Serena, Havanese, radiation treatment - sweet Serena has passed

[Squirt's Mom]

That is interesting about the Kronch, Louise. I went searching to see what I could find and here are some links for purchasing: (the SitStay seems to have the better prices of these)

http://www.moetoys.com/store/merchan...=7&Screen=PROD

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...il/160001.aspx

http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/...l_13342_36409_

There were several sites I didn't check out so there may be a better deal out there yet! This sounds like something I could certainly use as those capsules are just so HUGE!

Thanks for sharing!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[January]

I thought I would update Serena's story here and in the Checking In section. She is doing well. Right now we are working with a doggy dermatologist to get her fur to grow back. Right now, she has thin fur on her body -- much like that which is caused by Cushings. We think that the problem is that she has prednisone induced Cushings. She has been on 2 mg. of prednisone for quite a few months to control her IBD. Over the past two weeks she has been reduced to 1 mg. every other day and seems to be doing very well on that. She even gained a little weight. We will see the dermatologist next Tuesday and I am hoping that the reduction has improved her fur/skin. Other than that she is her old bratty self. I am thankful for every day that she is with me and able to enjoy her life.
As always,
January and Serena

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi January,

Always good to hear from you! It thrills me no end to hear that Serena is still doing well.

The pred could certainly be causing Iatrogenic Cushing's so I hope the reduction in dose will help with that. There is another med that can be used, dexa-something, that isn't supposed to have the same cush effects as pred yet do the same thing. Alison has talked about it.

Let us hear what the vet has to say about her coat and skin.
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[gpgscott]

Thanks for letting us know January.

It is very likely that the chronic administration of the prednisone is causing a continuation of Cushing's, but your Dr. is aware of this. I am glad she is being tapered from the pred and am assuming that the Dr. is tapering to see how she does with the IBD on lower levels of circulating cortisol. The reason you taper with a normal dog is to let the feedback loop normalize. In your case the pituitary has been rendered dysfunctional by the radiation so the feedback is already compromised.

I am becoming a big promoter of coconut for bowel issues and suggest you look into it. Raw coconut given twice daily.

Scott

[ChristyA]

Hi January & Serena,
So happy to hear Serena is being her "bratty little self". I am absolutely thrilled everytime I read a post from you stating she is doing well. I am so glad you are still in contact with us here.
Take Care,
Christy

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

January,

I'm glad that Serena continues to do well and is "her old bratty self" It's wonderful to see a pup return to their old self!!!! Good that she gained a little weight also. Hope the reduced dose of pred allows her to regrow her coat and manage the IBD issue at the same time.

Will be looking for an update after Serena has her visit with the derm doc.

Louise

[AlisonandMia]

The other steroid that Leslie was referring to was probably Budesonide. It seems to have less systemic effect than prednisone and works more locally on the gut when given for IBD. There is something about it here: http://www.2ndchance.info/inflambowel.htm (about 2/3's of the way down). If you Google "Budesonide dog" you'll find more info.

Radiation treatment isn't usually expected to cure the Cushing's long-term so it's possible that she's also producing an excess of cortisol too. A stim test (taking into account the fact she's on pred) would give some idea as to whether this was the case.

Alison

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

I am becoming a big promoter of coconut for bowel issues and suggest you look into it. Raw coconut given twice daily.

January,

Thought I would provide you with some additional information on coconut. If you consider adding coconut to Serena's diet and are watching her fat intake, this may be pertinent.

Please be aware:

1 - piece 2"x2"x1/2" raw coconut while providing 4g of fiber also adds 15.07g of fat.

This information was obtained from:

USDA Agricultural Research Service Nutrient Data Laboratory Nutrient Database

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

Louise

[gpgscott]

January,

Thought I would provide you with some additional information on coconut. If you consider adding coconut to Serena's diet and are watching her fat intake, this may be pertinent.

Please be aware:

1 - piece 2"x2"x1/2" raw coconut while providing 4g of fiber also adds 15.07g of fat.

This information was obtained from:

USDA Agricultural Research Service Nutrient Data Laboratory Nutrient Database

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/

Louise

Thanks for this Louise,

Fat is in my opinion much misunderstood. It is very necessary, it is what carries other nutrients and minerals into the system.

I am not suggesting that I am a 'fat' expert (although those who know me well may beg to differ)

I just know that I have been experimenting with it myself as I am having issues subsequent to radiation and I now have a pup (Talos) who is having on and off bowel issues without a good reason.

I would not dimiss coconut soley on the basis of fat.

Scott

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

Fat is in my opinion much misunderstood. It is very necessary, it is what carries other nutrients and minerals into the system.

I am not suggesting that I am a 'fat' expert (although those who know me well may beg to differ)

I just know that I have been experimenting with it myself as I am having issues subsequent to radiation and I now have a pup (Talos) who is having on and off bowel issues without a good reason.

I would not dimiss coconut soley on the basis of fat.

Neither am I a fat expert. You are absolutely correct, Scott, in the fact that fat is necessary in the diet. Maybe increasing the fat intake is not a problem for Serena. I do not remember whether pancreatitis was an issue for her in the past or not. Just wanted to pass along the info in case it was.

What I do know is that if a dog is prone to either pancreatitis or has elevated triglycerides, the amount of fat in the diet could very well be an issue. Whether the food contains fat that is "the good kind of fat" (or not) it still contains fat and when added to the diet increases the amount of fat the dog is eating. I've been given this info by a Veterinary Nutritionist from U. C. Davis, an IMS with specific interest in canine nutrition and a Canine Nutritional Consultant. Also have had to deal with monitoring fat intake in my human life with the guidance of a Registered Dietitian. Although coconut may contain good stuff, a little bit goes a long way as far as the amount of fat it contains.

Louise