CUSHINGS-PETS Digest 14
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Lysodren FWD from Randy
by Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
2) Re: Holistic and Chemo
by LynneYoung <LynneYoung@aol.com>
3) "Loading Phase" Lysodren
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
4) Re: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
by HelenFW <HelenFW@aol.com>
5) cushing's pets: admin note
by Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
6) Vestibular Disease
by Katerpoo <Katerpoo@aol.com>
7) Re: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
by Joan Shirokey <c.shirokey@csu-e.csuohio.edu>
8) "Loading Phase" Lysodren
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
9) Re: Vestibular Disease
by Jeri <kurvenal@ameritech.net>
10) Re: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
by LynneYoung <LynneYoung@aol.com>
11) PROGRESS OF TERRIBLE TED
by "David ROBERTS" <d_one_delta@email.msn.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 11:09:52 -0600
From: Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Lysodren FWD from Randy
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971222110952.006dba74@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> We give our *Sunny* the Lysodren just before we give her her
food.
> She is fed twice daily so we half the dosage between the two meals.
> Most of the time my wife feeds her, so I know by watching. Jackie
> takes a piece of her canned food and *hides* the pill's pieces
inside
> it. Sunny takes it with no problem. The only problem you might
find
> if you put it directly in the food bowl is if *your baby, alias
your
> dog* finds the pills then he probably won't eat them, then you
have to
> force them down the throat. Not a happy thought! Anything I can
do
> to keep from doing this is great.
>
> **By the way what's your baby's name?**
>
> Good Luck on finding the right way to give the meds.
>
> Randy
>
>_____________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: Lysodren
>Author: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu at Internet
>Date: 12/17/97 6:32 PM
>
>
>Can anyone suggest the "best" time to give Lysodren? My dog
will start
>his loading phase this Friday and I'm not sure when is the best time
to
>give it to him...before meals...after...or with meals. I asked my Vet
>and he said it didn't matter.
>
>Linda
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 14:10:49 EST
From: LynneYoung <LynneYoung@aol.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Holistic and Chemo
Message-ID: <ac5a7d28.349ebb3b@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
I don't have alot of time to spend here today, but wanted to offer what
has
been very successful for Heaven.. the now 6 yr old sheltie, who has been
on
lysadren for 2 1/2 years..her levels are totally normal, with no side
efffects...we've beeen very lucky.. but I firmly believe that the shark
cartilage she has been on (1200 mg/day has helped.. the theory being that
the
lesion on her pituitary has been held in check by the ability of the shark
catrilage to prevent the growth of new blood vessels to tumor tissue...A
holistic vet at dog camp recommended it when she was first diagnosed.. and
something is helping.. who knows...besides.. she'll never have arthritis!
Lynne Young and the Chalfonte Shelties..
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 18:40:06 -0400
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: "Cushing's e-mail" <CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
Message-ID: <349EEC46.B331B14C@warwick.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to let you all know that my dog Schonus is doing GREAT on
the "loading phase" of the Lysodren!! He's going on his 5th day
with
absolutely no side effects. He had been on Anipryl for six months but
with no results. I thought I would completely fall apart when my Vet
said it was time for Lysodren. But thanks to you all here with your
experience and helpful hints, I cannot tell you how much strength you
all gave me.
This past week was rather a tough one for me. I lost my other
"baby"...my cat...to cardiomyopathy on Wednesday.. So sudden
and so
harsh for him. Then my Schonus was to start his "loading phase"
on
Friday. Felt like my endurance was being tested!!
Happy Holidays to All!!
Linda and Schonus
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 17:47:16 EST
From: HelenFW <HelenFW@aol.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
Message-ID: <71ce745d.34a03f77@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
That's wonderful, Linda! Congratulations!
Helen
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 19:14:48 -0600
From: Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: cushing's pets: admin note
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971223191448.006b7dcc@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Seasons' Greetings:
Jut a note to let y'all know that I will be shirking my duties as list
moderator/administrator for the next two weeks. If you have any list
administrative questions in the meantime, please consult the instructions
you received upon initial subscription to the list and/or
<http://www.utexas.edu/cc/mailinglists/>. Any misbehavior of the
listproc
software will be recorded on my system during my absence and I'll be sure
to correct any problems upon my return.
