Allison:
How is Cairo doing? He is not back on the Vetoryl right? Is he beginning to show signs yet? I hope you are both doing well. Blessings
Patti
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Allison:
How is Cairo doing? He is not back on the Vetoryl right? Is he beginning to show signs yet? I hope you are both doing well. Blessings
Patti
Alison:
I forgot to ask, did they do any blood work when he had his stim test?
No, he's not back on the vetoryl. The vet school said that he was only to be started back on it if he stimmed to 400 or more - he's not had a stim test but doesn't seem to be showing symptoms.
At the time of the stim test, they didn't do blood work but I took him back and asked them to check his electrolytes and they said they were fine. I didn't get any figures - just told they were great.
Well, the lad must've been feeling good this evening. Our evening stroll turned into an extremely brisk walk - he was on a mission. We left my mother standing - she's got a sore foot and was miles behind and eventually gave up. He was ready to go for miles but we had to go back and find mother!! LOL
That is too funny, but seriously good news. He would not be doing that if he did not feel better. That makes my day knowing he is doing well. Blessings
Patti
We've been so used to him plodding that it was a bit of a shock to the system! On the way back, there was a girl in a driving school car, away to do her parallel parking - he spotted her and stopped dead and stood watching her. I swear he was assessing her parking abilities. The driving instructor spotted him and started laughing. He totally put the poor girl off. I was waiting on him holding up a score card! LOL
Good for Cairo!! Energy back and brisk walking says it all!! Happy he's doing so well. Too funny about his parking observations!! :D
Barbara
That is excellent news! I don't think he is too low and unless he is showing signs of cushings, extreme hunger/thirst/peeing, then he is probably at a good place with her cortisol for now.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
That is hilarious! Cairo has a new job, scoring the driving applicants! hahaha
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Alison
Go Cairo lovely to hear he is doing well, maybe he was thinking "I could do that better than her" well he is a boy after all :D
Either that or he was hoping for a lift! He's a chancer sometimes!!
Alison:
He probably was thinking the person was a bad driver and laughing to himself!
Now don't tell me Cairo is wanting to drive now instead of walk!!!
He would if he could. He's a bit car obsessed and they say that dogs don't recognise colour - but he only wants to get in cars the same colour as mine.
He wasn't looking too well today. He seemed OK in himself but he looked strained - big dark circles under his eyes. I know I sound mad but he does get circles under his eyes.
Maybe I'm worrying over the least little thing.:(
See how he is when you go out for a walk, if he seems tired or doesn't want to go, jumpy at least little thing, then he might have low cortisol again or it could just be an off day after acting like he was wonder dog yesterday on his walk. :) :)
As always just keep an eye on him. It's natural to be a bit obsessive over every little thing when you've been through one too many crisis's with him.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
I don't think you are being crazy for questioning everything he does after what he has been thru. I would be watching every little thing myself, it's only natural after what both of you have gone thru. If he starts driving you can put him on TV he can helpmpaynthe vet bills! Keep watching like you have been and he will do fine, this was awfully hard on his body, and for such nbig dog he made a good come back. Blessings
Patti
We took Cairo back to the vet today for a checkup as we're just paranoid really LOL
He got his stim test done and his post stim results were 239 (8.66). The vet said that's higher than they were (175 after his crash but he was still on pred at that point) but the vet school said only to start him back on vetoryl if his post stim results went above 400 (14.5)
His blood sugars were fine. She checked his prostate (he's been doing a lot of peeing) and it's fine though the look on his face when she did that examination was priceless.
It does sound like he is doing pretty good now. He's not on any pred at the moment right?
Well, poor guy, sorry about that prostrate exam Cairo. I hear that all guys get that look on their faces! :) :)
Nothing wrong with paranoia. It has saved many of us along the way.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Oh poor Cairo and his prostrate exam, glad that he seems to still be doing fine
He's not on any meds at all now. Are these numbers OK for now?
When he went back for his second blood draw, he had his tail firmly clamped down!! LOL Poor lad.
Yes that is prob okay after the kind of crash he had. If you do start back it needs to be at an even lower dose than the last one.
Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin
Those numbers are fine as they show that the adrenals are producing cortisol YAA!!!!
If this were me, numbers would not guide me in deciding when treatment should start back up, I would not start the Vetoryl back up until Cairo is displaying obvious signs of Cushing's.
Hugs, Lori
I should say that I personally would be okay with that number for now and continue to monitor and see how he does recovery wise.
Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin
Fantastic. Thank you. They've said that if his cortisol levels do go up and above 400 and he gets started back on vetoryl, he's only to be on 30mg per day which is half of what he was on and a quarter of what he was originally started on.
I was looking through some other threads and see that here in the UK, starting on 2mg per lb seems to be common. :(
He's looking better - the only thing we've noticed is that his right ear has lost a lot of hair - not sure if that's to do with the Addison's crash though.
It's going to be hard monitoring things - it's fairly warm here and staffies don't like the heat so watching for panting is going to be hard but there are other things to keep an eye out for so that's what we'll have to do.
Alison:
I had to go away to the Dr. so I did not post yesterday on the threads. Even though the people in the UK use 2 mg per pound, because of the situation Cairo was in if it were my dog I would be starting him back on no more than 1 mg per pound, when it is time. I a, glad he is doing well, and will be looking for his next adventure! How is your weather, hot and humid? Blessings
Patti
It's not humid but it's warm. Yesterday we had sun, heat, then a thunder storm. It was like a monsoon. Today is glorious - sunshine and warm. We'll probably have snow tomorrow!! LOL
Even if Cairo's ACTH post number gets to 400 (14ug/dl) I still would not resume the Vetoryl, only strong symptoms, such as excessive drinking/urinating with a ravenous appetite, would be the reason, for me, to start treatment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alison
On the forum there have been dogs that while being treated with Vetoryl have had their cortisol drop too low. One dog that comes to my mind is Princess, and when her cortisol dropped too low the Vetoryl wasn't restarted until almost a year later, because it took that long for Princess to become symptomatic.
Hugs, Lori
Thanks Lori, that's good to know. He seems to be peeing a bit but not as excessively as he was peeing at first but it's looooong pees he's having. Drinking is fine so I guess we're ticking along nicely for now.
The excessive panting will be hard to monitor as it's warm now but we'll keep an eye on the tip of his tail - that was what rang the warning bells last time
Alison:
We have been having nothing but horrible storms and thunder for days, and Tipper is scared to death of it. I will be glad when it goes away. I think it may take Cairo a while before he needs Vetoryl as he had such a bad time with all this. How has he been with walking? Is he eating normal? He is beautiful and certainly a character! I love hearing about his little adventures. Blessings
Patti
Surprisingly he was fine out in a thunder storm - the noise didn't bother him but the wet sure did. Speaking of which, on my Facebook newsfeed, a picture popped up - a lady knits balaclavas for dogs - they're used to help dogs that are scared of thunder/fireworks/other noises - she says they muffle the noise - do you think that would help your little one?
He's eating OK - always ready for his breakfast and dinner but not constantly looking for food though he'll readily accept it if offered. Sometimes he doesn't eat all his dinner in one go but that's normal.
It was really warm and clammy today - 18 degrees (centigrade) and we were both panting out on our walk - it was a short one tonight because it was just too warm for us.
I'm sure he gets bored with the same walk all the time but it's pleasant with plenty for him to sniff at. We went a bit further last night and he was doing well - till a man with a little terrier passed and the terrier had a go at him and he got all upset and anxious (barked back at it, but it was upset). He just wanted to go home after that.
Awww, poor thing, and he was enjoying a nice walk too.
It sounds like he is doing pretty good right now! :)
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
He seems to be doing OK. We tried building up his walk a bit but it was humid today and we were all pooped after it. He still wants to carry his toy on a walk and I don't think he gets a chance to snuffle about properly with it and I certainly don't think he pants properly with it. He's a stubborn lad though and just plonks himself down in front of you till he gets it. If you try to keep walking, he's in a sit, walking backwards in front of you - bizarre!!
My dog doesn't really care for walking in humid weather either. She'll turn around and go right back towards the house!
Cute that he has to have his toy with him. Like a comfort item.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Alison:
I think with all the breathing issues and possibly narrowing of nasal passages the humidity makes it hard for cush dogs to exert any energy as they are more than likely not getting as much air as they used to in their lungs. I keep Tipper in during humid days because of her heart. A lot of them become exercise intolerant with this disease. Tipper has always walked miles a day and I believe this is her saving grace that she was so stong, and still is to an extent. I would just be cautious of the humidity. Glad Cairo is still going strong, and he is too funny with that toy. A big bruiser like him carrying around a toy is too cute. Blessings
Patti
We'll keep his walking down in the heat. It's always hard to know if he's keen to keep walking or if he's walking to keep us happy.
He has to carry something - even if it's a blade of grass
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2.../Image0122.jpg
Alison:
So cute this Cairo is. What a ham with a blade of grass in his mouth!. He is sure a beautiful dog, I can see why you are so in love with him. Hope it's not too hot for him to walk today. Blessings
Patti
Oh how adorable he is.
Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin
Don't know about it being too hot for him but I can't go out tonight as its too hot and clammy so my mum and niece are on dog walking. It's actually not as warm as it has been but it's so clammy - and I don't do heat. He'll not get to go far though.
Alison:
WE are to get a storm this afternoon so Tipper will be on high alert. We still have cooler temps here right now, but it is very dark out. I hope you get a cool down as Cairo seem to be able to handle the cooler weather better than that humid hot stuff. These cush dogs just cannot take it. It is terrible how this disease changes all that you knew about your dog previous to this disease. Blessings
Patti
It was cooler today but still really heavy. He was torture on his walk this evening. Almost welded to my leg, wanting his toy almost as soon as we were out and I didn't want to give him it but my mum gave him it. I wasn't being horrible but when he's carrying it, he doesn't pant so well and he doesn't snuffle about or pee much and I think it can't be much fun for him just plodding along with the toy.
I took this a while ago - told you he liked carrying things - he found this manky old cycle tyre and wouldn't part company with it.
http://s41.photobucket.com/user/Alis...red-1.mp4.html