Page 8 of 8 FirstFirst ... 678
Results 71 to 80 of 80

Thread: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings (Daisy has passed )

  1. #71
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings

    2/27/19 - pre 7.5, post 7.8

    3/20/19 - pre 7.3, post 7.3

    We did another blood panel today and are going to do a baseline cortisol test to determine whether we should do another ACTH
    Ashley, Daisy (yellow lab), Lily (mini dachshund), Thor (black lab)

  2. #72
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    15,292

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings

    Thanks so much for this information, and we’ll be anxious to see how the results from yesterday turn out.

    In order to refresh my memory, I’ve just now gone back to review Daisy’s entire history, and interestingly enough, her very first ACTH after beginning trilostane back in the summer 2016 was also “flat.”

    I have the results back from our 14 day follow up
    Pre - 6.5 ug/DL
    Post - 6.6 ug/DL
    At that time, your vet wasn’t concerned, and left her trilostane dose unchanged. A couple of subsequent ACTH tests did show an expected increase in post-ACTH readings. So what might account for these odd readings? One simple explanation might simply be that the stimulating agent that your vet is using is inconsistently compromised in some way. If he’s also treating other Cushing’s dogs and all their tests come out as expected, that would blow that theory. But I just mention it as a possibility.

    You say that your vet consulted a specialist about these test results, but the specialist was not very helpful. Can you tell us what the specialist actually said? I’d be very interested in his/her take on all this. Baseline cortisol levels as high as 7.0 in a Cushing’s dog would typically prompt a full ACTH with the expectation of an even higher post-ACTH result and the need to restart medication. But if Daisy truly and genuinely doesn’t exhibit any stimulated increase, then I’m afraid I’m stumped, as well. As severely compromised and uncomfortable as she seems to be right now, before giving up, I’d really try to let a specialist directly examine her and offer you an opinion face-to-face so that you ask any and all questions that you may have. Her situation is certainly puzzling, and it might give you greater confidence, or at least some peace, about the best path forward.

    Marianne

  3. #73
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings

    Quote Originally Posted by labblab View Post
    Thanks so much for this information, and we’ll be anxious to see how the results from yesterday turn out.

    In order to refresh my memory, I’ve just now gone back to review Daisy’s entire history, and interestingly enough, her very first ACTH after beginning trilostane back in the summer 2016 was also “flat.”



    At that time, your vet wasn’t concerned, and left her trilostane dose unchanged. A couple of subsequent ACTH tests did show an expected increase in post-ACTH readings. So what might account for these odd readings? One simple explanation might simply be that the stimulating agent that your vet is using is inconsistently compromised in some way. If he’s also treating other Cushing’s dogs and all their tests come out as expected, that would blow that theory. But I just mention it as a possibility.

    You say that your vet consulted a specialist about these test results, but the specialist was not very helpful. Can you tell us what the specialist actually said? I’d be very interested in his/her take on all this. Baseline cortisol levels as high as 7.0 in a Cushing’s dog would typically prompt a full ACTH with the expectation of an even higher post-ACTH result and the need to restart medication. But if Daisy truly and genuinely doesn’t exhibit any stimulated increase, then I’m afraid I’m stumped, as well. As severely compromised and uncomfortable as she seems to be right now, before giving up, I’d really try to let a specialist directly examine her and offer you an opinion face-to-face so that you ask any and all questions that you may have. Her situation is certainly puzzling, and it might give you greater confidence, or at least some peace, about the best path forward.

    Marianne

    Baseline cortisol from yesterday was 8.6. I’ve requested all the ATCH test results do I can go back and compare. I think some of the ones we did when we had found out groove for a little bit were not flat. Now that you’ve pointed that out I want to see them all side by side. Initially we had the issue where cortisol was not dropping and late last year, aroundNovember we started to have the opposite problem where the levels were borderline Addisons and not rising despite a big decrease in the medication. Then she had the mysterious neurological episode in January. We ran every test short of an MRI and the only thing that helped was mannitol to reduce brain swelling followed by a course of prednisone at home. From there the cortisol levels did start to rise again but the ATCH tests kept coming back flat.

    The vet is going to look into starting Daisy on vetoryl again. Possibly with prednisone if necessary. He’s going to consult with the specialist.

    The specialist that saw her and that our vet consults with is at blue pearl. This is the same practice that treated her in January. To be honest, it’s a little frustrating to deal with them. Over the years our vet has consulted with the specialist regarding dose changes. Not sure if there is anyone else we can see in the area. We have a vet school 2 hours away at UF.
    Ashley, Daisy (yellow lab), Lily (mini dachshund), Thor (black lab)

  4. #74
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings

    We said goodbye to Daisy today. It was her time. The calcinosis took over her entire body and turned into painful open sores. Ironically, we had called Dechra yesterday to discuss the flat ATCH results and what options we had. They spoke to our vet and we felt optimistic about starting Vetoryl again to hopefully get some relief from the calcinosis. Shortly after that call, Daisy's front leg swelled up with fluid and she could barely stand. The vet did X-rays and her spleen and liver were so enlarged, squeezing her lungs and stomach. The leg had some calcifications below the skin as well which is why it swelled up. This morning she could barely open her eyes and we knew it was time. The hospice vet came around 5 pm today and we said our goodbyes. We miss our sweet girl like crazy but she is finally pain free.
    Ashley, Daisy (yellow lab), Lily (mini dachshund), Thor (black lab)

  5. #75
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Glen Cove, NY
    Posts
    1,941

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings

    I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl...
    Joan, mom to my Angel Lena, Angel Gable, Angel Phoenix, Angel Doree, Cooper, Sibble, and now Raina.