If you'll be away from your e-mail for a while and don't want messages
to
pile up, you have several options
1) Send an email that reads "SET CUSHINGS-PETS DIGEST" to
<listproc@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>. This will result in you receiving
all
messages in one lump message on Mondays, rather than individually as they
are sent to the list.
**OR**
2) Send an email that reads "SET CUSHINGS-PETS NOMAIL" to
<listproc@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>. This command stops cushing's pets
mail
from being sent to your address until you issue the command
"SET CUSHINGS-PETS MAIL"
Happy Holidays to all of you and your dogs!
Leslie
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 09:11:46 EST
From: Katerpoo <Katerpoo@aol.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Vestibular Disease
Message-ID: <3ce3157a.34a3bb24@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
Just curious, has anyone else on the list had a problem with vestibular
disease? Abby id dealing with her second bout of it since being diagnosed
with Cushings in April and, both her vet and I wonder if there could be
a
connection between the Cushings and the "Idiopathic" Vestibular
Disease. For
those of you who don't know, vestibular disease can cause a head tilt,
dizziness and nausea, among other symptoms. Abby is currently taking 225mg
(bid) KBr (to control seizures), 0.4mg (bid) Soloxine (for hypothyroidism)
and
15mg Anipryl (Cushings). TIA.
Chris
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 10:28:32 -0500
From: Joan Shirokey <c.shirokey@csu-e.csuohio.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971226102832.009037e0@popmail.csuohio.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Greetings to all!
I'm new to all of this, but have been monitoring your
notes off and on for two months now.
My dog, Precious (aka Vicious), is a 16 year old Akita and St. Bernard
mix.
I've been really lucky she's been around so long and relatively
healthy. She has limited hearing and the vision is deteriorating, and
there's some arthritis, but we're coping with everything.
She's been experiencing skin problems for 5+ years now
along with extreme thirst and an even worse habit of needing
to urinate all the time (never in the house though). She also
showed signs of muscle weakness.
Not until last month was she diagnosed with Cushings.
It took the third vet to figure it out. My first vet closed up
shoppe and moved out of state, but was treating her skin
problems with antibotics. They worked very slowly; her skin
would eventually clear up.
He recommended a colleague with an interest in skin
problems, but she wasn't a specialist. The long term antibotics
prescribed cleared up her skin.
She eventually recommneded that I (we!)
see a specialist where all sorts of allergy tests and blood work
were performed. All results came back negative. No allergies
or thyroid problems.
This vet, the second, left her practice and her patients were picked
up by a partner at the practice. She instantly mentioned Cushings
and tested for it.
I didn't know much about it except I saw one article that claimed
Lysodren was having promising results. "Dawg" was put on 3 tablets
for 10 days; I'm sure
this is what is referred to the loading phase. The dog would
walk around for the first few days like she was slightly drunk--
a wobble here and there. She didn't have many other side effects
until the 10th and final day. Took her in for her blood work
and seems the Lysodren worked too well-- we over did it.
More like OD'ed. Thought I had almost lost my old girl.
She became paranoid, wouldn't eat, experienced labored breathing,
and began urinating during her rests. She wouldn't go down
the stairs to go outside and didn't enjoy going for rides in the car
(her favorite place). I couldn't even get her interested. I was horrified.
(Not a good situation for an girl who weighs 125 lbs. and whose
dog weighs 88 #. In her/our prime, she outweighed me at 110!)
I reported the problems to my vet who has started back on
Predinisone (sp?). It took over 10 days, but I have my old girl
back again. Thank goodness. I didn't think it was going to be
a very merry X-Mas. I thought I was going to lose her, but it
looks like we have a little more time together. It's great for her,
she loves the snow.
Anyway, after all of that, she doesn't have the need to urinate
(piddle!) much at all any more. I guess this is a good thing, but
don't know if I should have put her through that "severe" loading
phase; what a sick dog she was. Odd, too, she won't eat any
of her former foods that she loved. As long as she's eating again,
that's OK. Can't say I regret the treatment; I can say it was
a difficult time for everyone, though.
I'm not saying the Lysodren shouldn't be used. I'm certain I (we)
could have achieved favorable results with a different (lower) dosage.
I'm still a little ignorant on the subject, so I won't comment too much.
For the future, I plan to let nature takes it's course. Don't know
how I'll ever manage when I get to that point. We have been pals for
almost half of my life. She took GREAT care of me. She's been the
abolute best.
