My Pug Scoop (Precious Scoop has passed... )

[scoora]

Hi Patty, Thanks. I'll be talking to you soon.

[molly muffin]

Patti said that Tipper has a lot of mucus and she has been giving him Benadryl to try and loosen it up and help Tipper to breath easier. It could be that this is another thing that can be seen in some dogs with cushings? We know that anything like allergies, can be worse once the cortisol goes down.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[scoora]

Sharlene, I saw where Patti was giving Tipper Benadryl. I guess it could be allergies but Scoop had been doing that quite a while back and when I told the vet about it she didn't know what it was. It seemed a bit better for a while now it is worse. I can see what the vet thinks.

The vet and I talked about the hormone test that you have to send to the U. of Tenn. If it comes back abnormal is there medication for that? Can the high hormones be bad for them if not treated?

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Vicki,

I can pretty much tell you that the intermediate hormones, what the Uni of TN test looks at, are elevated. That is fairly common in cush pups across the board and studies have shown that Trilostane (Vetoryl) causes these hormones to elevate as well.

If I were you, I wouldn't put Scoop through the stress of another ACTH, which is how this test is done, nor waste the money on it. If you think you want to try to address these hormones, it is done via flax lignans and melatonin...and Lysodren is recommended by UTK (Uni of TN in Knoxville) for these hormones, but I wouldn't worry about that facet either. HOWEVER, with Scoop's diarrhea the lignans could make that situation much worse. I don't know that I would mess with starting him on anything else for now. If his system can find some sort of balance, then you might think about this.

Hope ya'll have a good day!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[scoora]

Leslie, thanks. It helps to know about that.
It doesn't hurt him in any way to have these high hormones, does it?
You said not to put Scoop through the stress of another ACTH. He had one done 2 weeks ago and I am worried that his cortisol will keep dropping. He has to have an ACTH done to check that, right? There is no other way to make sure it is not too low, right? Is there a lot of stress on them when they have an ACTH done? The injectable stuff, is it hard on them?

Oh, this disease is so, so unbelievabley horrible! Someone please wake me up from this nightmare.

[scoora]

Well, I guess I should have kept my mouth shut. Second poop of the day, nowhere as good as the first one.

[Squirt's Mom]

Yes, the ACTHs are required to monitor treatment....but the one that checks intermediate hormones is a bit more expensive to do. You could have the next ACTH sent to UTK if you want to know about the intermediates and that wouldn't require a extra one just for UTK...but again, I think it would be a waste of money for little value. With the Trilo on board, it is pretty much a given the intermediates are elevated. Now whether that is causing problems you are seeing - I doubt it. Unfortunately, with the brain tumor present you may see all sorts of odd things and system dysfunctions. As the tumor grows, it will be pressing on areas of the brain, interfering with the signals normally sent through the body. With the signals blocked or redirected or scattered (very simply terms since I can't explain it in medical terms ), the body can't respond like it normally would. It's kinda like your utility bill going to your neighbors house - they are expecting a payment but you aren't even aware it's due...or you get a newspaper that is blank on the right hand side. You wouldn't be getting the information you need to respond appropriately.

The tumor may be the reason the vet doesn't want him on the Metronidazole - it can have neurological side effects.

In my humble opinion, you are doing a superb job of caring for Scoop. I know it's not easy and I know you are looking for help, any help from any source...just as a good mom always will. I don't want to discourage you from this endeavor but wanted to let you know that I don't really think checking the intermediates will give you any beneficial information nor offer any thing that will help his current issues, and in fact could make some of the worse - like the diarrhea.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[scoora]

Wow Leslie, thanks for all the info.
So Metronidazole(Flagyl) has neurological side effects? You're not talking about Benazepril, right? The vet still hasn't put him back on that for his protein in the urine.

[scoora]

Leslie, I'm so sorry to hear Squirt is having problems. I really am. I hope and pray that things get better for her. You have been so helpful with all your knowledge and suggestions. They are appreciated so much.

I have a question. Please don't take it the wrong way. I must think differently from others and maybe you can help me understand. When you said about not putting her through heroic measures, how does anyone know what is an heroic measure? How can anyone be sure if doing something will or will not help? Like with the radiation everyone said about not putting Scoop through that. They say radiation doesn't hurt except maybe a "sunburn" in that area. How do you know something will or won't help unless you try it? I felt if something (God forbid) would have happened, is it going to make a difference? He's doomed from that horrible tumor anyway. The way things are going it probably won't be too much longer so why not try. Everyone has their own opinion and that's fine. It just hurt seeing that everyone seemed to agree with the doctor's decision to not do it. Am I wrong or selfish or a bad mom to Scoop for wanting to do this or whatever I can? I guess I don't understand why something can't help him.
I'm sorry to bring this up on your thread but when I read what you wrote it just hit me hard. I am having such a hard time. Thanks for listening.

[addy]

http://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learni...inary-use.html

It can have possible neurological side effects and should be used with caution if a dog has possible kidney and liver problems.

Zoe has been on a low dose of it for 2 years.