Kelly_Louise

How long has the little guy suffered with dementia?

Carolyn, I'm terribly sorry that you have lost your beloved Jedda. Take heart that you did the right thing out of your incredible love for her. I hope she is smiling at Rainbow Bridge, where she is happy and healthy again. No cancer there. And I'm sure she will wait for you. Nothing breaks such a bond. But until then, there are many more dogs lives for you to enrichen... and I'm sure that is exactly what she would want. Rest in Peace lovely Jedda. Bless her, and bless you also Carolyn for knowing when to let her go - and for giving her such a wonderful life. Hugs to you.

Hi Brigie, My dog also has pituitary dependent Cushings. Before she went on her medications, she was lethargic, bloated, disinterested and drank so many litres of water a day. Due to the increased water intake, she became a bit incontinent - wee'd in her bed and on the carpets (which she had never done before). Once she went on her meds, this stopped - as did the drinking. When they are consuming that amount of water it puts massive strain on their bladder, no matter how many times they are toileted. On her meds, it took the pressure off her organs and she became like a puppy again. Im not sure what other meds your little one would need - but please do not let negative experiences with Cushings deter you. There is new medications now, they are a little expensive, but are fantastic and take away all the Cushings symptoms. But you know your dog best, 14 is a great age... and you don't want to see your little one suffer after so many good years. Best of luck - you will know when it's time and I can see you love them enough to not let your baby suffer. Horrible time for anyone - but the time we get with them is so precious.

Fingers and paws crossed here

Carolyn don't be too upset. She may just be feeling unwell - hence the sickness you see in her eyes. I remember when Chloe was really sick, and I saw the 'absence' in her eyes and thought the worst - however after her meds were corrected she was bouncing around and the shine was back there. She may also be a bit buggered after a big day. I know it's not the same thing, as Jedda's disease is much worse - however try not to get down. She may just be having an off day or reacting to the meat change. She is still with you, and able and willing to go for plays at the park. Our little ones are never with us for as long as we'd like - so we just have to appreciate every good day we have with them. I hope she comes good, and I hope you feel better soon.

Yes I do believe with such serious and unpredictable disease as this, that a supportive vet is vital. Of course you do want some guidance for when is the time to let go, but you also want someone on your side if you want to fight this thing - and if you feel that Jedda is well and happy then you still have options. You know your dog... I find Staffyluv and Ollie's story very inspirational. It is not negative, and Staffyluv always looks at the positives. Many people would throw up their hands at cancer and such a diagnosis and time frame... and it just goes to show what the right attitude, perserverance and a bit of loyalty can do. I find this attitude has helped us greatly with Chloe's Cushings battle... and we stopped looking at the statistics and odds and started just concentrating on Chloe's journey, her triumphs and getting her through her bad days. This is why I feel a very supportive vet, and a positive attitude while there are still options is necessary to help you get Jedda through, and will investigate thoroughly. You certainly do have the right attitude and determination, so I'm positive that Jedda has the best help in fighting this cancer. I wish her all the best and hope she continues to enjoy life for as long as possible.

Wow that is a lot of water. Is it usual that sufferers of this cancer would also get abcesses as Jedda is? Or is it very unpredictable in how the body reacts?

Jedda, can you get a second opinion elsewhere? I dont know much about the cancer and the abcess, however by the sounds of it your vet has pretty much given up and is not giving you the assistance and support you need... which to me would be a worry. When you say she is drinking alot, how much is 'alot'? And she would then be urinating more frequently - how often? I do hope your girl is okay, I hope Jedda can have more wonderful years with you. She looks like a very special girl.

Oh no.... poor thing. I have the same problem with Sasha (pain or not) so can totally understand - it's really frustrating especially when you know they need help. No one really knows how to handle her (best suggestion is also sedating)... Luckily she just air snaps as warning... but I'd never take the chance. And also lucky she will let me help her - but I'm limited in what I can do of course :D

Is he always like that at the vet? Or just because of this delicate problem?

During Summer and warm months - we bath Sash monthly. During Winter I don't bother as it's just too muddy in the backyard (unless she stinks to high heaven of course!!). Chloe gets a bath only when she is stinky She's too old and sick to be having baths which she hates all the time.

Thanks for caring Loraine :D - I love the fact you are always there. I always treat Chloe like she is 'frail' (even though she's not) and it's for that reason I have never let them meet as Sash might be a bit too full on for her. But I'd really love them to both have some company sometimes, so we decided to make it not so full on by meeting at the lake, that way I can take Sash back home if it gets too much for Chloe, and we can keep them both on lead and I can control Sash so she doesn't overwhelm ChloBo. Her poor old legs are holding up very well, although I've never really let her do anything too strenuous since her operations as I don't want to put too much pressure on them. I'll just monitor how she goes, if she isn't happy to see Sasha then I'll take Sash home and rejoin the family to just let Chloe enjoy her time at the lake. They certainly won't be running around or off leash as Sash is way too rough. I'd just like them to say hello and have a little walk around the lake. Never fear, Chloe's comfort and health always comes first.

Thanks for asking and the well wishes :rolleyes: So far, there have been no more accidents Hopefully this is a good sign. She is drinking a little more than usual, but nothing excessive. We ensure she is toiletted before going to sleep and early morning (she has her own access to outside but if it's cold or wet she holds on forever - maybe it's her creaky old legs). She will go in for re-testing in another couple of weeks... so we will wait till then for the next 'verdict'. She is well and happy... so I really can't ask for more right now can I? Excitingly, she is coming to meet my other big girl Sashy this weekend... can't wait to have my 2 lovelies together - hope it goes well and they are friends.

You shouldn't feel bad asking your neighbours to ask their kids to not feed the dog, or keep their cats out of your yard. I'm sure you have explained your dogs medical condition and the risks - and if they are normal people I'm sure they would be understanding. Explain that it's costing you a fortune at the vet, and that you really have no other option and will have to trap the cats should they come in, as it could kill your dog. Your dog is the victim here, and you have to do what you can to protect your dog. It doesn't have to be threatening or nasty, but simply ask them nicely as your hands are tied - and you are only asking that your dog be left in peace in it's own backyard - it's not like you are asking them to do things in THEIR backyard. If you can't do it face to face, just put a general letter in your surrounding neighbours letterboxes explaining the situation (but not saying you know whose cat it is) and politely asking if they could please contain it, and your only other choice is to trap them to stop them endangering your dogs life. Otherwise, borrow that cat-hating dog

Sash has Advance dry food - and she also drinks and pees alot. But nothing that makes her uncomfortable or is excessive. Otherwise, it's the only food that makes her poos nice and firm

I have the same problem Lizzy - Sash loves cat poo (and duck poo). Lucky the only place she can get to it is on the front lawn of a house we walk past everyday and I'm aware it's there so I just keep her away from that area. If Im not concentrating though, it's not unusual for her to quickly scoop it up and it's gone Hard if it's on your own lawn though... If you know whose cat it is, I'd say something to them, ask them to contain the cat somehow or stop it going into your yard because it's toiletting on your lawn and making your dog sick. If they refuse, perhaps then ask them to share some of the veterinary costs? I think just as dog owners are expected to be responsible - cat owners should be too... Not sure if there are any 'tricks' to stop it though... and it's hard to keep your dog away in it's own backyard.

Wow thanks Erny, I will definitely look into them. He hasn't spoken to me about any kind of natural help - although I do find that they do not promote things like that at this centre. I remember when Chloe had her leg ops and I was asking about supplements etc, and that surgeon basically said that they are not really proven to help much but using supplements usually makes us as the owners feel better - or something along that line. I figure, even if it helps a little - then it's worth a try. I was also looking into Robert McDowell's herbal supplements designed for Cushings sufferers - there were a couple of different remedies that had to be given to support adrenal function. I was just a little scared in case it messed things up with her meds at the time. I might speak to him about it - is it something that needs to be prescribed, or can it be bought online or at health shops, etc do you know please? I will give anything that might keep her in remission longer a try Thanks for letting me know!! ETA - I feel for you suffering from Chronic fatigue :D I've read a fair bit about it previously - and it is not a fun thing to suffer from....

