Charlie - (Charlie has passed) breathing problems, yeasty skin, and blindness

[jillmst]

My funny little dog Charlie is about 10 years old and is a maltese/chihuahua/pug/yorkie/something or other. He went blind in late 2012. In 2013 we spent the entire year finding a better vet and doing lots of tests that resulted in him being diagnosed with Cushing's and at beginning of 2014 started Vetoryl. Since then, his dose has been increased once, to 20mg a day, and the results are very good -- mostly.

The most difficult problem we have is a constant struggle to calm his itchy scabby skin down. I know it's fungal and yeast. Does anyone have any advice on what to use? When I use the shampoo from the vet it relieves his skin instantly and it starts to heal but after a day or two gets worse again. The only time his skin is completely clear is when he has been on antibiotics for it. But I don't want to have to have him take antibiotics every single day forever -- and I don't think you can do that anyways.

I have tried anti-fungal creams and ointments for things such as athlete's foot and yeast infections. These seem to help with the itch but not very much with healing. Spray-on Gold Bond itch powder works great for itch but he HATES it. And again, no healing properties. Any advice?

Also, I noticed that there were a few people on this site that experience similar breathing problems, but there is very little to no information on the web about what I can do to help him breath easier. It's the whole "sounds like he's snoring up a storm except that he's wide awake" thing.

[mytil]

Welcome to you and Charlie.

Poor little guy! I do not have any direct experience with yeast infections, but I would take a look at what he is eating. It could be something in the food that is generating or at the very least contributing to this - for instance grain or high carbs.

Cushpups have weakened immune systems and flare ups of infections (internally and externally) happen.

Glad to hear he is doing good with the Vetoryl dosage - so his last ACTH monitoring test was when?

Terry

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

I dealt with yeast, dandruff, dry to oily skin and bacteria infections with my Cush pup. Keto Chlor is a prescription shampoo that can help with all of the above. A skin scraping done by your vet can tell you if bacteria is above or under the skin. If under the skin you may need antibiotics.

Every dog is different but the Keto Chlor is something you could try.

[jillmst]

His last ACTH Stim test was Feb. 18, 2014

[jillmst]

Welcome to you and Charlie.

Poor little guy! I do not have any direct experience with yeast infections, but I would take a look at what he is eating. It could be something in the food that is generating or at the very least contributing to this - for instance grain or high carbs.

Cushpups have weakened immune systems and flare ups of infections (internally and externally) happen.

Glad to hear he is doing good with the Vetoryl dosage - so his last ACTH monitoring test was when?

Terry
His last ACTH Stim test was Feb. 18, 2014

[jillmst]

Hi and Welcome,

I dealt with yeast, dandruff, dry to oily skin and bacteria infections with my Cush pup. Keto Chlor is a prescription shampoo that can help with all of the above. A skin scraping done by your vet can tell you if bacteria is above or under the skin. If under the skin you may need antibiotics.

Every dog is different but the Keto Chlor is something you could try.
Thanks, I will look this product up!

[labblab]

His last ACTH Stim test was Feb. 18, 2014
Hi Jill,

Was this the ACTH test that was performed to diagnose Charlie's Cushing's? Since starting on the Vetoryl, have any monitoring ACTH tests been done? The ACTH is used both to diagnose Cushing's originally and then to monitor cortisol levels after treatment begins. In terms of monitoring, the ACTH is the "gold standard" for determining whether the Vetoryl dose is lowering the cortisol appropriately: not too low so as to be unsafe, but low enough to eliminate the symptoms that accompany Cushing's. Even after a dog has been stabilized on a particular dose of Vetoryl, the manufacturers recommend that an ACTH be performed every 3 months to make sure that the cortisol levels are not drifting too far up or down. So even if the February ACTH was a monitoring test for Charlie, he is overdue for another one. For instance, it could be that his cortisol level is still running higher than is optimal, and that might account for your difficulty in gaining control of his skin infections.

Has your vet talked to you at all re: scheduling a monitoring ACTH test?

Marianne

[lulusmom]

Hi Jill and welcome to you and Charlie.

It would be very helpful if you could please provide us with Charlie's history, starting from the time he went blind. I would be particularly interested in knowing whether Charlie's blindness was sudden as in days or weeks? Was he showing any symptoms before or after going blind?

What made your vet pursue a cushing's diagnosis? Did Charlie have the more common symptoms of cushing's such as excessive drinking and peeing, voracious appetite and panting? Was the skin an issue before the cushing's diagnosis or after?

Can you please post the results of the last ACTH stimulation test that was done back in February? I have assume that you started treatment with Vetoryl in January or February so for your vet not to have ordered any additional acth stimulation tests since then, it very concerning. Your boy needs to go in for a fresh stim test. When Charlie had his last stim tests, did you make sure that he got his Vetoryl with food on the morning of the test and that you got him to the vet within 4 to 5 hours of dosing? Is Charlie getting 10mg once a day in the am?

With respect to the snoring, dogs with a short snout snort more than most but dogs with short snouts and cushing's, are highly likely to pant, snort and snore more due to the muscle wasting due to the catabolic effects of high cortisol, as well as redeposition of fat to the thoracic area due to effects of cortisol on fat metabolism. This usually improves slowly with effective treatment.

I see that Marianne has posted while I was trying to get this post done between interruptions at work so please forgive me for any duplication.

Looking forward to receiving lots more information on your precious Charlie.

Glynda

[jillmst]

Late 2012
Noticed Charlie's behaviour changing. He stopped jumping up on and off of the couch. Instead of pulling on his leash, he started trailing behind us on walks. His favourite pastime, Fetch, was no longer interesting to him, and he stopped playing with his toys. He drank so much water every day that I went out and bought a bigger water dish so that I didn't have to fill it up so often. A few accidents, but not anything crazy. Before bed he would drink water for so long that I would pick him up just to stop him. His entire life up until now I've free-fed Charlie, but now I have to have set meal times because he's started to scarf his food like he's STARVING all the time! But he was at least 8 years old and maybe just slowing down a bit due to aging.


November 2012
Vet appointment to make sure he was healthy and that his behaviours were changing due to age, and not something more serious. They did a canine health screen, had blood work done, urine test, electrolytes test -- everything came back normal. Weighed in at 11.4 pounds. On his chart, among all of the regular other things, is recorded "eyes clear".


December 2012
We start calling Charlie "our little potato" because that is what he looks like now. We think it's cute and he is just old and needs to lose weight.


January 2nd, 2013
Charlie still behaving oddly and is becoming more lethargic, so made another vet appointment. More health screens, more tests done. They said that his teeth could use a cleaning. On his chart, under Notes, is written "ear swab -- suspect yeast/bacteria otitis external". Weighed in at 13.2 pounds. I was told that he was now overweight and needs to go on a diet. They recommend a weight management dog food that they sell at that vet, so I buy it for him.


January 22th, 2013
We spend the holidays with my parents in Alberta. There is a HUGE cost difference in canine teeth cleaning between Toronto (where we live) and Alberta. Since we are there anyways, I make an appointment in advance to get Charlie's teeth cleaned with my mom's vet while we are there, since it's so much cheaper.

We take Charlie to meet the vet the day before the cleaning, so that the vet can check him out and make sure he is ok to do the cleaning. We put him on the counter in the vet office and introduce Charlie. The vet says, "Oh, he's blind!" as if we should already have known this. Of course, we are shocked! I said, "what?!?! HE'S BLIND???" and the vet says, "yeah, see, his pupils don't dilate" and he flicks the light switch on and off. Sure enough... everything suddenly seems to make sense about his behaviour changes in the past few months... No jumping - he can't see the couch or floor. Trailing us on walks - following by our sounds. No fetch - no see the toy!

So he gets his teeth cleaned and a few pulled and we take him home and now it seems very obvious that of course he is blind -- how could we not see this before? But that is common, I guess.


February 8, 2013
Back in Toronto, we book Charlie with a NEW vet to get his eyes checked properly and confirm his blindness. (I file a formal complaint about the first vet that I spent $700 for all kinds of tests and health screens and bloodwork and they couldn't even tell that he was blind).

The new vet confirms blindness, checks for proper healing after having teeth pulled, and questions why I changed his dog food. I said the old vet told me to feed him this specific weight management food. He asked me, "So you just do whatever the vet tells you to do?"

Um, yeah... that's the point. Vets go to school to learn about animal health so that they can tell me, who didn't go to school for animal health, what is best to feed my dog. No?

The question catches me off-guard and now he's kinda creeping me out. Anyways, we get a proper referral to the Toronto Animal Eye Clinic (you can only get in with a referral). Yay!


March 20, 2013
Eye Clinic - after testing and stuff, he says that Charlie has Progressive Retinal Atrophy in both eyes. He also strongly suspects that Charlie has Cushing's. (Which we discovered was why he resembled a potato so much hahaha)


Summer 2013
Charlie's skin flares up and becomes itchy, flakey, big red patches and hair falling out.


Oct. 19, 2013
New vet to start testing for Cushing's. Does a Geriatric Profile Lab and does bloodwork for Cushing's. Gives me Hexadine shampoo for his skin.


Oct. 29, 2013
Vet says there is very high chance that Charlie has Cushing's. Cortisol/Creatine Ratio Lab at vet.


Nov. 3, 2013
I call the vet to ask about Charlie's skin. Is there an ointment or cream I can use as well? Should we come in and do a skin scraping maybe? Vet becomes offended and feels that I don't trust his judgments. He becomes angry, and asks me, "isn't the shampoo helping?" I say, "oh yes, it helps a lot" and he mocks me in a high falsetto voice, "OH YES, IT HELPS A LOT huh?" I am speechless.


Nov. 27, 2013
New vet. Which we've actually been to years before, but when we moved out of the neighbourhood we'd switched to one closer. Now, I just want one that is good. So here we are! Tests for polydipsia, discovers pustules on him, and gives us antibiotics for his skin. Weight: 15.4 pounds. Pants a LOT, constantly.


Nov. 28, 2013
IDEXX Canine Low Dose Dex and more blood testing. After getting the results, this vet refers us to an Internal Medicine Vet that can better test for Cushing's.


Dec. 11, 2013
Internal Medicine Vet - suspects Pituitary Cushing's. Does a lot of testing. CBC blood counts are normal. Biochem - normal. Kidneys BUN creatmine normal. (I am trying to read his handwriting so the words may not be quite right). Catt - normal. Proteins normal. ALT normal. Alk phosphate 95%. Low dose dex suppression test.


Dec. 12, 2013
Charlie starts Vetoryl 10mg


Feb. 18, 2014
ACTH Stim Cortisol, blood collection, IDEXX Electrolytes Panel, Fungassay Culture (test for ringworm to rule it out just in case). They didn't tell me the results specifics, like numbers, should I have asked for them? Weight: 16.4 pounds


March 6, 2014
Vet increase Trilostane to 20mg


Summer 2014
Charlie's skin flares up again. Shampoo helps a lot, but it is an ongoing battle that doesn't go away.

Thanks to the advice on this thread from Terry, I did more "research" on what dogs with Cushing's should be eating and not eating. Got him a new food that I think will be better for him -- and his skin. Thanks, Terry! Also this week discovered his skin infection is now on the inside of one of his ears. That must be awful!

My vet said that we are due to do another ACTH Stim test in October but we can do earlier if I want. She wants to ensure that his Cushing's is under control and see if we need to do any dose adjustments BEFORE we give him antibiotics for his skin.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Jill,

The key thing in diet for a cush pup is to watch the fat content. You want a feed with very low fat content and moderate, not high, proteins. The package will provide this info in the nutrient analysis so you can compare feeds.

