Help (11 y/o staffordshire pit terrier)

[Allie]

Hello,

I am in a financial bind. I would love to care for my 10 y/o, soon to be 11 y/o staffordshire pit terrier to treat her possible diagnosis of Cushing's but I am currently in school, and barely making it on loans. She still needs to have the blood work and abdominal ultrasound to confirm Cushing's but she definitely displays the symptoms (pot belly, polyuria, polydipsia, constant hunger, uncontrollable peeing, and the initial blood work indicated elevated liver and kidney enzymes, along with pre-diabetic levels). It pains me to be in this situation, as I know that this is a costly and chronic condition. If you know of ANY financial assistance out there, my Allie and I would believe that Karma points galore would be received. Thanks.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Allie!

I am sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but so glad you found us. First thing I want to provide you with is a link to a thread in our Resource Forum which, hopefully, will be of some help: Financial Resources to help with Vet bills (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212) Care credit is one card I have that has helped me, when I use this card I have 6 months to pay the balance before any interest is accrued.

I was wondering if you could get your hands on all test/s that were done on Allie and post only the abnormal values with the reference ranges and units of measurement, as an example: ALT 150 U/L (5-50)...Thanks!

Cushing's can be a very difficult condition to diagnose and many of it symptoms mimic other conditions. All of Allie's symptoms could be attributed to diabetes, if the glucose level was high it could be that Allie has diabetes and not Cushing's, so posting her lab values would be very helpful. Was an urinalysis done? If so could you post those findings too? Unfortunately, Cushing's is also often misdiagnosed and since there isn't just one test that is conclusive, a vet has to rely on more than one diagnostic and validation test.

Cushing's moves at a snail's pace so one does have time to get a confirmed diagnosis.

Cushing's can be expensive to start with because the initial expense is during the diagnostic phase, the cost of treating for Cushing's usually goes down significantly after you've got the diagnosis confirmed and the treatment underway.

Please know we will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask any and all questions. ;)

Hugs, Lori

[goldengirl88]

Another way is to go to the Staffordshire clubs and email as many members as you can. They may have someone who is in a position to help you because they love the breed. Contact as many places concerning this breed as possible and you may find help. look under the American kennel Club. Hope you get some help. Blessings
Patti

[Allie]

Allie's Story:
Allie was found in a field, along with her siblings, in a field in Lodi, CA. I found her on Craigslist.org and fell in love. Throughout all of life's transitions and challenges, Allie has always been my cheerleader, with a big smile and a wagging tail. She enjoyes playing, even as time catches up to us both, and reaching out to complete strangers, who she seems to know needs a smile that day. She's amazing. Her expressions are unlike other dogs. She understands. Sometimes I think she was a human in another life because she enjoys human company over canine.
She's mischievious and cuddly. When I'm sick, she curls into bed with me. When I cry, she whimpers and presses her nose against my hand, as if to remind me that everything is okay.
Recently, Allie has received preliminary blood work, which showed elevated levels of liver and kidney enzymes, as well as pre-diabetic levels. The veterinarian has recommended further diagnostic tests for Cushing's, since she displays the symptoms (pot belly, polyguria, polyuria, constant hunger, some peeing inside the house, skin cysts all throughout her body). I am unable to financially support her needs for further diagnostic blood work, abdominal ultrasound and ongoing medicinal treatment, as I am a student, receiving loans. Please, anything can help Allie. She has so much life to live and give. Please help Allie.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Allie,

Allie sounds like a very loving and adorable furbaby, and the love you have for her is obvious.

Almost all of the symptoms Allie is displaying can be attributed to diabetes, was an urinalysis performed, and if so, could you post those findings? Also if you could post all abnormal values from her chemistry/CBC blood tests along with their reference ranges and units of measurement that would be great...Thanks!

If Allie is suspected of having diabetes than the diagnostic testing for Cushing's should not performed because any non-adrenal illness, such as diabetes, can create false positive results for Cushing's. Another thing, we have a sister site that deals with canine diabetes and the wonderful folks there are very supportive and knowledgeable about diabetes, here's the link: k9diabetes.com (http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/)

I am providing a link from our Resource Forum which has a list of organizations that may be able to help financially: Financial Resources to help with Vet bills (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212)

Please know we will help in any way we can so do ask all the questions you want. ;)

Hugs, Lori

[jxeno13]

Hi and welcome to you and Allie!

My ex-husband used to haul tomatoes out of Lodi. Do you live near there? We lived in San Jose at the time.

Lori pretty much covered what you need to do for us here. She's one of our senior members who know the "what to do next". :D They are very knowledgeable in the Cushing's department.

For help with funds.....I know in the state of California if you are low income and receive some kind of services through them, (I'd ask anyway, even if you don't) as a student, I know I read where they will also give you $50 a month to help towards food, medicine, etc. Also check and fill out an application at the Onyx and Breezy Foundation online. They are also for low income and will help with Vet's fees for testing, food, medicine, etc. It will take some paper work, but it's worth it to try. ...I've tried many myself....for weeks and weeks. Many of the Foundations are state specific, county specific, only for surgery, out of money, etc......the list goes on and on. But, if you search.....there may be a few more in Northern California....Foundations for pet care help.

Good luck with your baby girl, Allie. So glad that you found each other! :)

[labblab]

Welcome to you and Allie! Can you tell us how old she is and how much she weighs? Also, as Lori has said, if you could write out the actual numbers for her abnormal lab results, this can help give us a better frame of reference re: a possible treatment path.

Since you've described her as "pre-diabetic," I am assuming her blood glucose levels are still within the normal range, but perhaps at the higher end? If so, it is true that elevated steroid levels can raise glucose levels, as well, so that may be why your vet is looking at that as another possible marker of Cushing's.

Ideally, of course it would be best for Allie to undergo the fullest battery of testing possible. But given her clinical symptoms and depending upon the actual abnormals on her blood and urine testing, your vet may feel as though a "positive" on a diagnostic Cushing's blood test would be sufficient grounds to move forward with a treatment trial -- starting at a very low dose of trilostane, for instance, and watching her carefully with another monitoring test at the 30-day mark. Depending upon Allie's weight, compounded trilostane can be very reasonably priced (initial dosing is based on weight). And again, based on weight, there are ways to reduce the cost of the monitoring testing.

If Allie turns out to be a more complicated case or she responds poorly, then sadly, yes the testing and care may add up in a way that makes it unaffordable to continue onward with treatment. But there is an equal chance that she may respond very easily and favorably, and the ongoing costs could turn out to be manageable to you. There are many dogs whom we never even meet here, simply because their treatments proceed with no glitches and their owners have no need to register and ask questions. A good friend of mine has a Cushpup and I was initially very surprised that she never joined the forum since she kniws of my involvement here. But she later told me she has just never felt the need to join because her dog has done so well on treatment and everything has gone smoothly! So that could be possible for Allie, too.

Jo Ann has given you some great resource suggestions. One addition I can think of is, if you are in the Bay Area, you might contact the UC Davis Vet School to see if they have any low-cost clinics/services that you might qualify for, especially if you are a student. I believe they have a clinic in Sacramento to serve pets of the homeless, for instance. I know that doesn't fit your exact situation, but they may have other low-cost services available if you would be willing for Allie to be treated by students under the oversight of faculty vets.

But first things first. If you can provide us with those specifics about Allie's age, weight, and lab results, that will be a great start for us.

Marianne

[goldengirl88]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sorry you are having such difficulty and want to treat your baby. Do you know what breed your dog is? If so you could contact that breeds club members by looking at the AKC website as there are members who donate money to help dog breeds they have been associated with. You could maybe try there for help. Blessings
Patti

[jxeno13]

G'morning. I forgot about the breed specific foundations as well, as Patti said. One thing about Calif. too as, Marianne said with UC Davis in the Bay area and...having a clinic in Sacramento (if you live near there)...they may also be able to tell you (if they can't help you) ...where you can go. Without knowing the cities or towns you are close to, (it's hard to guess). I know in Northern Cali the smaller town Vets are usually cheaper than then the larger city Vets. The Foundations will want an estimate of the cost to be presented at the time of the application, they don't pay (usually) for services already done.

A good "One-Stop"..does have a directory of social service agencies and a list of all their services. All it takes is a phone to call one or stop by one. I know they have a wall full of leaflets full of information......or even stop by your local shelter may be able to help.

But, don't freak yet....as Marianne said....please give us some more information about you and your baby Allie. :D

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too.

There is also carecredit.com, which give you time to make low interest payments and can be used for human and pet.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[goldengirl88]

I was thinking of you and wondered if you had any success with finding some funding for your dog? Hope all is well. Blessings
Patti

[doxiesrock912]

Definitely apply for Care Credit.

http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/whycc.html/other/

[jxeno13]

I was thinking of you and wondered if you had any success with finding some funding for your dog? Hope all is well. Blessings
Patti

Same here. I did post a couple of links. You can leave a message on my page and I can leave another for you if you wish. Here is one. http://www.onyxandbreezy.org/

[kaibosmom]

I've seen a few people use Go Fund Me lately. You can try that. Good luck.

[AngelToto]

Care Credit can be life-saving, literally. It is worth a shot. Good luck sweetie

[goldengirl88]

Hope with the links to resources you are able to help your sweet baby. Blessings
Patti