Cairo, 8 year old staffordshire bull terrier just diagnosed

Alison:
That Cairo is too funny. Tipper used to love her pool when she was well. I had a motorized fish that would swim and she would get that thing and try to kill it. She would bite it and throw it up in the air, and beat it on the pool. Every morning she got up she would want to go straight to the pool and get that fish. I had to put it away when she got sick as I was afraid of her getting to keyed up with her heart murmur. I hope the hot weather goes a way as he has to be miserable. Hope that issues with the foot goes away. Blessings
Patti

Aww bless her. I can imagine her trying to kill the fish. I maybe should've put a toy in for Cairo. You should have heard him with excitement - he sounds like a chimpanzee, the funny chattering noises he makes - he hasn't chattered for a long time.

I hope I've not done him any harm getting him all excited and jumping about in this heat.

That sounds so cute like a chimp!! I would love to hear that, I bet he is just so cute when he does it.

Hi Alison! I'm sure the Vet is probably waiting until Cairo is back to showing more symptoms of Cushing's before starting him back again. Didn't Cairo have like two crashes, if I remember right? It could have been someone else. I know they said one dog one here, went a year without getting back on the Vetoryl again. I hope he continue to do well! He reminds so much of my son's Staffy, Sadie. She was so beautiful and smart! She got heart worms and he had to eventually have have her put down. I was sick about it.......he was too. :(

Sounds like Cairo had a great time anyway playing in the hose! :D I wish I lived where we could do things fun. Apartment living sucks for anything fun anyway! :(

A short example

http://s873.photobucket.com/user/sta...eball.mp4.html

Amazing that noise can come out of him!!! I had to listen a couple times. I'd just never heard anything like it. Lucky him, I'd be having him playing with anything and everything just to hear it. hahahaha

Funny about not wanting to get into the water. They sure do have their likes and dislikes don't they. :) molly is not a water fan either.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Anyone with a staffy will be familiar with that noise!! It's a staffy thing.

He hasn't chattered like that in a long time. Last time was last winter - I've a video clip of him playing in the leaves - you can't hardly see him as it's pitch black but you can hear him! LOL

I tried telling him that the cool water would help cool him down but he just wasn't getting it. He did like the hose though.

Alison:
What a character, Tipper was jumping at my tablet when she heard that noise trying to find it. That is too funny! He is so cute. Blessings
Patti

Hahahaha, bless her.

Here's another one - starring Cheetah the Chimp!! LOL

http://s873.photobucket.com/user/sta...eaves.mp4.html

Yakky little thing isn't he! ROFL!!!
love it

Sharlene and molly muffin

Alsion:
That Cairo is too funny with those noises. If you ever heard a tazmanian devil he sounds just like one getting wound up. I hope he continues to do well. How is the weather holding up? Blessings
Patti

Hahahahaha, I've always said he sounds like the tazmanian devil from Bugs Bunny.

It's still melting hot here. There was a bit of a breeze today in some places but it was really sticky hot. Poor Cairo was nearly on his knees on his walk. He only got up the road a bit and then home.

I realise though that our melting hot isn't anywhere near as hot as it is in some places. It was 25 degrees this morning and it dropped to about 21 about 5pm. It's the oppressiveness that's nearly killing us all - that and the hayfever!!

Alison:
That Cairo is a ham. That noise drives Tipper up the wall and she is looking to see where it is coming from and what sort of animal is making it!! Does he do that always or once and a while? It's a shame you are suffering fro so much heat over there. The weather in the whole world has been crazy, and different from the normal pattern. How is Cairo doing with symptoms? Hope he is not showing any, maybe you could be lucky and he never will. Blessings
Patti

He used to chatter a lot - staffies "speak" to you, but now he only does it when he's really excited and playing. It's happy noises LOL

He seems to be fine symptoms wise. He's still got the hair on the tip of his tail - which was the thing that alerted me to take him to the vet originally. His right ear is a bit bald round the edges though.

He's doing a lot of panting but it is hot (mind you, we put his panting down to the heat last year). He's not drinking or peeing excessively.

His back legs were a bit wobbly after his mad play turn with the hose the other day but once he recovered, he seemed to be fine again. He was a bit grumpy the other day because he was so hot - and that was unusual because he's really not a grumpy dog.

He's not losing any weight though and that can't be helping him - if he's carrying too much weight, he's going to get tired quickly.

I guess we just need to keep a close eye on him.

I nearly died a death the other day - he was snuffling through long grass and when he came out, I saw something crawling up his hip - a horrible tick - I was squealing at my mum to get it off him - which she did - I'm a coward when it comes to bugs!! LOL

Alison:
What's Cairo up to? We are having a storm. I gave Tipper a pill and she is OK if you can believe it. It is thundering and she is just sitting here. This never would have happened before she was on Valium, she would be going crazy. It is very hot and humid here. Hope you have cooler weather. Blessings
Patti

He's quite happy though I'm terrified to take him too far for a walk as it's still so humid and clammy. He's looking for me to play chase with him but honestly, I couldn't chase him to save my life. I've just made him some doggy ice lollies and done the rest in a carton to scoop. We'll see if he likes them tomorrow.

