Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's - Alivia has passed

[MBK]

Help!

I just got off the phone with Dr. Peterson's office and he is willing to do a phone consultation with me and/or Ali's IMS or regular vet. My problem is I am not sure Cushing's is her most pressing issue right now, although iit is contributing for certain. I am spending a fortune, going into debt, and that would be okay if I can save her life. I just want to spend the money where I can get the most benefit for her...whatever that may be. I am wondering now if I should transfer her to the larger specialty hospital in the area where there are multiple internists and multiple surgeons...or keep her with her IMS who is familiar with her history????

Please chime in....anyone.

[addy]

Oh Mary Beth I don't know what to say not being there. The other hospital, can your doctor consult with them? Does it have anything to do with the vets who misdiagnosed her a few days ago? Which facility are they with? Either one?

Your vet has not steered you wrong ever. Could you do phone consult see what he thinks after phone consult?

ASK YOUR VET SHOULD YOU TRANSFER HER?

Stay calm, you need your wits about you. Breathe, breathe, slow down, slow down. Call Dr. Peterson back, ask him his thought on transferring her. I think he should do the phone consult and then ask his opinion about transferring her. He can't work with the new hospital?

Love,
Addy

[MBK]

Where Ali is currently admitted is a hospital that actually consists of two facilities - regular vets and emergency services are on one side and then specialty services on the other side. So, it was the emergency side and the vet that was on duty at the time that dropped the ball and released her in such a critical state. Her IMS is on the other side and she is admitted there under her care. I was very hesitant to take her back there at all, because although they are separate, they are affiliated and I am not sure to what extent. The problem is that Ali has such a long complicated history and her regular vet felt that it might not be the best time to start care with someone brand new.

The other area specialty hospital is larger and has more doctors in all fields. Ali had her dental surgery there and was treated by a dermatologist there as well and I really like the facility and everyone I have dealt with there. They also have many surgeons, one of which Dr. Meyers (the ultrasound vet) recommended as the best in the ares to do the adrenalectomy when, or if, we get to that point.

Too many decisions and I don't know where to begin.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Mary Beth,

First of all, don't get too upset that you didn't see much improvement last nite. Once the pancreas is inflamed it can take some time for it to recover. When Squirt had her acute attack, the IMS and surgeon both told me that the pancreas is a very, very touchy, persnickety organ and once it is upset, it can take a long time for it to settle back down. Squirt's pancreas reacted so badly because it was touched during her surgery removing the tumor on the spleen. She was four days in the hospital getting over that attack and needed a few more days even after she came home on a special diet and feeding schedule.

As for moving her....unless there are obvious signs she is not getting the treatment or care she needs where she is, I wouldn't. The fluids, meds and rest are critical to her recovery and I would fear that moving her to another hospital would undo the healing that has begun. I think I would contact the GP vet Ali uses and ask him to check on her care at the hospital then let him be my guide on whether to move her now or not. Just my 2 cents worth!

I know so well how upsetting it is to see your baby so very sick and to feel like you aren't doing enough to help her. It is incredibly difficult not to let our emotions lead our decisions at times like this. But you are doing a great job as Mom to Alivia - even tho you don't feel like it right now, you ARE! If you hadn't been so persistent and so in tune with Ali in the first place, she would not be getting the care she so badly needs today. You are doing a fabulous job!

Having Dr. Peterson consult would be wonderful but I agree with you in that the time for that is not right just now. He could, of course, look over and discuss the tests to date but testing right now with the pancreatitis would be useless. I would certainly let him know his services will be appreciated and let the other vets involved with Ali's care know you want Dr. Peterson involved. It is great that a doc as renowned as Dr. Peterson would take the time to help Ali!

Keep your chin up, honey! You really are doing great with all of this. We are here anytime you need to scream.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Harley PoMMom]

The only test that I know of that will confirm pancreatitis is a spec PL test.

The last spec PL test that was done on Harley showed his number to be over 1000. Harley was in some pain but then when I started him on Tramadol every 8 hours the discomfort abated.

