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I hope I got the math right, Addy. That is not one of my strong points! :o Hopefully someone with better math skills will double check us on that!
If 250mg a week is right for her, then she'll only need 4 tablets a month. Can they prescribe that few or will we have to get 30 tablets? Guess I will have to ask them, huh?
Now, where is the best place to get Lyso via the web?
Hi Leslie,
You got the math right on determining the maintenance dose, however, your accounting for pills needed per month is incorrect. At 250mg per week, one 500mg pill is good for two weeks so you will only need two pills a month. Your vet should be able to prescribe whatever amount you want.
I looked on line and found some places that compound it with different dosing choices so you would not be limited to 250 mgs.
Did you not want to compound? They had flavored liquid suspended in oil and capsules for a lot of different dosing choices.
I knew the Trilostane was compounded but did not remember reading much about people using compounded mitotane.
Just wondering for you and me. 250 mgs for Zoe comes out to something like 32 mgs per kg.
Just started looking at pricing. Hopefully someone will have some info.
Hugs,
Addy
Hugs,
Addy
Both Lulu and Jojo are on compounded mitotane which I get from Diamondback Drugs. Small dogs requiring doses less than 125mg (1/4 lysodren pill) usually have to have their dose compounded.
Thanks, Glynda! I figured I would have made a mistake somewhere but that was a simple one! :o Should have used the calculator to determine the number of pills per week....geez!
I found where I can get the compounded Lyso but since 250mg will work for her, then I plan to simply give her 1/4 pill 2x/week. If this works, then I won't need to get a compounded form.
Just before Christmas, I got robbed - my pre-paid debit card was wiped out by someone playing games online to the tune of $1500+. :rolleyes::mad::( That was Squirt's testing money, Trink's surgery money, plus Christmas money. With that gone, I can't have her tested before starting the Lyso. I know the Lyso will address all the hormones that are still elevated and/or rising, while the lignans and melatonin seem to have done their job with the estradiol, bringing it back to normal. This makes me a bit nervous even tho I really think it is time she starts the Lyso.
The signs I was seeing have abated some but are still present at times. The increase in melatonin and/or the PS may be having an effect, reducing the strength of the signs but with her cortisol steady rising and the andro so high I worry about long-term damage. She has been through enough - I don't want kidney, liver damage or diabetes to develop. She has had a great run for nearly 3 years all things considered but now she needs a bit more help.
I'll keep ya'll posted as we move into this phase of our journey.
Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt
Hi ya'll,
Squirt will start her maintenance schedule in the morning at 125mg. I plan to give her the second dose on Sun. morning.
Which brings me to a question I have wondered about for quite some time now. Why isn't maintenance set up to be given every 3rd day regardless of where in the week that falls? Would that not give a more uniform coverage instead of having two days and then three days then two days and so forth between doses? It would be more difficult to keep up with so that may be why.
Hugs,
Leslie and my Sweet Bebe
I give Casey her dose every 3 1/2 days so Monday morning and Thursday night. I also have a calendar that is strictly hers so that I can keep track of her Lysodren dosing days, Adequan injections etc.
Hope this helps!
Leslie, why do you have to ask such difficult questions? :D It is easier to keep track of if you simply choose set days of the week to dose. Sounds like you have picked Wednesdays and Sundays which sounds like a good plan to me. My two dogs get three doses per week on Mon, Wed & Fri. There is no doubt in my mind that I would screw up everything if I tried to dose every three days, plus they would not be getting their entire maintenance dose within 7 days. Dr. Feldman says because it's cumulative, it doesn't matter which days you choose as long as the dog gets the total "weekly" dose.
