Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

Hi ya'll,

Thanks for the support as always. Ya'll are just the best!

Dr. B is treating Squirt for bronchitis. She got a shot of AB and one of hydrocodone to help with the coughing and gagging. Dr. B said she is to be WELL by Wed. or bring her back and we will go from there. He said her heart and lungs sounded "pretty good", she had a slight temp but that could have been from the stress of the visit. At the moment, we are at my brother's office helping him with his computer work for a bit and she is very mellow. :p Dr. B said she would be a bit "high" from the shot and he is right!

She got her nails trimmed and she snapped at the clippers while he was doing it! :eek: She turned and snapped at me the other day when I was fussing at her for going too far across the yard, too. That is not my Squirty! I have a theory this behavior has to do with the increase in her male hormones. Any thoughts on this?

More later when we get back home!

Thanks again!
Hugs,
Leslie and a dopey Squirt

Well, I must be losing my mind, how did I miss this post about sweet Squirt!!! I am so sorry :(

Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way for Squirt's speedy recovery. I'd tell ya to give her some gentle hugs but I don't want you to get a nip in the nose. :eek: A little bit of aggression issues going on, huh? It just has to be them darn male hormones! ;):)

Please keep us posted on how Squirt is doing.

Love and hugs,
Lori

Hi Sister Twitcher,

It seems to all be happening today! :o

I'm also keeping you, Squirt, and Trinket in my thoughts and prayers.

Hope all goes well.

Hi again,

Ok...Squirt got two shots today; Depo-Medrol, and Torbugesic. One for the cough and an anti-biotic. We came home with Hydrocodone syrup, .75cc BID and Baytril, 22.7mg BID. She was really coughing in the waiting room today but hasn't since the shots. After eating, she went to bed, as is her habit, and started panting right away but it doesn't have the wheeze it did last nite, tho it is raspy sounding and still pretty rapid. She is supposed to have the cough syrup tonite so I hope that helps.

It seems there was more I wanted to share but I am worn out and the old brain ain't firin' on all cylinders so we are gonna take our meds and call it a day. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and my Sweet Bebe

Leslie -

Sorry to hear Squirt's not feeling well.:( How's she feeling this morning? How are you feeling this morning? This little setback of Squirts has been stressful on you too, to say the very least.:( We're thinking of you here and sending some extra positive vibes and healing thoughts your way. Keep us posted.

Tammy, Crash, & Darby

I hope the meds work and that Squirt will be back to her normal self very soon.

twitch...twitch...twitch

Hi ya'll,

Squirt had a bad nite. :( She couldn't seem to get settled or comfortable. She would lay on her side, seem to drift off, then would pop up and sit, just panting and looking around. The first time or two, I thought she was hallucinating from the syrup maybe, but she was responsive when I talked to her. Her breathing would seem to improve then it would get worse again. The wheezing wasn't as bad as the nite before and at first I thought the syrup had stopped that but it came back off and on all nite. Carolyn (sis-in-law) came out to the camper to check on us and we could hear whistling a time or two as Squirt breathed. When Squirt would pop up to sit last nite, she would look at me and it seems to me I could see fear and confusion in her eyes, like, "I don't know what's happening, Mom, but it scares me." :( Early this morning she was finally able to lay down and sleep some.

Logically, I know the restlessness could have been a side effect of the hydrocodone - it does cause hyperactivity in some adults so it seems logical it could in dogs, too. She's had her dose of the AB and the syrup this morning so I will see if she is restless again.

Dr. B asked me yesterday if this had been coming on or if it came on suddenly. I told him it seemed like it came on suddenly but last nite I realized that isn't true. When we were in AZ I heard that wheezing but put it off to the altitude bothering her, and it did get better when we got back home - to the point I didn't notice it until this last weekend. On our way out of Show Low, Squirt got really sick; she vomited numerous times but I put that off to feeding her some canned feed that morning that was too rich for her; her cooked food didn't travel well and had spoiled. By the time we reached Albuquerque (where I knew there would be a 24 hr ER if needed) she was much better and wanted to eat. I kept her on a restricted diet until we got back home and on her own feed again, and she didn't get sick any more.

