Sharring the story of Husko the Hero...

Thank you very very much for your kind words miss Valerie and goldengirl88...
but...
since you mentioned ''let nature take its course''...



If Husko never got that initial cortisol (or better yet never went to that vet-visit and these f*****g vets) ,and because his only symptoms since spring were mild hind leg weakness due to a bit of muscle wasting (NO other cushings symptom....he was always the sleepy/bored fellow at home since the start), he would still be alive and probably have a few years ahead as a happy senior baby-dog...

Since November we were trying to fight what damage had been caused by the idiocy of the vets in the months prior...
Damage for which I actually paid the vets...I paid them to kill my baby for f***s sake...
...With funds that we so much needed since November for this fight!

No matter how I look at everything that happened...I find absolutely nothing redeeming or ''meant to happen''...



btw,I don't know what the laws in the rest of the world say, but here in Greece dogs are just property/objects...and you can only go to court for the purchase value of your dog and not on any ''medical fookups''...simply disgusting...



P.S. I just can't seem to find on the internet what the HYPO+++ readings mean under ''morphology flags''? Obvious guess is he was HYPO (earlier blood-tests showed that too)

I'm thinking of trying to find a way to upload all of Huskos' test/mri/ultrasound etc. and mailing them probably to M.Peterson or any other highly respected vet ,asking for a written answer...(assuming i can find their e-mail at least)

Ive already posted on FB what happened to Husko ,including the vet names that did all this...
If they find out and sue me it would be so rewarding to shut their mouths by a world renowned vet...
Because here...they just lobby with one another...

I mean...
All summer long he (Elias) was gloating that he had seen ''20 huskies with liver cancer''...I wonder how many of those were cushpups receiving the wrong treatment...
...even on the day Husko left us...i went there with 2ml of blood i took in a syringe in my panic state ,and asked if they could tell me anything testing it.
He smiled...and said 'no' and continued 'he was lucky to live this long with all the conditions he HAD''...there were other clients (because that's what we are to them...simply clients) in the office of course...

I wanted to kill him saying ''HAD? HAD? You caused them you #%^#%^!!''
...but held my self together...said ''thanks'' and walked out...

Vets like this are dangerous...

Yes they are dangerous and sadly, good luck to anyone trying to sue for negligence as I believe that many stick together. We trust them to help our beloved pets and too many aren't knowledgeable enough.

I went through 3 vets before finding a qualified specialist 2 hours away. If I hadn't found this forum, I might not have recognized that they were not handling treatment properly. Daisy would not be alive now.

As modern as the US is when it comes to animal treatment, crimes against animals still aren't punished strongly enough. Vets are still immune unless they do something obviouslywrong and it becomes wide spread knowledge.

You made friends here and we'll help you all that we can.
Know that your research is not in vain, even though Husko didn't win his battle with Cushings, the knowledge that you have might help to save other believed pets.

As for your so called vet, I've always believed that what comes around goes around and he won't get away with this lightly. He's arrogant and will make more mistakes. Sooner or later, he won't be able to hide behind his cocky attitude.

Hugs.

The problem with a macro tumor is that it is very hard on them once the tumor starts to grow and put pressure on different areas of the brain. When that happens you truly are in a place of trying to do what you can to give them the best possible chance.
Vetroyl has been shown to increase tumor growth of macro's unfortunately most people don't even know it is a macro until the symptoms of one shows up during cushing treatment.
If you know before hand then you don't usually treat with cushing meds, but instead treat with prednisone, which though it is a steroid and can have the same effects as cushings, can relieve pressure on the brain for a period of time.
It's really a catch 22, in that you are darned if you do and darned if you don't and the only real treatment usually is radiation therapy, which they have a new one that is only 3 treatments, very mild on the dog with minimum side effects. We have one dog who has under gone this treatment currently at the University of Davis California. That dog is doing very well. We have another one who has undergone radiation therapy at the University of Florida and continues to do very well, almost a year later.
You don't know though if these treatments will work until you try them. This addresses only the macro tumors. For the liver you want to get the cortisol under control and hope that the damage to the liver isn't too great. Both the prednisone or the high cortisol can cause liver damage though.

