Kelly_Louise Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) As usual, Chloe is going in to have her regular Cushings test today - Im expecting it to go well as she is looking really really good - the best she has in quite a while. She still has some issues (skin complaints), her arthritis of course... but she is moving well, jumping around, cant wait to go for walks etc. At 11, after all the problems she's had I couldnt be happier with her right now. AND, she has lost over 2kgs!!! I'm so proud of her, and really happy and relieved (thought she may have thyroid problems as we couldnt shift any weight) - and I have no doubt this has contributed to her wellness, her overall happiness, and the fact that she seems freer in movement and looks so fantastic!! Should have the results of her test today, but I'm expecting a glowing report on my old girl WOOHOO, I'll get her into her old age yet, bless her smelly little paws!!! Edited May 13, 2009 by Kelly_Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzy06 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 As usual, Chloe is going in to have her regular Cushings test today - Im expecting it to go well as she is looking really really good - the best she has in quite a while. She still has some issues (skin complaints), her arthritis of course... but she is moving well, jumping around, cant wait to go for walks etc. At 11, after all the problems she's had I couldnt be happier with her right now.AND, she has lost over 2kgs!!! I'm so proud of her, and really happy and relieved (thought she may have thyroid problems as we couldnt shift any weight) - and I have no doubt this has contributed to her wellness, her overall happiness, and the fact that she seems freer in movement and looks so fantastic!! Should have the results of her test today, but I'm expecting a glowing report on my old girl WOOHOO, I'll get her into her old age yet, bless her smelly little paws!!! That is excellent!!! Let us know what her report says? It is such a relief when they are going well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks Lizzy, yes it is a massive relief - she's been a constant worry lately. And I knew quite a bit of it had to do with her weight which we've always had problems with on and off. Her rash is back (comes and goes every couple of months) so she's scratching like mad, and of course her old legs are stiff with the cold... But we are now on track with a plan to keep getting weight off (like to see her 24-25kgs at least), get her twice yearly Cartrophen injections to see her through the cold winter and of course her Cushings meds and supplements to keep her healthy and symptoms at bay. Just really happy and wanted to share because it's been a long time since I was so optimistic about her health!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Don't you just love it when your dog is "well" or at the very least well enough to be happy and predominantly uninhibited? Well done for your effort KL - that's got to have a lot to do with how good she feels. Looking forward to a Vet report that reflects this as well . Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Aww thanks Erny... it has taken alot of effort, she's thrown us some real doozies, and I do feel proud that we have got her to this point where I can look at her and not feel worry, but just feel happy and enjoy her (and not frantically Googling what could be wrong now). Mum has alot to do with it as well so Im really proud of Mum and how strict she has been with Chloe's diet lately. She is also thrilled with the results and it's made her more determined to strip that excess weight off her. Will let you know how she goes today. We are hoping her meds might be dropped to once per day, but even if not, as long as she is well and asymptomatic that's all that really matters (would just be nice to have a bit of spare cash sometimes!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 KL it sounds like Chloe is doing really well. I shall be keeping you both in my thoughts for good test reaults today. Rush back and let us know how she goes. What a great Dogs-mum you are Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thank you Loraine, that means alot coming from someone who had been through the gauntlet of Cushings treatments too I suspect I may not get the results till later on tonight, but will certainly update asap. I cant wait to get them, he will be so impressed with her I know it. Even the girls there (who are lovely) commented on how great she appears physically and mentally. It's always good, because as you know, Cushings is just so volatile and it could turn at any moment. My brave old trooper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hi KL, Glad to hear your girl Chloe is doing so well, an inspiration to us! Diesel and I send a big kiss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Thanks DW, I know what a tough time you guys are having so it means alot. Seems my Chloe has spat defiantly in the face of Cushings - for the time being... but we are the lucky ones. Many, like yourselves, are not as lucky and its all a bit more tricky and dangerous. Didnt get the results today, her specialist had been called away - so will probably get them tomorrow morning but not expecting anything out of the ordinary other than good news. Do visit the forum link I gave you DW, due to time differences they may take a few hours to respond but they are a wealth of information. So, tomorrows the day and fingers crossed for a drop in meds!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 Well the news is kinda good I guess? Firstly, he was thrilled with her weight loss and her condition. Really really happy. However the medication is working too well, her levels are now way too low and she is in danger of becoming Addisonian, and adjustments to her meds is now needed. She will be going on a lower level capsule twice per day, and then we will see how that goes and have her re-tested in a few weeks time. Here comes the roller coaster I can only pray that this new medication will keep her stable for some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Would anyone be aware of what to watch out for in case Chloe's levels go lower still? Symptoms or things to be worried about please if she goes into Addison's disease so that we can detect it before she crashes if her levels keep lowering? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 (edited) Can't help you from any first-hand experience, KL. But perhaps THIS website link will help answer? Good luck. By the sounds of it you have caught this in time to stop it having become Addison's? That's what I'm hoping for though, as I suspect you are too. Stuff like this is always such a worry. Edited May 14, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Yes luckily she has been caught before she crashed totally. It is weird though, because she really has been better than ever - even the vet said it took him by surprise as by her appearance he would not have suspect her ACTH levels to be so low. So it was a bit of a downer for me when I was having such high hopes. But it could be worse I guess, and shows that the meds are working. I have read a few websites and know generally what to look for (I hope), as with her changing meds we will need to be vigilant. But I'm just not sure what will come first so we can pick it up asap before it gets too bad. Hopefully it wont come to that, and anything that is different in her routine I will discuss with her specialist straight away. She will go in for re-testing after being on her new meds for a couple of weeks. We will then be able to tell whether she in on track again (goodbye stimulus money !! - not sure that's how Kevvy wanted it spent). Oh I must write the specialist a list of all the allergy meds that her normal vet has given her - just so he can discount that as a cause of the fluctuating levels. From what I've read, Im hoping her weight loss is not now due to the fact that she was closer to being Addisonian than Cushinoid. I hope it's just due to hard work and strict diet Thanks for the support Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Here we go KL the roller coaster continues. What a thing to happen. Many Cush pups go Addison and stopping or reducing the meds for a while corrects that position. Many vets actually overdose dogs to make them Addisonion, then you just have to give the dog prenisolone for life. If I remember correctly your Chloe is on Trilostane, which has a fairly quick turn around from the brink of being Addy. Hopefully this will be the case for Chloe. Signs to look out for would be shaking, not eating, not drinking much and generally be off colour. Does Trilostane now come in various sizes? I remember with my boy that I had to have his compounded by a specialist chemist to get the right dose for him, but at that time Trilostane only came in one size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Hi Loraine and thanks for the support and info. I believe Trilostane still has to be made up to various doses - something that the specialist said made me think this. As we were quite in a rush to get new tablets (they have to be sent out to us and the vet only had 2 tablets of the lower dosage) he said it shouldnt take them long to make them... so I'm assuming that they still have to be custom made if the dosage varies. He did actually say at first that if we couldnt get the meds fast enough to just take her off meds altogether, and he didnt even want to just drop her dosage by one tablet a day - he would rather have just had her uncontrolled until we received them. I'm hoping that seeing we didnt see any drastic changes in her that she is not in too much danger. It's just a shock, but I guess we should get used to that with Cushings being so temperamental. When reading about Addisons I did wonder if they would just give her the prenisolone should she not stabilise - but he seems determined to get her on the correct Trilostane dosage and manage it that way. I guess if worse came to worst he would do something like that. But she's always been so well on Trilostane so here's hoping things will turn around for her and her levels will normalise. Will keep a close eye out for all the symptoms. Poor old baby is suffering a skin rash again as well. Thanks Loraine, hopefully I will have better news next test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 KL if it is necessary for Chloe to come off the tablets for a few days, or even longer, it should not harm her. If she does not perk up I would actually give a pred (it will not kill her or hurt her) and she will feel beter. Problem right now is her cortisone is way too low and she is probably feeling very off colour. Hopefully things will turn around for you and Chloe very soon. (((HUGS))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Thats the weird thing in that she doesnt look or act unwell at the moment. But then again, she is a toughie. She's had 2 lower dose tablets so far, so hopefully they will be helping her. We can only hope. Would I ask the specialist about prednisolone or if I should have some on hand? Im assuming it is a prescription med? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Loraine you are one knowledgeable dog owner KL everything I read from you and Loraine is exactly what the doctor discussed with me, addisons is often caused by cushings treatment I think (or wrongly diagnosed as cushings) symptoms are quite similar. But they can live happily mediacted to my understanding. And she sure sounds like one happy girl who is very loved and has a great life! btw - did you change her diet when you found out she had cushings? just wondering is cushings dog's should have a particular diet. Hope Chloe is having a good day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 Chloe just came home from a walk and appears to be great actually. Which is a good sign. Tablets were received so we are all set, fingers crossed it works. DW, she is a very happy girl - she's been in the wars, but she is the apple of our eye and she owns my heart - she is a very special girl. There is nothing I wouldnt try to get my girl well again. Loraine is very knowledgeable - I think when you go through the ups and downs of Cushings you really have to learn the hard way, and Loraine has certainly been there! No we didnt change Chloe's diet other than to try and keep the weight off her. You do however have to be careful of any other meds for any other illness your dog has. Many can conflict with Cushings, so you do need to make any vet you see aware. You may notice that other nuisances will rear their ugly head (ie Chloe has never had allergies in her life etc, since being on meds and being controlled we have now found she has allergies every couple of months - plus her arthritis is playing up worse which the abundance of cortisol was previously hiding). That's the downside of having Cushings controlled... With allergies/skin complaints etc we have to be careful that other vets dont prescribe anything with cortisone in it etc. Otherwise, we have had a fairly good run and it really hasnt impacted us too much (other than the regular testing and monitoring of her condition). Her life and routine hasnt changed much though. I believe there are supplements etc that you can give for Cushings support (not sure what they are) but Chloe has so many tablets/supplements at the moment that Im hesitant to give her too many (plus she didnt seem to need them as she was so well controlled). Thanks for the thoughts DW, you must be getting anxious with your big trip coming up on MOnday to see the specialist for Diesel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 KL so glad you have got more pills. I am not sure with Trilostane (my use was fairly short-lived), but with Lysodren it is recommended that the vet gives you a few pills so that you have them to hand in case of an overdose. I am guessing that it would be the same for Trilostane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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