Zoe By My Side- Our Journey with Cushings

Leslie - It is a perfect bubble bath libation! :p

Marie - A shot may not be enough! ;)

Addy - You probably could use some right now, after the anxiety of the past few days! :eek:

All - You will have to try it and let me know how you like it. All this talk about Chocovine...think I'll have a bit myself right now! YUM! :cool:

Chocolate? Did someone say chocolate? Chocolate WINE?


Yummmmmmmyyyyyyy:p:p:p:

Do you think I could stash a bottle in my desk? For when I need a chocolate fix? Or that would probably constitute alcohol, not a chocolate fix. They would think I have a drinking problem, not a chocolate problem:p:p:p

Maybe a drinking problem would not be bad right now:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Brain nummies, I could handle that.;);););)

Happy Almost Memorial Day:D:D:D

Hugs,
Addy

Addy -

I just poured myself a glass of ChocoVine and, as promised, toasted to Zoe and her month of perfect poops. Then it occurred to me that chocolate brown liquid may not have been the best choice for THAT particular toast! :p But, it is delicious anyway and unbelievable chocolatey. It would definitely satisfy a craving for chocolate, but the 14% alcohol content might get you in trouble at work....although there are times that I think it could be quite helpful!! :rolleyes: I actually just stumbled on this in the store last Saturday and bought it out of curiosity - never expecting it to be so delicious!

CHEERS MARY BETH AND ALIVIA


Here's to a month of PERFECT POOPS

CLINK!! CLINK!!!

I dont have Chocovino but I have milk and a chocolate cookie!!!!

Close enough:p:p:p:p:p
love,

Addy, zoe and koko too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apollo6

dear Addy
Just say a little prayer. Give the vet your notes if you are scared. Write down what is said and ask any question you have no matter what it is. We are here for you.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

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I have used a pocket recorder with great success. I have found that often I get what was said in the office,scrambled once I leave. I took my mini recorder, placed it on her desk an asked if she would mind if I used it. She wanted to know why I wanted to use it. Once she understood "why" , she nervously relented. As the consultation went on she totally forgot it was there. Or you can just set it to noise activate and slip it in a pocket.

You get the jist.....I'm falling asleep here.
Back tomorrow.

s

Quote:

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Originally Posted by addy

The long and short of it: His opinion: Start on 15 mgs Trilostane. Do full chemistry panel in 2 weeks and a baseline ACTH not a stim to make sure she does not drop too low.

After that, in another two weeks redo chemistry panel and do ACTH stim.

She should be treated now, don’t wait to try and further correct colitis. Do not consider blood work. Treat her now.

I have appointment 6/1 with current IMS. He told me to tell her to call him if she has questions and to read his chapter in the Ettinger Vet book. If she refuses, I will have to go elsewhere. I have another IMS I could turn to. I guess I will go there rather than go back to her holistic vet that scared me half to death.

I am relieved and scared at the same time. He said her cortisol is really high. He does not see many dogs with that high of cortisol any more. Trying not to cry. My poor Zoe.

Addy

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Oh Addy-I am so very sorry for your being upset. We all have been there......or will be there before all is said and done.
Palmer started off just that way except his beginning dosage was 10.
I also apologize at being so tardy here. I know you understand with what I've been going through. I just haven't been able to keep up with everything as I usually do.
I am sending to you one (((Humongous Hug)))(hold, one, two three, four, and five)I HATE those superficial hugs....ones with air kisses or the double pat on the back. I like the feeling of connection
What is her cortisol number?
I'm here with ya, kid.

Love,
Susan

How come on the Dechra website there are questions and answers by Dr. Mark Peterson?


Is he affiliated with Dechra in any way?

Need to know before I see my IMS.

Thanks,
Addy

Dechra has a continuing education page on their site and Dr. Peterson, Dr. Bruyette and I believe Dr. Cook all contribute. I believe they may do lectures as well. I have no idea if they get paid or not.

http://www.dechrace.com/faq.html

Dear Addy
can you post Zoe's cortisol reading.
You need some Zen from all of us.
I don't know who Dr. Peterson is so no input there. I have attached his site, if this is him
http://www.drmarkepeterson.com/contact/.
this is what he says about Atypical cushing

Quote:

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10. Atypical Cushing’s (adrenal sex steroid excess)
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Atypical Cushing’s syndrome is a disorder of dogs that remains incompletely understood. These dogs show many of the classic features of typical Cushing’s syndrome. However, dogs with atypical Cushing’s syndrome show normal or borderline cortisol levels on standard endocrine testing. To make understanding this confusing disorder even more complex, atypical Cushing’s syndrome may also be referred to by other names, including the adrenal hyperplasia-like syndrome, pseudo-Cushing’s, or Alopecia X.



A theory has arisen that the clinical signs of atypical hyperadrenocorticism result from excess adrenal secretion of sex hormones rather than cortisol. These adrenal sex steroids include both androgens (i.e., hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione) and estrogens (i.e., estradiaol). In many of these dogs, blood levels of one or more of the ”adrenal sex steroids” are high. Most veterinarians consider high adrenal sex steroid levels diagnostic for atypical Cushing’s syndrome.



Dogs with this atypical disorder generally respond to drugs like mitotane or trilostane, similar to dogs with typical or classical Cushing's disease. Some reports suggest that melatonin and flax seed oil may also be effective in some dogs with this disorder.


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If this is his site, he sounds very knowledgeable, and doesn't work for Dechra.
I hope this easies your mind.


All I can say is if Zoe cortisol is high and symptoms there she needs to be on either Trilostane or Lysodren. We know her hormones are high so is she still on Melatonin and Lignans to lower them.
Apollo does have the high hormones so for the next month or so with the Trilostane I am also going to give him the Melatonin and Lignans and see if that lowers his hormones. I think Glynda said a few people have their dogs on Trilostane with the Melatonin and Lignans.
We are here for you.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo and I blow you a kiss also.

Oh how I wish I had that Chocovino to get through the wild puppy crazies.

Mary Beth - that was hilarious about the toast to the perfect month of poops for Zoe.

Miss Addy - (((((BIG HUGS)))))

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!!!