I am also providing some info on a condition called SARDS, or Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome. Pups go blind suddenly and for some unknown reason display Cushing's signs.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[lulusmom]

Jill, thanks for the outstanding job of summarizing Charlie's cushing's history. I don't have time to digest all of that information right now but will be back later to share any thoughts and questions. In the meantime, other members may want to chime in with thoughts and questions of their own.

Glynda

[jillmst]

Leslie,

The specialist did consider SARDS, but ruled it out -- I can't remember why. But either way, his retinas are detached. I'm just thankful that it isn't painful and that he doesn't seem to mind!

[labblab]

So Charlie has only had the one monitoring ACTH in Feb. since starting the trilostane in December? That is really contrary to accepted monitoring protocol because trilostane doses commonly require adustment over time even when overt behavior does not make it immediately obvious. Especially given his chronic skin issues, I really think you'd be well served to find out where his cortisol level is now.

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Is this the eye clinic on Norseman in Etobicoke?

I'm taking my molly to see the eye specialist at the Oakville Mississauga Animal ER hospital since that is where her specialist is, but if no satisfaction then I think I want a referral the the Animal Eye Hospital. It is very close to me too, which would be a plus.

I agree, an ACTH wouldn't hurt to have done too.

Sharlene and molly muffin (also Toronto area)

[jillmst]

Yes, the Toronto Animal Eye Clinic is at 150 Norseman Street
http://www.animaleyeclinic.ca
You can get a referral through your regular vet. I was very happy with Dr. Histed there, and I've also heard good things about Dr. Wolfer. Is Molly having problems with her eyes, too?

The Internal Medicine Specialist we went to was Dr. Kruth at the Central Toronto Veterinary Referral Clinic at 1051 Eglinton Ave. West. He was great as well.
http://ctvrc.ca

[jillmst]

Hi Sharlene, I've just skimmed a few of the last pages of your thread to get an idea of what is going on with Molly's eyes, since you asked me about the Toronto Animal Eye Clinic. Charlie's eyes were clear when he was confirmed to be blind. And it seems like he went blind over probably a 2 month period or so, but it's hard to be sure. I was told that he will probably develop cataracts over time anyways, even though it won't really matter. When I look into his eyes now, they are getting a little cloudy for sure, but not cataracts yet. But because his eyes look clear, people don't realize that he has vision loss, like when we're on walks or in elevators. They will be walking by us and want our dogs to "meet" and Charlie won't know what's coming at him! Sometimes I want to get a little t-shirt made that says "BLIND DOG" but I don't know.

Anyways, the best tips I have from my own personal experience for having a dog with vision impairments in the house are:

- MATS. When he comes upon a mat, he can feel the difference in texture on his feet. So we have a mat at the end of the couch where it is safe to jump up. Then he feels that mat, he knows "ok, I can jump, it's going to be the couch that's about 2 feet high that I'm used to, and I can be sure that I'm not going to run into anything or land on anything or fall". And a tiny wool one on the couch where he can jump off and know he's not going to hit the coffee table or something. We also have a mat at our bed where it is safe to jump up and down, under his dishes so that when he walks up to get a drink of water he doesn't kick the dish, and when he feels the mat he knows where the dish is. Also doorways so that he knows where to turn and that he's at the door to go outside and stops and doesn't run into the door. Later we removed the ones from indoor doorways because dogs memorize floor plans VERY quickly anyways.

- Don't move the dog bed or water dish, ever. Those are the points from where he maps out the rest of his floor plan.

- Walk with sound. When we go on walks or to the park, I clip my keys to myself or the leash handle so that they jingle every time I step, and he knows where I am at all times. He also really responds to me snapping my fingers. Someone else told me that she wears the same bangle bracelets that make that jingly sound all the time and that helped her dog a lot. Or tie a little jingle bell to your shoe or purse strap.

- Phrases. When he was about run into something, out of a natural knee-jerk reaction I would call, "Watch out!" and he learned right away that when he hears, "Watch out!" he freezes so that he doesn't hit something. He also knows "Step!" if he's about to come up to a step down (like a curb for example). He stops and puts his paw out gingerly to feel for the step and then confidently steps down and goes on his way.

I think that these tips might help for any dog with vision problems, whether they are blind or not, to take the pressure off of relying on sight for certain things, and help them feel the same confidence in their home that they've always had.

I hope Molly's appointment goes well and hubby's too, for that matter! Good luck :o

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Jill,

I'm mom to two blind babies, Trinket and Brick. Those are excellent tips for living with a blind baby!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Spencersmom]

Good advice, Jill! Our Lexi was blind for about the last two years of her life. They do learn to compensate and map their territory. Years ago I also had a blind dog that stayed outside and he was amazingly adaptable to his vision loss! He would scale the fence and escape the yard while we were at work, and would adventure around and then come back home. We caught him a few times, and nicknamed him houdini because no matter what we did, he figured out how to get out!

[Dixie'sMom]

I'm just popping in to say hello to you and Charlie. Charlie sure is cute. I hate he's having skin problems.

Has anyone ever tried tea tree oil for the skin issues? Its supposed to be a natural fungicide and antibacterial. It may not be a good idea to use in areas where they can lick it off, but I wonder if it would hurt to try some diluted on an area that they can not reach. Anyone ever tried it? I also wonder if corn starch would sooth the itching and soreness. I know myself when I have problems with sweaty, yeasty kinds of rashes that corn starch (plain from the grocery store) will give me relief and healing in less than 24 hrs. Just a thought. I also know humans can take a 1 pill dose of Diflucan to kill the overgrowth of yeast. I wonder if vets ever give that for pets? Lots of questions and no answers. Sorry. Anyway, I hope your little fella will feel better soon.

[jillmst]

I spoke to a previous vet about the tea tree oil products and tea tree oil itself, and he said that the products have way too small of a concentration to have any effect at all on cushing's dogs. He told me not to waste my money. But I haven't spoken to anyone else about it, nor my current vet. And I haven't done any further research on tea tree oil, either.

OK, I admit, I HAVE tried cream/ointment for athlete's foot, and then when that didn't seem to be doing anything, I tried Monistat cream. Both athlete's foot and yeast infections are treated by the same topical treatments because they're fungal infections. But neither helped much. A little, but nothing comes close to the effects of the shampoo from the vet. The vet said that I was right about the athlete's foot and yeast infection stuff, but it didn't do any good anyways. However, spray-on Gold Bond powder works VERY well for his itch (but obviously doesn't do anything for healing). Which leads me to believe that cornstarch might be worth a try! :)

No matter what, I am definitely going to make an appointment for his next ACTH test as soon as possible.

[Harley PoMMom]

ACTH Stim Cortisol, blood collection, IDEXX Electrolytes Panel, Fungassay Culture (test for ringworm to rule it out just in case). They didn't tell me the results specifics, like numbers, should I have asked for them? Weight: 16.4 pounds

Absolutely ;) And when you get them could you post those results for us?



My vet said that we are due to do another ACTH Stim test in October but we can do earlier if I want. She wants to ensure that his Cushing's is under control and see if we need to do any dose adjustments BEFORE we give him antibiotics for his skin.

Not sure if you seen Marianne's post so I am re-posting it here:


So Charlie has only had the one monitoring ACTH in Feb. since starting the trilostane in December? That is really contrary to accepted monitoring protocol because trilostane doses commonly require adustment over time even when overt behavior does not make it immediately obvious. Especially given his chronic skin issues, I really think you'd be well served to find out where his cortisol level is now.

Marianne




I was giving Charlie 20mg at midnight every day just because it fit best with our work schedules, but after doing some research I was thinking of maybe giving 10mg in the day and 10mg at night instead... but would that construe the next ACTH test?

The norm is giving the Trilostane once a day and in the morning with food. If however, the dog's symptoms seem to rebound in the evening than an UC:CR can be done in the morning with the urine sample being taken before the Trilostane is given, this can show if the cortisol has risen in the evening and the dog might benefit with twice a day dosing.



Last time my pup Charlie had an ACTH test he was doing the 10mg at midnight, and because of the times that the clinic is open we did the ACTH at 8am in the morning, which seems too late after his dosage, but there didn't seem to be any other way. Afterwards, the vet upped his dosage to 20mg a day. How can I be sure that the next ACTH results are as accurate as possible?

When Trilostane is given twice a day, ideally, the doses should be 12 hours apart or at least as close to that as possible. So if you give Charlie's first dose at, say, 9 am, then his second dose would be given around 9 pm. When the Trilostane is on a schedule like that the monitoring ACTH stimulation test will be accurate.

Hugs, Lori

[labblab]

I am so glad that Lori noticed your reply in which you posted regarding the timing of Charlie's previous ACTH. It really is not a good thing to have the test run 8 hours after dosing because by that time, the drug's effect is already waning. According to the manufacturer, cortisol levels for many dogs have actually returned to baseline by the 12-hour mark.

Whether you dose once or twice daily, you really need to have the test run between 4-6 hours after a dosing. From the standpoint of safety, you need to know the cortisol level at its lowest point. And from the standpoint of optimal control, you need to know what the level is when the medication is peaking. You gain both those pieces of information by testing within the proper window of time.

It sounds as though your work schedule makes it difficult to dose during the daytime. But if not, I just want to warn you that it will be difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from an ACTH that is performed many hours after dosing.

Marianne

[jillmst]

Ok, as of today I'm dosing Charlie once a day, 20mg Trilostane, in the morning right after some foods. No matter what, I WILL make this schedule work. On Monday I will call the vet and make the ACTH test appointment, and by the day of the test we should have a good chance of getting accurate results, which I will post as soon as I get them -- and I'll ask for more details than in the past so I have a better idea of what's going on. I am so grateful to have this forum

I was going to write that his skin looks a bit better today, but then I just caught him chewing his arm :( I'll wrap a piece of gauze around it so he stops. Which always work with him, and always surprises me! Because any other dog I've had would have made it his mission to get the gauze off as soon as I put it on. But not Charlie! He's a funny pup!

[Dixie'sMom]

What a good boy Tater... uh, I mean Charlie is to leave his bandage alone. (I get tickled at you saying he looks like a potato.) That really is good because if he needs antibiotic cream or something like that on it, then he won't mess with his bandages. I'm glad you are scheduling another ACTH. Hopefully they can help you with his skin too. I know that is hard on both of you when he is so uncomfortable. Let me know when his apt. is so I can be rooting and cheering for you both. :)

[molly muffin]

Oh yes. Glad Lori caught that. Really. The vet should always tell their patients what is needed for accurate testing and protocols to follow but many don't seem to think it matters or makes that much difference. They are incorrect. When the difference of a small change in levels can make a big difference you really want to know what the lowest cortisol point is. Good catch Lori.

Fiddles about the chewing on his keg but what a little champ to leave it alone when the bandage is on.

Sharlene and Molly muffin

[jillmst]

Well, today Charlie woke up with a crazy goopy ear infection! I called the vet as soon as they opened and we got an appointment in the afternoon. When we were there, the vet said that I could leave him and they could also do his ACTH test as well as an electrolytes test if I wanted to, which is great! That way they can do his tests, and then afterwards give him antibiotics for his skin and ear.

[labblab]

Jill, if the ACTH is being done in the afternoon, what will this mean in terms of the timing post-breakfast/trilostane? Will it be within that 4-6 hours after dosing?

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Eeek good point Marianne. The ACTH needs to be done in that 4 - 6 hour window of being administered the dose of vetroyl to get really accurate results. After that the cortisol starts to rise and it doesn't show the true lowest point.

Hope the ears get cleared up. Molly has gotten a couple infections, but they just turn really red, no goop.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

Personally, if my dog had an infection, I would opt out of having an ACTH stimulation test at that time and would wait until the infection had cleared up to do so...JMO ;)

[Dixie'sMom]

Jill, what did the vet say about Charlie today?

[jillmst]

Well, the last week I've been giving Charlie his lunch & Trilostane at noon. So we went to the vet at 3:45pm, they would have done the test after 4:30 which would be perfectly inside the 4-6 hour window. He had an ACTH stim test and an electrolytes test. Then they gave him antibiotics for his skin, cleaned his ear, and gave him ear drops.

I got a call from the vet saying that the results show that everything came back normal, and the ACTH is 79 -- that's good, right? She suggests we stay with the same dosage of Trilostane at 20mg at noon every day. She's going to check up on Charlie in 2 weeks about his skin.

[jillmst]

I emailed our vet and asked them to email me Charlie's records so that I have more numbers. I will post when I get them.

[Dixie'sMom]

Oh good. It sounds like everything fell into place. I hope the meds start helping Charlie's ear and skin soon and give him some relief. Glad to hear good news!

[labblab]

Hi Jill, if that 79 is the post-ACTH result and the reporting units are nmol/l, then yes that is good! (It would be a little less than 3 ug/dl) for those of us in the U.S). :)

Yes, that will be great if you will post the results when you get them, along with the unit of measurement. There should be two numbers for the ACTH: a "pre" number and a "post" number (which we are assuming is this 79).

Marianne

[molly muffin]

79nmol is an excellent post result! Great news that he is doing so well. Hopefully this will also tame the potential for getting a lot of infections too. Uncontrolled cortisol makes dogs prone to various infections, it's just easier for them to take hold and become something.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[jillmst]

Phosphorus 1.9 mml/L
Calcium 2.6
Sodium 149
Potassium 4.7
Na/K Ratio 32
Chloride 112
Icterus - Normal

Cortisol (Pre) 62 nmol/L
Cortisol (Post) 76 nmol/L

(I thought she said 79 on the phone but I must have misheard).

[molly muffin]

Good results. Are those eelctrolytes all within normal range?

Sharlene and molly muffin

[jillmst]

Well, Charlie is doing very well! His skin has cleared up almost completely! His Cushing's symptoms have lessened a lot, too. The 20mg at noon daily is agreeing with him!

His ear is doing a lot better as well, except that sometimes he seems to not be able to tell which direction a noise is coming from. For example, I will call him for a treat or a walk, and he will get excited but turn and run in the wrong direction! Then he runs into something and realizes he's mixed up but is confused as to why or how. I will clap or snap and call him more but he can't seem to figure out which direction I am in. But then other times he is fine.... I am keeping an eye on it and when he is in those confused states I don't really let him wander around so freely -- we go lay on the couch or I carry him to the room that I'm in. Hopefully this is just a side affect of the ear infection, and he'll get his bearings back once his ear is healed.

[labblab]

Jill, what is the name of the eardrops that Charlie has been taking? I wonder whether there may be an ingredient that is affecting his hearing or his coordination.

Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Good results. Are those eelctrolytes all within normal range?

Sharlene and molly muffin

And to repeat Sharlene's question. It was never answered so I wanted to make sure you did see it. It really helps if you include the normal ranges on lab results because different labs use different norms. ;)

[Dixie'sMom]

Jill, great news about Charlie's cushings symptoms and skin improving. YAY! That is true progress. I'm sure the hearing problem is a significant problem, especially since Charlie is also blind. Did the vet say how long the medicine would take to clear up his infection? It sounds like he still has some swelling and maybe trapped fluid in there. I wonder if some antihistamine would help. Maybe a call to see what the vet has to say? Hugs for you and sweet Charlie.

[jillmst]

My dog passed away and I still have some Vetoryl 10mg that haven't been opened. The expiry date is 02/2019 and it's so expensive, I'm sure there must be someone that can use it? I'm in Calgary, Alberta

[DoxieMama]

I am sorry for your loss, and it's great that you would like to pass that on to help someone else. Unfortunately, I don't think it's legal to do so. I think your best bet is to contact your vet... that's what I did with my boy's leftover medications (including Trilostane). They can provide it to another patient or dispose of it as appropriate.

