My big boy Gable - sweet Gabe is now at peace

[Joan2517]

I'm going to try the pre-pill test on Saturday. Since I work from home on Fridays, I can give him the pill around 9:30 or 10:00 and bring him to the vet on Saturday. Is it exactly 24 hours? Or is there a window? I'll have to let him eat or he'll be stressed. I printed out the pre-pill monitoring chart and will bring it with me so they know what to do. Is there anything I should know, that they might not from the chart? It's just a blood test from what I gather. They should be able to figure it out, yes?

So far he's not showing any signs of too low cortisol. Still eating good, no vomiting or diarrhea, no lethargy. I think his drinking has slowed down a little, but his panting hasn't...it has been unbearably hot here though.

This is a little weird, but he has been getting erections that take a while to go away when he gets up in the morning, sometimes he can't move for a few minutes. He was fixed before we got him at one year old. He used to get them once in a while, but they seem to have increased lately. Not sure if it means anything, so I'm just putting it out there. Anyone else had this kind of thing happen?

[Harley PoMMom]

I think you will want to be as close to that 24 hour period as possible and try to keep the tests done at the same time.

I just re-watched the video, and here are a couple things I thought were worth re-mentioning: Professor Ian Ramsey states that the dog should not be stressed at the time of testing so since fasting Gabe stresses him than feeding him is a good idea. Also Professor Ian says that it is very important that the blood sample be sent to an external laboratory participating in an external quality assurance scheme (e.g. ESVE- or SCE- programmes) and preferably that uses a Siemens IMMULITE® – or a method that has been validated against this machine, he says to call and verify this with the lab.

Wishing you both good luck!!!!

[Joan2517]

I re-watched it too, Lori~ Just as a refresher. My vet does send the samples out. The lab is Antech...they do all the ACTH, LDDS testing. Maybe I'll just check with them myself.

I noticed Gabe's got some hot spots on his belly. They are bacterial infections. He gets them about twice a year so I went and got him some antibiotics yesterday, luckily the vet I like was there and just let me buy the pills without bringing Gable in. One of his ears is red, sore looking, but I don't think infected. Since the drops for that have steroids, we're not going to do anything until after the blood test on Saturday. I'll just wash it with warm water for now.

I think my vet is excited about the new testing. He's put a call into their endocrinologist, I think that's who he said, to make sure of the protocol and to check with him.

[Joan2517]

I think you will want to be as close to that 24 hour period as possible and try to keep the tests done at the same time.

I just re-watched the video, and here are a couple things I thought were worth re-mentioning: Professor Ian Ramsey states that the dog should not be stressed at the time of testing so since fasting Gabe stresses him than feeding him is a good idea. Also Professor Ian says that it is very important that the blood sample be sent to an external laboratory participating in an external quality assurance scheme (e.g. ESVE- or SCE- programmes) and preferably that uses a Siemens IMMULITE® – or a method that has been validated against this machine, he says to call and verify this with the lab.

Wishing you both good luck!!!!

I called the lab and they won't talk to me. I'll have my vet do it.

[labblab]

I had noticed those comments about the quality assurance programs, too, but I wonder if those certifications may be specific to the U.K.? I’m thinking they may not be applicable here in the U.S. but your vet should be able to find out.

As for Gable’s erections, I wonder if his adrenal glands may be overproducing testosterone or other sex hormones in addition to the cortisol? Just a thought that your vet might want to discuss further with the endocrinologist...

Marianne

[Joan2517]

I will mention that to them, Marianne. I wondered about that too. I think I asked here once about what the elevated sex hormones meant...that was because of the erections, which I was a little embarrassed to ask about

[Harley PoMMom]

I noticed Gabe's got some hot spots on his belly. They are bacterial infections. He gets them about twice a year so I went and got him some antibiotics yesterday, luckily the vet I like was there and just let me buy the pills without bringing Gable in. One of his ears is red, sore looking, but I don't think infected. Since the drops for that have steroids, we're not going to do anything until after the blood test on Saturday. I'll just wash it with warm water for now.

I think my vet is excited about the new testing. He's put a call into their endocrinologist, I think that's who he said, to make sure of the protocol and to check with him.

The unfortunate thing with any non-adrenal illness is that it does have the ability to raise cortisol levels, I'm not sure by how much those hot spots or his sore ear will do that, just something to keep in mind if his pre level would be really elevated.

[Joan2517]

Okay, thanks!

[Joan2517]

I was on a conference call at 10 that didn't end until 11:30 and only gave him his Vetoryl then. What time do you think i should get to the vet to get the test done?

[labblab]

I guess I'd hope to get his blood drawn around 11:00. Can you make an appointment for a specific time, or do you just have to wait in line at your vet?