Flynn 11 y/o Foxie Cross - Right adrenalectomy- Good Bye Flynny We will miss you

Reassuring to hear you say that Lori! I know the water intake is not meant to affect the result, but from having lots done now it does seem to in Flynny's case :rolleyes:

Picked up the apoquel, given first dose. Bit the bullet and had his bloods done too. Mike said he is over the weekend so will let me know results when they come in from external lab. Paw's crossed!

Hi Mel :D:D:D:D:D:D we will catch up soon!! xxxxx

Awww he's not well again. Trembling and walking slow. Dunno what the heck is going on with him, but my radar is on high alert :( Does not want to eat his breakfast but it has Tramadol in it and he only had a few nibbles. I gave him a squirt in his mouth in case it is his back. Just did a normal poop so don't think it is his gut. Poor Flynny :(

Hi Trish,

I am still at work, and was reading a bit on the fly. Sorry to read Flynn is not feeling well again. :( I will post more about everything when I get home, but my immediate thought was if you started the apoquel or not? If so, could that be upsetting his tummy at all?

I won't be home for at least another hour or so, but will check back in then. Big hugs Trish, I know how worrisome all of this is. xo

Oh no! I doubt it would be the Apoquel as is this the same symptoms as before ? Has his BP been checked recently, I'm still inclined to go with pain or infection but as his bloods were ok then I'm at a lose. Hopefully the tramadol will kick in soon and he,ll feel better. Has he eaten anything, his long is the shaking thing lasting?

HI Tina and Tracy

He seems a bit better. He only had one dose of apoquel yesterday, I heard him in the night scratching. I had put Tramadol in his food, he would not eat that. But I offered him plain food and he ate OK. Bowel OK. He just looks so miserable when this happens. I think he is a bit better with the Tramadol on board so will just give it regularly a few days. I thought last night he was a bit off too.. his in house bloods last week OK. MIke took proper ones yesterday so will see what they show.

I don't think it is the apoquel either as this is same as he has had last week too Tracy.

He just trembles, and the odd twitch too... like a wee jerk. I really dunno it it is his back... he does that shake like when they are wet and spray water everywhere. He did that before, you would think if his back was sore he would not want to do that.

If his back was sore, then i wouldn't have thought he,d be doing proper shakes like you describe. I don't know what it could be, is it case of waiting for the proper bloods, and keeping him on the tramadol till you can figure it out. Is it whole body trembling legs, body etc or a bit like the terrier shakes ?

Yes, I think that is what we have to do. MIke has not replied to email but if he is consulting with patients he probably not even seen it. He does seem a bit perkier now. When he is bad, he trembles all over, worse than his usual terrier shakes. I got him in his bed with the hottie on his back again anyway

They are such a worry aren't they times like this you wish they could say "hey mom my back, leg, tummy etc is sore" hot water bottle and rest sounds good. Hope mike gets back to you soon. Do you check his gums when he has these episodes. Sorry just going through everything in my head that I can think off lol

Trish I am sorry to hear Flynn is not feeling well and not knowing what is causing it has to be extremely stressful and worrisome. I hope and pray you get to the bottom of this quickly and Flynn gets over this completely.
HUGS to you both!

Yes I do, gums are fine. He just walked across the lounge and chased a fly that crossed his path! I have to go around to Mum's so better go get ready. He will be coming with me of course! Dunno what the heck it is. Will let you know how he goes a bit later. Have a good sleep Tracy

Trish except for the times he acts fine it sounds like back pain to me, trembling(usually means pain) walking slow..lower back issues Did your vet examine his back, did Flynn show any signs of discomfort when he examined it?

Ok Flynny, enough already. You are scaring all of us, especially you mum. :eek::eek: We expect you to be annihilating toys and chasing cats out of your yard, before rolling in disgusting matter at the beach. That's the Flynny we all know and love.:p

Big hugs Trish. It sucks when their out if sorts and we can't figure it out. I was so glad to see Mel surface. I hope she pops in again soon. Xxxxxx

I hope he is feeling better. He doesn't have a fever does he? When they tremble like that, I always think pain somewhere. Gums are good?