Thanks, Glynda! This old brain of mine often ponders crap! :p
Squirt had her first dose of Lyso this morning in 1/2 tsp of peanut butter. Like a dummy, I crushed the tablet portion in my mortar and some of it stuck to the bowl and pestal but I'm sure she got enough. There was just a fine dusting left on the bowl and pestal but Sun. I will try to get it down her whole...well 1/4 of the whole anyway. ;)
She has become very much opposed to taking pills the last few years so I am going to have to find some new tricks. She will no longer eat American Cheese or cream cheese as she is sure there is a pill hidden in there somewhere - and there was for a long time! I have tried wrapping pills in deli meat, covering them with butter, and the "never-fail" pill-pockets - wrong! Little huzzy will absolutely refuse it all! :rolleyes: ONE thing that may work is giving Trinket something at the same time...but then, what can I give Trink that won't set her colon off? Fun times in the camper to come! :p Yep, yep! I see margaritas and valium in my immediate future! :D
Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt
You can take some of the cooked meat you feed Trinket and put the pill inside the small piece of meat and then give it to Squirt. You could first give Trinket some pea size pieces of the whitefish so Squirt is envious.:cool: Trinket's colon should not be bothered by the same cooked meat she is eating for her meals. I smush the meat around the pill so you can't see it. It doesn't take alot of meat (fish). Would that work?
Zoe can only have turkey so we cook a turkey breast for all her treats and I hide pills inside a very small piece of that meat. Her treats are only cooked turkey breast, we freeze slices and defrost a slice for a few days. I feed Koko the same meat as his treat. You could just cook up some fish and save alittle for a treat reserve.:)
Hugs,
Addy
That's a good idea on the fish, Addy! Trink's menu is pre-mixed and smashed to mush at the moment but I can put some pieces of just fish aside for treats on Squirt's pill days. I'll try that and see how it works Sun.
Thanks!
Hi ya'll,
jingle-jangle nerves jingle-jangle
Squirt had her second dose of Lyso (125mg) this morning with her breakfast around 8-8:30am. Thirty minutes ago, she started making a gagging sound but instead of her nose going out, it went down toward the floor and her chest. And she didn't get up, she continued to lay on her bed and just raised her head, nose down and in. Then she laid her head back down. :confused:
Just now, she sat up, looked at me as if she wanted something, then struggled to her feet, stood a second or three then went to the water bowl and drank - nothing strange about the drinking itself. But, she did have a much harder time getting up. :(
The last few nites have been better for her - not restless and less panting, but having a harder time moving around when she does want to. She has been quite playful and had more energy the last day or two as well, exploring longer when she is outside and initiating games with me yesterday afternoon and last nite.
They are calling for snow here starting in the next few hours, so I'm off to get a shovel and let the girls out for a bit. If anything else makes my nerves jingle-jangle, I will report in asap. ;)
Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt
As you already know ;):), Lysodren can cause gastric upset...sounds like maybe, Squirt is having some acid reflux...are you giving pepcid or slippery elm to Squirt before her Lysodren?
Had some snow here too, not that much tho, not even enough to shovel. I hate shoveling :eek:
Keep us posted!!
Love and hugs,
Lori
God I hate it when stuff like that happens! Shovel some snow, that sounds like a good idea. Of course I dont have a clue what's going on but I'm sure hoping you and your squirt are ok! Hugs!!!!
We had 5 inches by mid afternoon.. Haven't gone out to check in a while.. Probably up to 8. Expecting a foot. :( Supposed to be 25 below zero too. At least there is no ice. :rolleyes:
PS Hugs to Squirt. You had to go get a shovel? Guess you don't get much snow dear Les.
Hope everythings ok. Keep us updated. Lots of hugs. Lots.
Leslie? You ok? (((worried)))
Leslie has been having computer issues recently. Check in if you can Leslie!
Alison
Morning! from snowy Arkansas! :D:D:D
This whole state has shovels out! LOL Schools and businesses closed, gov't. offices closed, grocery store shelves emptied, cars and trucks piled in the ditches and stranded on the roads and hiways. Out here in the country smoke rolls from every chimney within sight; bright red gas cans sit filled on back porches for generators just in case; the cedar and pines are bowed in honor of their Mother's splendor; and the laughter of kids is just starting to echo the whine of four-wheelers. Arkansas is basically at a stand-still but what an awesomely beautiful, humbling stand-still it is!
Squirt is doing ok. I gave her a Tagamet after Lori so kindly reminded me. I don't know why my mind just stops functioning when it comes to Squirt, but it sure does! :eek::o If I had read what I wrote on any other thread, I would have immediately known to try Pepcid or some-such....but when it comes to my Sweet Bebe, I become a total dummy. Just as blank as can be. :rolleyes:
Since starting the Lyso, I have cut the melatonin back to the original 3 & 3. She continues with the 120mg of lignans a day as well. She has continued with the GlycoFlex but next week I will start adding some things, one at a time, to help with the arthritis. I won't put her through any more surgeries unless something like last time happens again where a pin, etc. comes out. There would be no choice in that case. But I won't have the other leg operated on just to give a slight chance of improvement. Her right leg is much better, of course, but she is already bunny-hopping all the time again. I restrict her activities to a degree but no where to the lengths I did with Crys yet but I know the time is coming when that will be necessary. And a cart and buggy may well be in her future!
