thinking I am going to have to somehow humanely put the poor thing out its suffering. Max is holding on tightly, intent on bringing it in the house and also eliminating my worry of having to humanely euthanize the bird. So, I shut the gate at the top of the steps to keep him on the deck to save the two other baby birds frantically hopping around the yard terrified. Max is still refusing to give up his prize, so I grab the broom and point it at him and shake it. This scares Max and he drops the baby and runs for the door. I got Max when he was 8 weeks old and for all of his 10+ years he has been absolutely terrified of brooms and I have always tried unsuccessfully to reassure him there was nothing to be afraid of...well, so much for the past 10 years! I am sure he now thinks he has been right all along and there is a really good reason to fear the broom!

It was less than a day later that he stopped eating and became ill. I still think he caught something from the bird. He's doing fine now. The poor baby bird probably hadn't been out of the nest for more than a few minutes when it met Maxwell. Not a very successful inaugaral flight. :( My sweet Alivia watched the whole commotion and throughout it all, never tried to hurt either of the two other babies. The dead bird clean up was a process in itself - consisting of multiple plastic bags, wads of tissue paper and an oven mitt...don't ask.

It must have been the week for critters!!!!! After all the stories, I'm putting Zoe in a bubble until Saturday:cool::cool:

She wanted to take a walk tonight and I said "Girl, no way!!! You went this morning and I am not taking any chances that that Cushings nose of yours will find some geese poop or mouse parts or who knows what":D:D

Thank goodness Maxwell is fine now. They sure keep us on our toes.
But they are dogs, that is what dogs do, eat stuff:p:p eat stuff we freak about :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

TGIF,Mary Beth!!!!!!!!!!!!

OHHH to funny U Guys!!!! Im crying again. MBK.....Ms. Broom Killer!!!!

I think I should mass produce Snoops bonnet for our cush pups!

Addy - Wise choice! Avoid the temptation of critters (and disgusting parts of things) this week, especially! You don't need anything more added to the mix!

Rene - I probably looked almost as funny as you did. Especially trying to pry Max's jaws off of the still alive baby bird. Max will probably have evil broom nightmares now and I will have to try to find a doggy psychologist to add to our list of specialists! :eek: I saw Snoop's bonnet - so cute! I'm not sure I could get one of those on Max though, but he needs it much more than my cush pup!

Here's hoping for an UNEVENTFUL weekend!!! (Has anyone actually tried Chocovine, yet?) :)

Mary Beth,

Good story--Maxwell being afraid of brooms. Miss Ella seems to be not afraid of anything so far which is amazing. The first time she saw the broom she barked at it, but now won't leave it alone.:p

The things we have to do for our buddies the dogs--haha!!:D

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

Sad day. My best friend has Alivia's sister/littermate, Patches. She's had a couple seizures recently and seemed to have many personality changes. They hadn't been able to determine the cause. She died in his arms around 2:00 a.m. on the way to an emergency hospital. Patches had seemingly always been healthier than Ali. He's devastated and I feel so sad for him. RIP sweet Patches.

Oh Mary Beth,

I am so sorry to hear this. Please extend my condolences to your best friend. Sending huge and loving hugs to you all.

Godspeed sweet Patches.

With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Lori

Oh Mary Beth, I am so sorry as well.

Such sad news to hear. Your friend must be so devasted.

Saying prayers for all of you. I am so sorry to hear about Patches.

Fly free dear Patches.

Love,
Addy

Thanks Addy and Lori.

It hits way too close to home. We saw them for the first time together and we picked them up to bring them home together. You could always tell they were sisters because they had a lot of similar qualities. Both of them are calmer and more gentler than the typical Jack Russell; just very sweet. They were each our first dogs and we fell head over heels for them. Neither of us expected Patches would go first. Just goes to show, you never know.

Mary Beth,

Im so sorry about Patches. I completely understand about your concerns with her being Alivia's sister. Between the loss of Patches, Alivia's crisis last month and Maxwell's "incident" you have really been put through the wringer. Take some special Mary Beth time if you can...you deserve it!

Loving Hugs Patches,
Rene & Snoopie

Thanks, Rene.

You've been through quite a lot yourself! I think we could all use some GOOD news for a change! I've even begun to appreciate 'uneventful" as good enough!

