Zoe By My Side- Our Journey with Cushings

[addy]

All the snow from the blizzard should be gone by Firday but we have to worry now about it causing flooding. It is in the 40's all week which compared to how cold it was, is a heat wave

I love to hear stories about Maddie Girl Don't worry, you will have her zinnia garden. Work always gets in the way of everything

Happy Valentine's Day to you too!!!!!!!!! ( I ordered Zoe a new sweater from Etsy for Spring. I figured hubby could not scold me because it is a holiday) It is a bit over the top but I LOVE IT

Hugs,
Addy

[addy]

Seeing IMS tomorrow-trying to get ready-

Questions:

Read that Tylan belongs to macrolide class of antibiotics (mycin antibiotics like erythromycin) does that mean side effects which I previously read were rare and that it is well tolerated would be similar to the mycin antibiotics?

Also read that Tylan does not help stress colitis even though it does state it helps as an anti inflammatory to soothe the large intestine.

Since I already have seen side effects on flaygl/metronidazole at 250 mgs per day at daily use for 3 weeks, I am still trying to figure out how does metronidazole help Zoe if she has colitis from stress/high cortisol?

It stated Tylan will not help that.

Thoughts? Comments? Experiences? Please

Hugs,
Addy

[apollo6]

Just a hello.
To see how you are.
Going to Vet in 10 min.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

[addy]

Hi All,

Just got back from an hour meeting with IMS. She answered all my questions half of them I did not get to ask as she already answered them. I feel emotional and mentally drained right now.

The prescription I got from the IMS is to enjoy my dog. She is thrilled that the metronidazole is working for Zoe and that she does not need to add another antibiotic. She prefers it to Tylan because of the cell mediated immunity. She is not worried that Zoe will need a higher and higher dose of it.

Since whatever was bothering Zoe and causing her to lose weight and be ill has improved, we are not rocking the boat at this point.

We are to keep everything the same. I am to stop agonizing over how much metronidazole she needs, stop trying to cut back the dose.

Reviewed Zoe's Cushing symptoms, does not consider that strong or overt.

Continue for 3 months unless there is a change. Review in 3 months.

Reminded me that as we bring her cortisol down, her colitis could get worse and/or we could see other problems cortisol is now masking. Since symptoms are not yet strong, we are not rocking the boat.

I am trying to digest all she told me but I looked her in the eyes and told her how much Zoe means to me and that I have to trust her. She said yes you do and you can trust me because I know how much Zoe means to you and how important this is.

I agreed to trust her. So the journey continues. She did say that if Zoe cannot handle the Lysodren, she will then look at Trilostane for her as an option.

[apollo6]

Dear Addy
My heart goes out to you. Sounds like a good doctor.
Will post on my thread. Just like you I am drained from the last two days with vets.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

[littleone1]

Hi Addy,

It sounds like you found a keeper, and that she has experience with cushings. I'm keeping everything crossed that everything continues to go well.

Take care my dear friend and relax.

(((HUGS)))

Luv ya,

Terri and Corky.

[addy]

Thank you Sonja and Terri,

IMS is a keeper she was so patient with me. Moral support and family member understanding is important in the vet/patient relationship. She was great and she really is smart. She would explain everthing so thoroughly, I did not even have to ask all my questions, she had already answered them.

I am just sad because I had hoped Zoe would somehow be able to be cured. It looks now like Metronidazole will be our daily routine for life.

But the positive is that she is stronger now than in December and she is happy. She is also more affectionate. IMS thought because some of the hormones are now normal or lower, her mood is better and she is not having hot flashes

Who knew???? Dogs with PMS

Have to leave it on a happy note. After all it is Friday. No more time to be sad

Love you all,
Addy

[addy]

Okay, am I reading more into this than I should? When Zoe got really sick in November and December and was on 250 mgs of metronidazole, she stopped jumping on the sofa. I figured it was her Cushings muscle wasting.

Since then I have cut back on the dosage and for the last ten days, I have been pulsing on and off the night time dose. In the last few days, she has jumped on the sofa 5 times. Yesterday she did it 2 times and this morning she just jumped up there again.

I don't want to get my hopes up. It is probably some fluke. I thought I had read that flagyl/metronidazole can cause leg weakness. I know I had the neurological side effects for awhile.

Maybe it is just her tummy feels better now. I guess I have to wait and see how it progresses. Just seems odd.

Awwww, she just went to lay near Koko. Her sweetness is coming back. They are so darn cute

Hugs,
Addy

[littleone1]

Hi Addy,

I wish I had some answers for you, but I've never used these meds. What you are doing seems to be working. I'm keeping everything crossed that everything continues to improve.

Give Zoe and Koko belly rubs from me. They are so cute.

[apollo6]

Don't even try to figure out. Just enjoy it for what it is.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo