Just got news I needed to hear to start my day!!!! Soooo happy!:D
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Just got news I needed to hear to start my day!!!! Soooo happy!:D
So a question, since now molly has a low specific gravity, where she didn't previously, is this due to the kidney's?
Will the specific gravity get better now that her cortisol is where it should be or if this is kidneys will that rectify? or remain dilute?
This is more a question for those of you who have gone through the kidney problems with your dogs. (Lori! LOL)
I started the cq10 so hopefully that will help bring the creatinine back down. I'm crossing fingers there.
She is still drinking well, so doesn't look like we are at a point of needing intravenous fluids with her, but what should I be looking out for and what can I expect? I'm also wondering if those kidneys can rebound with a more normal cortisol or if this is just our reality now?
She had had several accidents which normally she will only have one now and then, particularly if she is being ignored where now it seems to be more, i have to go Now! (thank god for the little green bissel machine)
When we go on our walks she will have several pees (that is completely normal for her) but they last for a really long time, each pee, that is not normal but has been that way for the last couple months, since maybe mid january.
Just looking for some thoughts on the kidney stuff.
my kidney patient was on ipakitine- a fosfor binder. it really helped her feeling better.
maybe it can help molly too.
I am sorry that I am just now replying, somehow I missed your post :eek::o
Since this is the first time Molly's USG is low it may be a one time thing. However it is concerning that the creatinine is trending upward and the SDMA test results were higher BUT kidney problems are manageable. If this were me, since her cortisol is now controlled I would wait until at least another month or so to have her USG and kidney values checked.
Hugs, Lori
I can't offer any advice but I can give hugs.
Maybe it is just a one time thing and if her cortisol is lower, maybe it will be as Lori said and wait to retest.
How is her skin, any bumps or pimples, little rusty flecks? Is her coat dry, skin thinning out? Maybe ow that she is under 5, her coat will get better.
Thinking of you both.
Her coat has gotten very thin in the last couple months. Drinking, peeing, like with cushings. So weird.
Yes the plan is to check her in 8 weeks for retesting, kidneys etc.
Just a quick note gang. I know I've been missing in action lately, and it's not molly that's keeping me busy for once.
I'm a new grandma as of Saturday. Yep, new grandson has arrived, only a couple weeks late. :) and just late enough to keep us all on pins and needles waiting for the arrival. :)
congratulations on your new grandson!
Ohh, Sharlene, a precious grandson. How wonderful. Brianna
What lovely news, Sharlene!
Congrats Grammy!!!!:D There's nothing like that after bath baby smell!:) spoil him rotten, then send them home!;)
Congratulations!!
Ohhh, how sweet! Congratulations, Sharlene!
Congratulations, Grandma!! :D I'm glad everyone is well....I've not had that experience (yet, I hope) but it must have been very worrisome when it was two weeks after the due date. Sometimes those little ones are just so comfortable in there they don't want to come out.
I am sorry to read of Molly's symptoms/problems. She has fought quite a battle and is a very strong little girl. AND SO CUTE!!!:cool:
Keep posting....I'm still reading.
Love,
Sus
Molly is still doing okay. Appetite just needs to be stimulated a lot of the time, especially mornings. (I feel the same way sometimes) But I do usually get her meds into her and entice her enough to eat breakfast. It might take awhile before she decides she is going to do any of this but once she gets something in her mouth she is fine.
And she is still playful. Even with the bad eyesight. I tap where her treats are now and I play attack in the general area and she play attacks right back. So, forget that she can't actually See it, she still is game to play. That does my heart good and now I make it part of our evening very day.
Yesterday I had good baby time. We had a girls night after I got off work with his mom and the baby and me. I brought pizza and ice cream to make root beer floats and we watched her recorded American Idol show. I haven't watched that in years, but it was something we use to do back in the day when she lived at home still and we would have family tv nights. So it was a lot of fun, and the baby was wonderful and it was all good. I came home around midnight to a snoring husband and dog. :) :)
Now that is a perfect world. :)
hugs all
That does sound perfect. :)
Glad to hear that Molly is doing okay. Visuddha was never much for playing, but he would play attack with me sometimes. My other dog Jackson loves it. That, wrestling and ball chasing are heaven for him.
