Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

[AlisonandMia]

The brassica thing is an issue with birds - my birds only get brassicas (which they love!) on an irregular basis for that reason.

Zac does get his skinkin' brassicas just about every day though - and this reminds me, maybe he shouldn't. He will not be well pleased! Brussels sprouts are one of his favorite foods and he picks them out first - before the meat very often. Weird dog, I know.

Zac is a healthy 3yo with no health issues (touch wood).

Alison

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks, ya'll!

Scott, she went in at 1 yesterday after breakfast at 8:30 and her doc first said to fast after midnight but since this is the second time there have been high lipids, she changed it to "don't feed until we redo in the morning"...then mom over-slept after sitting up and worrying about her pancreas nearly all nite. twitch twitch Squirt is the only one I cook for on a regular basis...I can't imagine trying to do 3-4 different menus each week! Ya think she might be a little spoiled?

Alison, if Zac has no problems and has been eating that way for some time, he may not have an issue with the brassicas. Each pup is different! Not all humans will have a hard time with thyroid regulation if they include them in their diet. But based on Squirt's readings and her diets at each time, I have to think she is one who cannot handle them - certainly not on a full time basis!

It's nice to have a pup that is healthy, ain't it? Goldie is our healthy one so far, Crys just minor things....but Goldie is psycho! so that takes up a lot of the slack from being healthy.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

[forscooter]

Well, Leslie, there is mental health and there is physical health....Scoobie had both!

Sending tons of hugs to cover you and the crew!!!!
Love ya! Me

[Nathalie]

Thanks, ya'll!

Scott, she went in at 1 yesterday after breakfast at 8:30 and her doc first said to fast after midnight but since this is the second time there have been high lipids, she changed it to "don't feed until we redo in the morning"...then mom over-slept after sitting up and worrying about her pancreas nearly all nite. twitch twitch

Leslie, I am glad all is well. You and I where doing the same thing last night. Worrying about pancreatitis.
After I read you post about the fatty blood sample I was sure Phillip was having pancreatitis as well – instead his cortisol was too low - yikes.

Nathalie

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi Leslie,
Haven't posted much but wanted to let you know I've been thinking about Squirt and am very glad that everything has turned out very well. Keep up the great work.

Ya think she might be a little spoiled?

Yesssss.......but well deserving of it

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi ya'll,

Since we are going to have to find a vet in AR to use for a while, I have been working on a questionnaire to send to the vets in the area. Here are the questions I have come up with so far....any input greatly appreciated.

1.) Do you treat canine Cushing’s? (If yes, please continue; if no, thank you for your time.)
2.) How many Cushing’s patients have you successfully treated?
3.) Which Cushing’s treatment(s) are you most experienced with?
4.) Are you familiar with Atypical Cushing’s, the Uni. of TN Knoxville (UTK) full adrenal panel and Dr. Jack Oliver?
5.) Do you stock the stimulation and suppression agents or do you order them as needed?
6.) Which agents do you use?
7.) Which lab do you use and are you under contract to send all samples through them whether they can do the testing or not?
8.) Do you have an endocrinologist and/or IMS to whom you refer patients? If so, who and where are they located?
9.) Where is the nearest, best high resolution ultrasound and someone qualified to interpret them?
10.) In the event of a crisis/emergency after hours/on weekends, what is protocol for your clients?
11.) Do you communicate with your clients directly or through techs and/or staff?
12.) What is your philosophy on yearly vaccinations?
13.) Are you familiar with other conditions associated with Cushing's such as diabetes, hypothyroidsm, etc.?
14.) Do you regularly attend seminars, conferences, and/or continuing education courses?
15.) What is your philosophy on non-pharmaceutical approaches? Which, if any, do you practice?
16.) How do you feel about home prepared diets?
17.) How do you feel about clients being proactive in their pet's care?

I feel like there are some important things I have missed but my brain refuses to go any further. So let me know what you think I should ask, or not ask...

