Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 So, Chloe went and had a Cushings ACTH stim test yesterday, as her symptoms appear to have returned. Excessive drinking, urination, lethargy etc. She has been off meds for about 8 weeks now due to her becoming borderline Addisonian when on her Trilostane medication. Apparently the test results came back quite good, within normal range and she technically shouldn't be showing Cushings symptoms. She now has to go in to have detailed urine analysis (taken straight from the bladder) to see what could be causing these symptoms. Could be a UTI, maybe diabetes etc - or it could be a negative reading from the ACTH stim test. Does anyone know the likelihood that the result could be showing incorrect results? I feel confused and upset. I feel happy that it's possibly not her Cushings returned, yet it seems to us that it has. I'd love to believe that it's simply a UTI. Financially, it's killing us and I want to cry. But I can't give up on my old girl if it is not anything drastic. I know that no one can say what's wrong with her without the tests, but it's breaking us. Apart from that, I feel horrible subjecting her to so many tests. Anyway, just wanted to update to those that follow Chloe's progress. I guess I should feel happy, but I'm not sure what to feel because nothing is quite clear and I feel too worried, guilty etc. Please pray for some good news for us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hi KellyLouise, Has Chloe had an ultrasound to rule out an adrenal tumour? My old boy (RIP last week) had this and showed classic Cushings symptoms and was "borderline" in blood tests. Wishing her all the best - it is very difficult with our dearly loved old dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Yes she was tested initially and came up clear of any adrenal or surrounding tumours, so it was assumed that it must be a pituitary tumour causing her Cushings. She went well on Trilostane for just over a year and her levels were perfect, then things changed and the meds caused her levels to plummet in April this year so she became Addisonian. She was taken off meds and has been really well for the past 8 weeks - actually glowing almost. Then a few days ago she started drinking alot more, and now it has resorted to an excessive, uncomfortable level. We assumed it was the return of Cushings - but the newest test results suggest not... I want to feel happy, but I just feel guilty. I just wish we knew what was wrong. I feel bad putting her through all this testing. But I can't give up on my loyal friend just yet, even though the financial burden is now getting very heavy. I wonder constantly if I am doing the right thing, and how long I keep doing this for her sake. But she was really good and well controlled on meds, and has been really good without her meds for the last few weeks. She's still happy and healthy otherwise... I guess we just do more tests to find out for sure what's going on. I'm sorry if it seems I'm whingeing - I just don't get much support so feel here is the only place where people will understand and encourage and point me in the right direction to relieve some of my guilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Kelly Louise it is terrible that you are bouncing on that trampoline again. It is not unusual for an ACTH toi be wrong. Happened to me a couple of times, but my vet went with his gut a did another ACTH a couple of days later. You have nothing to feel guilty about, silly girl. This is a very curious disease (in animals and humans) and reactions are different all the time. You are doing your very best for Chloe. This disease can and does go in and out of remission. It is possible that it is just a UTI, or sometimes it can be related to the way Chole's kidneys are functioning. I am hoping for a simple UTI, but let's face it, you can deal with doing the drug thing again if you have to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Yes at least if it had been a 'back on meds' verdict I think I would have coped better. It's the not knowing, constantly, that is eating away at me. I start to wonder whether she is suffering or not, or whether putting her through the constant tests is the right thing to do for a dog that has been through alot, and been a loving and loyal friend. But I can't give up on her either... I guess I just feel torn, wondering whether I am doing the right thing. Loraine, you also have a friend with Cushings... do you think all this testing and having Chloe's health be so up and down is cruel? Do you believe she would be suffering? When she is good though (and well controlled) she is so happy and eager for life, even though her arthritis must be holding her back a little - it doesn't seem to be slowing her down much. I suppose all I can do is wait for the results - but I wish there was a miracle out there so that I didn't have to put Chloe through all of this. She has been such a good girl all her life, no matter what was asked of her, and I feel that she deserves better than this. If they find the ACTH test was inaccurate, he will be doing the longer low dose test (not sure of name) that takes about 8 hours. Do you know what this involves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Also, could Diabetes ever be misdiagnosed as Cushings, or is there a likelihood a cushings dog could also have diabetes? So much information... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Loraine, you also have a friend with Cushings... do you think all this testing and having Chloe's health be so up and down is cruel? Do you believe she would be suffering? When she is good though (and well controlled) she is so happy and eager for life, even though her arthritis must be holding her back a little - it doesn't seem to be slowing her down much.I suppose all I can do is wait for the results - but I wish there was a miracle out there so that I didn't have to put Chloe through all of this. She has been such a good girl all her life, no matter what was asked of her, and I feel that she deserves better than this. If they find the ACTH test was inaccurate, he will be doing the longer low dose test (not sure of name) that takes about 8 hours. Do you know what this involves? that would be an LLDS, I believe. Just another type of blod test, but more in depth and takes longer. The look for supression at certain timed intervals, to see if the dog supresses normally or not. My friend helped me to look at my Coco with different eyes. At the end Coco developed kidney failure, once we got him back on his tightrope, my vet said that if he fell off the rope again then it would not be a good thing. Needless to say he eventually went into renal failure again and I had to make that dreadful decision. Poor lad had gone deaf and was almost blind, but had plently of bounce in him when he was on the right meds and his kidneys were behaving. I used to feel terrible having to take Coco for so many tests (the wallet hated it too ), but I considered that when he was on the right meds he had a good quality of life, so it was worth doing. His vet also loved him and carried him on his shoulders around the surgery seeing other patients so I never felt that I was hurting the boy. It is very possible that a Cush dog has diabetes too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thanks Loraine, I feel sad when I think about where I need to draw the line with Chloe - I can't imagine life without her, and yet I'd never want her to suffer. I hope it is nothing too serious. I've just been reading how Cushings can be an underlying cause of diabetes - so there is a possibility and the symptoms do match up perfectly. Excessive drinking and urination, inflammation of the skin etc - it's all exactly what she is experiencing. Not sure how mum will cope with a diabetes diagnosis too though. Not sure how I can convince her that Chloe is still okay to keep on going. I feel horrible when she tells me it's cruel and I start to second guess myself. Not that she doesn't want to help Chloe, but she loves her so much and worries terribly about her suffering. None of us want to see that. I see other people talking about such things and when to know when it's time or enough is enough... and I never really considered that our time to think about it might be soon. It breaks my heart. These diseases may be treatable, but they are devastating emotionally. But I shouldn't get upset until more results are known. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Not sure how mum will cope with a diabetes diagnosis too though. Not sure how I can convince her that Chloe is still okay to keep on going. I feel horrible when she tells me it's cruel and I start to second guess myself. Not that she doesn't want to help Chloe, but she loves her so much and worries terribly about her suffering. None of us want to see that. I see other people talking about such things and when to know when it's time or enough is enough... and I never really considered that our time to think about it might be soon. It breaks my heart. These diseases may be treatable, but they are devastating emotionally.But I shouldn't get upset until more results are known. Hang in there girl, you can deal with whatever the prognosis is. If you want to chat PM me your phone number (or your Mum's) and I can give you an experienced shoulder (((HUGS))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thank you both Loraine and Glenda for your support, it means a great deal to me Let's just keep all fingers and paws crossed for some good news tomorrow. Can only hope, and take it one diagnosis at a time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tru Borders Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Kelly, I just wanna give you the biggest hug ever Im so sorry to hear you are in limbo with Chloe's results. I can imagine the frustration must be awful. You have been given some great info from Loraine and Glenda, I wish I had some advice for you but I know very little, other than what you have told me about the disease. Our dogs are loyal. They love us unconditionally. They make our hearts fuzzy when we get home from work. Their tail wag means more to us than they will ever know. Our dogs talk to us in so many ways and a paw at us, a nudge or a soft bark always makes us smile. They are our loved fur kids. We will do anything for them, as they will for us. When they look up at us from their belly up stretches they are always smiling. They listen to us with open ears and tilted heads. They lick us right on the mouth and instead of spitting and wiping, we class this as a smooch from someone we love. They have our hearts ... they always will. The decisions you make should always be in the best interests of Chloe, which as I believe, always are. I was watching the Dog Whisperer today, it was an episode I hadn't seen before. It featured an actress and her son. They had to put down their dog Dixie, as she was 14 and suffering the usual old age ailments. It was the young boy (he was about 10) who said one of the most important things during that episode and possibly the whole season, regarding older dogs who were sick. He said that all the medications they were giving her only covered up the symptoms, they didnt get rid of the illness. One day she looked at him and he knew it was her time to go. At this stage I was crying, amazed at the wisdom of a boy about to lose his childhood friend. Please dont think I am saying you need to consider this .... I just thought it was something I could share with you, as sometimes its easier to talk to others in here about these things. I will be thinking of your and your family Kelly. I am here if you need to talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemstone Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Our dogs are loyal. They love us unconditionally. They make our hearts fuzzy when we get home from work. Their tail wag means more to us than they will ever know. Our dogs talk to us in so many ways and a paw at us, a nudge or a soft bark always makes us smile. They are our loved fur kids. We will do anything for them, as they will for us. When they look up at us from their belly up stretches they are always smiling. They listen to us with open ears and tilted heads. They lick us right on the mouth and instead of spitting and wiping, we class this as a smooch from someone we love. They have our hearts ... they always will. Oh husky - such beautiful beautiful words......... I have an oldie, with health issues and this has really touched me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tru Borders Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Oh husky - such beautiful beautiful words.........I have an oldie, with health issues and this has really touched me aw bless your cotton socks rmc Glad you liked it. Hope you went out and gave your oldie a chin scratch and a belly rub I was just thinking about my fur kids and how much I love them .... and would do anything I could for them, whatever circumstance. Then I thought about what they do for me .... and thats where the words came from. damn dogs making me so emotional Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 Damn it HH, just got into work and im in tears again... but thank you for your words. Not sure I can tell you what they mean. I did alot of thinking and soul searching all day/night. There were many tears, more than I can say. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my girl, honestly. I'd spend every last cent I had. She has never let me down once. Through all her health issues, we've given her every chance - she's taken it, marched on stoically and sometimes even conquered it. I couldn't be prouder of her. And I know, whatever the result today - should I give her a chance she will do the same thing - fight on till the very end. She would do that for us, I have no doubt. But at the end of the day, the result today could mean another of her organs affected, and endanger others. If the result is not what we are hoping for, then it could mean the beginning of a slow decline for my beautiful old girl. It could mean more frightening tests, more up and down health. We can delay it all with meds and she could have many more good days... but the one thing I never want is for her to experience an organ failure or severe health trauma as an inevitable result of these diseases, or have some good days and have an horrific end. I don't want her to feel more pain or fear. She doesn't deserve that. I can't tell you how horrifically hard it is for me to even consider this, but I do it because of my unconditional love for a dog that has been my loyalest friend, and family member for the past 11 years. I feel I owe her that for all she has given us. So depending on the verdict today, I feel ready to make the right, and tough decisions for Chloe. I will weigh up all the options, and what will serve her best. Sometimes you have to realise when enough is enough, and I can't keep asking her to fight battle after battle for our sake. I know she would, but I couldn't live with myself. All I can ask is that you pray for a good result for my baby. She has the courage to see it through, she just needs some luck to come her way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tru Borders Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Kelly, will be thinking bout you and Chloe and your family all day Suga. Got everything crossed for a good result. Chloe will let you know what the best thing to do is. Just look into her eyes. She will tell you. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 (edited) Thanks hun... the problem is, her eyes are more than prepared to fight because they don't know what lies down the track, and because if I asked her to she would. And I don't want her to experience that. I know there will be some good days, but there is no miracle that will turn back the clock and make her well again. A good result from the tests would be miracle enough for me. Even if it's just the Cushings back (and the original test was incorrect), then we'd keep on going. At the moment a positive result would make me happier than winning lotto. But we are not giving up yet - I guess I'm just preparing myself for the possibility that we may have to consider what's really best for her. Edited August 13, 2009 by Kelly_Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Well Chloe's specialist has called me - he does not have the official blood/urine results as yet - but he believes that it is just the Cushings coming back. Which, even though not ideal, is good news for us. Cushings we can kinda deal with. Still not official, but he said he gave her a very thorough examination, checked her all over and is happy enough with his initial view that allows him to believe it may be just her Cushings flaring up again, and he does not believe she has diabetes. Can only keep fingers crossed that's all it is. Thank you to so many of the lovely people that have sent messages of support - I appreciate it more than I can say, as does my old girl Chloe for all the prayers. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InspectorRex Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Hang in there with your beautiful girl Chloe. You have been down this path before with your girl and you are all the more stronger for that. Hugs to you both and Chloe is in my prayers too. Like you I too would spend every cent I had on my furkids too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Sounds like great news Kelly_Louise. Not great, but should be at least manageable. Best wishes for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Thank you all for your support. As long as Chloe continues to cope with her Cushings (if that is what the tests show) then we will push on. The thought of having to let her go was killing me I'm not ready to say goodbye yet... but I guess we never are right? Praying that the specialist is right tomorrow and it's confirmed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now