Squirt LOVES the snow! She always has but we just rarely get any, much less enough to matter. She will put her nose down in the snow and start trudging, plowing a trail with that tail slapping from side to side in joy! She will cram her whole face in the snow then look up at me like, "Did you see that?! You oughta try it, Mom!" When I finally convince her it is time to come in, she will have balls of snow hanging off her belly, legs, chest and face - grinning like mad and happy as a lark. :D Then she crashes and sleeps like a rock! :p I really think she and I are misplaced down here in the south! ;):D
Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt - the Snow Queen
PS. Thanks for the concern, ya'll! Love ya!
[QUOTE=Squirt's Mom;46870]Morning! from snowy Arkansas! :D:D:D
Squirt is doing ok. I gave her a Tagamet after Lori so kindly reminded me. I don't know why my mind just stops functioning when it comes to Squirt, but it sure does! :eek::o If I had read what I wrote on any other thread, I would have immediately known to try Pepcid or some-such....but when it comes to my Sweet Bebe, I become a total dummy. Just as blank as can be. :rolleyes:
---------
I'm glad I'm not the only one that does that!!! My brain draws "blanks" all the time too. Lucky for us some people notice. Sheesh.
Loved the story about Squrit and the snow. So cute!
Desi loves to bury her face in the snow and roll in it and Casey loves to eat it as she walks. Casey also loves to roll in snow and they always race to the last bit of snow on the ground in spring to go potty. I know my dogs would truly miss snow so yours must be having so much fun!!
Love and hugs,
Hi Leslie,
I just read your post on Palmer's thread about Trink and her antics--LOL it put a smile on my face :):) after having one of my melt downs on the phone with a customer--that is not very professional--hahaha!!!
Take care!!!
Hi Marie,
I am happy that our Little Bauble could give you a laugh today! She's kinda magic that way!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always
Leslie, you and the girls are all kind of magical that way:D
Hope Squirt continues to feel good on her Lysodren and hope little Trinket is feeling better and giving you a poo. ;)
Hey, would it be hard to cut the Lysodren pills into 1/4 pieces?
Hugs,
Addy
Hi Addy,
Squirt is doing really good with her Lyso now. The first two weeks on her dosing day, she would be a bit lethargic and have some tummy upset. But this week she has acted no differently when she got her dose Wed. so I take she has adjusted. :)
Cutting the pills is no problem at all! They are large pills with one side already scored. I have numerous pill cutters so I designated one of them as her Lyso cutter. ;) I cut a pill along the score line then put the halves in the cutter and cut them in half again. To make sure she gets the full 125mg/week, I only quarter one half of the pill at a time and separate the halves that I quarter from each other. Does that make sense? I cut one whole pill in half - I put one half back in the bottle - I then cut the other half into quarters - I keep those quarters in a separate bottle - there are never more than 2, 1/4 pieces in that bottle at one time.
When she gets her Lyso, I feed her most of her meal as usual but reserve about a tbsp. Then I put the 1/4 pill in the remainder of her meal and give that to her along with about tsp. of peanut butter for the fat. She now thinks she is getting a special treat on those days! :D
We woke up this morning to find that the connections to the propane tanks had sprung a major leak over nite. $$$$ floating away! :eek::eek: So I'm off to get parts and see if I can fix it to get the heat going again. My little electric heater just can't compete with the 20 degree temps we've had a nite! :p
Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt
OMG! :D:D:D
My SIL just brought an envelope out to me. I didn't recognize the return address. When I opened it, out fell a hand-ful of pictures of Squirt! They were set in a Christmas setting and she is even wearing a hat in one of them! :p They are GREAT!!! and such a total surprise! Apparently, the lady who groomed her just before we went to AZ took them and is just sending them to me because Squirty is freshly groomed and looking so spiffy.