Hugs!
Shana
Hi Sharlene, your post made me smile all around!:):p
So thrilled to hear that our little diva is still playful. As long as she's up and still wants to play, then she's feeling OK, and yes, that is a blessing indeed! :p
I think you'd make the perfect grandma. Do you want to adopt me?;):D
Me three???? :p ;) :D :D :D :D :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Budster's Mom
Awww, you guys. :) I'd adopt each and every one of you. :)
Well, we are finally getting I hope some warmer weather so molly can go get groomed. Lord, that girl is going to be bare when the long hair is cut down and you'll be able to see all that skin. I just got a sweater for her today to help with that. It's going to be a shocker I bet for her and us. (my groomer is going to flip I'm sure)
I plan to try and get her an appt maybe later this week or next week.
How about baby onesies? You can cut off the snaps. They make very comfy doggy shirts. Rosie wears one all the time to protect her skin from chewing and scratching. I tuck it in like a shirt during the day. At night, I snap it around her tail, so I don't have to worry about her chewing on herself. Rosie is used to them. They don't bother her at all. Molly might be more comfortable in a baby shirt, than a sweater. I buy mine at the used baby store for $.99 each. Boy or girl, it doesn't matter. They are like new and Rosie will never grow out of them!
Rosie weighs 12 pounds. She wears A 12 to 18 month size in Carters, First Moments or Old Navy. The other brands don't fit comfortably around her tail because the snaps our placed too close together.;) The farther apart the snaps are the better! You snap the first and third snap and leave the middle one open to go around the tail.;) I don't know how much Molly weighs. The 24 month size might fit her if she's bigger than Rosie. Just a thought.:confused
I'll send you those adoption papers! LOL:o
I second the baby clothes idea! I used baby shirts for Visuddha when he had surgery to remove a benign lump a year ago. That was on his shoulder so the t-shirt was perfect! A onesie worked as well, though I just made it into a tee by cutting off the bottom. The 12 month tee fit my 11 pound boy great.
I ordered beautiful sweaters from the shop on Etsy, I can check the label and get back to you. They hand knit made to measure beautiful sweaters in various yarns, Zoe had a very light weight knit for
spring.
Zoe loved wearing them and I loved seeing her in them and you just measure Molly and send them off and oh, my, the sweaters are perfect. They also make them for male or female dogs so the female dog sweaters covers their tummy well.
Baby time is the best time. I remember being so excited, imagining hearing the little footsteps and voice calling nana. AND the shopping, that is even better!
Addy,
Please do post the information for the Etsy sweaters. I might just have to get one for my boy. He hasn't worn sweaters or coats until this year, but I think he would like them. He hates to be cold.
Shana
Aw Sharlene, I know the feeling. Great ideas from the members here. I went the weekend and found some things for Dennis at a dog boutique. It is getting quite warm here, so I could not get him any sweaters. Found some long t-shirts with wild prints and a cape. Even picked up a one piece t with bluejeans. He does not like that it has back legs. I only dress him when we visit or go to the city park. Human nature, but people always want to know why he does not have hair. Or is he the hairless type of dog. Does Molly like dresses or little t - shirts ? They make really cute things for girls. Rhonda
On Etsy the shop is fifime and then Chantel also has her regular website which is Royal Fifi. I purchased from both websites and adore Chantel:)
Our Glynda originally told me about the Etsy shop. I have the most beautiful sweaters even for Koko. He has a golf sweater that everyone just can't believe the work on it. I'll have to take a picture of him in it. Then we have thick warm alpaca sweaters for winter.
Have fun shopping:)
I will definitely check out the shops on Etsy. OMG, I just looked at the Chantels Etsy shop and her web page. Love them.
Molly doesn't Like to wear coats and sweaters at all. She is better about her coats now in winter though, as she shivers is she doesn't have one on. It comes from losing so much of that under coat she had naturally for years. Now she does have the thick hair on her legs and while the rest of her hair is long, it is thin, so thinking that it might be a bit chilly for her when it is cool days and need something very light so she doesn't sunburn on hot days. The Tshirts might work well for that situation.