Sharlene and molly muffin

doxiesrock912
I just can't trust any vet anymore after this...
I will just do what test is needed in the future...ask their complete written diagnosis and proposed treatment with their signature (99% just write a medication and send you off here...)...and after checking myself i'll do what i think is right!

Some people have already told me their problems with this vet-office...
It actually started good 3-4 years ago...but since...too many people coming in...and diagnosis have become a 20sec hurry up-job...

I mean...Damn it! You're dealing with living beings! Not a faulty motor of a car that can be replaced if you do wrong...

Thank you for considering me a friend! I do too!
If there is anything keeping me from not loosing it completely is maybe, just maybe , my experience might help someone else...
That would make Husko proud!
I think that is why most stick here after loosing their baby too...

molly muffin
I think Husko did pretty good on only natural supplements and healthy food since late November to January, considering all the damage done June to mid-november.

February-March developed into a nightmare for some reasons explained before...(mainly hurt leg and extreme lack of funds by then)
But, should never had started Vetoryl again (or maybe a 10mg dose would be enough to make the tumor attack in order for Artemix to work...which i'm pretty sure it did).
Should have used Melatonin for that instead of Vetoryl ,but i only found out recently that it drops cortisol levels...i only knew it promotes sleep...

Iraklis,

When Tia was first diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in 2010, I so trusted this vet that I never even saw her test results. The vet also kept wanting her to get vaccinated each year. I didn't do it though.

When she got sick in 2012 they wouldn't let me bring her into the office, said it was kennel cough and just gave me antibiotics for her. Two different rounds and still didn't want me to bring her in. She was getting worse so I found another vet and they did an exam and took x-rays and found she had an enlarged heart with lots of fluid and a spot on her liver. At that time, the vet said she also suspected Tia had Cushing disease. We decided to get the heart condition under control first and worry about the Cushings later. She did get better so we set up the ACTH for August 9th , but she died August 11th. She never got to start any treatment for her Cushings.

I request and received all Tia's test from the old vet and was amazed at the results. I didn't really understand them, but could see the numbers were really high. And on each test, the lab request a urine sample be sent in within so many days of each test, but on the next test it would state that they did not receive the sample. From what I've read in my Cushings research, I think Tia had Cushings in 2010, but was misdiagnosed. I think the vet didn't know anything about the disease.

I also think you are right in that most vets are there for the money, rush you in and rush you out, write a prescription and send you on your way. That's what he did with Tia and the kennel cough. Again misdiagnosed and had he actually seen her maybe he would have caught the congestive heart failure sooner and she would still be alive today.

There will always be a lot of "what if's" and I'll never really know why my sweet angel died. It has been seven and a half months and I cry every day for her. I still come here because I'm not judged by anyone on this forum because they understand what I'm going through and I can pour my heart out to them and they cry right along with me. I've said many times this forum has been my "saving grace" because without everyone here, I surely would have lost my mind by now.

Please please please forgive yourself as I am trying so hard to do for myself. You, just like me have another baby still alive that desperately needs you and all your knowledge. Take care and know that you and Angel Husko will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Much love,
Donna and my angel babies, Tia and Tippi

Iraklis,

there's just so much unknown and uncertainty with Cushings and even less is known about the homeopathic treatments. I would much rather go that route bu there isn't enough information for me to take that chance with Daisy. As I type this, she's at the IMS vet at Cornell in Stamford getting her ACTH test and CBC done too. I'm hoping for some good numbers this time as I really don't want to increase her dosage again. She's only 11.5lbs.

Yes, we're a huge support system here and when one person loses a family member, we all feel it. Many do as you have done and stay to share their experience and knowledge with others who are still fighting the fight.

I'd never heard of Cushings before finding this site and I have learned so much.
I also think that helping others is part of the healing process and a great legacy for those who have crossed over the rainbow bridge.

Hugs.

Iraklis:
I know what you mean about the vets and I agree. We should be able to hold them responsible when they mess up, just like a Dr. Unfortunately pets here are treated as personal property. We need to really change things. I think the best thing to honor Husko would be to pay it forward and help others. You have a good knowledge of this illness and maybe that could help someone's dog. We are having terrible wind here all nite and today. Sunday we are expecting snow. I got two walks in with the dogs before the rain started. I hope you have a good day friend.
Patti

To Donna (and angel babies, Tia and Tippi )

Yesterday when i woke up...I had thoughts that scared me...
I've always said people who commit suicide are weak...but there I was actually considering it...

Same night...I just couldn't get no sleep remembering all the ''fookups'' of the vets...
I am more enraged than ever before in my life!!!
I owe it to my baby Husko to let people know his story and what the vets did to him!
Maybe some other poor doggie will be saved if people going there learn about this...or even the vets become more responsible!

I've already post their names and fatal errors on FB so people will know...I have no money left to sue them...
If they sue me...so be it...A little bit of Justice be done for Husko ,Tia and every doggie mistreated like this!


doxiesrock912 & goldengirl88

I know...
I am not leaving this place...

btw, Husko wasn't on homeopathics...just natural supplements (since late Novemeber) and/plus Artemix&Vetoryl (since February).

Animals here are also just property...sickening!

Do you know if there is a way i can maybe contact Dechra or preferably M.Peterson DVM, ACVIM for a written/personal answer concerning the actions of the vets and what a big mistake/crime etc. it is to not follow the Vetoryl protocol and not informing me on the side effects of it ,etc.?

Iraklis,

is there a board that governs vet practices in Greece? If so, I would report Husko's story to them. If you have a facebook page, I would also tell your story there too for all to see. Word will spread quickly.

Negative feedback always spreads quickly.

Yes, I have a FB page and have been posting since yesterday a brief ''memo'' of their uneducated crimes...

btw, If anyone wants to add me as friend here it is
https://www.facebook.com/iraklis.gamay

Happened to talk to an MD today also...and when she heard the amount of cortisol Husko was given she gasped...
''WHAT???...that's a dose for a 150pound~75kg male human'' she said...wish someone would go on record if they sue me...

There is a board that governs...but it is a lobby and nothing happens...many people who went this route told me so...
At best an e-mail will be sent to them just as a formality.
I would also need a necropsy to do that...even though Husko died months later fighting for his life after a summer of ''treatment-murder''...

It will be very hard to find someone who would go on record and even if you did, without them actually meeting Husko I suspect that what they say won't matter much.

Word of mouth is the best way to go and I'm sure that your FB friends will share your story with many others.

I sent you a friend request.

Actually these vets are ''gods'' to many of the ''rescue people''.
I always thought they were good b4...but ignorance combined with arrogance (at least concerning ''liver cancer'' and cushings) caused so much harm to my baby Husko he only survived 4 more months due to being incredibly strong and willing to live.......

If I followed their advice last summer to put him to sleep because ''liver cancer'' is death-sentence...i would be ignorant of what had truly happened...and probably say ''they tried their best...''
Wonder how many people this has happened to...

I've posted also that if ANYONE of the 20 huskies (that Elias gloated of treating their liver cancer...and this was one of the basis of his ''diagnosis''...that huskies are prone to it) sees my posts to contact me...as i seriously doubt they were all ''liver cancers''......and some may have put their cushpups to sleep believing his bs...

FB friends now :)

How very sad. I hope that Husko's story helps others. I'm sure that he's caused harm to others! You can't dose too high and not have something bad happen. It is almost impossible to prove that a vet has been negligent because they can easily alter their records or leave something out.

Share your story and please allow yourself to heal. Trying to sue the vet is a waste of time, money, and more hurt for you.

I've been told by friends that I see the "big picture" and many of them come to me for advice because I think in a unique way apparently. Maybe all of this is part of a bigger plan? You're meant to share his story. Do you know what I mean?

I know...!
Since starting this posts in FB i've almost stopped hearing his cries in my head...

I don't have any money left to sue them...if they sue me...fine...up till then i'll keep collecting all the data i can lay my hands on that supports the truth...that Husko was at least mistreated!

Iraklis,
Please make sure you get copies of all medical records from every doctor that treated Husko. Just in case you need them...

Thinking about you,
Donna

I have everything...7 bloodtests, 1 urine test, 2 ultrasounds ,1 liver puncture, 1 LDDS & 1 ACTH test , 3 x-rays and 1 MRI.
except some ''phone call'' prescriptions...phone companies keep records of phone calls if they deny something i guess.

I've also been searching for every scientific research i can find/use to back my case.
ex. http://www.2ndchance.info/cushingsteshima2009.pdf

plus, photos and videos displaying his condition through time (weren't shot for this purpose but they might help make a point).

Awesome. Maybe, if you haven't already, start a journal and document everything, every test, conversations with his vet, etc., from the first symptoms Husko had until his passing. This could be helpful, just in case.

Hope you don't mind that I checked out your facebook. Try to have a good day with Lemmy.

Donna

Tried that...it was impossible...this thread is the closest thing possible to what you say...

Of course i don't mind! You are all welcome to friend me as i said!!

Iraklis:
These are the various ways for you to contact Dr. Mark Peterson:
Phone 212-362-2650
Fax 212-537-6340
Address New York City Animal Endocrine Clinic 21 West 100th Street, New York, New York 10025
Go to Facebook.com/drmarkepeterson
Also ddmarkepeterson.com/contact freq Peterson/
There is a blog spot also animal endocrine.blogspot.com/dr-mark -Peterson

Dr. Peterson was the first Dr. I contacted upon my Tipper having Cushing's disease. He worked and consulted with my vet, but it was very expensive. If you contact him and explain your situation he may agree to look over your Huskos information to help you.
Good luck friend
Patti

Iraklis:
I hope you are ok as I have not seen you post, and know you were feeling down.I am hoping you are having a nice long walk with Lemmy.
Patti

Didn't feel like getting up at all today...
Hope Lemmy understands...he is snoring right now :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Iraklis:
These are the various ways for you to contact Dr. Mark Peterson:
Phone 212-362-2650
Fax 212-537-6340
Address New York City Animal Endocrine Clinic 21 West 100th Street, New York, New York 10025
Go to Facebook.com/drmarkepeterson
Also ddmarkepeterson.com/contact freq Peterson/
There is a blog spot also animal endocrine.blogspot.com/dr-mark -Peterson

Dr. Peterson was the first Dr. I contacted upon my Tipper having Cushing's disease. He worked and consulted with my vet, but it was very expensive. If you contact him and explain your situation he may agree to look over your Huskos information to help you.
Good luck friend
Patti

---

Contacted him through his blog ,
but with the limited space I think he misunderstood because of lack of details that matter too much...
Never thought i would get 2 answers anyway...hoping for a crucial 3rd...unless he bans from posting :o

Chatted with a VET page on FB too...

They said the cortisol prescriptions were fine :eek:
Does 10mg up to 25mg per day seem ok to anyone? Or are vets here just insane?
They also accused me of not trying hard and that I should have blood-tests done since November...

They are right though about the last part...should have borrowed money to do one earlier ,than the one I got stood by transport 8th March then the one arranged 1 day too late..



But do they actually think I don't blame myself for anything?
I am the one that will live the rest of my days with all the guilt of all the wrongs i did and all the things I never achieved of doing to make Husko feel better...

Just saw this video of a rescue-lady about a stray she knew that started this little time ago (doesn't say days/weeks)...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

Husko was like this few days before he went away (collapsing & bending ,but on his right side not left)...

Has anyone seen this before or recognize what it is ???

That is so sad!:o it looks like it could be some sort if a stroke, but that's just a guess.

Iraklis,

every dog responds so differently. Daisy weighs 11.5 lbs and she is currently on 15mg twice a day of Trilostane which is the compounded version of Vetoryl and she just had her ACTH test.The test and her symptoms indicate a need for an increase to 20 mg twice a day.

Husko is quite a bit larger so the ranges that you posted are quite plausible. Many dogs have other conditions that might have some of the same symptoms as Cushings and it's hard to determine what is caused by what so it is entirely possible that something else was going on with him in addition to the Cushings.

They can't talk to tell us so it's often sheer luck too that the right test is done to find things out.

I was referring to cortisol/prezolon (not Vetoryl) in post #103

Iraklis:
This video is so heart wrenching and upsetting I could hardly watch it. It seemed like a stroke to me. God bless this person, I would have had a heart attack if that was my Tipper. I am scared for my girl, I hope to never have to witness this ever.
Patti

Sorry about that...i will post an update on that...hope its a happy one...