If only they could talk

I hope he is feeling better too, it is so worriesome when they aren't feeling quite like themself :(:confused: Please do keep us posted.

Hugs to you both, Lori

Well I do have some good news!

Liver tests are the best they have been back to April 2013! Keeping in mind we know he has liver disease, these are great numbers for him.

Postop Bloods 11th Feb
ALP 1444 (0-185)
ALT 242 (0-75)

On Prednisone 27th March low dose 5mg twice daily for 5 days, then once a day for 5 days, then alternate days for a week. So I guess interesting to see how much a dose of Prednisone can impact these numbers. No wonder Cush pups with all that cortisol have high liver numbers.
ALP 4274 :eek:
ALP 493 :eek:

4 weeks off Prednisone 29th April
ALP 2293
ALT 406

Yesterday 27th June
ALP 1022
ALT 336

He has been quiet all day, limping a little, so this is all leading me to believe it is musculoskeletal in some form or another. Mike wanted me to let him know how he settled this arvo which I have just done, so maybe he will get back to me but think I will be giving him regular Tramadol a few days and see how we go.

Thanks for your notes everyone, Flynny says woof! xxxxx

That is great news!:p I hope the tramadol helps Flynny feel better. Xxxxx

Thanks Kathy, be nice to see that ALT down some more. But I have to be realistic, we know he still has some of that liver tumour in him. They could not precisely say whether it was low grade malignant or benign, but whatever they say his liver function will never be normal. So I will take that for now, least I have stopped worrying his liver is the cause. I have asked both the vet on last week and also Mike about whether this could be the pheo (IF any was still in him, ie the nodule on other adrenal) but they doubt it, Mike thinks as it seems to affect his BP so much we would see it in that AND there was no growth on his last scan barely two months ago.

One thing I am noticing, gawd he STINKS when he farts! :eek: Poops have been great though. :confused: I have his worming pill to give him, but have held it off a little while he has been a bit iffy. I don't think it is his bowel. No change in food for a couple of months so not sure what is make him so whiffy! Maybe got something manky up the beach, but I would have thought that would give him diarrhea.

Vicki - he has had back examined, a little tender but no major sore spot.
Addy - gums nice and pink phew! I always check that if he does anything funny like this.

Glad to see such an improvement in his liver numbers Trish! That is great news, definitely going in the right direction. And we know we don't have to worry about that right now. Yay! :) I would love it if Jasper's ALP would get down that low!

I just asked the question about the apoquel because it was something new that was introduced. Jasper trembles sometimes too. Mostly just in his legs. I haven't mentioned this very much on his thread but his front legs are trembling quite a bit more than they ever used to, I hope it's just a terrier/schnauzer thing. However, he will tremble all over with pain, of course, and he will also do it when his tummy is upset. That was why I mentioned that possibility for Flynn. Did he eat his dinner ok?

I really wonder if he isn't having some sort of spasms in his back, like I said previously. Those can be very sporadic and painful. Hopefully the tramadol will help. So happy about the lab results, what a relief. I hope he gets to feeling better soon Trish. xo

I forgot to comment about the UPC. I don't like that it is up a bit, but I totally agree with you since Flynn hasn't been feeling the best. xo

Hi Tina - thanks for that... I was so happy to see the ALP down like far :D it so close to being back in 3 figures!!! ALT could come down a bit further and I would be even more happy.

He has been fine tonight, a little slow but not too bad. I had to go out this afternoon and he stayed with Mum and Dad, my brother and SIL are up from Wellington for the weekend and they were helping to do yard work while I went out and had my hair done :p didn't feel too bad as I do all the week in, week out work with parents!! We had dinner there but home now by 8.30pm as didn't want to keep Flynny out late. He certainly got his appetite back this afternoon/evening and has been real hungry so hopefully filled him up.