It was supposed to rain today - but it didn't - it just got stickier and stickier.

So glad that Tipper isn't caring about the storms any more - bet you're relieved. It's amazing what valium can do. I'm very claustrophic and I had to go for an MRI scan and my doctor gave me a couple of valium to take - it was marvellous - I didn't give a hoot about being in the scanner. I can imagine that she's feeling very chilled out.

I think we could do with a good amount of rain to try and cool things down a bit. I'm starting to look like I've stuck my finger in the electric socket - my hair is just getting bigger and bigger with the humidity

I would love to hear a staffie chatter in person. That just sounds so neat.

I do hope you get some relief from the sweltering heat soon for you both you and Cairo.

hugs
sharlene and molly muffin

Alison:
I can totally understand the frustration with the humidity. It just does me and my hair in too! I have tried a million things on my hair but none really work like they say. My breathing gets so bad when the humidity starts up. I hope you have some fans in the house for you and Cairo. Blessings
Patti

At long last, it was marginally cooler today - not by much. Me and Cairo were also marginally happier.

I made him his very own doggy ice lollipops. I went and forgot to put the sound on my camera, so you're not getting the full benefit of his "nom nom nom nom"

http://s873.photobucket.com/user/sta...o0001.mp4.html

Alison:
That is so cute, the whole time he was licking it, In was thinking Tipper would bite or off, the all of a sudden Cairo did? He was not going to give that ice lollipop up! He is so cute, I love that white mark on his neck. Blessings
Patti

No sound so you didn't hear me telling him to lick it not to bite it! LOL

Something so simple that went down so well. Every dog should have his or her own ice lolly.

They should, how did you make it?? Love the look on his face in the video.. too cute lick lick lick!

Alison:
I make Tipper something similar with Greek yogurt. I stuff it in her kong and freeze it. It keeps her busy licking it for quite some time, and she loves it. I have been giving her lots of veggies as I need to watch her weight, as it is easy for her to pick up some extra ounces. Hope you get cooler temps. WE have cool temps and a light breeze, I will send some your way. Blessings
Patti

Cairo gets veggies with his dinner as well. It's a lot cooler today - much more pleasant for me and Bobo (his pet name). Everyone else is saying that it's got "colder" - nope, it's just pleasant. So thank you Patti for sending some cooler temps to us LOL

Here's the recipes for his ice lollies

Ingredients:-
1 banana
1 small cup of peanut butter (smooth)
2 small cups of natural yoghurt
2 tablespoons of honey

To Make:-
1. Mash the banana and stir into the yoghurt.
2. Warm the peanut butter on the hob or in the microwave until it is easy to stir.
3. Add the honey to the banana/yoghurt mix.
4. Mix in the peanut butter.
5. Mix everything together until well combined.
6. Pour into non-stick trays or containers or ice lolly moulds and freeze - you can use ice cube trays or small containers too.
7. Freeze overnight or until frozen through.
8. Give them to your doggies...sit back...and watch them enjoy

Alison:
I have some molds so I will have to make Tipper some, but I will have to go really easy on the peanut butter because of the fat. We are having a good day even though it did heat up a bit it is not raining and for that I am glad. So happy you got the cooler temps we sent you. blessings
Patti

Alison:
How are you and Cairo doing? I think he may have a good chance of not showing any Cushings symptoms for a long time. It would be nice if her never did! We have rain here, but at least no storms yet. It is very hot and humid out. The windows in the house fog up form the air conditioning on and the moisture from outside. Hope you are doing well and staying out of this heat. Blessings
Patti

He seems to be ticking away nicely. He's not eating much though but he seems to have lost a bit of weight as well. Don't worry though - it's not that he's not eating because he's unwell - he's still game for a treat and an ice lolly, he's just not eating much of his dinner.

Had a trauma yesterday - found a tick on him and I nearly died a death. I can cope with almost anything except creepy crawlies. I took him up to the vet and one of the nurses removed it.

He'll be 9 this year and he's never had a flea or a tick or anything and he's never ever had flea treatment applied either but we had to get flea and tick treatment today - they're rife round here just now because of the hot and humid weather. I feel terrible for giving him chemicals but it's for his good.

I'm still shuddering at the thought of the tick........... :eek:

It's cooled a bit, either that or we've got used to it.

Alison:
Did they say anything about checking him for tick diseases? Could that be why he is not eating his regular meal too well? Those ticks can cause a lot of problems for such little critters. Where was it at on his head? They usually stay in taller grass so when something walks past they can hitch a ride. It is miserable here today as well, hot and humid and tornado weather coming. Hope you are both staying out of this heat. Blessings
Patti

The nurse didn't say anything about checking for tick diseases. She reckons that the tick hadn't been there long - it wasn't very big - it was just luck I spotted it.