I'll know more about what she needs after we get her groomed and see how thin it is going to be with the long hair trimmed down. My poor little muffin.
And I think her skin has gotten very sensitive. Anyone else notice that in their dogs? She absolutely does not want the brush to touch her skin.
She still has the Zoe sweater she designed for and named after Zoe as a surprise. It is very light weight, soft yarn that Zoe loved to wear. It is under hand knit sweaters under classic with flowers I think. I get all tears whenever I see it on Royal Fifi.
Their skin gets very thin, maybe the brush hurts Molly.
I try to be gentle with the brushing and don't use any sort of wire bristles on her, but she still flinches. :(
We'll know how she looks after her grooming monday evening.
I'll take a peek for the Zoe sweater. :) :)
I posted a picture of molly after her hair cut today. It's pretty short, and she has very fair skin, so you almost can't tell how very thin it is, but if you zoom in you can see. sigh My poor baby.
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/albu...pictureid=8251
However, she had a good time at the groomer, tried to bite her every time she clipped a nail. (so still spunky)
I love my groomer, I really do. She use to have a couple shih tzu, who got old and passed on, then she got her irish setter, whose muzzle is now showing some white of it's own. One of her clients was in a nursing home and had a little shih tzu (with heart problems and other health issues) and that client passed away and the kids didn't want her dog and so my groomer said, she will live with me for the rest of her days and she took her home with her. Now she has a little shitzu named...wait for it.... Zoe.
Zoe is having the time of life. All she has known is the nursing home really and an elderly lady who couldn't do much with her. Now she has a big dog that loves her, is enjoying belly rubs (seems she didn't get those before?), has walks and is also getting great medical care. She will be seeing the cardiologist in another week to check everything out. She is only 10 but with her health conditions probably a year or two more maybe, but I guarantee, however long it is, she will be loved and taken care of and her life with be exciting. :)
Molly hasn't made up her mind about Zoe yet, although the Irish setter big dog, is her buddy. :)
Love the story about little Zoe! :)
Glad to hear that our gal is still spunky! :D
Molly was doing the shaking, shivering thing so much this morning I thought she was going to vibrate herself right off the floor. Never seen it that much in her before. She seem to be fine later in the morning and I haven't seen any more shivering today.
Admitedly she has a short hair cut right now, so could have been cold after first getting up and then even with a coat on, going out for a chilly walk, but would it be that much? I don't know. She seems fine otherwise, but when she shakes (and it's never been like this morning) she can't eat at all until she slows down or stops. It Is usually much better after she eats. hmm..
I'll be honest, I don't like it one bit.
On the other hand, she has done well with having the baby here and the house full of people all weekend.
Since she's better after she eats, could it be hypoglycemia? You could rub a small amount of Karo syrup on her gums when the shaking starts and see if it helps.
Syrup didn't make a difference so I don't think that is it. My biggest worry is probably if it is pain.
She falls over a lot, so I worry about pain in her back legs. I just worry period probably, but I think it is either, she is cold and not regulating temparture well or it is pain.
I also think that her left eye she isn't seeing much out of now. And only a bit out of her right, but think the left is worse.
My baby is getting older and it is sad for me to see it. I still think she acts okay though and enjoys her life, so that is a good thing.
I just was looking at my original post when we joined. She was 9 years old I now need to change the thread title to reflect that is 13. Crazy eh. :) Time flies.
I also am amazed that she weighed 19.2 lbs when we joined here. She is probably going to be luck if she weighs 16 at our next weigh in and with her hair cut short she looks smaller.
It is sad when it hits that they are aging...Lena was never old to me until the last few months...looking back at her pictures you can see it, but day to day, she always looked like my little girl. That's how I am trying to remember her, as my baby girl...young and healthy.