I gave him another dose of Tramadol tonight, boy he hates that stuff. He never refuses meds, but he must be able to sniff this one out!! I opened the capsules, then took most out and then refilled it with his dose and closed it up and he took it then. So what I think I need to do is visit a pharmacy tomorrow and get some empty capsule cases so I can give him the dose without him smelling it. Will check with Mike in case they have a smaller dose too. He tolerated the drops pretty well mixed in his food last year but no go right now.

First thing Mike asked was had I started the apoquel Tina, it can give them nausea as well. But seems to wear off after a while.

But I do feel better knowing his liver is behaving right now. Yep not too worried about that UPC, his has gone up and down all along. So as far as that goes I am not too worried. Mike said he had the liver tests, but did not send results for renal. Maybe get that tomorrow. xxxxxxx

Hello

How's the boy today? Great to see the numbers coming down and heading in the right direction. :)

I know!! That made me very happy! Gave him Tramadol last night and again this morning. Again slow first thing, will see how he goes today. I just fed him, so waiting to see if he finished it all.

I got woken up by his stomach gurgling this morning, it was really loud. Poop OK, perhaps a little soft first thing. But I am wondering if it is the brewers yeast/garlic powder I am giving him for fleas. I sprinkle half teaspoon on his food. Maybe that is fermenting overnight and giving him gas?? Stopped it today to see how he goes. Awww he only ate 2/3 but was bit plateful.

At least he ate. Remember the Apoquel can upset the tummy too. Yes I read he was a stinky boy with his bottom burps lol. But least you know the liver is behaving :D

http://www.thepossiblecanine.com/nat...leas-and-ticks

I am looking at this website, what do you think? She is not keen on garlic/brewers yeast either. I think I will get some apple cider vinegar when I go to town later, need to pick up some more fish oil too.

Gawd you could've warned me when the page opened there was a big pic of a flea now I'm all itchy lol. Seems like a good website I was never a lover of the garlic based one over here it's called Billy no mates. Can you not use a collar on him not a flea collar but oh I can remember the name of it I,ll go check back in a mo

Scalibor collars used for fleas, ticks my friend uses it on her dog she lives in the new forest area and fleas are regular occurrence but since wearing the collar she's had none :confused:

Trying to keep away from insecticides as they impact his already dodgy liver :rolleyes:

Oh yeah forgot about that. Had a little google a lot are saying apple vinegar and orange, lemon and grapefruit puréed and rub on the fur as they can't hold on, mmmm not sure about that lol

He would smell nice!! I have mandarins, limes, tangelos and lemons on the trees at the moment!! I put some of those herbs in that article on my shopping list for today. Just wish it had a recipe! I know Leslie has said in the past you need to be very careful about essential oils so won't use them. But will get some apple cider vinegar too.

There must be a recipe somewhere online, but agree about the essential oils

REading up on the ACV, can spray it on with some other things added. Or put it in their food.

I am always confused about giving garlic to dogs, on many sites it is listed as toxic to dog but yet it is in so many foods and treats. Can anyone clear this up for me?

I hope Flynn gets over whatever is making him feel not so well.

Hi all

Flynn is better today, quite perky!! Maybe stopping the brewers yeast/garlic powder helped. Apoquel seems to be working, hardly any itching. Appetite back in this morning too so pleased with him! Hopefully no further episodes this week. He did not seem in any pain so no tramadol today. :)

Vicki, I am a bit the same as you. I know onions are a no no, gives them a weird anaemia. Garlic can be dangerous if too much is given, how much is too much I am not sure! So I am not much help for you and I am too tired to google :rolleyes::eek: bit of a shock to the system going back to work today so I am heading to bed right now and it is not even 9pm!! :eek:

xxx

Hey Trish - dropping in to say hi. Glad Flynn is doing better and the itching is receding. :)

Garlic is one of those things that a little is okay, too much is not. How do we know how much is too much??

