Kelly_Louise

Hi Juice, The specialist I use is at the Animal Referral Hospital at Strathfield (there is also one at Baulkham Hills too). They are fantastic, can't recommend them highly enough. Personally, with diseases such as these I feel it is necessary to treat by a specialist who knows the disease inside out, the latest treatments and requirements to keep it in check. Chloe is now on 15mg of Trilostane twice a day, the meds we buy usually lasts about 1.5 months and costs about $160. So over a year, yes the medications alone can cost $800 plus. Also take into consideration the regular monitoring tests which cost about $300 each. Usually these are every 3 - 4 months unless there are problems with the dosage level or there are complications. It is also a good idea to find out what the cause of the Cushings disease is, and this can usually be done fairly accurately by an ultrasound that will rule out if there are any Adrenal tumours (if this is ruled out, then the likely cause is a Pituitary tumour). Knowing the cause can be important as treatment may differ, or there may be further options (such as surgery if it is an Adrenal tumour). Juice, it probably sounds really scary - but it isn't as bad as what you might read. Once you understand the disease it kind of just becomes a normal part of life But yes, it can be an expensive disease to treat - but can be very successful in controlling all Cushings symptoms and allowing the dog to live as normal a life as you would expect. If you have any other specific questions - please ask. Knowledge is the key with conquering this disease

Yes well, you were always bound to find out that little Asher wasn't a total angel I found with Sash, she was meek and mild and scared for the first few weeks, then her confidence grew and as she 'discovered' her new digs she tried to 'find' her boundaries, and then once she really settled, the training started kicking in and she understood she was here to stay and properly bonded with us - she figured she'd best be good otherwise she'd be shipped out of her new paradise like the last time I suppose. In saying that though, I did wake up to find 3 large holes in the yard this morning (that I had to cover up before OH saw after he spent hours laying out new topsoil). Occasionally we do get odd naughty occurence still - although we've just gone back to work after having 3 weeks off which I think has thrown her a bit... she was quite happy having mum and dad at her beck and call 24/7. I also know straight away when Sasha has done something naughty, or something has happened - she knows. One day I came home at lunch time (which usually gets greeted with a half asleep look and maybe a tail wag - she figures what's the point of wasting her excitement when I'm going back to work again LOL) and got greeted with a tap dancing dog that looked like she had ants biting her bum. I went out, and our old side gate had blown down - not her fault, but she wasn't sure of that . Sash has NO poker face.

Sasha LOVED the Interceptor tablets - she also thought they were a treat and would turn herself inside out for her monthly one. Took her a while to get used to the chews - she was a little wary of them - and doesn't like them as much as the tablets - but she eats them up like a treat! Chloe won't be fooled. She takes so much medication and tablets, she has a sixth sense now!

Totally agree the packaging is massive and awkward... it always feels like half the contents must be missing from the box! I'm happy to struggle with the foil if it's for child proofing purposes... pity it's adult proof too though

Yep sometimes people need to have some sense knocked into them about how disruptive THEY are being... I also let her bark if the silly neighbours sit on the roof (for no apparent reason) in the middle of the night (or sometimes during the day and stare into our windows) until they get down. But for any other neighbours or disturbances I attend to her barking straight away.

Nope definitely no stickers in my new 'chews' packet either.

If my dogs bark at night (usually only when something is going on they are unsure of) I get up straight away to quieten them down so they do not disturb others. I wouldn't let it go on for longer than 30 seconds at night - because I know how much it would annoy me if it was someone else's dog barking continuously. The only time I have allowed her to bark is when the idiots next door were playing frisbee at 11.30pm at night and were continually banging the frisbee into the colorbond fence over and over. It stopped them after a few minutes when THEY realised how disruptive THEY were being at a ridiculous time of night.

Funnily enough, I can tell what Sasha does (or doesn't) want through her facial expressions. I could never possibly explain them - and it's only something that I can read as she spends most time with me... but it's true, that's how I can tell what she wants, what she doesn't want, what mood she is in, or how to interpret how she is reacting to something. Her face is so very expressive - I now know why the rescue org she came from described her as a character. She will use her facial expressions, and look from me to whatever it is she wants repeatedly until I get it. I am the courageous defender and safe keeper of the household, I'm like a security guard making sure all is safe - but I'm under no illusions as to who actually runs this house. Everyone knows it... Chloe is like benny123's Beanie - will stare intently and bark at whatever it is she wants. She physically shows you. If she wants a liver treat, she stares at their spot and barks until someone gives in. If she wants a walk, she takes off and stands impatiently at the gate. If you aren't quick enough, she'll give you a WOOF (or sometimes she will return inside and give you a withering glance )!

Not sure, I'll have to check when I go home. Have you started using the new 'chews' instead of the tablets... maybe the new packs don't have them? Not sure, I don't generally use them so I haven't noticed. I use email and mobile phone reminders

I can't help but laugh out loud at Bronson's face in that 'shakin dog' pic!! It really is a great shot that tells a story and is really funny!! They are beautiful dogs

Big congratulations on your fantastic news - I can only imagine how relieved and excited you must feel What great news to start the year, let's hope she can have all her issues mended by years end and be bouncing around happy and healthy for 2011!