Just a quick update. I posted this on Addy's link, but wanted to mention it here, as well:

Alivia has a long history of licking her paws and butt area. She's had many vet visits because of it, including seeing a dermatologist, with little to no improvement. I tried everything under the sun (both prescription and supplements) with no luck. At times she's had her skin red, seepy and swollen. I took her off grain and there was a little improvement. I added a supplement called The Missing Link Canine Formula about a month ago and no more licking! No more stained fur and red skin! Maxwell gets it, too, and it has made his coat softer and shinier.

I am not sure why, but Alivia's cushing's symptoms are MUCH improved, too. She is not panting. Her appetitie is normal. Her thirst is normal and it's in the 90's here. Her fur from where she was shaved in the hospital is still growing VERY slowly, but as I already said, she's not licking! At this point, I don't think I want to rock the boat by starting any treatment. I hope I am not just in denial over all this, but I have suspected all along that whatever is causing Alivia's cushing's fluctuates. Her last blood tests were pretty good, too. Much improved. Right now I think I just want to continue doing what were doing and maybe get things tested in a few weeks and/or re-visit have the consultation with Dr. Peterson.

At least that is today's plan. ;)

Hi Mary Beth,

I know about the Missing Link, it is good stuff!!!! I don't know if Zoe could tolerate molasses if I remember right. We gave it to the pup at work for a while, he has allergies, it helped him too.

If Alivia has no symptoms that are of concern to you, if she were mine, I would let it be for now.

I knew treating Zoe would be problems, I avoided it for a year. Her colitis bothered me more than her Cushing symptoms and worried me more until recently.

Enjoy her for now. You both deserve that:):)

Love,
Addy

Hi Mary Beth,

I believe your plan makes perfect sense. I truly believe if a furbaby is not showing strong Cushing symptoms than treatment should not be initiated.

Love and hugs,
Lori

Hi Mary Beth,

You got a good plan there, honey. The signs are an integral part of diagnosing and treating Cushing's so if Ali isn't displaying some strong signs and her cortisol isn't sky high, I wouldn't treat right now either. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will continue to watch her like a hawk and that you will notice any changes immediately. ;) Ali is in great hands!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Thanks, Addy, Lori and Leslie -

I greatly value your opinions as you all have more experience with this than I do, but my instincts are telling me to let things go - for now (even though I have a bottle of Lysodren sitting in my kitchen). I think everyone here knows things can change quickly. Leslie, you're right - I do watch her like a hawk. Probably too much at times! :o Lori, I don't think her symptoms right now are even strong enough to properly manage dosing with anything, let alone Lysodren.

Anyway, I am really hoping that Alivia gets some time off from vet's for awhile and she can just enjoy life as a dog! And, I can enjoy her, too! Right now she continues with her Amlodopine for high blood pressure and compounded low dose aspirin (she's been on those for several years). I added The Missing Link, with great results, and I recently started giving her Milk Thistle. That's it. Oh, I am also keeping her diet low fat. So far, so good. :D:D

Keeping my fingers crossed...

Hi Mary Beth,

I agree with the others. I wouldn't start treating Alivia if the symptoms aren't there. I still have the Lysodren that Corky was originally going to start on, but his clinical signs went away and were in remission for 7 months. His IMS didn't want to start any treatment if the clinical signs weren't there. When Corky started showing symptoms again, that's when we started the Trilostane.

Horray!!!

Im soooo glad you found something that works for Ali! Are you using the Missing Link Plus (the ones with the omegas)? Sure is worth looking into.
Addy...Snoop can't tolerate molasses either...she had red yeast infection...but I couldnt find the label...do you know how much it has?

Mary Beth...If you are going foward with the milk thistle check out Biochem/Country "Liver Support Factors". It has both milk thistle and L-Methionine (ingredient in Sam-E) and other good things. The serving size is for 2 tablets so when you look at label cut the mg dosage by half if you are giving just one...perfect for small dogs! I get it at Henry's market and some supermarkets here but you can also get it online.

http://www.countrylifevitamins.com/m...TOKEN=39537018

http://www.countrylifevitamins.com/i.../1611_supp.gif

WOW...how the heck did I do that? That was suppose to be a link!

Hi Mary Beth,

Wow, how I know thinking about what happen with one dog makes you think all sorts of thing with another. I keep checking Ella all over for just things just in case.

You are the best at knowing when for Alivia.

Here is a (((Hug))) for both of you!!!

Oh, Mary Beth......honey, I went and got a bottle of Chocovine. My, my, my! Oh, that is some good stuff! :D I plan to curl up in bed about 6pm with a glass. :p

It will be crowded in that bed cause we are all coming to have a glass:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Hugs,
Addy

I'll have 'em chilled and ready! :p

Rene - I will check out that Milk Thistle - sounds good! I've seen others mention Sam-e here, but I am not familiar with it, so I will read up. What I am using now is a non-alcohol based tincture and her IMS calculated the dosage for me. I will finish this bottle and get her blood tested to see if it is helping any.

