Java Bean

[kelly143]

Thanks for all the info...............GULP. Here we go......

Kelly143

[molly muffin]

Kelly did you read Glyndas last reply? If not do so!

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Kelly,

If you haven't actually started the Lyso, could you wait just a bit until we get a chance to learn a few things?

What is the dose of Lyso you are using?

How many times a day were you told to give the Lyso?

Were you told to give it with a higher fat meal?

Were you told what to look for that will indicate the load may be achieved?

Were you told what to look for that would indicate a crisis?

And, most importantly, do you have prednisone on hand and were you told when and how much to give?

Hope to hear from you soon! And you are absolutely correct - you can and will get through this.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[kelly143]

Hi all,
An update and response to your emails:
Yes, I read Glynda's wonderful email. Yes, my vet sent me home with a info sheet and prednisone for emergency (after I insisted because of you all). I did not know the food should be high fat. Thanks for the heads up.
We started the meds last night, 3/14/13, as they were not available at the first pharmacy I went to. I ended up at Costco and paid $154.51 + tax for 30 500mg tabs of Lysodren. So far, so good.
I would still like to know where to go in Orange County for the cheapest ACTH test. My vet is going to charge in the $400 range, and I have seen it cheaper on this site, but with no specifics as to where. I am giving her 500mg every 12 hours for the loading phase to start.

kelly143
Kelly143

[Squirt's Mom]

I did not know the food should be high fat.

Oh, me! No, that is not what I meant. The Lysodren is better absorbed and therefore works better when given with a little oil or fat. You can smear peanut butter on the pill, put it in cream cheese, or add some fish oil to that meal. But a high fat diet is NOT what a cush pup needs. Cush pups are prone to pancreatitis which can be triggered by fats so a low fat diet is what our babies need to eat as a regular food. Only with the meals when giving the Lyso do you want to add a little bit of fat or oil to assist the drug in doing its job.

Sorry to confuse you!

[kelly143]

ok, gotcha. High fat only with the meds!
Thanks for straightening that out.

k

[Simba's Mom]

Hi and welcome, good luck with the new meds for your pup, hope it goes smoothly...sending hugs from Sim and me.

[kelly143]

thanks. I needed that!!!!

You all are so wonderful. Really! It really means a lot to know you are all out there. It feels like the bean and I have a great big family rooting for us, looking out for us, and loving us. I'm so glad I don't have to handle this alone anymore. There really are angels among us.

k

[lulusmom]

I would still like to know where to go in Orange County for the cheapest ACTH test. My vet is going to charge in the $400 range, and I have seen it cheaper on this site, but with no specifics as to where. I am giving her 500mg every 12 hours for the loading phase to start.

Hi Kelly,

$400 is higher than most specialists charge for a stim test! Honestly, you would do well to take Java in for a consult with VCA All Care and pay the $85 consult fee and have them do the acth stim tests for $255. The cost of the consult and one stim test is less than your vet is going to charge for one stim test and Java would be under the care of a very experienced internal medicine specialist. The facility is also open 24/7 and they don't require a referral so it's a win win all around. They literally treat hundreds of cushingoid dogs and have clients all over So Cal, including a lot of us folks who drive an hour or three to get there. I called VCA and confirmed those prices for you.

If you didn't talk to your vet about splitting the vial of cortrosyn, you should do that because you may be able to get them done cheaper than $255. You can also do what I did and call vets in the area. Ask them if they treat cushingoid dogs and if so, how much do they charge to do an acth stim test on a 50lb dog.

Glynda

[kelly143]

I printed out the info you sent about saving the meds and printed a copy for my vet.

Now, what do you or anyone know about hind leg paralysis?

I can't believe this! My other dog Alex last nite suddenly can't move his hind legs. I think he might have had a bad landing off the bed last nite or something. He is the healthy one who never has any problems. This happened to Java on one leg about 5 years ago. The vet gave me steroids and I had to put a towel under her and lift her hindy to go outside. It lasted for a little while and she got better.

I took him in today. My reg vet has Monday off. The sub vet gave Alex a shot of anti inflams and sent me home with muscle relaxers and prednisone, after checking his spine. He wanted to run all the tests and x-rays, keep him in the hospital and keep him on IV. I did that with Java last time, but I decided to just do the same home care as I did when Java had the same prob. He told me to keep him quite and resting. I have yet to create a hind leg lifter for Alex due to the plumbing difference, but I'm thinking a halter leash put on the back rather than the front may just due the trick.

Everything happens for a reason. Maybe I am meant to create my own job. A home daycare for sick pets! I am really good at it now, and I dearly love animals. I can't imagine handling this if I had to go to work everyday. What choice would I have? leaving them in some cage in cold, loud, bright, stinky hospital?

sorry for rambling......Java seems to be doing better. She seems to be a little perkier.....She is watching over Alex, so sweet......she knows something is up. She is laying right up against him. She usually lays by herself by the window. She woke me with a kiss this morning.....we are all on a mattress on the floor for now, until everyone gets better! She is wagging her tail a little more, and ran into the garage today when I took Alex to the vet.......(only now would I see that as a GOOD thing!) She is also barking and chasing cats in the back yard. She seems to be drinking a little more water. The bowl was almost empty this morning. We want to see less water drinking, but it has been warmer these past few days and she LIVES to lay outside in the sun! Will continue to keep a close eye on both now. No calls from the vet to check on her as of yet.

Kelly143