Kelly_Louise

Okay, sounds like Sasha is going through many of the same things your own dogs are experiencing. I've just not seen it with Chloe, who moves her legs a little sometimes or her muscles may twitch a little - but that's it, and it's very infrequent. Some of the stories gave me a good laugh though!! I agree that sometimes it can get a bit disturbing and I feel the best thing is to gently wake them... I can now tell OH I'm not the only one that worries!!!

Wasn't at you sas... I understand what you're saying, perhaps I didn't word my OP correctly - just expected everyone to know what I meant. I thought maybe some expert might have done research on what part of the brain is active during sleep or something... not to know exactly what they are dreaming about, but whether it comes from memories etc... which I assumed it would. Anyway, I'm not in the mood for sarcasm today sorry guys. I'm having a bad day and just trying to escape it by talking about dogs. Jenni87 - LOL that's a good point - however, if it's true then Sash would have been well and truly eaten alive if she were out in the wild!!! Sometimes I get up close to wake her up and it takes me a while before she realises I'm there (however I am gentle).

Thanks Rubiton... that's exactly what I meant. I assumed that a dog can only dream about what it's actually experienced, rather than dream about random things. More like 're-living' scenarios it has been in. I generally do try to gently wake her up, especially if it goes on for too long or is getting worse... which is usually greeted with first the acknowledgement she's awake, then a tail wag Do other dogs sleep with their eyes half open as well? I've not noticed it before. Sometimes when she's dreaming it seems like she is staring straight at me, but I know she is asleep and can't see me... and boy do her eyes roll!

I just meant that I wondered if any random research had been done or something... or whether dogs can suffer what we would call a nightmare or something. Not to worry, obviously a dumb question.

I was watching Sash snooze on my lunch break. She kinda sleeps with her eyes open and her eyes roll around in her head, mostly showing the whites. She very frequently starts shaking, her eyes, ears, nose and lips quiver, her legs start thrashing, she starts breathing erratically, sometimes she cries out (sometimes not)... and her eyes blink really quickly like someone is hitting her... Has anyone read anything about what dogs dream about? I always feel so sorry for Sash she looks so scared and uncomfortable, like she's being beaten OH says I'm being silly and overly dramatic... which is a good possibility!

Yes, a very selfless deed, your last act of love to your boy. I'm sure he is over the bridge now, smiling and thanking you... waiting for your reunion one day. In the meantime I'm sure he'll greet the many others that will pass along the way... he sounds like a little wag Rest in peace Occy, much relief that your battle is over now.

Any further news Pepi?

I just feel so horrid for you J. I can't imagine what it took to make such a decision... the bravery, but also the knowledge that you are setting your boy free... I could just cry for both you and Occy

Oh I'm so terribly sorry... Cushings (along with other complications) can certainly take it's toll. My heart goes out to you. Occy is now over the bridge, happy and healthy again. What a terribly hard day for you... I hope you have lots of wonderful memories to fill your heart with joy. Rest in peace and happiness forever lovely Occy.

I completely understand this. When my Chloe went in for her leg operations, I missed her so much I went in to visit her. I have to say, I'd never do it again. It was extremely upsetting for both of us, she SO wanted to come home or for us to stay, she became very anxious and cried a cry that tore through my heart. Never again. I now trust that if she has to stay in at the vet, she is getting the best care she can and doesn't need me coming and going to upset her. With a frail dog, I'd advise against it even more.

I'm glad that you have had some positive news, and that Pepi is showing signs of improvement. Take it one step at a time, it's all you can do. Just keep in mind the massive fight that Pepi is putting up, and consider when enough is enough for your boy. That is something that only you will know... I hope that the meds can make Pepi feel better and more comfortable. What a miracle it would be for him to get through this when the odds were stacked against him. Bless the tough old boy.

Yes... waiting IS the hardest part. Especially when we are clinging to a little bit of hope. I'm glad that he is with a vet you feel comfortable with, and I do hope they are able to guide you in the kindest way. Sounds like whatever happens with Pepi, he is being looked after well and getting lots of love along the way

poor baby. I agree... sounds like he is putting up a good fight, but it's well and truly taking it's toll. I do hope you get some hopeful news - however it may be time to think about how much you want to put him through, and how much he has to fight. I say that with a heavy heart, and only because sometimes we want so badly for there to be some good news and are so emotionally distraught that we forget what we are asking of them... and I hope that someone will gently remind me of this should my own old girls health worsen... I know what it's like to never want to let go. I pray nothing more than that you get what you wish for... at the very least a few more good months with your beloved boy, and that he can remain comfortable.