At first, I thought my SIL had had them done as a gift for me and could not figure out how she got Squirt away from me long enough to have her groomed plus a photo shoot and me not know it! :p Regardless, I was tearing up already when Carolyn said she didn't do it. LOL
I will have to get them scanned in somehow and share them in her album. This is so great! :D
And I thought I was anal-retentive. :D:p:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Squirt's Mom
LOL....yeah some just aspire! :p
Hi ya'll,
Squirt is happy. I don't know how else to describe it...she is HAPPY!
On our walks, she is constantly looking back for me and when we make eye contact, she turns and trots on a bit further but never gets out of sight and is never lagging - she is leading now. She will stop and sniff a spot, then bounce away wagging her tail, head up and grinning! It's like everything she finds is new all over again.
She is being mischievous again. We have a signal for picking her up and she usually turns and stands for that to happen. The last few days, tho, it has become a game - one I had forgotten about but she hadn't! I make the signal, she comes like she is going to cooperate, then she starts backing away and spinning and bouncing, grinning like a fool the whole time, her little eyes just sparkling with joy as I try to get hold of her! :p I have remembered that snapping my fingers is the signal for her to stop playing that game if it is necessary to pick her up right then for some reason....but I haven't had the heart to snap them yet. It gives me immense pleasure to see her having such a good time and to know that she remembers how.
Her drinking is back to normal again and she hasn't asked to go out after we are in bed in over 2 weeks. Her skin has more pink to it now and not so much black/purple. Her panting has decreased dramatically and she is sleeping much more peacefully at nite. Her tongue is pink again and not that red color it was. This may sound odd, but her head had felt hot to my hand but it feels much cooler now. She rests on her bed or on one of her blankets instead of the bathroom floor during the day and, at nite, is snuggling next to me again instead of keeping herself separate. She acts no differently now on the days she gets the Lyso than she does on any other day. So, I feel we are making progress and the decision to add the Lyso was the right thing to do.
I love this little mutt so much and am so, so glad to see her acting as if she feels younger and happier than she has in ages.
Hugs,
Leslie and the Queen
Such good news Leslie.:D I am so glad Squirt is responding so well.
Ya' did good!!!!!
Hugs,
Addy
Hi Leslie,
I can see the smile on your face in the words you used to describe Squirt's new energy and happiness to feel GOOD!!!:):)
I am so happy for you to see this again!!!!:):)
This is wonderful, wonderful news!!! I am so happy for you and sweet Squirt...huge hugs to both of you.
Love and more hugs,
Lori
This is such wonderful news about Squirt. I'm glad she's doing so well on the Lyso. It's always so nice to see them doing things that they use to do before.
OMG! SQUIRT JUST PLAYED WITH TOYS!!! I mean PLAYED! :D:D She got her flat squirrel that she has basically ignored and shook it! She would stand on it and snap at the head and then the tail....if I tried to get it, she would growl and go after my hand...just like old times! :D Then I gave her one of the little rope toys and she played tug with me! :D
I honestly thought her toy days were behind her! :o She has had so very little interest. What fun! I was out of breath and had to stop but she was ready for more and played on her own. wow....
Dear Leslie,
After reading your post, I just wanted to head to the nearest pet store and buy a whole bunch of toys for you and Squirt:D
I can't tell you how happy I feel reading your post which is filled with such joy.
You and Squirt are indeed an inspiration and I do learn from you for Zoe every day.:D I thank you for that, my friend.
Love,
Addy
Hi Leslie,
I am just now seeing your amazing post about Squirt playing with toys. I could read the glee in your writings and I'll be smiling all day long. What a great and heartwarming post!
Oh Leslie....what a great update on Squirt!! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!! What an awesome tonic for you....
(((HUGS))) :D
:):):):):):):):):):);):):)
Thinking of you, Squirt and your little bauble...
Tight ones
Xo Jeanette
Oh, Leslie, this is such great news about Squirt. you deserve it. WAY TO GO, SQUIRTSY!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D God willing this will go on for a very long time. We are SO happy for you,
Hugs, Hugs and HUGS,
Carrol
Woo Hoo Leslie! :D:D:D
Tears of joy my friend, that is wonderful news :D Hugs and happy growls to you, Squirt and Trinket :D:D:D