Reminded me very much of Huskos' condition last couple days...
Husko would sometimes lift his head and moan though...and was also able to sleep...
can't tell...



On another note...
Was down fixing my scooter...forgot the door open and Lemmy got down.
Sometimes i take him with me while doing that, but always on a leash so he doesn't chase cats...
I was about to finish in minutes so i just assumed he would wait a bit.

Walked away sniffing...without me noticing he chased something (99% cat).

Called for him...nothing...
Went around the block...nothing...
Jumped on the scooter...searched around 4-5 blocks for 5-15 mins (can't tell)...nothing...:confused:

All i could think is ''this can't be happening''...:(

Returned home to grab a jacket...soon as I arrived at the door...I see him running behind me and towards me......
''you little $h1t you scared me...come home'' :)

sigh of relief... :)

Iraklis:
I am so glad Lemmy came home. You surely do not need that. Do you use the scooter to go to work. I think most dogs like to chase cats. Tipper would never come back if she saw something she would chase it for miles and she would be lost. Her breed is like that though. We have 5 inches of new snow on the ground from last nite, but the sun is shining.
Patti

Weather is good here but haven't really noticed...

Yes the scooter is for. I work as a package-courrier ,not steady hours though.
Usually start at 15:00 and sometimes finish as early as 18-19:00. 3 euros per hour.
It's really depressing knowing that things you can't control ,like a worldwide/nationwide economic crisis , affect your life and result in not being able to help your baby the best you can...
I realize now that lack of funds was by far the single most important thing that made everything worse...

Even so...had i not found a job some months ago...it would be far worse...

Just received some pictures from the friend who drove us to get the MRI...I made him promise that next week we would take Husko to the sea ,as I had (almost) decided to put him to sleep the day after that...

Husko was in an ubber-pacing mood that day...
Was also the 2nd day of his IV-vitC...
I am actually holding him ,because he wanted to get up and walk...


2 days after this picture was taken , I was so happy he started eating again (not from him food-bowl. I just put each piece of chicken breast/sardine in front of his mouth and he would eat...this continued up until February when i started him again on a smaller dose of Vetoryl to make the tumor ''attack'' so Artemix would work..........damn me from not stopping it during his final days and giving him some cortisol...)
Wish that happiness would last longer...

''A sea of turmoil and a sky about to cry''
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/pict...pictureid=6572

Iraklis:
So sweet and yet so sad looking at you holding your baby by the sea. I wish I could take your pain away, I realize this dog meant everything to you. It just makes me cry thinking of all you tried to do with the limitations you had. I go without many things in order to afford Tipper's care. It should not have to be this
way, that your baby suffers because these vets are so expensive. Sometimes I get scared that I will get to a place where I can no longer afford this. My heart goes out to you as I know how bad this has to hurt.
Patti

What a beautiful picture Iraklis,
I can see the love between the two of you.

Lemmy came home :) That's wonderful! He knows that you need him.

Iraklis:
You asked if your dog could have had diabetes because of the weight loss. I did not see where there had been any blood glucose testing results in your thread. Was that included in any of the testing you had done? Hope you and Lemmy had
a good walk. It was 50 here today and we walked three times. Hope you got the scooter fixed.
Patti

I was just searching his blood-tests.
He was only tested for that in September 4-6th.
Glucose - 112,08mg/dL (65,00-118,00)

After everything that happened since last summer...I question every single word the vets said... :mad::(


***********
Scooter got a box added to it for all the packages, as up to now I had to carry everything in a bag which was really frustrating...even though since Husko passed away...some things that would bother me ,I simply don't care about anymore (ex. mobile phone used at work still has damaged screen). Numbness...?

The weather is getting much better since last week...spring is here!!!
(i may be repeating myself...even that would be helpful now ,cause walking Husko 2-4 times at night when he woke up with temperatures between 0-10 Celsius was killing me...)

Lemmy got a walk to another vet I discovered nearby :)
Nothing serious ,just a preemptive blood-test. :)
If anything turns up wrong though...I will first research it myself...then see what's what...never again blindly trust a vet...NEVER!
Also asked him about what the symptoms of baby-Husko mean...
1)tumor pressing crucial nerve 2)heart stroke 3)addisonian crisis
He said probably 1st...
Even tho he said it wouldn't help...I am pretty sure if instead of grabbing an extra Artemix capsule I gave a cortisol 16mg i had ready...Husko would gain some days of extra hope... :(


P.S.
Found the courage today also, to open the 3 packages I received with medications for Husko ,by 3 very kind people from the US and Spain!
I am about to send'em to one of them as he is unemployed...
I was soooo moved by the handwritten dedications inside :(
Wish Husko got some better luck (and a better father than me...)...same day he went away, i got paid ,next day he'd get x-ray&bloodtest and 3-4 days later these 3 packages with meds arrived...which would make everything so much easier... :( :( :(

I think that everyone here who has lost their furbaby feels that they wish they'd had better luck. I hope for a genuine cure for Cushings.

In reference to melatonin -

Quote:

---

It is also suggested that it has some ant-tumor effects (especially pituitary tumors ).
So If by using it you can ex. give 20mg of Trilostane instead of 25mg...why not?

---

Ok, well let's start with the fact that NONE of us parents here are veterinarians nor scientific researchers so we have to rely on those who are and the proven results of their combined expertise. Not that we can't, or shouldn't, question them - but we simply do not have their knowledge nor experience so it is wise to listen.

Now let's look at that term "suggested" - this means there is a possibility only, not that anything has been proven - proof that can be repeated over and over and over in the same parameters with the same results. IF melatonin had the ability to reduce the amount of the drugs used to treat Cushing's, vets would be telling us to do this, researchers would be telling us to do this, numerous studies would tell us to do this. We are NOT being told this nor are we seeing this in any of the research.

Comparing the abilities of Trilostane and Melatonin to lower cortisol is sort of like comparing the abilities of a ball peen hammer and jack hammer to bust up concrete. ;) Those 5mg of Trilo will be MUCH more effective than the melatonin can ever be - IF it has any effect at all.

Now consider common sense - if something as benign as melatonin could work on a cush pup, who in the world would use drugs like Trilostane or Lysodren? ;) We would ALL be using melatonin instead.

Iraklis:
Was there ever any glucose showing up in Husko's urinalysis? I think you are doing a wonderful thing in memory if Husko to reach out to others and help when you can. Hope you and Lemmy have a good day.
Patti

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Squirt's Mom

In reference to melatonin -



Ok, well let's start with the fact that NONE of us parents here are veterinarians nor scientific researchers so we have to rely on those who are and the proven results of their combined expertise. Not that we can't, or shouldn't, question them - but we simply do not have their knowledge nor experience so it is wise to listen.

Now let's look at that term "suggested" - this means there is a possibility only, not that anything has been proven - proof that can be repeated over and over and over in the same parameters with the same results. IF melatonin had the ability to reduce the amount of the drugs used to treat Cushing's, vets would be telling us to do this, researchers would be telling us to do this, numerous studies would tell us to do this. We are NOT being told this nor are we seeing this in any of the research.

Comparing the abilities of Trilostane and Melatonin to lower cortisol is sort of like comparing the abilities of a ball peen hammer and jack hammer to bust up concrete. ;) Those 5mg of Trilo will be MUCH more effective than the melatonin can ever be - IF it has any effect at all.

Now consider common sense - if something as benign as melatonin could work on a cush pup, who in the world would use drugs like Trilostane or Lysodren? ;) We would ALL be using melatonin instead.

---

Ι never said one should replace Vetoryl for Melatonin...after all...for Melatonin to have the effects of Vetoryl, it would have to be used in quantities that would probably result in certain death.

Just as an aid.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Iraklis:
Was there ever any glucose showing up in Husko's urinalysis? I think you are doing a wonderful thing in memory if Husko to reach out to others and help when you can. Hope you and Lemmy have a good day.
Patti

---

Husko only had a urinalysis back in July 19th (the simple one ,not the ''cultivation'' one.)
It showed no sugar but was also very diluted due to polyuria.

***********

btw, I was wondering today if Husko was just in a comma state when my father found him at ~08:00...
Because when my mother woke me up at ~09:00 he wasn't cold and I could draw out some blood (didn't have heart beat nor breathing)...maybe it wasn't too long ago he left this world... :(:(:(