I have been worrying about her cortisol since the UTK panel shows it rising again, plus the increase in the male hormones, and have been really trying to decide if she is showing any signs. Other than the panting, she hasn't been. With the summer heat the panting didn't bother me as she does that every summer. I still don't think this is the Cushing's, tho it could be playing a part.

My gut says this isn't bronchitis either. :( I hope like hell it is wrong and just in panic mode. :(

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirty

TWITCH...TWITCH...TWITCH

Dear Leslie. I'm hoping that the meds will start working.

Just a thought - were any x-rays taken to see if Squirt might have a collapsing trachea? When Corky was hospitalized twice last year with respiratory problems, they found that Corky has a collapsing trachea. His breathing sounded like a fog horn, for lack of better words. Part of his breathing issues were also due to his enlarged liver pressing on his lungs. My friend's baby also has this, and he also chokes. If it hasn't been checked, you might want to ask your vet about it.

I'm keeping you and Squirt in my thoughts and prayers.

(((((HUGS)))))

Corky and I love you bunches.

Terri

Dear Sister Twitcher,

I'm sorry to hear that you and Squirt both had a bad night. I'm hoping whatever this is goes away quickly and never bothers the two of you again!

(((calming hugs)))

Oh Leslie,

I am sorry Squirt had a bad night. Zoe is snappy when she does not feel good. Maybe it is not the hormones but Squirt does not feel good.

It is so dang hard when they are sick. Zoe's reverse sneezing sounds like my asthma attack, wheezing is loud. I don't think that is what you mean though.

Yup, I have been twitching for a month now. Not good.:eek:

Praying baby Squirt has a better night tonight and you get some rest.

Hugs,
Addy, Zoe and Koko

Hi ya'll,

Squirt had a better nite last nite! :) She was able to get comfortable laying down and only sat up twice that I saw. She did cough a little but no gagging and the coughing wasn't as bad as it had been. When I would check on her during the nite, she was sleeping most of the time and her breathing was more regular and not as raspy. A couple of times she was panting when I looked at her but it wasn't that ragged, rapid, bed-shaking panting; it was more like her usual pant. When she went out this morning, she showed a bit more interest in things around her and seemed happier. Yesterday, she would want out often but she would just take a few steps then sit in one spot, panting, for as long as I would let her. This morning she put her nose to the ground and did a bit of exploring after her business.

I didn't give her the cough syrup this morning as the coughing is better and the hydrocodone is a narcotic so I had rather use it as needed....with Dr. B's blessings, of course. I will call him this morning and give him the report he asked for. She isn't well as he wanted her to be today but she is better. So I will let you know what he has to say.

Even tho Squirt seems better with the coughing, ect., I am going to pursue some more testing for her once the Abs are finished. My Sweet Bebe just isn't herself. :( I will talk to Dr. B about some Xrays, blood work for sure and maybe another U/S. Once again, I want to rule out everything we can then we will turn our attention to the Cushing's. I wish Dr. B had the ability to do the SNAP test but if Squirt has an U/S she will have to go to Little Rock and maybe the IMS will be able to do that for us. I have made some changes in Squirt's meds for the Cushing's, again with Dr. B's support, so I may decide to go ahead and have another UTK panel done in a month or so to see how the hormones are running VS a SNAP test.

I am soooo relieved to see some improvement in Squirt even if she isn't "well" yet. It will be a bit easier to breath today and maybe there won't be as many tears. :o Squirt will be 13 in Feb. and I know her time is limited, but I want a few more years with her. I will never be prepared to lose her, cannot fathom life without her. But more than anything else, I want her remaining life to be one of comfort and contentment. I will do everything in my power to make sure that is what she has no matter how long she has left. My Sweet Bebe has given her all to me - how can I do any less for her?

Thanks again for all your support, suggestions, hugs, prayers, and love. I don't know what we would do without ya'll.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

Hi Leslie,

I'm so glad to hear that there has been some improvement in Squirt. That's a step in the right direction.

I think you're very wise for having further testing done. I know we have a fear of the unknown, and it does help to give us some comfort if we can find out what is actually going on and if there is something we can do about it.

I totally understand how you feel about Squirt. Corky's my baby and I also know that his life span is 10-14 years old. We do everything we possibly can to make sure our babies have a long, good quality of life. You are such a wonderful mom.