  6. #76
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    15,292

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings (Daisy has passed)

    Oh I am so sorry, too. My heart goes out to you, knowing how dearly you loved Daisy and how much she’ll be missed. But I totally understand your decision, and I hope you’ll continue to find peace in knowing that she is at long last pain-free. We hope it may also bring you a bit of comfort to know that Daisy will always be honored and remembered here, amongst all of our brave angels who now surround her at The Bridge:

    https://www.k9cushings.com/forum/sho...Left-Us-(2019)

    If it would please you to have us add a photo link to her memorial line, you can send a picture to us at any time: k9cushings@gmail.com. We’ll take care of everything once we receive the photo.

    In the meantime, please know that we’ll always welcome you back should you wish to talk about anything more, or just to share memories of your sweet girl and your lives together. You’ll both always remain members of our family here.

    Sending you my warmest thoughts in loving memory of your sweet girl and her brave battle,
    Marianne

  7. #77
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    rural central ARK
    Posts
    14,549

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings (Daisy has passed)

    Dear Ashley,

    I am so so sorry to hear about sweet Daisy. I know your heart is shattered - I've been there too many times so I know what you are feeling today. Please know your precious girl knows you did all you could for her to make her life the very best possible. And when the day came that the options ran out you gave her the greatest gift...freedom from a failing vessel. Her spirit is now whole once again as she was in her youth and she is running wild and free in the Rainbow Fields with so many of the babies from here. I firmly believe we will be with our babies when that day comes that our jobs here on Earth are done. We will cross that Bridge and they will fly into our arms to cover our faces with kisses. And we will never be parted again. Until then she will be by your side always. You may not always see her or hear her or feel her presence but she is there, always.

    My deepest sympathies,
    Leslie


    I'm Sill Here

    I was near you, by your bed last night; I came to have a peek. I could see
    that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep.

    I chattered to you softly as you brushed away a tear, “It’s me, I haven’t
    left you. I’m well. I’m fine. I’m here.”

    I was close to you at breakfast. I watched you pour the tea. You were
    thinking of the many times your hands reached out to me.

    I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care. I want to
    reassure you, that I am not lying there.

    I flew with you back towards the house. As you fumbled for your key, I
    gently touched you with a feather, I smiled and said, “It’s me.”

    You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let
    you know that I was perching there.

    It’s possible for me to be so near you everyday To say to you with
    certainty, “I never went away.”

    You sat there very quietly, and then smiled. I think you knew In the
    stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

    The day is over – I smile and watch you yawning And say, “Good night, God
    bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”

    And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I’ll fly
    across to greet you and we’ll enter side by side.

    I have many things to show you. There is so much for you to see. Be
    patient, live your journey out… then come home to be with me.

    – Author Unknown
    "May you know that absence is full of tender presence and that nothing is ever lost or forgotten." John O'Donahue, "Eternal Echoes"

    Death is not a changing of worlds as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding.

  8. #78
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    El Salvador
    Posts
    28

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings (Daisy has passed)

    I'm so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing. I feel like talking about our experiences help us to be prepared for the harder times, I know we cannot be completely ready to say goodbye to a loved one but at least there's a sense of community that help us cope.

  9. #79
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Milwaukee, WI
    Posts
    13

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings (Daisy has passed)

    Thank you for sharing Daisy's story. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Run free, Daisy Mae.

  10. #80
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    East Coast
    Posts
    100

    Default Re: Daisy - 6yo labrador diagnosed with Cushings (Daisy has passed)

    We are SO very sorry For your loss we just lost our oldest boy in December he did not have Cushing’s but we are dealing with our beautiful silver labrador who has Cushing’s and Diabetes. There is no doubt reading through your posts that you loved/love Daisy with all your heart. You will never have to look far when you miss her the most because she lives in your heart forever

    If it should be that I grow frail and weak
    And pain should keep me from my sleep,
    Then will you do what must be done,
    For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
    You will be sad I understand,
    But don't let grief then stay your hand,
    For on this day, more than the rest,
    Your love and friendship must stand the test.
    We have had so many happy years,
    You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
    When the time comes, please, let me go.
    Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
    Only, stay with me till the end
    And hold me firm and speak to me
    Until my eyes no longer see.
    I know in time you will agree
    It is a kindness you do to me.
    Although my tail its last has waved,
    From pain and suffering I have been saved.
    Don't grieve that it must be you
    Who has to decide this thing to do;
    We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
    Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •