Kelly_Louise

And another favourite of me and Sashy

The prednisone is used for Addisons disease is that right? I'm assuming they believe that Diesel's dose of Trilostane is too high and he has become partly Addisonian maybe? Do they recommend the testing to see what his levels are at, or have you made the call not to put him through further testing etc? It could be as simple as that the dosage of Trilostane was too high, although our specialist prefers to lower the dosage rather than take them straight off. If the Trilostane is workign too well and Diesel is becoming Addisonian, then he will be very lethargic, off his food and look quite down. It's hard to get them stable at the right level, but I would talk to the vets about a regime that evens things out rather than going from one extreme to the other (and then treating those extremes). If the Trilostane dosage is too high then perhaps he needs a much lower dosage... not sure, perhaps your situation is different. Also, talk to them about the liquid form of Trilostane if you don't already have it. It's much handier and much less waste when the dosages have to be changed consistently Give him some time, he may come good with the new meds... but yes, be realistic.

Oh DW I didn't want to make you cry I guess, going through similar experiences (although not to the same extent as you) has made me realistic about Chloe. I never wanted to think about it before, just keep pushing on. But at some point, I have to look deep within myself and say yes she WOULD go on if I asked her to, but do I want her to keep doing it for me, and my family? Unfortunately it's a really sad part of life... but we do owe it to our friends - who I agree have been there probably more than anyone else for us - to be realistic about what we can or can't do for them. I wish there was a miracle cure for Cushings and similar diseases - and I keep hoping for a miracle... but it never comes DW, the thing is... when I look back at Chloe's life, I do so proudly and can say that I did every single thing possible for her... and I can also say that she's had a good life overall. She was loved, she's been well cared for, she had everything a dog needs, she's had some really fun times - but most of all, she just belonged in our 'pack' which made her the happiest. And at the end of the day, that's all I really wanted for her or any of my dogs. To be able to look back and say I gave them a good life, and I tried to give them all that they gave me. Chloe will never really die, she will live in a very special part of my heart forever. She was the dog that changed the world for me, made me passionate about dogs, about their welfare, and about fighting the good fight for them. I owe it to her to continue that. But until her time comes, it might be worrisome and a total rollercoaster ride, however we continue to enjoy every minute we have with our very special girl... as you should with your very special boy. I have NO DOUBTS that you could also look back proudly at Diesel's life and say you gave him everything you possibly could. There can't be sadness in that my friend, it's such a wonderful thing

DW, if you are concerned that something is not right - then discuss it with a vet that you trust. You know Diesel better than anyone and only you know what he can tolerate, and when enough is enough. It's all about quality of his life... when I have the same worries with Chloe - of course I first consult her specialist, and then I pretend if a friend was telling me all these things about their dog, what would I say if they asked my opinion... in other words, I try to take MY emotions out and look at the situation realistically. DW, we are never ready to lose our friends. Just like I would for Chloe, I'd do anything to get her well. But if I thought for a second that she was suffering overall then I would give her her wings. Not because I will ever be ready to let her go, but because she is my very best friend on this earth - and I'd do anything to stop her from suffering... and if that means losing the one I love so much, then so be it. A piece of me will die when Chloe passes, and I don't kid myself for a second that time is not approaching - alot faster than I would have liked... but we just take one day at a time - I assess the pros and cons for her and we continue from there. I understand that diseases like this (and in your case with it affecting him neurologically) they are devastating emotionally... one day you're on a high (good day), and then tomorrow you can be deciding if today is the day you will lose your friend. It's not easy, and there's no answers... all I can say is discuss your concerns with his specialist, and think about his condition and future in terms of just HIM, as opposed to YOUR boy. I know you love him enough to do the right thing, whatever that may be - and you've fought a very good fight together, no doubt. Loraine, yes that does make sense. Chloe's face, as I said, has hollowed out alot... it's something I saw but didn't really 'acknowledge' until last week. Her legs are much weaker, which, with arthritis and her knee operations, doesn't help as she relies on those muscles alot. However, once she gets going she really is still very active... so that's a good sign for us. I will tell my parents to keep in mind that even though she is willing to walk a looong way sometimes, perhaps it's best to remind her that she's an old duck and although she'd love to mentally, her old body might not be able to do those distances anymore. Do you know of anything that can prolong the muscle weakening for a while? Or will exercise slow down the weakening? As long as it's not actually making her feel pain as such, we can just acknowledge it I guess and make changes in her care. I feel for your friend... it is such a horrid disease. When I get asked what it is and try to explain it (in terms that people will understand) it always sounds so... simple and not very dangerous. However, the reality is very challenging. Not having suffered with it myself, but just having a dog with it, makes me not want to wish this disease even on my worst enemy. Thanks Loraine for being our Cushings champion and giving us tidbits of good information we wouldn't otherwise know... and to DW... well, lots of love and hugs to you and Diesel. Talk to his specialist in depth to reassure your mind. And hang in there, I know it's tough.

DW yes I was very glad to finally see pictures of Diesel - he is a fine looking boy! Chloe is doing okay, she is back on her meds (liquid Trilostane this time, and much lower dosage so the cost has come down significantly). She's now only on 20mg once a day and it seems to be holding the symptoms at bay. She has her up and down days... but mostly she is very good and very happy. Chloe has arthritis in her legs from 2 leg operations a few years back now so it would be hard to tell although I do find she is weakening as time goes on. But for the moment, she loves her walks (will RUN out to the gate nearly everyday) is symptom free and is happy in her life. I can't ask for more than that I guess Especially when Cushings can be so devastating. She will go back for another test next week probably to see that things are still on track. I hope that your roller coaster ride can plateau out for a little while and you and Diesel can spend some well time together. It sounds like he has a happy life though, so he is in good hands and I know you will see him through this illness as best you can.

It won't let me access the petition from work, but I will sign it as soon as I can from home. Horrific... If only we could bestow the same treatment back to the humans who are cruel to animals... let the punishment be that the same torture will be returned to these freaks, and let's see if people think twice before being so sickly cruel. These people just aren't human... they need to be locked up as they should not be members of normal society.

DW, good to see that there is some positive news for Diesel. I have found that Cushings is a roller coaster ride of a disease. Doesn't seem to get any easier... but as long as it's manageable we keep on going Loraine, Cushings really eats away at the muscle? Over what kind of period before the muscle is totally eaten away? And is it painful? The reason I ask is that I notice Chloe's face in particular is sinking in and hollowing out... and her legs do seem a bit weaker these days... could this be due to her muscles being eaten away already?

Yep fingers crossed that he's just a big sook... and the pain of the surgery has just left him a little tentative. Let us know how the swim goes tonight! Does he like water usually? I totally understand the 'overprotectiveness'. I'm still like that over Chloe big time, and now if I see Sasha jumping too high or landing awkwardly I panic and rush to stop her. I guess once you've been through this drama you take all precautions so as not to repeat it again My two are doing okay thanks. ChloBo had a bit of a stack on the slippery mud a couple days ago and was a bit tender on one of her legs. But in true Chloe style she shakes it off and marches on. Her meds are going well too, she goes for another check up probably next week I'll book her in. She seems to be quite well at the moment (fingers crossed) - but it's always a roller coaster with Chlo Sash is going well after her brush with fame. I think it's gone to her head, she's been a bit naughty lately. Very... vocal. I think it's all this weird weather... first the bad winds and then the constant storms we've had lately. She's become a bit of a sook so I'm trying to get it out of her now. But she's due for her vaccinations, and I'm trying to decide whether to have her vaccinated again, or not for the 3 years. Other than that, she's fine too thanks.

Hmmm, that's not good buddy. I'm no expert but I would expect most signs of lameness to have completely gone by now. Actually after the first month I would expect that. Let's hope it's nothing to worry about... he may just be a sooky pants Or there may be something that is rubbing or similar inside? Just take it a day at a time... he may come good once he has built the muscle back up and feels confident to use it again. He may just be 'afraid' of using it seeing it was so sore before. HOping for better news, but not totally bad just yet either. Hang in there.

Stormie, Im in the Liverpool/Moorebank area of Sydney. We walk around a bushy lake area that is very highly populated with people walking their dogs (hence how she got KC a couple of times this year) and some we know and will stop and have a play with. We have dogs on either side of us, but they 'appear' to be well cared for. We also go to obedience training fairly regularly (more for socialisation than anything) and there are sometimes new dogs that have recently come from the pound or rescue. Other than that, Sash doesn't come into contact with too many other dogs. Does that help? I'll be doing lots of research this week... and perhaps ringing some different vets etc. I'm not sure whether I'll truly understand it all, but I'll try Thanks for your help guys!

Jed you've made alot of sense, thank you. Perhaps I should do my research first before making any decisions, discuss it with my partner as well. I know that he will be in favour of doing only 3 years... simply because he believes many dogs these days are over-medicated etc. How very sad to learn that allergies and cushings could be related to over-vaccination. She only developed them later on in life too (particularly the bad allergy reactions), Cushings we'll never know as it's mostly in older dogs anyway. Ever since we were young, we've always yearly vaccinated, thinking we were doing the responsible thing - so we grew up thinking that's just what you did. I guess that's why it's hard for me to go against yearly vaccinations, but I want to do the best things by my dogs. After having a dog like Chloe that's had so many health problems, it really makes you want to be very careful about the things that you do. It makes you re-think alot of things... Thanks also for your advice regarding the car situation. We've been trying that lately... I've been driving her to the park and happy places (but only very short distances). She has improved a little I must say. Not sure if it will be enough... but what's a bit of vomit hey? The big problem is letting the vet touch or examine her.... she goes ballistic. She'll gladly take a treat and be friendly, but try to touch her and it's a whole different dog. Going to try a few different techniques this time (yes I've tried to plan it out)... but whenever she needs medical attention or it's check up time etc, I get SO stressed thinking about how we're going to do it. But on the day I try to stay calm and keep everybody relaxed and happy... I'm sure it doesn't always work though. Can't avoid it though, she needs to learn to deal with it - and I'm aware it's going to be a very long journey and effort... lucky I love the darn girl and think she is worth every effort!!

Oh goodness, so much information!! Thank you to everyone who has contributed! I really need to read up more about all this, so as to better understand it all and the ramifications it has on my dogs. Chloe is 11 years old, has been vaccinated yearly her whole life and never had a problem related to it (that we know of). Although they said her vaccination was to cover 3 years, she will definitely go back for yearly examinations (she is a regular at the vets anyway due to her allergy, arthritis and Cushings related problems), so her 'annual' visit occurs more like 10 times a year She does need the kennel cough one yearly though... well when I say need, not due to the fact that she ever boards in a kennel etc, but more so because she is getting on, she takes alot of medication for her illnesses, and Im sure her immune system is compromised in some way. So I feel that she needs protection to hopefully stop KC from getting too bad should she contract it. Bless her I'd do anything to protect her if I could Sasha... well Sash is a different kettle of fish altogether. Sasha is the kind of dog you PRAY doesn't get sick... simply because taking her to the vet is horrific! I'm not sure why she was given C7 last year - I assume it was because she had unknown history etc coming from the pound and thought it best at the time. She certainly won't be getting C7 again, now that I know a bit more. Her vacc certificate says she needs to be vaccinated again this year, so I think I will do that this time (as she is due) and then start on my research and develop my own opinion of what's best. Perhaps C5 or C3 and KC this year though. At the moment I am going to stay with the current vet (who said yearly) as they come to your house, and I'd really like to try and see how Sasha goes and behaves with the vet coming to the house. I'm hoping it won't backfire on me and make her afraid of strangers that come to the house... Well, that's what Im thinking at the moment. I also would like to ring a vet that is a bit closer to us and see what vaccination protocols they use. I just haven't found a vet that is close to us (very important) that I feel comfortable with... and it's really upsetting for me. Sasha is getting better in the car, but is still really anxious... so we might even try the sedation and take her into the vet, and see how she goes with that. I haven't fully decided what I want to do other than I will have her vaccinated again this year - Sasha is such a dilemma due to her problems with car travel, her massive anxiety attacks at the vets and her unwillingness to let the vet examine her or get near her. I must read up about titer testing as well... I can see there are split decisions on what people think is best etc. I guess everyone must decide for themselves, but there seems to be alot of support for 3 year vaccinations. I think I need to research the pros and cons and decide what the best thing is. I wish I had a vet that I could trust 100%, and that Sasha might feel confident with or would make an effort with Sasha. At the moment that's my biggest problem. Chloe has her own specialists and vet that work together - and I trust them 100% with her life... however can't find the same thing for Sasha (and she can't use the same vet as they are referral only). The good vets that have been recommended are just that bit too far away for her to comfortably travel in the car... however, maybe if I used the sedative it might work and we could get her there... Sigh, oh if there just wasn't so many other considerations with Sasha...

