Max test results help — Sweet Max has passed

[labblab]

I totally hear ya about the food! The ingredients of many of the Rx diets are often so off-putting that I’ve always kind of turned up my nose at the suggestion. But after several weeks of no-luck experimentation with different commercial foods alongside plain chicken and rice, I gave in and started my Luna on Hill’s i/d digestive care. Within 24 hours, she finally had a solid stool and for now, I’m leaving her on it. She really likes it and even though she still relapses a bit every couple of weeks, I’ve had the best luck with it of anything so far. Thanks for mentioning the Royal Canin, though, because I do think that would also be an option for us to try if she continues to backslide on the Hill’s. I’m so over having to worry every day about how poop patrol is gonna turn out!!

[Elizabeth513]

Absolutely! Max has always been on “high end” food with higher protein. I balked at the ingredients, but after him having the worst gulps and strange allergies last February we switched him and the change has been remarkable. We have to go very slow with him if I add supplements. He’s always had “gulpy” issues which our vet and ER vets finally said is reflux. Episodes have been greatly controlled with food. I moved him off of dasaquin with msm chews to movoflex and green lipped muscle powder (super snouts) because I worried about his liver and the glucosamine and msm. Oddly enough his alp levels rising I guess it hasn’t helped. I’m sorry your girl has had a rough go. This is my first dog and aging is really tough. I just want him to be happy and not be in pain. We also have luck with Prilosec when he has a gulping episode.
Another thing that is wonderful for dogs with GI issues is raw goat’s milk. We tried it, but it wasn’t a fix for us. I pray Luna’s continues to get better each day. These dogs deserve all the best!! ❤️

[Elizabeth513]

Hi everyone! It has been a while, but I still like to update as it may be helpful to others by reading different stories! Max just had his recheck with the internist and all is well. We did start him on thyroid medication in October as his thyroid was low. Our home vet and Internal docs have been watching it and agreed it was time to try a low dose of levothyroxine after viewing his T4, tsh, and pcv. He’s doing well on it. Coat is not dry anymore and his last two checks have him in the therapeutic range 2.0 and 2.6. We’ve been able to stay on the lowest starting dose!

We also started Galliprant about 8 months ago because he was limping and then began yelping when moving from back pain. It has been so helpful. He is able to run and play, jump on the bed again and no limping or yelping. His ALP is holding steady, but still higher than I like. It actually dropped a tad at this appointment. Internist said it’s probably from the galliprant and extra cortisol from Cushings.

His Cushings is still asymptomatic except for the proteinuria which has remained steady with treatment with Telmisartan. His pcv is 37 which that’s where he hovers (between 37-39) over the last couple of years. I don’t like that these numbers are lower, but I’m going to look at adding sardines and egg as a treat just for some extra iron.

Overall a good visit as my boy is coming up on his 11th birthday in April. Great shape for a boxer! We just look at every day a blessing! Hope this is helpful to some navigating through Cushings with their pup!

[labblab]

Omigish, we’re so glad to have you back and to read this excellent report! Absolutely, it’s a help to all of us to continue to read about Max’s treatment journey, and his success on these various medications. It definitely gives us helpful info in terms of offering options out to other parents. You’ve done such an excellent job of advocating for him, and we’ll surely be joining you in spirit to celebrate his upcoming birthday!

Best wishes to you and to Max, and thanks so much for the update :-)))))))
Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Elizabeth,

What a great update on your sweet baby boy! I am so happy to hear he is doing so well and that your visit with his vet went well! How nice to have such a great vet! I hope the specialist can bring even more joy and comfort to you and Max.
Hugs,
Leslie

[Elizabeth513]

I cannot believe it has almost been 3 years since diagnosis! Here is our check in! We appreciate everyone reading our story and hope it can give hope and hep to others!

We had our 9 month check in with our internal vet. She has noted that his ALP has increased and he is showing some higher potassium and anemia (which anemia is not new, he has hovered lower for a while). His labs showed ALP 1547 in July, 1920 in Dec at our vet and 2152 yesterday at internist. Our vet said possibilities for the high ALP could be uncontrolled Cushings or a liver mass. Max is on medication for proteinuria; which has been controlled by medication and has not outward signs of Cushings except labs. He is also on thyroid meds for hypothyroidism. He has also in the last 6 months been diagnosed with ARVC and is doing well on a low dose heart anti-arrhythmic.

We are going to do a fecal occult test to see if there could be gi bleeding from galliprant which could be contributing to the anemia or if no bleeding it could be a liver or adrenal mass. Can Cushings drop hematocrit with no bleeds? I'm thinking an ulcer bleeding which would be an easier fix... no bleeding could indicate a mass (guess that's worse possible case?)

This is where I am torn. He will be 12 in a few weeks. I just want to keep him comfortable and happy as almost 12 is ancient for boxers. He is the last one in his litter. I know we just need to rule out the gi bleeding first and then go from there. I am torn about an ultrasound. He doesn't do well with procedures and has to be knocked out. An ultrasound would only be beneficial so we would know whether it is his time or not...I would not treat a mass at this point given his age. I know this is speculation at this point and I should probably only be thinking about steps from here and facts of what we know. Just wanted to share and get hear anyone's thoughts who might be willing to share.

[Harley PoMMom]

Thanks so much for the update on sweet Max, and to answer your question regarding the relationship between Cushing's and hematocrit, elevated cortisol generally raises red blood cell counts.

How is Max's appetite and how about his attitude, I mean does he seem to be happy? If he does than, if this were me and taking in account his age, I would not have any tests for Cushing's performed, and probably not even the ultrasound since he gets a lot of anxiety with it. I sure do wish you both the best of luck and please do keep us updated.

Sending you both huge loving hugs, Lori

[labblab]

Welcome back, Elizabeth, and I agree 100% with what you and Lori are both thinking. Given his age and overall situation, if Max were my own boy, I’d likely forego the ultrasound as well. Just as you say, keeping him comfortable and happy would be my top priorities. If noninvasive lab testing can give you some answers to help guide you in that regard, then I’m all for it. But at this stage, anything that will stress him unduly is probably not worth the trade-off in terms of info gained. For sure, though, we’ll be happy to continue to talk over your options with you. I do hope the anemia turns out to have a relatively easy fix, such as altering his med regimen. Please do let us know what more you may find out. And please also give Max a big hug from his K9C family here!

Best wishes to you both,
Marianne

[Elizabeth513]

Thank you, Lori! He seems great! Happy, but slowing down. I really appreciate your feedback!

We know he does have Cushing's...but in the beginning it was recommended to not treat it specifically as he did not have symptoms. All speculative at this point until we get the fecal back, but his internal Dr has said based on changes in bloodwork (high potassium, increasing ALP, anemia) he may do better with beginning treatment for Cushing's.

I know I need to just take it one step at a time to see what tests results show. No real decisions can be made until things are clearer. I am just a thinker and it's my way of working through it all!

[Elizabeth513]

Thank you, Marianne! I appreciate that!

I think the only reason I would do an ultrasound would be to have definitive answers. If he were to have a mass (depending on dx) I would not want to put him through pain and more suffering.

So so tough!