dogbesotted

I eliminated grains and spray the hotspots with colloidal silver. Have not had a problem with hotspots since.

Erny, The thyroiditis can be tested for with a simple blood test for antibodies. My neighbour suffers from Hashimotos disease which is thyroiditis. Keeping Kal in my thoughts...spoil her rotten and enjoy every moment

"fatty lipoma" what wonderful words. Just gotta love those fatty lumps! woooohoooo that is great

how wonderful it was that his last weeks on earth were filled with comfort, companionship and love. Thankyou from the bottom of my heart for such compassion. A candle will burn in honour of Rastus tonight. What a dear sweet face!.

Oh bugger!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is the new tumour? same place as the first or elsewhere? It is possible for unrelated MCTs to pop up and they can be different grades too. Prednisolone causes water retention and bloating....Lucinda gained weight when she was on pred. High doses of pred cause symptoms similar to Cushings. ""Iatrogenic Hyperadrenocorticism: The third cause of Cushing's is one that we can create ourselves if we give a dog too much external glucocorticoid, especially for chronic conditions like allergies. We essentially do what the adrenal tumor would do by flooding the dog's body with an excess of corticosteroid. Although both the adrenals and pituitary will attempt to respond to our interference by cutting ACTH and cortisol secretion, if we continue to bombard the dog's body with too much glucocorticoid, symptoms of Cushing's disease will result. The reason dogs are given tapering doses or every-other-day doses of steroids like prednisone is to avoid this consequence. Dogs with this form of Cushing's tend to have two very small, atrophied adrenal glands. Nonetheless, if iatrogenic (veterinary-induced) hyperadrenocorticism develops, it is fully reversible. The external source of steroid is slowly withdrawn to allow the adrenals to "wake up" and resume functioning. "" Keeping all fingers and paws crossed here. Ollie is tucked into my hearts and prayers

As Murray is getting to be a senior dog a full blood panel would be good idea. NASAIDS can be dangerous for dogs with kidney or liver problems.

The ACTH stim will either confirm cushings or addisons one way or another. here is a link to a good explanation http://www.cslabs.co.uk/canine%20adrenal%20page.htm The ACTH stimulation test will provide confirmation of Addision's. It is also useful to measure the Sodium/Potassium ratio. re surgery: The greatest postsurgical risks for these tumors are sudden drops in plasma cortisol levels and pulmonary embolism. Other possible surgical complications are hemorrhage during surgery and postoperatively, electrolyte imbalances, pancreatitis from blood clots or manipulation of the pancreas during surgery and complications from undetected or uncontrolled urinary tract infections that become severe due to the stress of the surgery. NOTE: This is a specialist surgery. You really need a surgeon who know what he/she is doing and has experience. more surgery info here: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_adrenal_treatment.html There is also a good yahoo list( covers cushings, addisons hypothyroid and other autoimmune diseases). members only list. I have been member since 2001. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCushings-AutoimmuneCare/

Pampa, Gald to hear there is improvement. Been along that route too. not easy. A reminder to all that the bruising..called petchiae, is also a symptom of thrombocytopenia which is a blood disorder associated with other dog health issues.

Erny, yep thats right an enlarged adrenal gland can be the cause of either cushings or addisons.( and all adrenal tumours are not malignant) It far more commonly is related to cushings but not always so, IMHO one should not rule out addisons yet. . Should have added in my earlier reply that many gall bladder polyps are just colesterol Keeping Kel in my prayers for a quick diagnosis.

Erny, First up dont panic! Take a deep breath..( remember to breath out ). thinking of you both. helen

IMHO the most important aspect of the vaccination debate is to educate oneself..ie look at both sides of the debate. I choose NOT to to annually vaccinate now, but if I were to have puppies to care foir i would look at vaccinating, but start later on and possibly no more than puppy vaccs. BUT THAT IS MY CHOICE and I am not peaching that. We also need to remember that not all dogs experience adverse reactions to medications or vaccinations but as dog owners it is wothwhile keeping in mind possible( note possible not probable) reactions. If there is a reaction, or the dog has other health issure then further stressing the immune system with annual boosters is not wise. also all adverse reactions ( even if just suspected) to any medication or vaccination should be reported. Unless reported there is no true picture built up. http://www.britfeld.com/vaccination-adverse.htm http://www.vet.upenn.edu/schoolresources/c...accination.html edit!!!!! I choose NOT to annually vaccinate

have PM'd you Barbaras contact details.

It may be worthwhile consulting a reputable holistic vet.....I know some folks have had good results after vaccine reactions. The faster you take action the better. I use an excellent holistic vet in Sydney.

note: atypical addison's dogs have electrolyte levels within the normal range. I know i am harping and i am not a vet, but I know of friends whose dogs have been either atypical cushings or atypical addisonian and it has take years to get a diagnosis. http://www.beaconforhealth.org/Addisons-atypical.htm

MSJ..remember that Jenna lived surrounded by love and that she will cross to The Bridge surrounded by love. Hugs Helen

Also insist that your vet reports this reaction to the APVMA. Too few ppl insist that these adverse reactions are reported. http://www.apvma.gov.au ( home page) http://www.apvma.gov.au/qa/aerp_ag_vet.shtml ( link for reporting adverse reactions).

addison's disease; hypoadrenocorticism, or adrenal insufficiency I don’t have a diagnosis – what are the symptoms? The symptoms of Addison’s disease can be vague. More importantly, they are similar to the symptoms of many different problems. Initially, the dog may be listless, or seem depressed. Many dogs are described as just seeming off, or losing the normal sparkle in their eye. Lack of appetite is a good indicator. Other symptoms include gastro-intestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Pain in the hindquarters, or generalized muscle weakness such as a dog that can’t jump onto the bed or couch as he has done in the past is not uncommon. Shivering or muscle tremors may also be present. The most important thing to remember is that you know your dog better than anyone. If something seems amiss, have it checked out. These symptoms may wax and wane over months or years making diagnosis difficult. If the adrenals continue deteriorating, ultimately the dog will have an acute episode called an Addisonian crisis. Commonly reported symptoms. Severity can vary dramatically from dog to dog. Anorexia Thin/Weight Loss Depression/Lethargy Vomiting/Diarrhea Weakness Collapse Shaking and Shivering Excessive urination with or without excessive thirst Waxing and Waning Course of Illness Painful/Sensitive Abdomen Fatigue/exercise intolerance here are some links: http://www.scwtca.org/Addison.html http://www.westlakeanimalhospital.com/Ency..._s_disease.html still searching..but the difficulties ppl experience in obtaining definitive diagnosis initially, waxing and waning of symptoms, etc make this worth reading Good Luck Helen

douching is just gently squirting the liquid into the ear. afterwards the base of the ear is massaged ( you should hear nice squishy sounds LOL) then step back and the pup will vigourously shake.

my holistic vet recommends a vinegar rinse . ""It acidifies the ear environemnt and keep bacteria and yeast under control. Use 1/3 organic apple cider venegar ( 2 - 2.5% acetic acid) with 2/3 water. using a syringe gently douche the ear canal with between 1mm and 5ml of the solution. This solution can be used for long term prevention of infections in dogs prone to mild ear infections. It is also useful to douche after swimming"" Dr. Barbara Fougere " Healthy Dogs A Handbook of Natural Therapies"" Also I will add that my boy Casper had very yeasty ears . Then he was diagnosed as hypothyroid and started on thyroxine ...his ears cleared up . Food wise i would eliminate all grains if not already done.

77% of dogs with seizures have low thyroid..so it is worth doing a full thyroid panel.

Jodie, It is the macrolone that is giving Ollie the pot belly and also possibly making him tired. What are his liver values like? Macrolone makes then thirsty, and impossibly hungry ( Lucinda actually gulped down a live day old chick when she was on macrolone- I dont who was more shicked Lucinda or me! ) side effect of pred/ macrolone: "" Adverse effects include increased thirst and appetite, panting, vomiting, restlessness and diarrhea. Some animals may develop stomach ulcers from prednisone use. Long-term use of prednisone may result in loss of hair coat, weakening of the muscles, liver impairment and behavioral changes."" I would have a long talk with your holistic vet, check out the edverse effect of all the meds he is taking as well. Often the side effect of the drug they are getting can be misinterpreted as being due to the MCT but it is not. Lucinda was taken off pred after 2.5 month becaus her sustem was not coping with it. have pm'd you my phone number if you would like to talk. Please give dear Ollie lots of hugs from me. Helen

I know that feeling of suffocation all too well. last year three of my beloved dogs crossed to The Bridge. The Divine Miss Sophie is laid to rest in the veggie garden area..she loved food and hated the maremmas..so there she can be surrounded by food, and keep an eye on the Big Whites. The Soph loved eating, lurking and watching. Casper is resting in the shade of a plum tree, from there he can still watch over his precious lambs. Jake I had cremated. he crossed less than a week after the Divine One..and I could not bear the thought of burying him. When Morris passed away in November 1999 I had him cremated as well..and now he and Jake are side by side. I hope that when it is my time that we will all be buried together. I have had you and jenna tucked into my prayers and heart since you posted last time. Hugs

IMHO we already inject far too much into our dogs...mainly for the owners convenience. The yearly heartworm can and does have adverse effect on some dogs ---- the risk therefore is that if your dog is one of those who has an adverse reaction there is no easy fix. All medications have possible adverse reactions and it behoves people to check these out when your pet is prescribed. If the medication is given daily and there is a reaction it can be stopped immediatley. something that continues to be effective for 12 month....well use your own immagination for example: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.p...&C=31&A=553&S=1

My maremmas overall behaviours score the following: prey 20 pack 65 Defebse - fight 30 defense flight 5

Jodie dear you know i walk the road with you and Ollie. It is always a roller coaters heaps of ups and downs. Chin up. Here are some links for colling mats: http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com.au/co..._kennel_mat.htm http://www.vetproductsdirect.com.au/vetpro...Items/KCM03.htm ebay: canine cooler http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Canine-Cooler-Cooli...1QQcmdZViewItem or you can make one using water crystals..let me know if you would like the directions. Some of the others I feel are better in that they are not damp. I used home made ones for Lucinda and made them extra cool by placing in the freezer for about 1/5 hour. Hugs Helen