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alisons
09-01-2012, 10:47 PM
I have just joined this group because I have put my hand up for a little old lady apparently 10+ who was a stray in Sydney Australia, taken to a Shelter and rescued by Paws for Thought. She went on trial and during the first week the potential adopter encountered issues with Podge and returned her. I have put my hand up as her Permanent Foster Carer and I will be driving 200km next Sunday to collect her and bring her home. I have known nothing about this disease previously and am overwhelmed. My research has commenced and this is how I found this web site. My confidence is boosted as I had also found a website Happy Hen House soooooooooo helpful for ME (lol) my chookies and some of their earlier issues in the past.
Podge is currently having bloods done now, she is on 30mg of Trilostane per day. Thats all I know. My thoughts are that I would like to give her as natural a diet as I can and this is confirmed by other information I have gained. Today I have started my two old boys, both rescues and in their very very twilight years a 'raw diet'. I need all the dogs to eat the same, I include liquid glucosamine into their diet - been using it for years with my old shephard and had to import from the States, now I can get it in Aust so its fabbo and so much cheaper. I plan to use Fish Oil. I know I may be 'tackled' but sometimes I think vets think their special food is best. I have gone to my regular vet today and talked to the girls and feel they think it will be too hard for me to keep the dogs dietary requirements right by 'doing it myself' and not paying a fortune for special food. I know commercial food is garbage and have been cooking - yes cooking - for my boys for years - no ill effect they are both healthy and OLD. But Cushings should not have cooked food, hence the Raw. Anyway enough of my rambling I will pre thank you all for support in little Podges journey, I am and always will be wondering why her owners did not come to get her from the Pound (but not suprised because there are so many people that dont deserve animals). I do though have a boundary as to what I will and wont do for this little lady. I have gone thru the medications and worries of a renal dumped cat who we adored. I hold no expectations that she is going to live for ever, I just want every day a good one for her and will do all in my power (and that is the operative word) to make it so for her. I have just kinda retired from full time work, 56 years of age, husband who just does what I say (lol) three rescue cats, two rescue dogs, two rescue chookies, one rescue duck, two rescue guinea pigs, one rescue Budgie (bird) and one beautiful horse who I actually picked for myself. I am also no good at remembering medical stuff, bloods, etc etc. It just sends me into a spin. And, after War and Peace, my raw diet which was very well received by the Oldies this evening was:
Very well chopped Chicken Backs
Chopped Lamb
Chopped Blade Steak
and fresh Mincesteak
When Podge joins the feeding frenzy, I will not be giving them mince from the premadeupstuff, I will put some blade or something thru the processer and make my own. I also need to find an easy medium to introduce the tablet in the morning (probably mince?) I do some travelling and I have to get Johnny something easy. I am going to have a Webster pack so the days of the week are already for him lol. So Hi - please put your suggestions forward and I will share my experiences with you and all hopefully in a positive way. Thanks

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mytil
09-02-2012, 08:13 AM
Hi and welcome to our site!

What a wonderful thing you have adopted Podge when she was returned due to issues - many would not due to her age also....well done.

When you get the chance post the initial tests performed to diagnose the Cushing's.

Terry

labblab
09-02-2012, 08:49 AM
Welcome from me, too! :)

And I agree 100% with everything that Terry has just written. ;)

However, I am wondering a bit as to why you are thinking that cooked food is ruled out for Cushpups. We do have members here who feed raw and are very happy with the results. But we also have many members who successfully feed their dogs either commercially prepared or homemade cooked food. So I am wondering who has told you that cooked food is to be ruled out for Podge?

Also, one cautionary note about changing her food radically as soon as you bring her home: one of the biggest warning signs that a dog may be overdosed on trilostane is GI disturbance such as vomiting or diarrhea. So it is best to keep other sources of GI distress (such as a new diet) at a minimum during the time that a dog is adjusting to treatment. Otherwise, you cannot tell what the source of the problem may be, and Podge may end up having to undergo expensive blood testing in order to make sure that it is not the trilostane.

Podge will already be undergoing a huge change just by joining your household. So even though your ultimate goal may be to change over her food, I'd strongly encourage you to leave her on her current food while she is first settling into your home.

Marianne

Squirt's Mom
09-02-2012, 09:45 AM
Hi and welcome to you and Podge! :)

How wonderful of you to step up and take this precious soul! Thank you!

I also seriously question the diet info you have found. Cush pups need a diet that is low in fats and moderate in proteins. I fear a prey model diet, which seems to be what you have chosen, may be way too high in both nutrients for a cush pup. Marianne's comment about changing diets at the same time as starting treatment is right on the mark - it is critical that we be able to tell, with some degree of accuracy, WHY our pups have gotten ill - is the drug? or is it the new diet? Cushing's can be confusing enough without adding other changes in the beginning. ;)

I am one who home cooks for my cush baby and have since she was diagnosed in 2008 - and she has done wonderfully on her diet in every way. ;)

Just food for thought!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

MBK
09-02-2012, 12:19 PM
You have come to the right place for knowlegeable people that can give you excellent advice on all things Cushing's...but, I will leave that to them!

I just wanted to welcome you as it takes a VERY special kind of person to adopt an old dog, and an even more special person to adopt one sight unseen with health issues. Podge will be so fortunate to join your gang and I am quite certain with your caring for him his golden years will be quite happy!

Again, welcome to you!

Lady's mom
09-02-2012, 03:20 PM
Just want to say: I LOVE her name!