Hay you

Glad that the Apoquel seems to be working I hate when they have the itchies :) and no tramadol great all pointing in the right direction, I knew Flynn man could do it :D

Big shock to your system going back to work ha ha hope you have a calm settled week :D

How is Flynn man doing with the itchies and with the off and on pain (?) issues?

Fooey on having to be back at work this week. I'm not looking forward to it either. :(

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Trish, I'm hoping, too, that all is good with Flynn! I've just spent a scary evening with Luna going through almost the exact same thing :confused:. She's had some mysterious orthopedic pain in the past, but no issues for a long while now. She seemed perfectly fine all day, then gave out a piercing yelp right after I fed her dinner, then turned all slinky and hangdog and went and hid in a corner, all trembly and breathing hard. Scared the dickens out of me, and of course right when the regular vet was closing. I got her to stand up and walk around a bit, but with a couple more yelps so I didn't push it further. Just looked up the nearest ER vet and waited for hubby to get home...:(

By then she had quieted down, though, and was actually sleeping, so we've been hoping to let things slide till morning. I just now roused her and let both girls out for a final pee, and although not totally right, she seems better. Even took the time to search for rabbit poop to nosh on :eek:. So I'm hoping the acute part is over, but still so odd. And I kept thinking of you all evening and wishing I could just chat things over with you. I am so awful in a crisis -- just get all panicky and brainless! But I kept thinking, "Flynny's better now, though, so you can do it too, Luna! Paws up!"

Sure hope things are better still in the morning, and most certainly that Flynn is still on the mend, too.

Marianne

Hi everyone, we are still doing good so far this week. :)

But I am not very happy to hear that Luna is copying our Flynn!!! Marianne, was there any indication about what bit of her hurt?? It is so hard to tell isn't it. Sometimes it can even be hard to detect if it is musuloskeletal or something else going on. First thing I do when anything sudden happens to Flynn is check his gums, if they have not gone pale then not likely to be anything causing him shock. Then give him a run over with my hands and check if there are any spots obviously bothering him, watch him walk, turn his paws under to make sure they turn them back up again, can be a sign of back injury, feel his tummy to check it is soft, nothing around that could have bit her like a bee or anything??

Check her feet real well, just with that sudden yelp I wonder if she trod on something sharp or bent a claw back? Any blood?? Hasn't cracked a tooth when she ate has she?? What was she doing when it happened walking away from her bowl when she finished eating or just simply lying about?? They are such a mystery sometimes, but it sounds like she settled back down and was walking OK later on so that is good!! If I am not still up when you get wake up, please leave a wee note to say how she is. I know you will have her in to the vet if she is still not right for a proper checkup, but I am hoping it was just something simple that has righted itself. Why don't these blinking pups do these things through normal working hours?? Why, why?? :D Least you have the urgent vets available. Hope you got some sleep and she is just fine today. Anyway, I hope these things that run through my head in these situations can help :) and yes PAWS UP LUNA xxxxx

Hi Trish! We are up a bit early, because I heard the girls stirring and of course immediately got up to check on them. I had spent most of the night on the couch alongside Luna, but had crept up to bed for the last couple of hours. Miraculously, she seems to be right as rain again, at least for the moment! So I guess I will go ahead and give her breakfast (that's always such a hard call if I'm thinking she may need testing, but I guess I will go ahead...).

I will write more later as to her history of orthopedic oddness, but right now I am hoping this was a transitory episode. No jumping in the car today for walkies today, regardless! Thanks so much for all your suggestions and worrying about us. I will write more later on, while you and Flynn are snoozing away! ;)

Marianne

Your Up!! That was a fast reply :D So pleased all seems well this morning with your girl. She sounds like she is feeling fine, while you are going to need some matchsticks later on to keep your eyes open!! Hope the couch was comfy. I would feed her too. xx