Dear Sharlene ,yes it hard to know how our babies are feeling. Keeps us guessing. And yes it is hard to see them age and the problems age brings. But Molly is still enjoying her life. And such a spunky little girl. Nipping at the groomer. There still quality of life there. Love it. Enjoy her. Hugs and thoughts, Brianna
It is probably not hypoglycemia. The Karo syrup worked almost instantly with Buddy.
Yes, pain can make them shake. But then again, so can cold. She did just get a haircut after all and her hair was thin to begin with.;)
I do agree with you though. It is really heartbreaking to watch them decline. :o Still thrilled that she's still a happy pup.
Sharlene -- does Molly tolerate tramadol? I am wondering if it might be worth trying a daily dose to see if the shivering/shaking lessens. Abbie had stopped wanting to go on walks so I scheduled another appointment with the chiropractor but also started giving her 25 mg. once a day, thinking that pain may be the reason for her reluctance to walk. Our pups are so stoic that it is very difficult to discern if they are in pain. Abbie has been walking more since I started the tramadol so who knows ...
I can certainly relate to the difficulties of seeing our pups age. Abbie will also be turning 13 (in two weeks). I took her on Sunday to my friend's home for Passover dinner -- there were 10 of us including a toddler. We were a noisy group. The toddler was very good with Abbie -- his family has a basset puppy so he is familiar with dogs. We went out for a couple of short walks and Abbie enjoyed sniffing new territory. Abbie did not sleep until late in the afternoon when she basically passed out. Since then she has done little except sleep. I literally have to push her off the bed to get her to go out to pee or eat. I think the day was just too much for her. She enjoyed it so I think it was worth it to bring her (and she would not have liked being home along all day) but it is hard to see her have difficulty rebounding.
I just posted a question on Dr Peterson's blog asking "Tremors, shaking, and shivering are listed as side effects of Trilostane. Could you explain why this happens and what can be done to eliminate or at least decrease those ill effects." it's awaiting approval by the blog moderator and if/when it's answered I'll post his reply.
Dr Peterson's response: "Those all generally reflect low cortisol levels. If that occurs, you need to lower the dose or stop the drug, at least temporarily. Talk to your vet about this."
My next reply: I belong to a canine cushing's forum and we have seen many dogs have that tremor/shivering, shaking thing going on and an ACTH stim test shows that their cortisol level is not low. Some dogs experience that tremor/shaky episodes after only a couple of doses of Trilostane, and this is with starting the dog at the 1mg per pound dosage of Trilostane. So if low cortisol is not the reason for the tremor/shakes/shivering, what else can it be?
Dr Peterson's response: "I don't know what the exact mechanism would be, but if serum cortisol levels are very normal, then it is likely a direct drug side effect."
Thanks, Lori
Sharlene, I'm sad to read that our diva is going through some tough times these days but glad that it's you who is there to help her knowing that you will do everything possible to make her get better and comfortable. Hope you will get this shivering problem under control very soon.
I like Judy's idea of trying a daily dose of tramadol to see if it makes any difference. If it does great but if it doesn't you will at least know that they are probably not from pain. Take care and give Molly extra hugs and kisses from me too. Song.
Okay so, she isn't shivering in the mornings when she first wakes up and is rolling around on my pillow on the bed. As soon as I pick her up to come downstairs the shivering starts. So, our bedroom and beds are warmer, no doubt so maybe.
Not shivering that I have noticed on our walks unless we stop and talk to someone, so that looks like cold.
She wasn't shivering earlier today but is now. I'm going to put a sweater on her and turn up the heat, see if that alleviates it.
If not, will be discussing with vet at next appt, if it is pain. She isn't due back at the vet until around 16 May.
My thought on the pain, is the back leg luxating patella. That is why she often falls down or over. She still will run, but that back leg is not steady and I think this is what has lead to her being more frail looking through the rear end, rather than pure muscle wasting. When we clipped her nails we notice that there is a pattern of excess wear on the outside nails as opposed to the inside, so I know she is walking differently.
I won't be home from work with her till the weekend, but may not give any trilostane on sat/sun and see if that makes a difference.
She is eating better, but definitely picky. So I wonder if she wasn't going through something when we had that really awful time that I couldn't get her to eat.