Okay, so basically if I wanted a 3 year vacc I would have to specifically ask for it, or go to a vet that uses it? I believe Sash had the KC nasal spray last year, however she still got KC about 2 times in the past year... so I'm not sure about it. It seems to be rampant in our area though so she might be best to have it. I'm assuming then, that seeing her vaccination certificate says she is due again this year, that the C7 vacc given last is only effective for the 1 year span. Might have to ring around and find out about the 3 year vaccination. It's so confusing, especially when you ask a vet and they tell you different things...

The C7 was done by the vet that her rescue organisation used... Im not sure why they did C7, I will be seeking a C5 on her next vaccination. That should cover her sufficiently wouldn't it? I have heard that people are vaccinating every 3 years now. Is it a new vaccine... or just using the same vaccine but not vaccinating as regularly now? My other dog Chloe, goes to her specialist and to the RSPCA for minor things like check ups, vaccines etc. Im making the assumption that if the RSPCA is only vaccinating every 3 years then it's the way to go? I guess Im just confused if the actual vaccines are different now, and that's why they only vaccinate every 3 years? Or if it is the same vaccine? I have done some research that say even if they are vaccinated every 3 years they will still need a 'booster'... what is this and what is it for? The RSPCA did not mention this, just said she won't need another vaccine for 3 years. And Sasha's vet is just saying no, she needs another vaccine this year and they should be done yearly. I really don't know what to do. I'm googling but websites are all saying different things.

Sasha had C7 vaccination last year (according to her medical certificates) and says she is due for her yearly vaccines again next week. That is not an issue as we have always had our dogs vaccinated yearly as per advice from the vet. However, Chloe had her vaccines in August, and was told she didn't need to come back for 3 years... I rang Sasha's vet (they have different vets), and they said that they definitely need to go yearly. Is there a new type of vaccine that lasts 3 years now? Or would that recommendation be due to the controversy regarding over-vaccination. Sasha's vaccination certificate says she is due again, however a few other people I work with say they have their dogs vaccinated every 3 years. Im confused... I don't know much about it, I just used to take Chloe every year for her vaccines - but when they told us she didn't need to come back for 3 years - and then Sasha's vet saying they must be confused - has just stumped me... Any advice?

Gillbear, for bigger dogs - look at the osteotomy type surgeries... they generally have better results with larger dogs. My cattle dog girl (who is quite heavy and has been up to 30+ kgs) had tibial wedge osteotomies on both her knees (after the 'scar tissue build up' method surgery was cancelled when the vet said it would never suit her weight range) - never had a problem at all with the TWO. Bit of arthritis sets in after a few years of course, but nothing drastic and Chloe's were REALLY bad. She had them done at 8yo, now 11yo and can run as fast as any other dog you'd meet (although we try to discourage jumping etc now, just to keep her safe). So consider the osteotomy surgeries (TWO, TPLO etc) - they will be your best bet for best results. However the aftercare plays as much importance as the surgery as well If we can help in any other way or with questions, please let me know!