He scoffed all his dinner down last night. He's maybe just not that hungry because of the heat. There was an absolutely howling wind last night but it was still pretty warm - but there was air and it was great - that's maybe why he ate everything - we had fun on our walk because it was so bracing.

Where we walk has no pavement - just a grass verge but the council haven't cut the grass - it's about hip height on me and some of the weeds are nearly as tall as me so I'm not surprised he got a horrid tick. I'm still shuddering at the thought.

I've never ever put flea or tick treatment on him - he's never had a flea or a tick - till this year and now I've had to dose him with chemicals - I'm not happy and I've been watching him like a hawk after giving him it - it's a new stuff the vet recommended - a chewy treat instead of a spot on treatment.

Alison:
I don't use anything on Tipper since she started with Cushings, and she gets no shots anymore either. Some people have reported bad reactions to these things and I am trying to stay safe. Hope you get cooler air coming with that big breeze. Glad to hear Cairo is eating better, it may be the heat like you said. It rained again here a bit ago. Tipper is sleeping and I am getting caught up on stuff. Blessings
Patti

Alison:

I am probably leaving the forum. I care about you and Cairo so please keep in touch with me.
Patti

hi patti, this is an open/public forum, so i don't know if you want your personal email adress on this topic where everyone can see it.

Aww Patti, that's a shame. I've put it in my contacts, so if you want to delete it so it's not seen by weird people.............. (apart from me of course).

Temperature went up again today. I wish it would make it's mind up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Alison:

I am probably leaving the forum. I care about you and Cairo so please keep in touch with me.
Patti

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I hope all is well Patti & with Tipper too. Though I have been busy lately, I have been getting updates. I know the struggles you have had. We did with Lulu, our yellow (adorable lab) lab.

We have our Stanley, a rescue bull, who will be 8 soon. He just came back from the vet. He cracked a molar & it will have to come out on July 31. It would be too expensive to cap & I don't think it would add. We are getting the surgery paid for, but they say it is tricky, because you could break the jaw, so we are praying for the best. He is in good spirits after coming home, but we have to take away the hard chew toys for now.:)

It's been very hot here and Cairo was really struggling and yet again, we weren't sure if it was the heat or not. He's also got a bit of a frizzy looking tail and is losing the hair off it.

He's been off his meds for months following his crash.

We took him for a stim test yesterday and the results are 120 before stim and 400 after. The vet says he's perfectly fine.

Is that good numbers? I'll be honest, I don't understand how he can be OK now after being diagnosed with Cushings - do we take it that he actually doesn't have Cushing's?

Hi Alison, yuk, a heat wave :( sound ucky

So, making the change from nmol to ug would be as follows:

120 nmol = 4.34ug
400 nmol = 14.49ug

Which if that holds, it sounds like Cairo's cortisol production has kicked back in and he will need a very low dose of trilostane. Lower than where he was before when he crashed for sure.
With symptoms controlled, Dechra likes the post cortisol number to be under 9.0 ug.

Maybe discuss with vet him going onto a low dose. What was he on when he crashed do you remember? I can't go back through the thread right now, but will look later once I'm home.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Sharlene,

He was on 60mg when he crashed. The vet spoke to Dechra and the vet school and both said he wasn't to go back on the vetoryl unless his post stim levels went above 400 I think it was.

She's not intending putting him on anything. She said that these levels were perfectly fine - if they were around the 500 - 600 mark then she'd want him back on meds.

After he crashed she said that she'd rather have a slightly Cushingoid dog than an Addisonian dog.

Hi Alison, now that you've explained that part, yes, in Cairo's case that does make sense to me to hold off. He does seem to be especially sensitive to the medication and who knows, he may be one of those dogs for whom cortisol production never again rebounds to a problematic level. This doesn't necessarily mean he did not have Cushing's to begin with, but instead it could be that the Vetoryl he took has altered his adrenal function and natural production of cortisol. So before beginning treatment again, Dechra and your vets may be awaiting both diagnostically high numbers re: his cortisol as well as the reappearance of clinical symptoms. Hopefully, he'll still have a long vacation from treatment ahead of him!

Marianne

Yes that makes sense. We had one dog off of medication for a year after a crash on vetroyl, so it isn't unheard of. It just depends on how fast his adrenal glands kick in and how much they produce.
I can see the point the vet and Dechra are thinking of with wanting to wait. If it goes up, though, I would go much lower than the 60mg.

Hang in there! You're doing good, heat and all. :)

Sharlene and molly muffin

Ahh thank you. I've been sitting here wracking my brains as to how he could be diagnosed last year but appear to be fine this year. The only thing I could come up with was that if he had a tumour, it had maybe shrivelled up and stopped causing a problem. Your explanations help me out, so I'll stop panicking.

I've hunted out all my posts with his test results to see a pattern.

His last post stim result in May was 239 (this was after his crash and he'd been off meds) and then 400 on this one so it is climbing but he was really stressed out in the vet on Monday so I'm sure that must have had some effect as well.

Oh, they said that IF he needed to go back on Vetoryl, he'd be on 30mg and no more than that