THAT'S the hard part

I would plate. Helps secure the bone nicely. Casts can be awkward and cumbersome... and if your dog is anything like my Chloe - she chewed hers off the first night and I was up at 4am trying to cut the rest off with blunt scissors (the only ones I could find in the house of course). Chloe's was for cruciate surgery, but still her leg was 'broken' in order to turn the bone and cut out a wedge... so she was plated and casted. Plates were fabulous and have had no problems with them. Just need to be careful if you plate with anything high impact as it can cause the screws to dislodge (and they WILL try to do too much as they will feel better long before they are healed). Well it was a precaution we were given, but many years after her surgery, with high/medium/low impact and her plates are still firmly secure

We here all hope you get some positive news this time and that there is some improvement in Pepi. Hope the old boy is feeling better.

Pepi, I'm so sorry that you are going through such a tough time. I hope your little man pulls through - from what you've said, he definitely sounds like a tough little survivor. At 15, of course their bodies are wearing out and they do not bounce back as well as they could (or should) when they are younger. He is a fantastic age, and I do hope that he can make it through and continue on for a few more wonderful years. Did any of the vets say that the seizing would become worse or that this was expected? We will send all the very best healing vibes and thoughts to Pepi, and sending hugs your way. Let us know how he goes, until then we will keep praying for a good result. Come on Pepi, you can do it!

Oh J, I'm so sorry you're going through a rough patch. Chloe also gets very itchy/rashy skin with her flare ups. We use 2 products - one called ResiSoothe and the other called EpiSoothe (both okay for Cushinoids) and they help her. One is a wash I think, the other a dab on cream for the rashy, itchy, irritated areas. If you're not having any luck with anything else you might like to give them a try. We also give Chloe fish oil capsules as she is prone to get really, really dry flaky skin now - which in turn gets itchy and then causes irritations, and they help put some oil back into her skin. Hang in there mate, it's never an easy journey. When you find a happy medium though, hopefully things will settle down and you can get to know the 'not so bad' side of Cushings. Just don't settle in there once you get there though The next roller coaster twist is right around the corner... so enjoy every good day. I do hope that Occy is feeling better, and more like himself soon.

Sasha loves them She eats them as a treat! I'll agree she liked the old tablets better, but she's more than happy to gobble the Interceptor chews right up - and she's a FUSSY eater!!

I will always adopt from now on... and next time I'd like to adopt a very special senior. They have so much to give and deserve so much better.

Hope all goes well with Ruby's surgery... and that she recovers quickly

Yes very important to not give meds until he is improving. Our very strict rule now is... no eat breakfast, no get medication... But not sure if that also applies with Lysodren

Ohh you poor, poor thing. I feel for you. It's good that you caught it in time though before it became an Addisonian crisis. Unfortunately, in order to get dosage right we have to go through this hard part (the ups and downs – and also when their body's change too). At least you know that the dosage he is on now is way too much – and it gives you a better idea of where you should be headed. Do you know much about Addisons disease (opposite of Cushings)? I think it's important to be very familiar with the symptoms so that you always know what's happening if he's heading that way and can catch it early. In saying that though, the times that Chloe has been Addisonian, she was a little different – but not massively so, and certainly didn't present a lot of the symptoms that are considered common for Addisons disease. You will get used to the signs though, you will learn the changes in Occy over time – unfortunately it usually means having to learn it the hard way though Keep your chin up. Your vet will now have a better indication of where his meds should be at (he was too high before, too low now so it's gotta be somewhere in between for the meantime). Sometimes it means starting from scratch and starting low and building up from there (which is what we do with Chloe now). Big hugs to you all, especially Occy. Don't feel alone in this. I know exactly how you feel and most of us with Cushinoids have been right where you are now. You're on a downslide, but remember you and Occy will pick up again. Best of luck with the vet appointment today (it never rains but it pours doesn't it… just when you think one is getting better one of the others goes bung)!!

A fantastic custom made dog mattress from Great Rugs at an excellent price… a Houndbag

I only give sardines in springwater to Sasha once or twice a week. Any more than that and she will turn her nose up at it