Kelly_Louise

Yes, both mine do it... although, seemingly for different reasons. Chloe's movements seem to be quite calculated and deliberate Like it's a game of hide-the-poo, and I think she takes great pleasure in it!! Sasha, bless her cotton socks, takes forever to find the perfect spot - then seems to forget that's what she was doing, or focus is re-directed elsewhere, and she moves along, still in 'position'. It always makes me laugh though! Sometimes I yell out the window to Sasha - STOP AND FINISH! And she gives me a look that says 'oh yeah that's right!' Chloe will just give me a knowing smirk

Thank you everyone for your well wishes

Chloe is at the vets today – her specialist asked to see her immediately, they are doing more tests as even though she’s on a very low dose of Trilostane, she is ‘showing’ symptoms of Addisons disease again. It’s very confusing as the dose is very low and her levels were on the higher end of normal – so to go downhill so fast is quite worrying. However, her specialist thinks she needs to have more tests run. She might come off medication for quite a while this time (if it is her low levels from the Trilostane). He also wants to do a small scan of her stomach as he says what he is feeling doesn’t feel quite right, which is something he did mention before – he said there is a possibility she may have a tumour somewhere and it’s having small bleeds. Could be just an upset tummy… Only the tests can tell us for sure, or at least give an indication as to what is going on. But she’s totally off her food, vomited last night, and quite lethargic (although perked up immensely when I turned up and she heard she was going for a car ride). At least she will be nice and cool. I spoke to the specialist about whether perhaps it’s time to let her go, however, he doesn’t feel it is time – he said physically she’s the best he’s seen – just need to find out what is going on to cause such erratic fluctuations with her Cushings. I hope she's okay

There was alot of hype about this technique when it first came out... I haven't kept up to date with the progress of the initial patients, but it was proving successful at the time. Expensive though, but for a young dog might be worth thought for quality of life? http://www.kvhvet.com.au/Services/Regenera...74/Default.aspx Are you using any supplements (ie Joint Guard, Sasha's Blend)? I would consider adding these into her diet. Also, have you tried Cartrophen injections? They are fairly cheap, and the frequency can be adjusted to suit the level of discomfort your dog is in (I have had fantastic results with Cartrophen injections - however it does not always prove effective for all dogs, but seeing it is relatively cheap is worth a try?). Is there an underlying injury that is causing the arthritis to speed up? I'm very sorry to hear that your young girl is in pain... arthritis is a nasty, however is always sadder in young dogs

They are really special photos! I love the second one too! Like I've said before... some things are just meant to be

That first shot is awesome! It could put a smile on ANYONE'S face, it's so gut-wrenchingly adorable and smiley!

Yes I would ring the council. There is only so much you can help and hand feed people. Unfortunately some need to learn the hard way. Better that than having to pick the poor dog up out of the gutter.

I think what people are confused at is that you want a very specific, premium example of the breed - one of the best - and a rare breed at that, but don't want to pay the price that's requested. You will either need to lower your expectations to buy a dog at the cheaper prices you have been quoted, or wait and save up some more to buy the best. There's no need to get angry, people (majority who are experienced breeders themselves) are just trying to advise you it's highly unlikely you will get exactly what you want for only the price you are willing to pay - but you don't want to accept that. If you feel people are having a shot at you and don't know you well enough, perhaps you could explain your previous experience and purpose for the dog - and they may be able to help you more, or explain better why the prices are what they are for what you want. Perhaps the breeders are not contacting you as they also, do not know your intentions or your previous experience with the breed. If they did understand this, they may be more inclined to contact you. I'm sure they get ALOT of queries from people who have no idea about the breed, just like the look of them or something, and only think they should have to pay a certain amount for them... so you can understand why they may not reply to every enquiry they get. Perhaps give them more details about yourself, why you want the dog and that particular breed, what you can provide the dog in terms of care, training etc, if you have had the breed before... (if you haven't already). I'm not a breeder myself - but consider that if you mention that you intend to breed their dogs, they would be VERY particular about where their dogs are going. I doubt very much they would sell a dog to someone with the intent of possibly breeding without there being some experience or knowing the home well etc.

What a smile It's enough to break any heart... Shame that this world has let her down so badly... when she's done not a thing wrong. May she run free and happy at the bridge, and comfort those who will no doubt join her due to the ignorance and uncaring of some.