I have a naturally fearful rescue dog... and what people don't understand, is that an offlead dog rushing Sash (even if it's just chasing her or snapping and growling) sets me back months in my work with her confidence. We once got bailed up (and one attack) twice in succession on the same trail - and it took me weeks to get her to go back along that same route without drama. We got approached by a maltese x poodle the other day on the corner (it had run across the road from a house where the occupants were sitting out the front drinking coffee), it was growling fiercely in the crouched 'ready to launch' position and wouldn't let us past and was surely going to have a go at Sash - I yelled at it NO and to get back and poked my umbrella at it and used it as a shield to keep the dog away... and got yelled at for my troubles, by the owners who wandered over. After about a minute of calling the dog away, it ran to them and walked about a metre with them, then ran back for another go at us. All I got was an indifferent (and ingenuine) sorry after I made my frustration very clear, and they finally picked the dog up and let us past. Very frustrating.

Yes this is something that really irks me too when people see us approaching and pick up their small dogs - I'm tempted to say something... but I do always wonder if it's because they are afraid Sasha is a SWF-eating monster, or if their SWF is a Sasha-eating monster, so keep my mouth shut. Having had people pull their dogs away in horror at my (disinterested) big dog, I can understand why it annoys people. Unfortunately it's the consequences of a number of irresponsible dog owners I guess.

I got the same response by a weimeraner owner very recently. Their offlead girl made a beeline for Sasha (who can be unpredictable with offlead dogs rushing her onlead - sometimes goes on defense, sometimes is terrified and wants to run). I was told not to worry because their girl was harmless, and I said 'well I don't know how Sasha will react so please come get your dog' and I was told not to worry about it, if Sasha had a go at the weimeraner it would teach her a lesson for being a naughty girl and not coming when she's called. OKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY... No thanks, I'd rather not encourage my dog to show aggression, to prove a point to your dog. And just to set the record straight - I'm not worried about YOUR dog. Have some courtesy.

Whoooo... what a relief to come home to a house that's 'moderately' as you left it! That's gotta make you happy! I remember the first time I left Sasha on her own at home... I was so nervous when we got back (I imagined my clothes from the line strewn all over the yard) but it was just... perfect and untouched. We quickly figured Sash is only really naughty when we are at home which I guess is a good thing??? I'm so glad that bringing a rescue dog into your home has been so successful for you. It is a great story, and we love all the pics!

My mum also panics when Chloe needs antibiotics or other medication and it doesn't work straight away... but they do need time to work, just like our meds. If you can see the improvement and she is eating well etc, I wouldn't worry too much about her not wanting to do too much - her body may be still getting itself right again. It may still be sore even. But yes, if the lethargy continues I'd just take her in for a double check.

Ah yes, Sash also likes to dig the water over her belly or will just delicately dunk her paws in whilst she has her head submerged The tell tale sign of a submariner or snorkeller - is the constant doggy goobers floating in the water bowl

Nope, Sash also does the full nose dive (or as we like to call it 'submarining'). I figure it's easier to get the water in faster that way... I also figure it's much messier and allows her to dribble it all over you with a knowing grin

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! TOO CUTE!!!

This made me have a little chuckle... what wonderful memories you have of Bo. May they live within your heart and keep you smiling. RIP Bo, and hugs to your family for their sad loss.

My dogs haven't had this type of surgery, but one did have 2 cruciate surgeries and I support surgery if it's necessary. She went from a dog that was fairly consistentle lame and having issues - to (after recovery) a dog that could be normal again, who we didn't have to overly worry about nor wrap in cotton wool. Just like if a human was to have surgery, of course they don't come bounding out of it - and they are sore and sorry and odd/sad looking for a while (surprisingly shorter than what you would think though ) - however most dogs adapt really well with it all, and are much tougher than we give them credit for. I can't recommend a specialist orthapedic surgeon enough though... but I guess it depends on the vet and how confident you are with them, hopefully you are happy with your vet and trust them to do the surgery. I didn't trust mine as far as I'd throw them, and had her referred to a specialist who I felt comfortable with and I could trust. There are pros and cons on both sides... it's about what you think will give your dog the best chance at quality of life, and considering that (hopefully) she has quite a long life ahead of her yet.

Personally, I find that I don't see an improvement after a course of antibiotics has been given until about the third day. I'd say they need some time to kick in. However, if she has not perked up in the next day, perhaps it's time to go for another visit to the vet to see if the treatment is working or if there is something else bothering her.

Fingers and paws crossed that the dosage is accurate and he can get through this initial phase without too much fuss. Have you noticed any of symptoms dropping off yet, or any difference?

Hopefully that means it was found early and there will be no ill effects

I don't think you're a woose Erny... they make me want to vomit, and the sight of one will send me running and screaming... Awful, ugly, evil little things... Hope they're all demolished.