[Joan2517]

Shana is right. Asking your vet is the way to go. Condolences on your loss.

[Squirt's Mom]

Dear Jill,

When we lose our babies we often have questions whose answers are hard to find. But for me, I have to have hope, a belief that when my time in this life is done I will be with those I love again, human and animal. On many days, that belief is all that makes it possible for me to keep taking that next breath.

I believe your sweet Charlie is watching over you and is waiting til you are together again. He is whole again, strong, swift, his heart filled with the love you gave him. He will always be with you.

I am so sorry for your loss.
My deepest sympathy,
Leslie


"I saw the Bridge
A true experience as posted by Sharry Daniels

We had to have Pismo put to sleep on Nov. 6, 1993. He was an 18 year old, 6 pound yorkie. Most of Pizzy's life I was sick and confined to the house. He stayed with me every min. of every day. On days when life didn't seem worth living his unconditional love for me kept me alive. I know he was a gift from God. Without that funny little mutt I wouldn't be here today.

By the time I got better Pizzy was old and sick. Now it was my turn to stay with him. I should have let him go before I did, but I couldn't. He was so much a part of me, that having him put to sleep was almost like committing suicide. BUT I DID IT!!! It was horrible. I can't even think about it. Pizzy was gone and I never had my heart hurt so bad. I didn't know where to go or what to do. Everything reminded me of him. For 2 days my husband and I sat in shopping centers and in the car in shopping center parking lots and cried and cried and cried. All I could think of is where do dogs go? Is there a place for animals or is my Pizzy in that cold ground in our yard? Whose taking care of him? Where is he? Where's my Pizzy?

On Nov. 8, two days after he had died, my husband and I were sitting in the car in the Hill's Shopping Center parking lot. It was four o'clock in the afternoon. The sky was bright blue without a cloud anywhere. It had not rained all day and again there was not even a cloud in the sky. We were facing west , looking toward the setting sun. I was sobbing and sobbing and screaming, "Please, God, please. Tell me where Pizzy is. Please, God, tell me! Where is my Pizzy! Where is he!!! All of a sudden my husband said, "Look Sharry, Look!!!! He was pointing to the sky and when I looked up I saw a perfect RAINBOW in that cloudless blue sky right next to the setting sun. At the time I didn't know about the rainbow bridge, but at that moment I did know that God in His kindness was telling me that my Pizzy was somewhere over the rainbow and that he was okay.

About 5 months later my friend called me. She was all excited and told me to read the article in Dear Abby. I read it and just couldn't believe it. I read about the meadow and the RAINBOW and my sick dog wasn't sick anymore and he had water and food and he was playing and best of all I WOULD SEE HIM AGAIN. I am a skeptic and if I had just seen the article, I would have had doubts, but I SAW THE RAINBOW BRIDGE. I know it's real.

Up until last week I thought my husband and I were the only ones who believed the meadow and the bridge really exist and take comfort in its existence. Then I accidentally stumbled onto this bulletin board. I was and am still amazed, but so grateful that we share this hope with so many others. I never write on BB, and I wasn't going to this time either, because it's so hard for me to put my feelings into words. But I really feel that God would want me to share this with you guys in case there's someone out there who is a skeptic and needs a little extra bit of proof that God does have a special place for your pet to be cared for until you go to pick him up and cross the bridge together, never again to be separated."

From the list of Healing and Inspirational Poetry

[Carole Alexander]

Hi Jill, I know that everyone else is correct that giving Vetoryl is not legal at least in the USA. On the Face Book Cushing's page there is a regular stream of people whose dogs have died and they are offering their meds to others in need. I have mixed feelings about this practice but because so, so many people are struggling to treat, or have decided not to treat because they can't afford the medication, I understand and sympathize with the practical reality. I'm sorry for your loss. Best,
Carole

[molly muffin]

I am so sorry for your loss Jill :(

Carole, we aren't allowed to do that on here, due to legal liability.

The facebook option would be a better one for providing to someone in need.