When a dog does have a severe attack of pancreatitis, there can be a lot of pain but usually with-holding food for 48 hours to rest the pancreas and with strong pain medicine the pain does subside.

If Ali is still experiencing a lot of pain than I believe there is something else attributing to this but I would want the pancreatitis to be confirmed with a spec PL test. They should, I think, be looking around her gall bladder for an obstruction or to see if the gall bladder is bad.

These are just my thoughts. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[MBK]

Leslie - Very good and reasonable advice. You are right. I want to see immediate results and I feel like I am not doing enough. I feel like I am being selfish allowing her to suffer, if I can't do anything to help her. But, my heart is not ready to admit it's time to let go, yet, and no one has told me that it was. Her current IMS has a very good reputation throughout Pittsburgh. Dr. Peterson's office had e-mailed me and said he'd prefer to examine Alivia. I replied to them this morning from home that there was no way I could do that as she is critically ill in the hospital. They called me about an hour later, as soon as I got in to work this morning. They were very nice and said he was willing to do whatever I wanted, talk to me, talk to her vets. Review her records and write a report. I said I really appreciated that and I would get back to them after discussing the best way to proceed with her vets.

Lori - As of last night, she was still in MAJOR pain. I have not yet talked to her IMS this morning. If she doesn't call very soon, I am going to call her. I was told the SnapCPL test done yesterday confirmed pancreatitis, but her IMS is not sure that is all that is going on. The ultrasound on Monday showed no bile blockage (and she is not at all jaundiced), but there is "clumping" in her gall bladder and possibly a stone (seen in one ultrasound, but not in the second). The IMS was going to do another ultrasound. She actually said she would keep an eye on things with u/s and would not charge for them.

Thanks again for the posts. I need you guys to keep me sane right now and keep me from doing anything crazy....like picking Alivia up and driving her to NY to see Dr. Peterson when that might not be what she needs most right now!

[Harley PoMMom]

The SnapCPL will only show a “normal” or “abnormal” result for pancreatic lipase levels. The spec PL gives one a number with the reference ranges of the spec PL being 0-200.

This is just my logic; if the spec PL shows that Ali's pancreatic lipase levels are 300 then the possibilities of this severe pain coming from pancreatitis, to me, would be unlikely.

[MBK]

So, Lori, in your opinion if the Spec PL is 300 or less, the pain is coming from something more...correct? Just want ot be certain I am understanding you. I will ask the IMS if this test can be done today.

[MBK]

I talked to Alivia's IMS. She thinks Alivia is a bit "perkier" today and said she is anxious for me to see her to see what I think. She said she was sitting on the floor and Ali crawled up into her lap because she didn't want to go with one of the girls who had given her injections! That certainly sounds like an improvement from last night. I REALLY hope so. I am going to leave work early to visit with Ali and her doctor said we will discuss where things are then, too. Removing her gall bladder has not been ruled out, but she feels we are not ready for that decision, yet, due to the pancreatic inflammation.

[addy]

Okay, I have it now. You were talking about THE Dr. Peterson, I thought your vet's name was also Dr. Peterson.

I'm with Leslie about not moving her unless you feel she is not getting proper care and if your trusted vet is affiliated with the current hospital he can still oversee her care. If he thinks she is better off where she is and he has access to her, well, that seems like a big important deal even if the emergency vet dropped the ball the other day.

See what happens today and she how your gut feels when you see her.

Gosh, I know this is so hard for you, Mary Beth, and rightfully so.

Hey, I have to say I am really impressed you called THE Dr. Peterson for a consultation. Great minds think alike as I was thinking of doing the exact same thing!!!!! Sweetie you have really got it together, much more so than you think. I am really proud of you.

Alivia is one fortunate dog to have you.

I have every part of my body crossed for Ali at the moment. I am a human pretzel!!!!!!! I'll go ask my coworker to say a prayer for her too. Whenever she says a prayer for Zoe, she gets better.

Love,
Addy