Ohhhh lucky you Juice!!! That's great news - I know at first I was also hoping that Chloe had Iatrogenic cushings and that it would go away once medication was stopped... but no such luck for us That's great news anyway, I do hope he continues to improve. There are lots of other products on the market to help with skin issues that do not contain cortisone and are friendly to Cushinoids. If you are looking for something to soothe persistent rashes/itches/skin irritations - try Epi-Soothe or Resi-Soothe. These should be safe to use and shouldn't push him into cushing symptoms. We use it with Chloe and it's fine. You do have to buy it from a vet though and they may have to get it in for you - or may also be available online. Very happy for you and your boy Juice, do persist with finding the problem if there are any lingering symptoms... but breathe a sigh of relief that it's not Cushings Your financial wellbeing is now intact again (well as intact as it can be with dogs!! ).

Tight belt? OMG, we've even had to sell our belts Agree, they're worth every cent... but I'm sure there does come a point when some people just can't continue anymore even though they'd love nothing more - and I can honestly say I understand and would not hold it against them if they'd tried their hardest. But, while I can keep squeezing every cent out - I will Thanks for the link too - it all makes for very interesting reading

Oh okay, well I apologise for that if I upset anyone with details they didn't want to know.

Why? What did I say that is so offensive? That the people that did it are freaks? Well... they are. That I at least hope that the poor dogs had passed over before their torture? Well... I do. I can't imagine how much they'd suffer if they weren't. I wish to God they never had to go through this nightmare... however, we don't live in that perfect world obviously - so I at least hope that they suffered as little as possible. That people that commit these horrendous crimes need to be punished harshly to stop them? Well... they do. A fine and a little bit of jail time or good behaviour bonds are NOT sufficient. For this type of brutality and mutilation - these people are seriously sick, and need SERIOUS jail time... otherwise these monsters will continue to do such activities thinking that they will get away with it. If my opinion offends anyone, I'm not sorry. It offends ME that a human being can do such a thing.

All I can hope is that the dogs had passed over before they suffered too much. Seriously... what is wrong with people? How can these freaks possibly walk amongst us in normal society and no one knows what they are up to? When are we going to start REALLY punishing these people's actions, I mean REALLY punishing them, not just wrist slaps - to deter further occurences?

Thanks J - how is Occy within himself otherwise? There is a fine line between not being ravenously hungry, and going off their food due to medication overload so I've found out Like I said to the specialist today - alot of this disease is about going back to the drawing board and starting from scratch when dosages go wrong... just gotta roll with it I guess!

I don't feel surprised by this at all... I am currently doing research on the costs of getting married in a church - and it all honesty, I can see why people are turning away from the church and using celebrants. The costs are ridiculous... and my perspective is some churches have cashed in their core values for the almighty $$$ (and I'm talking Anglican and Catholic churches). But breeding and selling live animals as a way to make profits is an all-time low Can't stoop much lower than that.

Just got Chloe's results, and they were quite normal (180) and it looks like they are on their way back up again (no remission ). So we are starting off on 5mg once a day (very small dose) and will re-test in 2 weeks to see where she is at and what direction we need to head in. Red dog, I asked about her electrolytes - he said he did test them yesterday (and they were normal), but he does not do it as a standard - he only checks them when he feels it necessary (ie when levels are low). He said he feels that it's probably not necessary to do it each time, and it helps keep costs down if it's only done when necessary. So, mixed result - but we have a plan and that's all we need ETA - we have now been given some Macrolone to give Chloe in case of a Addisons crisis, which is good to have on hand (just in case).

That is a good idea - we don't physically get Chloe's results, we just discuss them over the phone when they come in. Her levels were very low, and it came as a surprise because she really didn't 'crash' as such. There were probably VERY slight symptoms, that could also have been attributed by the really hot weather we had (40 plus degrees). But certainly there were no obvious symptoms, which is what worries me. Chloe doesn't go too far these days, so we don't have any issues with her going to a different vet. My mum is even afraid of going on holidays as she doesn't trust Dad to give Chloe her medication correctly... I have to say, mum is really dedicated and committed - even though she doesn't understand the disease (I've tried to explain it) so I just tell her what she needs to know, and what she needs to tell me if she notices, what she needs to measure and monitor, Dad does the vet runs as he's home during the day - and I handle the technical side... so far, we've made a good team And Chloe is the ever resilient patient. But I think for the others in the thread with Cushinoids - it would be really handy for them to have the results physically so they can monitor and become familiar with the levels etc - and of course in case they are away from home and get into trouble. Juice - do you have any results yet?

