Molly, 13 yr, shih tzu - lhasa aspo - Molly has passed

[molly muffin]

I think you are right Marianne. I didn't plan to do another LDDS until I had her blood work rechecked to see what that is doing. I don't expect the ALP's to go down as they have been high for about 4 or more years. I think they went up or started to go up about the time that she started to get crystals forming and we put her on the SO formula dog food.

This last time the only thing that became different was the ALT's went up. It seemed to me that this went up after in March she had a horrible case of diarrhea (she'd never had anything like that before) and her one week of antibiotics became 2 weeks and she was on floraflora for about a month. I am thinking it might have been pancreatis, but no one mentioned this to me at the time and I was quite unaware of it until joining this forum. I did the bland food for about a week before gradually reintroducing her to her food again.

I'll try to listen to the modules this weekend if I get a chance. That does sound like what my IMS was talking about. She said it would be written up in a journal though and I've never seen it, or maybe it is Just for vets, I don't know.

Thanks for your input. I got a bit worried that dogs like Chey also had the high ACTH and normal LDDS and it turns out to be an adrenal tumor, but the ultrasound didn't sound show that.

Molly hasn't so far had any skin problems, coat problems, excessive hunger or thirst (I still have to give her the SO food or she doesn't drink enough) She periodically has had hind leg weakness but we have thought this is due to arthritis that is the result of a groove not cut deep enough for her joint and subsequent small injuries when she was younger. (verified via xrays) (this has Never stopped her jumping for a treat though) She last had a bout of the leg problem 2 years ago, which interestingly enough is also the first time they did an LDDS test. I said she yelped, so I thought it was an injury, but my vet wanted the LDDS test. (I really think she's a cushings pusher). Anyway, most of the time she is fine and a few times she is a bit ginger with it, but there hasn't been any wasting of the hind leg area that I can tell and no trembling.

I guess my worry, is that if this is not Pituitary Cushings, then what is causing the cortisol to be so very high. That is sort of scary. Liver disease or something else worries me and if anything else is going on inside her that would cause the cortisol to rise if it's been rising for a long time, then it could be affecting her adrenal glands (making them just slightly on the enlarged size as per the ultrasound).

Well, this is long enough! I have to remember, not writing a book here.

LOL we think she is pretty darn cute too, but I know we are prejudiced parents. hahaha

Thanks again,
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin



Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[addy]

Hi Sharlene,

Hard to say what may be making that cortisol go up if it is not Cushings. I am afraid I cant offer any advice but I can stop in and tell you, yup, that Molly Girl is one cute little bug

Have a great weekend!!!

[Trish]

Hi Sharlene and Ms Molly

I hope you get to the bottom of that beautiful little girl's problems! She wounds pretty happy though, so pleased to hear that

Have a nice weekend you two and to all those that love you
Trish xx

[cheydogger]

Sharlene-

I sure hope you get lil Molly Muffin figured out. It is stressful wondering what is ailing your baby.

As for Chey, her ultrasound report did state a right adrenal neoplasia, however, the radiologist didn't elaborate on the tumor. Maybe he couldn't tell, but he didn't say if it looked to start in the cortex, medulla.....nothing. Also, you have to look at the size of her right adrenal. It is huge, 3.27 c.m. and it's hyperechoic to the retro peritoneal fat. I know, however, her results are very mixed. I probably wouldn't compare any of Chey's findings to Molly. Don't go there

As Marianne said, a blood pressure check wouldn't be a bad idea. Matter in fact, I think all dogs should have a BP check at their annual well visit screenings it will be interesting to see what Molly's new blood work shows.

Give that cutie patootie a big belly rub

Lastly, I wanted to say thank you for all the time you put into checking in on everyone. You are very kind

Hugs,

Ro and Chey

[molly muffin]

hi gang and thanks.

I'm not really spazzing out about molly, except in my head, sometimes.

The comparison I was making was an adrenal tumor type of problem showing positive ACTH and negative LDDS. Specifically Molly's ultrasound did not show a tumor on the adrenal, so that just makes it more strange. It showed, everything that would be consistent with cushings Pituitary tumor and yet, suppress she did, just like if it were an adrenal tumor. She's never been on steroids, so that shouldn't be it. So, you know, I just rack my brain trying to figure it out.

I learn something all the time on this forum from seeing what others are going through, what test they did, what results mean, etc. I hate that Anyone has to go through this with their precious furbabies.

We'll just wait and see what the next results show. Blood tests it is. I think a full panel and we'll just see where she is at and go from there.

We had snow last night!!! It melted. whew. Not really ready for the winter thing, even though molly thinks snow is a blast and a half. Something to run and jump in and have good times.

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Bo's Mom]

Awww, Molly playing in the snow sounds like a great time. Here in Texas (deep south), we NEVER get snow. Right now, we are planning a trip to the beach to enjoy the 80 plus degrees. Our sand is your snow I guess. It is just hard to make snowmen with sand. But, we get some mighty great castles.

[apollo6]

Dear Sharlene
Tried to read a little of your last post. You may want to have a thyroid test. If I am correct it has similar symptons to Cushings. Apollo was on thyroid medication. Also hair loss, etc can some times be attributed to elevated hormones, that test is down at the university of Tennessee. Not saying you need to go there. You might ask Addy. Apollo had elevated hormones also. try to stay positive.
Hugs Sonja and Angel Apollo

[molly muffin]

Hi Sonja,
Yes I want to have a thyroid test done, T4 right? Glucose has always been normal, but that should be on the panel too.
We haven't had any problems with hair loss, so far. As you can see by the pictures I posted, she had a hair cut in mid September and is now another little fluff muffin badly in need of another hair cut.
I feel lucky that we haven't had skin problems yet, but I worry that this is all new and that the day could be coming. That with high cortisol levels comes the very real risk of this.

Thanks for your input Sonja. We'll definitely want the thyroid test too.

Belinda, our snow melted and today all I needed was a jacket. I'm much better with warmer weather, unlike Molly who loves the snow.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[molly muffin]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am going to be away till next week. We're off to visit Snow and celebrate grandson's 1st bday. (still sort of in shock that we're grandparents, I'm pretty sure I'm only 34 now and forever) hahahaha
I know, I'm on here so often, someone would probably send the police to the house to check on me if I didn't show up and didn't say anything. (just kidding)
I've booked Molly in to have blood tests to include thyroid, a complete blood workup and a urinalysis.

We'll see how things are when we get the results.

hugs all, catch ya laters,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[labblab]

Sharlene, hope you have a wonderful trip! We will miss you very much, but this sounds like a very special visit and celebration!

Travel safely!

Marianne