Take care my friend. I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.


(((HUGS)))

Hi Leslie,
It's a relief to hear that Squirt is feeling a bit better....those coughing fits always made me nervous too. Mandy had wheezy coughing the week before she passed...it went away w/some cough syrup, but who knows what was up? :confused: I was thinking I should have brought her to the vet then...even tho' the vet said she checked out fine 2 weeks earlier!

I think it is very tricky when they get older and it is only complicated by the Cushings. We had the occasional "bile puke" episodes as well, but with the meds and supplements, I always wondered if her tummy was just upset? Not to mention the habit of eating grass! LOL! I know they do that instinctively for their tummies, I've been told. But, it was clear to me that freshly cut grass was not very digestible!:p

Anyways, I'd keep a close eye on Squirtie and follow up w/the doc, as you plan.

Jeff & Angel Mandy

Hi Leslie,
Always good news to hear there is improvement :) Hope she continues to improve quickly so you can get some sleep.

Belly rubs to Leslie's girls.

I am glad, too, that sweet Squirt is feeling a little bit better. We will continue to send healing thoughts and prayers your way for both of our precious girls.

With much love and (((hugs)))
Lori

Oh Leslie if only I could say something great like you would for me. I didn't know you were having problems too. Your doggie will be just fine she has to be!!!

Big hugs!
Janis

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I am thankful that Squirt is a bit better. Hope tonight goes well and she is able to rest, you too Leslie.

Hugs and kisses for Leslie and the girls.:)

Addy, Zoe and Koko

Leslie, it's been twelve hours since we heard from you!!!

Leslie,

I'm so relieved to hear that Squirt is feeling a little better, and not coughing as much. I know you were going out of your mind with worry.
Hope she continues to get better, and sending thoughts and prayers for you both my friend.

Love,
Jane, Franklin and Bailey xxx

Leslie -

As I check in this Thanksgiving morning I'm thankful to hear our buddy Squirt is feeling a bit better. She's not her perky self yet, but any signs of improvement are good. I know what you're saying about about our babies ages and all the questions that start running through your head when they become ill. Crash, now 13, had that intestinal bug setback a few months ago that threw his whole system off - - and well mine too with worry. He's just now really getting back to his old self. Squirt's a sweet little girl and when she looks up at you with that cute face of hers - your heart just melts and you want her to be all better - like immediately. She's working with you on that - she's tough - it's just going to take a little longer. We continue sending healing thoughts and our prayers your way.

Thanksgiving Day wishes to you and yours!

Tammy, Crash, & Darby

Thanks, ya'll! I am sure all the good vibes, prayers and positive thoughts have gone a long way toward helping Squirt feel better. She had an even better nite last nite, sleeping peacefully most of it. At one point, I heard this awful noise from her and raised up to check on her....she was snoring! And none too pleased that I woke her up to see if she was ok! :p She did sit up a few times to look around but it wasn't the urgent popping up she was doing. I haven't heard her cough since yesterday! YEAH! :D:D

I didn't hear back from Dr. B yesterday; they may have closed early for the holiday. So I will contact them tomorrow again.

Squirt, Trink and I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

BIG SMILE! Thanks for checking in..

We are good today too... so far.

Thanks, Janis! You are a sweetheart to check on Squirt when your hands are so full with your own girls.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

SNORING? LOL!

my Aussies were pretty loud snorers as well :D

Mornin' to those not out chasing bargains on Black Friday!

Squirt was a bit worried when we first climbed in bed last nite. She wanted down, then back up on the bed several times; she didn't seem to have any reason to get down...other than to make sure the left-overs were still on the counter! She would walk over, sniff, then come back and ask to get back in the bed. :) I decided she could see the plate from the bed and it was driving her nuts! :D So I put the plate out of sight and she decided to stay in bed after that! LOL My little piggy! :p

Squirt was a bit more restless at first last nite, once the plate was put up, having a hard time finding a spot to get comfortable in, with some increase in the panting during that time. But she did settle and had a good nite - we both slept most of it, well, SHE slept most of it! ;) I did get more sleep myself but I just can't resist checking on her during the nite. :o

She is feeling better. This morning before we hit the floor, Trink and I were playing, as is our habit, and Squirt wanted to join in. :D I saw the devilment in her eyes again as she attempted to convince Trink to share the fun, to which Trink said an emphatic, "NO!"