No not a silly idea at all - but let's hope it doesn't come to that... I know they can be very helpful, but I can't stand the idea of my girl having to use them - it's like admitting she is old and frail or something... The specialist did say if it got worse (fingers crossed not) that there is a liquid that the normal vet can provide that will tighten up the spinchter (spelling sorry) and should help, otherwise to have her urine tested for infections etc. At this stage, unless it is a frequent occurence we will just monitor her and keep on hoping for the best. Loraine, I also just want to keep her off meds as long as possible - give me a chance to start saving a bit as well as for her own health benefits. It's just wearing me down with the constant worry. I want to be able to follow all the testing etc to make sure she is getting the very best care possible, but my stomach flips everytime the word 'test' is brought up. My heart wrenches... But you see her delightful little smiling face and you know all the stress and worry is worth it

Oh lilysmum, how disappointing. I, and I'm sure many others, understand how delicate and frustrating it can be. But everytime you have a setback, you are also making progress too - so I guess that's the most important thing. Chloe also has issues with her skin... we have been told it's not Cushings related, doesn't appear to be food related - so it's in the environment somewhere but we don't know what or why... It's frustrating but lucky for us it's not constant and it's nothing too bad most of the time (only a couple of REALLY bad attacks). Best of luck with your eliminations

Spoke to the specialist - he is not too concerned and seeing that her drinking hasn't increased that it may not be Cushings related. He would really like to keep her off Trilostane for a while longer - simply as her levels were so low (basically zero) before that she was in critical danger and he doesn't want to endanger her. So unless other symptoms start to occur and she becomes out of sorts, he wants to give her adrenals a break and we will continue with the testing at 1 month and see where to go from there. He did warn me that putting her back on meds (if or when that is necessary) is going to be a rocky ride. Strap ourselves in....

Thanks for the support guys - I appreciate it. Apparently she has had a couple of little incontinence episodes since coming off her meds... but just little dribbles until yesterday's river I am going to talk to the specialist today, let him know of her symptoms. We talked about it at length yesterday (the family), and although it would be disappointing if she was out of remission, having her back on meds again is not the end of the world - and as long as she is not fatally ill with no hope then I really can't complain can I? I guess the big worry is how to continue paying for it all. The Cushings has pretty much tapped us all dry. It's not the medication, I can handle that - it's the frequent testing that's killing us at the moment. At about an extra $300 a test, when trying to get the dosage right it's just all adding up. It weighs on my conscience day and night... I can't keep asking my parents to help - they are pensioners. Sorry, just needed to vent... But anyway, all we can do is keep scraping through - as long as we have Chloe, and she is happy then that's what really matters. Thank you for your well wishes, let's hope it keeps Chloe in her remission and a healthy girl!! Good news is - no accidents last night!!

So did Chloe's last year - she actually looked pregnant her belly was so swollen (but she's desexed), and she was ravenous 24/7 - she was diagnosed with Cushings disease. She needs to see a vet.

Unfortunately DW, there will be a time when he will require you to show strength... however, hopefully this will be a long way off... and loving him so much, I don't doubt you will have the strength to always do the right thing for your Diesel. I agree, going through sickness with our furry ones makes you appreciate them all the more. They are only with us for a short time, and yet they teach us so many lessons... they teach us the real lessons in life.

After Chloe being officially diagnosed in remission of Cushings disease, things have been great. She is really really well. However, it seems last night she wet her bed. The only other time she has done this (from memory) is when she was first diagnosed with Cushings. We are hoping it may have been just because it was raining and she was trying to hold on so she didn't have to get wet - and just couldn't. Strangely, she didn't act weird (whcih she usually does if she has an accident - she usually gets all sooky like she will get into trouble - which she never does). And otherwise, she is still very normal - happy, drinking a normal amount of water etc. But it's not a good sign... I hope she is not coming out of her Cushings remission already. We can only monitor her and wait and see...

Thanks DW, yes indeed it does seem that there is something in the air - our luck has finally turned. Not getting too confident - never know when the symptoms will reappear - so we just enjoy while she is well Fantastic to hear the Diesel is doing so well - and from what you say - apparently is a very happy guy. LOL at his new trick - I think it's very cute and kinda resourceful too!!! Every dog should know that one - although Chloe and Sasha's beds are so big - I'd hate to even imagine how they would move them It would take them all night LOL. Maybe if you resize your photo they may allow you to upload them? I generally open my pics in Paint, do a quick resize and then usually they are okay. The limit for each post is about 200k which isn't much and is too small for normal photos taken off a camera usually. Anyway, do give it a try - I'm sure we are all dying to see this little guy who's been through so much so we can fuss and adore all over him :p Keep up the good work with him DW - fingers crossed that he continues to be well for a long, long time.