He doesn't always give me the actual results (if they are good etc we mostly just talk about the plan of action), but most of the time he does. The last time, her levels were well below 28, which isn't good. The month before, they were at approx 120 - so it was a big drop that we weren't expecting (indicating to me that she might have gone into remission). She was taken off Trilostane immediately, and appears since then to be well, so I assume her adrenals are working okay. I do know that when she was coming out of remission last time he definitely did check her electrolytes and some other levels - but otherwise has never mentioned them. He does always tell me that everything else is fine - which may include electrolytes too. But I will ask him about whether they are getting checked each time. Is it just done via a normal blood test? Thanks for that information, I have also briefly read the product info and it is very handy to know. I guess the more we know, the more we can be prepared and ask the right questions

Red dog, I'm not sure if he checks her electrolytes. He just lets me know what her levels are and if they are too high or too low and our plan of attack. I know he has, on occasions run other tests - but not sure if he checks her electrolytes. He is a medicine specialist, and he's done a really good job with her - so I have assumed that he's always run what is necessary to make the diagnosis. Chloe went into remission last year for about 1 month - we were hoping for a couple of years or even one year, but it wasn't to be unfortunately. I will ask him though... can you explain why is the electrolyte count important in relation to Cushings - what impact etc does it have please? Just like everyone else, I like to know as much as I can so that I can understand, and so that if I need to ask further questions to ensure Chloe is getting the best care. I'm sure it will be important info for everyone else here with cushinoids as well! I love DOL... always so much information, I'm always learning

Hi Loraine, no we haven't discussed that, but it may be an option if she continues to go into Addy, considering she is on a much smaller dosage too... 15ml x 2, and it seems to be getting harder to get it right. Does the medication do damage to the Adrenals that can cause them to stop working? I'm not sure, but the test today is to see what her adrenals are doing without meds. He is afraid her body has gone into Addy at this time. She seems to be really well without her meds, so perhaps another remission is on the cards - let's hope a much longer one (wishful thinking of course!!!).

Lottie is just DIVINE!!

We've had a Sam (Samantha), Pepper, Chloe, Claire and Sasha. Sam and Sasha came with their names, the rest all came about for various reasons at the time ;) Chloe was supposed to be Cleo due to her Cleopatra markings - but she didn't look like a Cleo, so it became Chloe Pepper was a blue cattle dog, and looked - well, peppery (plus all our pets at that stage were named starting with P). Claire is my sisters dog and came from the character Claire on McLeods Daughters ETA - love the name Porridge

That's great news J - especially about the leg! Resting it seems to have done the world of good. At least you know that you can get him through several months or more without surgery while you are waiting for the Cushings issue to be sorted out, without him being in too much discomfort. It's just keeping him from wanting to do too much that will be the hassle!! Especially now that he will start feeling better and more comfortable now the Cushings is being controlled. When does he go in for his next test? Thanks for the well wishes... she's really looking very well today, so I'm fairly positive that her Adrenals are still working to some degree - just means she will have to stay off meds for a while till they start overproducing again. I wish the remissions were for longer - a year or so would be good - but we deal with what hand we're given and thank goodness she's still with us and still otherwise healthy (other than a few creaky joints )

She seems in high spirits today, and looks quite well... so hopefully it's just another temporary remission. My gut instinct tells me that her adrenals ARE still working. The worrying part is, she really doesn't show 'obvious' signs when she's become Addisonian... so we need to be able to pick up on the slightest change. Having just an 'off' day (ie due to high heat etc) doesn't seem to happen with Cushings, it always means something is going on... But at least she is doing okay - and test on Monday will give us an idea of what's going on now that she's come off her meds. Sometimes the financial strain can be really depressing, but when I see her smiling face and remember why we're doing it - it always makes me feel better. How is Occy going J? What changes have you noticed since he's gone on meds?