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View Full Version : Hello everyone, i am new to this site



Leah
10-30-2014, 09:15 PM
Hi. one of my furbabies, Jezebel was diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. She is now 13 1/2. Thankfully it was found by accident. we were testing her blood to see how she was responding to arthritis meds and it showed in her blood tests. she had not yet shown any signs that I noticed. while waiting for results specifically for Cushing's, she had about 2-3 days of heavy panting, drinking and eating everything including my other dogs feces. all the typical signs. we were very lucky. her body responded to the veteral well and she returned to normal other than the drinking. every 6 months her blood is checked and still responding well. this last year she began getting, I call them hot spots since they are similar, her hind legs have weakened, and recently one of her front legs occasionally trembles. She also has dementia, has an issue with urinating in the house, so now wears doggie diapers to bed and when I'm not home. to help with the hot spots and occasional diaper rash, I use baby powder and therapeutic grade essential oils from Young Living, frankincense and lavender. I also put a drop of Joy, which is a blend, on her head for emotional balance and anxiety. I started this combination a week ago and can't believe how much better her skin is. I did get a spray steroid from the vet as a last resort just in case this does not work, but so far so good. Jez is comfortable, happy, and she still cornered 3 baby opossums last weekend! she also has cataracts in both eyes and melanoma in one. feel very lucky :)

After reading many of the post from other members, my heart goes out to all of you. I remember how scared I was when Jez was diagnoses and how much research I did to learn what she and I were going to be dealing with, and how little information was available. The future still scares me for her, but we will get through it together. I have found a few things that seem to work, hopefully what I have found that helps Jez will also help another furbaby.

Due to Jez's eyes, I adjusted my house this past summer for a blind dog, carpets and runners are throughout the house as guides, as well as scent tabs. I was in denial about the dementia, but the carpet guides did seem to help with some anxiety.

jas77450
10-31-2014, 12:31 PM
Hi and welcome Leah to you and Jezabel. Lots of loving and knowledgable folks here that will be along soon. I can only offer a hand to hold. It's tough but we will be here for you.
Jenny

flynnandian
10-31-2014, 07:10 PM
welcome to you and jezebel, there is a lot to read and learn on this forum and you can always ask for advice over here.

Leah
11-02-2014, 02:02 PM
Thank you both. Can either of you tell me how Cushing's progresses? Is it just a continuous decline of weakness until she looses function? are there other common symptoms I should be preparing for? I have a belly sling to start getting her used to in order to help pick up her hind end. so far she can still do it herself.

molly muffin
11-02-2014, 02:19 PM
Usually once they are on vetroyl, the symptoms of cushings will either disappear or will be limited.
What you see then is the natural progression of aging in a dog and all the health problems that can come along with that.

You just have to watch the senior test results and address conditions as they arise. Most dogs on treatment don't pass from cushings but from other age related illnesses. Kidney, heart, liver, etc.

Hind leg weakness and muscle weakness in general is one of the things that come with aging unfortunately. While cusings can cause muscle weakness, once the cortisol is lowered within the range it should be, it is natural muscle weakness associated with age, arthritis that tends to bother them.

Leah
11-02-2014, 05:48 PM
Thank you.

jas77450
11-03-2014, 11:52 PM
Not trying to scare you but Cush pups can be prone to infections due to decreased immune function from excessive cortisol, just mentioning it so you can keep an eye out.