After their morning constitutions, Squirt came wagging and wiggling back to the door with a grin on her face. So happy to see that! :):):)

Part of me wants to say, "Well, ok, it looks as if she DID have some sort of infection and the ABs are taking care of it. Be happy with this and don't look any further - no telling what you might find! :eek: " But I have to pursue a thorough check up. She deserves no less.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

We are peas in the same pod Leslie! I do it the same way and react the same way. As you always tell me, your a good mom. Just keep doing what your doing even if it kills you. If love can save her it will. Crap I hope that made you feel better. It was ment to.

So glad to hear that Squirtie is feeling better!

I avoided the Black Friday sales, but did go out and treat myself to a buffet breakfast :)

Gonna go run a few errands and maybe stop and look at some pups....the little ones do cheer me up! so young, healthy and full of life. I wish I had a huge "plantation" where i could let them all live and run around....or an island? OK...I'd better go play the Pix 6 Lotto...:D

Jeff & Angel Mandy

YAHOO, SQUIRT!YOU GO, GIRL GO:D:D:D:D
Leslie, I know what you mean by checking on them. I wish I could have the vet check Chloe every morning - just to reassure me. I keep looking for the littlest thing. This disease drives us to it.Jjust keep doing what you're doing - looks as if it's working. Give the Squirts girl lots of tummy rubs from us (they cure everything lol).
love,
Carrol & Chloe

Hi Leslie,

Just checking to see how Squirt and Trinket are doing. I hope they're both doing good.

Hi Leslie,

So glad Squirt is on the road to feeling better!!! So funny about the plate.....:D

Thinking of you and the doggies.

Hi ya'll,

My niece came home from college and said, "WOW! Squirt looks funny!" When asked what she meant, she said, "Her body looks fluffy and her tail looks skinny!"

:confused::eek::confused::mad::(:(:(:mad::eek::eek :

<mama without blinders icon>

Squirt's panting is increasing. She was panting hard last nite but not like she was a few weeks ago - no raggedness or wheezing. Just fairly fast and hard.

She is restless at nite, moving often on the bed as she regroups.

She is sneaking around the place looking for Moe's food outside and the other dog's in the Big House and wolfing her own feed.

She seems to be staying at the water bowl a bit longer.

More and more, she lays on the floor where there are no rugs.

The hair re-growth on her hip and leg from the July surgery have not come in normally - only one of her 3 coats has come in. (New pics in album show this.)

Her hair has a coarser feel to it, more brittle-feeling somehow.

She is getting more and more adenomas all over.

She is losing hair around her eyes, from the lower lid area primarily.

She isn't raising either leg to pee any more but simply squats.

She pees for a longer time (it is a stream so no infection suspected).

She has been experiencing some nausea at nite.

The darkening of her skin has progressed to cover more of her body.

Her gums and tongue are very red, almost purple, at times especially at nite.

She does not have a pot-belly tho she has gained weight - 1#.

She still plays, gets excited about things, wants to be with me, interacts with people and animals, has had no infections other than the bronchitis, no other skin changes, no hair loss other than the eye lids.

hummmm......YOUR thoughts?


Squirt's mom, who is feeling like a great big dummy!

I'm thinking of you!

Oh Leslie, your sweet Squirty is sounding more and more like a genuine "Cushpup" to me...:o:o:o When are you thinking about repeating the UTK panel?

Marianne

Hi Leslie!
WOW! I am experiencing a lot of those things with Chloe lately but her last panel, about a month ago, was pretty good.:confused: Chloe does have a little pot belly and at times it feels very "tight" and hard.
Will be watching your thread carefully for info. You are definitely not alone!!:(
Carrol

Hi Leslie,

I agree with Marianne. It's sounding like Squirt's cortisol may be increasing. In looking at the results of the last two UTK panels, I noticed that the increase in intermediates correlate with the increase in cortisol, which is to be expected. You know Squirty best so what do you think is going on? If you think her cortisol has continued to climb, you may want to think about having Dr. B do a stim test. If the post cortisol is higher than the last UTK panel, then you can pretty much assume that the intermediates are also higher. If cortisol is still in the high normal range, you can continue with the melatonin and lignans and consider adding a lysodren maintenance dose. That's my two cents worth.

G.

Hi Leslie!
What's happening with the Squirtser? I was having real problems with Chloe's coat - really thinning on top and her back and neck were covered in those awful bursting sebaceous glands. What a mess. Dr. L. talked to Dr Oliver who suggested increasing the melatonin to 5-6mg twice a day. We did that. It has been 1 1/2 - 2 months now and I notice this morning there seems to be improvement in amount and texture of her fur. Wishful thinking or are we on to something????? Have you emailed Dr O?
Carrol

Hi Carrol,

We talked after her last UTK panel because I am concerned about her andro and progesterone levels. Funny, as the estradiol returns to normal, these hormones can rise. :rolleyes:

We talked about increasing her melatonin and I did take her to 6mg at nite only a little over a month ago. But then she got sick and since has had some nausea at nite, so I cut her back to the 3mg to see if that would help with the nausea...it hasn't. So she will start back on the 6mg/PM tonite.

I have also added phosphatidylserine (PS) to her regime about a month ago. PS is a phospholipid and has been shown to lower cortisol in human athletes as well as having other benefits for athletes and non-athletes. Here is a link from iHerb concerning PS:

http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetCo...chunkiid=21843

Again, because of the bronchitis and nausea, she hasn't been on it consistently since starting. The plan was to try these two changes, retest in about 40-45 days to see how things were, and go from there.


As for her coat....here is a pic of her in 2007, prior to diagnosis and prior to melatonin -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/albu...pictureid=2156

Here she is now, taken this summer as was the one in '07 -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/albu...pictureid=1876

And here she is this month -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/albu...pictureid=2123

She hasn't lost hair as is expected with Cushing's at all. Even before the melatonin, her coat was good! I wish I had a pic of her tail when she was younger so you could see the difference between it then and now...there is a vast difference I hadn't even noticed til Brianna said something. But, I don't know how long this change has taken to reach the point it is today, but her tail hair is much thinner than it used to be.

When she made her remark, I really started watching Squirt and noting things I saw that were different. That was 2 weekends ago. The only real hair loss I see is some from the lower lids on both eyes. The skin beneath is black. The other things like the drinking and peeing are subtle. She doesn't ask to go out much more often but she pees longer. I am not filling up the water bowl more often, she is just drinking more in one trip than before. She has always been a Miss Piggy but she is acting more concerned with securing food more frequently.

Are you seeing more changes in Chloe other than the coat issue?

Since posting the other day, she has been acting as if she doesn't have Cushing's once again, little huzzy. :rolleyes::p But I am not fooled this time, oh no! Action will be taken and taken soon. After much thought, even before this latest, I seriously doubt I would put Squirt through another surgery so an U/S and Xrays would be added costs that would more than likely lead to nothing. So, I am thinking of starting her on a maintenance dose of Lyso asap. If I can find someone close who does the SNAP test, I would like that done but don't know that it is really necessary at this point.

This is my baby :eek: and I find what little I have learned is rapidly falling through the trap-door of my mind so I fear I am missing something important or doing something dangerous....so please speak up and set me straight, or say you agree! :o

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

Quote:

---

The maintenance dose is usually 25 to 50 mg of Lysodren per kg of the dog's weight per WEEK (25-50 mg/kg/week) and can be given in divided doses. Example: 500 mg Lysodren per week can be given as 250 mg twice a week, or 375 mg per week could be given as 125 mg three times a week etc. The entire weekly dose is often the same amount as the dose per day that was given during the loading phase.

---

Squirt weighed 15lbs at her last vet visit. 15/2.2=6.82. 6.82kg x 25mg = 170.5mg/week. hummmm...... 6.82kg x 50mg = 341mg/week. hummmm..... 170.5+341=511.5/2=255.75mg/week for an average between the lowest and highest dose recommended for maintenance. So, to make the division of the tablets easier, 250mg/week for her? 250/6.82=36.66mg/kg to start. Does that sound alright?

Hi Leslie,

I have been wondering the same thing about the maintenance dose for Zoe. She was 18 pounds last vet visit but I think she will be down to 17.5 now.:(

I think you figured it out right.:)

Hugs,

Addy