Jasper (12 yr old Mini Schnauzer) is now at peace

Yeah, I think the trail blazer doggies really like it here because we have several! Glynda's little Jojo had text books, lecture notes, and taped conferences stashed which he would consult then do his best to go in the opposite direction! :p So many times I could picture him sitting in a corner watching his mom and her friends scratching their head while he snickered softly, "neener neener neener...gotcha!" :p:D:p Most pups with hydrocephalus require surgically implanted shunts to drain the excess fluid from the brain - not my little Brick! He said, "No thanks, I'll do it myself!" And he does! The vets that have seen him are amazed by this while Brick is very proud of himself. :p So, yeah, Jasper being in a 2-5% group is normal for our family here!

I am very glad he seems to be doing so well and hope the trend continues!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

PS. I have been wondering something - it is said by some that treating and living with Addison's is easier than Cushing's. Have you found this to be true for you and Jasper?

So happy to hear Jasper is doing well! I love his new picture..he's a cutie! :D:D

Barbara

That figures. Nothing is ever "the usual" here is it?

Hi Tina,
What a handsome little dude you have there! I love his new avatar photo. :p I'm glad he's doing so well. Keep it up Jasper! Xxxx

Tina:
So glad to hear that Jasper is doing well. I hope you continue to see improvement in him every day. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the comments on the new avatar! Jasper does not like his picture taken, so I really didn't have anything recent or up close. Thankfully you can silence the shutter sound on my iPad (he is afraid of the sound), and I have been gaining his trust so with the help of some treats I was able to get a few new pics!

Well, it seems we take one step forward and two steps back. Jasper had been doing pretty well (thank goodness because work has been wicked). Then Tuesday at 4:30 in the morning he jumped down off the bed and started vomiting. I was hoping it would be just once, but he vomited 3 times. :eek: No interest in food at all. Seemed like he felt pretty bad. So weird because he was doing great the night before and had been eating well.

Vomiting can become an emergency very quickly with Addison's, so I ran him in to the vet first thing. We ended up being there all morning, I didn't get back go work until noon. :eek: My vet does not work on Tuesdays so we had to see another vet at the clinic who isn't very familiar with Jasper. A chem profile was checked and his electrolytes were great (yay!), however his liver values are sky high again. :mad:

ALP > 2400 (20-150 U/L)
ALT 1130 (10-118 U/L)
TBIL 0.8 (0.1-0.6 mg/dL)

The ALP is off the charts again, their machine doesn't register any higher than 2400. The ALT which had gotten back to normal is now severely elevated again, and the bilirubin is high for the first time.

The Dr mentioned that pancreatitis can cause the elevations. Jasper did not seem to be in pain when she checked his abdomen, and he did not have a fever. She did not check the spec cPL because she said he should be completely fasted for that. He was given an injection of Cerenia. Back on a bland hamburger and rice diet, and sent home with Cerenia pills to be given daily x 4 days. The plan was for my vet to call on Wednesday to follow up.

So I talked to my Dr yesterday and we discussed everything that had happened. She is quite concerned with the elevations in the liver values, especially the ALT, and especially since this had all just happened in September too. She is recommending an abdominal ultrasound for Jasper to get a closer look at his liver and pancreas, and of course gall bladder, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, etc. He is scheduled for tomorrow 11/15 at 1 pm.

Now I realize that Jasper is probably the only dog on the forum who hasn't had an ultrasound. But I am very nervous. I guess I am scared of what they might find, but I also feel a bit relieved that we are getting it done. Of course if they see anything questionable they will get a biopsy. I am concerned about anesthesia with his Addison's and kidney issues if they need to get a biopsy.

Thanks to what I have learned from everyone here, I verified that the U/S machine is high resolution. The vet that will be doing the procedure has had special training with ultrasounds, so hopefully it will be ok.

I took the day off from work because I didn't want Jasper waiting in a cage for 6 hours before the test. And plus, I will probably be a basket case and I know I wouldn't be able to manage my work.

So please keep my Little Man in your prayers tomorrow. I am staying positive but I won't lie. I am scared.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper xo

PS Leslie, I will need to come back to your question about whether Addison's is easier to manage than Cushings. I need to give that some thought once things settle down again.

We will be right there with you Tina holding your hand. I hope the waiting room is big!

Big hugs,
Kathy

Me too, I am up at stupid o'clock so am all ready to go.

I hate that feeling of anticipation so we know exactly what you mean.

Hi Kathy - so nice to see you realtime, been ages :)

Mel
Xxxxxx

Hi Tina

Ahhhh they copying each other again!! Little beggars! Flynny's ALP/ALT have shot up too so he is having a review next Tuesday with a new specialist vet in Auckland. We are driving the 6hrs up there tomorrow and stay with friends a few days. I just got home from work at 7.30pm and starting to get us packed up. Flynny is suspicious the bag is out and I only got home from conference earlier in week and he thinks I am off again, I keep telling him he is coming too but he still doubting :D Be looking out for the results and it goes without saying we will be fluttering about making sure Jasper is well looked after for this appointment. Hopefully he won't need a general if they go for a biopsy, Flynn has had x3 liver biopsies and only once did he need a little sedation. Hopefully you get some sleep tonight so you are not looking like your eyes are on toothpicks tomorrow xxxxx

Tina, awwww he was doing so well. The US will give a clearer picture and help to form the best treatment plan.

When Daisy had hers, they didn't have to sedate her because she fell asleep :-) She must've thought it was the best belly rub ever!

We'll be waiting with you.