Thanks,
Leslie and Squirt

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Leslie,

That looks like a really thorough list, I only have a few things that I could think of:

I know you home cook for Squirt and I don't recall (sorry) your philosophy on vaccinations, but if you are like me now, I don't vaccinate Harley anymore bc of his cushings and his GP and I have come to that agreement. You may also ask her/him if your home cooking will be a problem...if it will be, maybe another reason not have this GP.

If s/he keeps abreast with current developments in his/her respective discipline; Does s/he regularly attend conferences and other continuing education programs.

I would also want to know if s/he has experience in treating Cushing's syndrome and associated endocrinopathies (e.g., iatrogenic Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes, etc.).

I know with Harley it seems like now this cushings is causing a cascading of problems, altho I know Harley and Squirt are two completely different dogs, with Squirt being much more controlled than Harley.

Love and hugs.
Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks, Lori! Good points and I will add them now! Made me think of something else I want to know...their philosophy on non-pharmaceutical approaches, which nutrition would fall under. duh....

Squirt has been so very lucky with her Cushing's from the beginning. And I am immeasurably grateful for that! Her signs were mild and we "caught in early"; Anipryl worked wonders for her long past the time it was predicted; funds were readily available when she needed them the most; she has the best vet and IMS in the world; removing that tumor sent her cortisol levels back within normal ranges, and her other hormones are coming down. Yes, I am very grateful! We have both been lucky in finding our family here 'cause there's no telling what would have happened if we hadn't.

Harley will come around, too, I'm sure. He's got a fabulous mom who's working hard to find the solution for him.

Hugs,
Leslie and Squirt

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi ya'll,

Well, I was all set to write a glowing report on my Sweet Bebe and then all the rain set in and we have the blasted spirochetes again! She started having diarrhea yesterday and this morning it was a tad bit bloody, so she is back on Metrachonazole (sp?) and Clavamox, plus we gave her a wormer this time, too. She is sleeping under my bed at the moment and has had no BM's since morning.

Cushing's-wise, she is great, tho! I ran out of the crushed hulls last week and have put her back on the purified caps. Primarily because I have a lot of them and very little $$ at the moment. But rather than 40mg/day, I am giving her 120mg/day (3 capsules). A friend worked out the math for me and this is the amount that should be equivalent to the hull's percentage of lignans. Don't ask me how... The increase has had no effect that I can see. She remains on 3mg of melatonin 2X/day. When funds are available, we will have another UTK panel run to see how the estradiol and progesterones are doing now. Squirt still has no signs so I feel she is doing quite well anecdotally, the test will tell us how she is physically.

I am sad to say that her hair is doing funky things, tho. Not in a Cushing's sense, but more of an aging thing. Her long hairs are really coming out on her back and her Elizabethan collar is gone for the most part as are the long tufts on her ears. But her other two coats are thick and no signs of thinning or balding anywhere. In fact, her belly, lower torso and legs are getting hairier and hairier - probably due to the melatonin. It is impossible to see her scar from the surgery now!

Squirt loved her time in the country while we were in ARK! She rolled in the fields, chased cats and butterflies, sun-bathed, and even played with the other dogs. She gave me much reason to smile and laugh during a very tough time. Squirt will be 12 in Feb. and I am so grateful for every day she is with me.

Hugs to all,
Leslie and Squirt

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Leslie,

Oh, poor Squirt...Those darn spirochetes...rain, rain go away and take those darn spirochetes with you! I will be hoping and praying her meds kick in and take care of those nasty spirochetes. I'm really elated tho, to hear Cushing's-wise that she's doing great! YAAA!!!

Oh Leslie, I know just how you feel about the $$...where is our money tree? LOL

I am so happy Squirt was able to make you smile during your difficult times in Ark, our pups sure are a blessing. And you know what...you are truly a blessing to all of us.

Love and hugs.
Lori