Thanks mate - sometimes i think Im cursed with dogs Sasha has started hacking away again... COME ON!!! GIMME A BREAK!!! How can a dog possibly get canine cough 3 times in one year??? SERIOUSLY!!!! At least Sash is young... but her immune system has never been great. Why can't I just have healthy dogs???

Thanks guys - unfortunately Chloe has come down with canine cough (OMG it's my curse - first Sasha twice now ChloBo). It has hit her pretty hard, and she's only now starting to show some improvement. It's come at a terrible time - right when she went back on meds and we needed to monitor how she was reacting to the meds. So having another illness thrown in that is making her lethargic and turning her off her food is causing problems. Her med dose is low though... so we should be okay. Such a worry... poor old girl.

Actually they didn't discuss flavours with me - by the time the pharmacy rang me they had already made it up so I didn't get the choice!! I think it's more the application rather than the taste... she will lick the end bits of liquid from the squirter... so I think it will take some practice, maybe mum is plunging it in too quickly and she's choking on it, or putting the squirter too far down her neck and prompting her gag reflex?? Not sure, I think it will be a bit of trial and error on our part But her symptoms appear to be disappearing - not drinking as much, hence not too much peeing either. So it's a good sign

We got 100 day supply on the current dosage - so that is MUCH cheaper than the tablets... not sure why but I won't complain. ;) Chloe however, does not think this new liquid form of medication is cool AT ALL. She spits it, pulls faces, coughs, gags etc.... basically carries on as if we'd poured poison down her neck Naughty girl, but she will get used to it soon I'm sure. Let's hope when it kicks in it has a good effect and she starts losing her symptoms!

Well we paid $150, not sure for how long that supply is though, of how many milligrams etc there are. So would probably be about on par. It is getting sent to us and we should receive it tomorrow morning and start Chloe's treatment... hopefully she will feel even better

Thanks heaps guys... I too feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Kind of put back on there in a way as well, but a much lighter and more manageable load I'm always relieved and kind of nicely surprised when the vet tells me that all her other levels and stats are so good. It's a tough job, and I think my mum can take most of the credit for looking after her so well (even though she gives her more treats than she should ). So yes, a good result for us all. I always feel much better after talking to the specialist he is so supportive and positive about it all (except the cost LOL), and I always feel like we have direction with her health Loraine, do you remember if the liquid form was more expensive? I wouldn't think it would be too much more. Not that it matters... we need it anyway so will pay what we're told Oh and to top it all off, mum was pleased with the result. I don't think she's ever taken the Cushings diagnosis so well!!

I must also add... although I was upset at not getting Chloe's results (apparently my number was taken down wrong)... her specialist is a fantastic man, very caring and very patient with us. I can't thank him enough for caring for Chloe so well. :p

Okay we got our results... and it's her dreaded Cushings back definitely!! But at least it rules out any other conditions. Cushings is at least the devil we know So she is going back on meds, but this time we are getting Trilostane in liquid form... it helps when there is a dosage change, instead of having new tablets made up and wasting whatever dosage tablets you currently have, it's just a matter of putting more or less medication in the syringe and giving it to her orally!!! They even make it in interesting flavours to encourage them to take it. I feel it might be more expensive, but if it cuts down on wastage then it would probably even out the costs. She's also starting out on one dose daily, which will be a nice change... then re-testing in 2 weeks to see how she is going, and then adjust the dose from there. All in all, although I wanted her to be miraculously cured of Cushings, at least it is ONLY Cushings. She's doing really well today though, so hopefully she will only need this smaller dosage to keep the symptoms at bay. Go Chloe!! :p

No I'm a bit upset but we didn't... I left 2 messages for the specialist. I think he was very busy yesterday, but still Chloe is important too!!!! Luckily she was quite well yesterday and very active. Let's hope we hear something today or I will have to rock up there :p