Chloe (15 y/o Jack Russell) - Chloe has crossed Rainbow Bridge

[Chloe's Mom]

Patti,

Chloe did gain about 2.5 lbs in the last year or so. In a small dog, that's a pretty significant weight gain. She weighs 14.5 now, and usually was 12-12.5.

Today is day 4, and I "think" I may be seeing a little less water drinking and peeing. Hope it's not my wishful thinking, tho... So far, she's doing well.

[goldengirl88]

Well my Tipper was always a but larger at 16.7 lbs but now she is about 18 so she has gained too, and it is not good for a small dog that is really like 10-30 lbs for us. I try to restrict her food. Now that she is controlled it is easier and she is not begging for food all the time, but she does let you know exactly when her feeding times are. I put her on a lower calorie food too and measure it exactly. Day five coming up and you two are doing very well. You are the perfect example for new people to follow so they minimize problems. Blessings
Patti

[Chloe's Mom]

Oh Patti, thank you for your kind words. This is new territory that Chloe and I are navigating, and I can't express how grateful I am for the love, support, and wealth of information on this site. What a Godsend each and every one of you are!

All of my dogs are on scheduled/measured meals. It just seems that I've always had one dog or another that needed medication or to lose a few lbs. I haven't given my dogs free access to food for many, many years. I guess that is why Chloe's weight gain surprised me - she wasn't getting more, so why did she gain weight? Now I understand...

Today is day 5 of the meds, and she continues to do well. I see no adverse affects from the medication, and I think she is drinking/peeing a little less. Before her diagnosis, she used to drink with such a sense of urgency - as if she had spent the day in the desert. I'm seeing less and less of that now, and I'm pleased.

Patti, I was also reading your thread about Tipper and her storm anxiety. It's odd, but my Chloe isn't really phased by storms. It is my 60 lb. husky that gets anxious and runs for cover during storms. Bless you and Tipper and thank you so much for your continued support and responses to my posts.

[goldengirl88]

When Tipper first gained the weight, I thought now how is this possible when I measure her food?? So then In began to investigate the possibility of her thyroid being low as this will cause it, and many Cushing's dogs also have thyroid issues. My vet fought me on this we got into it for real. I told him her thyroid was too low so we sent for a thyroid profile from the University of Michigan. They were on the fence about the results. So finally I paid for a consultation with Jean Dodds. Maybe you heard of her, she is a renowned specialist in thyroid. She looked at Tippers results and said it was too low as Jack Russell's are one of the breeds that needs their level to be at least at mid range. Tipper was below normal. In the mean time I talked my vet into giving me the lowest dose possible
of Soloxine. II read up on this and you must be very conservative when using thyroid meds with a Cushing's dog. Within about a week she was acting and feeling a lot better and lost some weight. It can change their personalities etc. when the thyroid is not working properly. You might want to look at his blood work and see where his thyroid level was. Weight gain is also common with Cushing's dogs too, so it is best to check it out. It can make their calcium out of whack if their thyroid is not working right, and high calcium can cause problems. Tipper had high calcium from it and it is fine now since she got her thyroid regulated. It will make them drink a little more taking Soloxine. I am glad you are on day 5 and your Chloe is doing well. Tipper did so much better during this storm with the meds. It was a last resort as her blood pressure gets dangerously high she is so terrified of storms. Blessings
Patti

[Chloe's Mom]

Thanks for your reply, Patti. Chloe's thyroid panel came back normal, but not sure of the exact reading. Will have to ask the vet about that, as I don't have the actual copies of her lab results yet.

Well, we are on day 7 of the meds, and I can see Chloe getting a little better. Her eyes are brighter, and her "little dog bossiness" is certainly coming back! She still drinks water more frequently than my other dogs, but the urgency of her drinking has definitely decreased. Before the meds, she would just drink, drink, drink at the water, almost like she was biting it because she couldn't get it fast enough. Now, she is drinking at a more normal pace, and the "biting" at the water (think: GULPING) has dissipated a LOT. I haven't seen any more accidents in the house, but I am taking her out more often. Still, I am encouraged by her progress and believe that her overall water consumption and puddles of pee have decreased.

I've got a call in to her vet with the 7 day progress report, so I'll wait to hear back from her as to what we do next, and when. I'm assuming the ACTH test is next, but don't know when.

[goldengirl88]

Good going Chloe keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goldengirl88]

Day 8 and I bet Chloe is feeling so much better getting that cortisol down!! It is nice when you see you dog come back to how they used to be. Blessings
Patti

[Chloe's Mom]

Thanks, Patti! Yes, I am starting to see such positive signs in Chloe. She just seems to be feeling better overall - more energy, less urgency with drinking, and no accidents in the house (so far). Of course, I am vigilant about taking her out more often, but before we started the meds, she was drinking and peeing ALL the time.

I mentioned before that she seems to be getting her terrier "bossiness" back. Well, she's getting a little TOO bossy, IMO. Did the vetoryl make Tipper a little more crabby? Or, is this just Chloe's JRT personality coming back now that she feels better?

Other than this bossy behavior, Chloe is really doing well and I'm very happy with her progress.

[Harley PoMMom]

It is wonderful that Chloe is responding favorably with her Vetoryl treatment. In Dechra's product insert it states that an ACTH stimulation test should be performed 10-14 days after treatment has begun, so an appt. between June 14th - 18th would be ideal.

Dechra's U.S. Product Insert

Hoping Chloe continues to do well, and will be keeping all various body parts crossed for good ACTH results.

Hugs, Lori

[goldengirl88]

Tipper did have some changes to her personality. She is more touchy than usual. Two vets told me the meds would do this. I am glad she is feeling better and continues to improve. keep an eye on her with the other dogs as Tipper developed a low tolerance for my Yorkie horsing around with her and she went at him. I keep them separate now as you know the power of a JRT and I don't want my Toby hurt. Blessings
Patti