Marie - Hopefully, Ella will have a long, HEALTHY life and you can eventually just enjoy her without all the concerns that we all have here!

Leslie - See!!! I told you!!! I would have never expected ChocoVine to be so good, since it sounds a bit strange (and is so inexpensive). It is like dessert in a glass - very rich!! Glad to hear that you like it, too! I think we should all "get together" and have a glass! :cool:

HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!!!!! :D:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MBK

Now that I know my Maxwell is fine, and after reading Rene's hysterical Snoop story, I can now kind of laugh at what happened to us. There was a birds nest built on top of one the posts under my deck. Of course my dogs found it first and were sniffing it through the floor boards. I put a carpet on the floor over it so they would not traumatize mama bird and I delayed cleaning the deck so as not to disturb the nest. Saturday morning I let the dogs out and there were so many birds squaking that it reminded me of that old Hitchcock movie, "The Birds". Then Alivia barked her, "I'm telling on Max" bark and I suddenly remembered the... BIRD'S NEST! Ran out to find Max with a baby bird in his mouth, running up the deck steps towards me, probably trying to make a break from all the birds threatening to attack him! I'm screaming, "Drop it!" and he's completely ignoring me (and, Rene, he is NOT deaf!). So, I start trying to pry his mouth open and the poor baby bird is still moving but obviously injured. In my mind I'm thinking I am going to have to somehow humanely put the poor thing out its suffering. Max is holding on tightly, intent on bringing it in the house and also eliminating my worry of having to humanely euthanize the bird. So, I shut the gate at the top of the steps to keep him on the deck to save the two other baby birds frantically hopping around the yard terrified. Max is still refusing to give up his prize, so I grab the broom and point it at him and shake it. This scares Max and he drops the baby and runs for the door. I got Max when he was 8 weeks old and for all of his 10+ years he has been absolutely terrified of brooms and I have always tried unsuccessfully to reassure him there was nothing to be afraid of...well, so much for the past 10 years! I am sure he now thinks he has been right all along and there is a really good reason to fear the broom!

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LOL...great story! That's a terrier for you...I've had to deal with "presents" like rats and birds on more than one occassion.....they are always so happy when they bring one back to you! I too, found the broom to be the best way to get them to "drop it"!

Jeff & Angel Mandy

Yes, Jeff, that is definitely a terrier! A month or so ago, Maxwell, after trying unsuccessfully for NINE years, finally caught a squirrell. He deposited that one on the deck about two feet from the door, without the broom threat. I swear he came in the house with a smile on his face and a swagger in his step.

Question for you guys. Since Cush pups seem to be so heat sensitive, has anyone tried those cooling banadanas and, if so, do they work? It has been so unusually hot and humid here that I thought it might make it more comfortable for Alivia when we go out. There are a lot of places that have them, but I meant something like this: http://www.cooldoggs.com/cool_doggs.htm

I'd appreciate hearing about any experiences with these and/or suggestions of which to get.

Thanks!

P.S. - Same questions for the cooling pet beds that are available.

Hi Mary Beth,

My dogs have always loved the coolaroo beds. The air can circulate from up underneath them and the heat from their body does not get trapped. You can put them inside or even in a play pool if your dog likes water. They are cheapest online if you shop the different vendors.

http://www.coolaroousa.com/view-prod...ategory_id=Pet Products&nav=all

Also, my vet was the one that told me to put Snoop on the Sam-e when her liver enzymes were so high.

Sorry about spaming your thread with the picture, it was suppose to be a link!

Enjoy your weekend,
Rene & Snoopie

Thanks, Rene. I have serious doubts if mine would ever get up on something like that. They are both very suspicious of anything new! :o

No worries! There were no pictures anywhere - just a link. (I would not have minded if there was a picture!)

I'm still thinking one of those bandanas may be worth a shot.

Thanks for the info.

The cool beds work but only if your dog will actually get on it.

I have one that is mostly unused because the dogs all seem to think it is something evil and won't go near it. The only time I get to use it is in the car because I can place it on the seat before putting the dogs in their harnesses on top of it. The are attached and cannot get off it.;)

It does stay cool but it only works if your dog will use it.:D

Jenny

Thanks, Jenny. That is kind of my concern. Both my dogs are VERY suspicious of anything new. I put a low upoholstered bench by one of my windows thinking they would love to be able to look out the window...it's been nine years and neither of them have used it yet! I replaced the sofa in my living room and it was over a week before they would get on the new one!

I think I may try the bandanas.

Too funny...our little cush pups are sooo suspicious. Snoop did the same thing at first. It was really hot when we got it. I put her "binkie" and some bedding from inside her her bed on it and hid her other beds that day. She got in and figured it out then pushed out the bedding! She now likes to lay all stretched out on it on her side when it is really hot.

Rene and Snoop

Rene -

Maxwell is just as suspicious as Alivia and he has no excuse! :rolleyes: What kind did you get and what size? Your Snoop is about the same size as my Alivia, I think. Alivia is 18 lbs. and Maxwell is 22 lbs. (I always get two of everything!).

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend and things are uneventful for all!

Hi Mary Beth,

As far as I know they are all the same. Just a square elevated frame with the nylon mesh suspended over the frame. I got a large only because Snoopie likes to share her beds. The actual sizes are on the website so you can measure. Once they figure it out they lay on them to get cool. So, they lay on their side all stretched out. Just make sure your pups will have room or its a moot point.

Our belgian malinois was funny. He would'nt lay on the ground after having that bed. I think because it was "giving" and probably felt good on his old bones. He was a working dog and not much of a house dog so he slept outside. He even prefered it to the regular doggie bed in his dog house. When he got up there in years I noticed he was sleeping outside on the coolaroo instead of his dog house when it was cold. So I bought one of those plastic tupperware garden tool sheds and put it in there with is regular bed on top in the winter. That became his new dog house. I even put one in a childs plastic pool with water and he would sleep on it when it was hot! We have three and we put them in different locations.

Good luck...I hope the suspicious little buggers don't make you waste your money!

Rene & Snoop

Hi Mary Beth,

Stopping by to check on Alivia and Maxwell. I hope the 3 of you are doing just fine!!!!:D

I'm dreaming of a Choooocoooovine, just like the ones I used to drink. Where the bottle glistens, and everyone listens, to that YUMMMMM sound that we all make:D:D:D:D:p;);)

hugs,
Addy, Zoe and Koko

Hi, Addy!

Love your song!!! :D

Well, I am a bit embarrassed to post my latest scare. Alivia was a bit "off" on Saturday. Then she had a green bowel movement, not runny, but definitely bright green. So, like any good cush pup mom, I bagged it up and started searching the internet for a cause. YIKES!!! Found a picture that looked EXACTLY like it - caused by a dog ingesting rat poison!! A million thoughts started going through my mind. How did rat poison get in my fenced yard? How did Ali get it without me seeing anything? How much did she eat? How much time do we have? Which emergency hospital would be best to take her to? Then it occurred to me that I had given her a new kind of bright green dental treat the night before....so, maybe it wasn't rat poison after all. :o But, just to be sure I am keeping a very close watch on her and at the first sign of blood coming out of anywhere we'll be on our way to a hospital. Oh, I did a thorough search of the yard, too, looking for any signs of anything out of the ordinary! You just can't be too careful. :rolleyes:

Hey Girl,

My pups can get green poo of they eat anything green other than the Embark and Zeal (which is green)or Zoe will get green poo if she eats something outside (not rat poison) that is hard on her system.

Any change in stool color can indicate a bit of their system being out of wack. It should change back to normal color within 24 hours.

Was it soft or did it have mucus coating?

Always something;)

Hugs,
Addy

Addy, you are going to get the reputation here soon as the "Queen of Poo"! :D To answer your question. it was a tad softer than usual, but not mucusy. Her digestive system is probably still off from the pancreatitis episode. I am usually much more cautious about what I give them and I should have known that treat was more than her system could tolerate. Happy to report no more green poo! But, aside from that, she just doesn't seem like she should. Her energy level seems very low and she doesn't have an interest in things she usually enjoys. She's not panting and not drinking or eating any more than a non-cushing's dog. Quite the opposite in fact. I think my worrying about cushing's has been completely replaced with worrying about pancreatitis. Is there a website for that???

Quote:

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Addy, you are going to get the reputation here soon as the "Queen of Poo"!

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How will that look on my resume?:confused::confused::confused:

How would I even explain that?:p:p:p:p:p

Maybe Lori will stop by or Leslie and give you some insight as to how long it may take Alivia to regain her strength. She was a pretty sick little girl.

Hang in there,
Love ya,
Addy