Thanks. Best wishes to all in the new year.
Joan and Precious.
At 06:40 PM 12/22/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi Everyone!
>
>Just wanted to let you all know that my dog Schonus is doing GREAT on
>the "loading phase" of the Lysodren!! He's going on his 5th
day with
>absolutely no side effects. He had been on Anipryl for six months but
>with no results. I thought I would completely fall apart when my Vet
>said it was time for Lysodren. But thanks to you all here with your
>experience and helpful hints, I cannot tell you how much strength you
>all gave me.
>
>This past week was rather a tough one for me. I lost my other
>"baby"...my cat...to cardiomyopathy on Wednesday.. So sudden
and so
>harsh for him. Then my Schonus was to start his "loading phase"
on
>Friday. Felt like my endurance was being tested!!
>
>Happy Holidays to All!!
>
>Linda and Schonus
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
C. Joan Shirokey (pronounced Sure-ROW-Key)
Cleveland State University
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
1801 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland rocks-The Indians roll, OH 44115
Office: 216/523-7246
Fax: 216/687-6881
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 19:45:44 -0400
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: "Cushing's e-mail" <CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
Message-ID: <34A441A8.D62D9425@warwick.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Hi Everyone!
It's me again...curious Nellie!! Like I had stated my Schonus went four
days on his "loading phase" and on the fourth day we had to stop
as his
water intake decreased one gallon in one day. We took him in for his
blood test and his "pre" count was 8 and his "post"
count was 32. As
you can guess....we start another "loading" tomorrow.
How do you know when the loading phase is done? I was in constant touch
with my Vet but it seems like we jumped the gun. Seems rather harsh to
wait until my "baby" has some kind of reaction to know that he
is
"loaded"??? Would anyone share their experiences with me? TIA!!
Linda and Schonus
Date: Fri, 26 Dec 1997 20:28:30 -0800
From: Jeri <kurvenal@ameritech.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Vestibular Disease
Message-ID: <34A483EE.48F5@ameritech.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Katerpoo wrote:
> Just curious, has anyone else on the list had a problem with vestibular
> disease? Abby id dealing with her second bout of it since being diagnosed
> with Cushings in April and, both her vet and I wonder if there could
be a
> connection between the Cushings and the "Idiopathic" Vestibular
Disease.
I hope that Abby is doing OK now. Is the vestibular disease thought to
be connected with the seizures in any way? I thought that I had just
read something about it recently--if I can find it, I'll pass it along
to you. I think I ran across it while trying to find information on
degenerative myelapothy for Kurvenal. These guys do have more than
their share of problems, don't they?
I hope that Abby is doing OK now, and that you had a pleasant
Christmas.
Jeri kurvenal@ameritech.net
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 1997 10:02:46 EST
From: LynneYoung <LynneYoung@aol.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: "Loading Phase" Lysodren
Message-ID: <b65cf239.34a51898@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
WE had no symptoms with Heaven, I think because our vet did it so gradually
and tested frequently.. expensive, bt I was glad.. when the numbers are
low
and stay there is when you know they are stable.. like 4 and 4...I think
Heaven is now around 2 pre and post.
Date: Sat, 27 Dec 1997 10:24:21 -0800
From: "David ROBERTS" <d_one_delta@email.msn.com>
To: <CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: PROGRESS OF TERRIBLE TED
Message-ID: <0803b0525181bc7UPIMSSMTPUSR04@email.msn.com>
Ted is into his fourth week of treatment on Anipryl and seems to be reacting
to it positively. When walking him this morning I bumped into a lady who
hasn't seen Ted since he started his treatment and she was impressed with
the shrinking of his distended belly. We've also noticed an increase in
his
mobility and he doesn't visit the drinking bowl so often. We've had Ted
on
glucosamine sulfate for over a month and on Drenemin for the past week.
He
takes his medicine well with no complaint. Indeed, his whole reaction to
the
change in his condition has been uncomplaining.Hopefully it heralds a
beginning of the recession of Cushing's.
We shall be away for ten days, fleeing the damp cold of western Canada
for
the heat of southern Florida, so we take this opportunity to wish you and
yours the best of health in the New Year and thank you all for the comfort
that your messages bring to us. A special thank you to Rob MASON for being
the vet he is.
Eileen and Dave ROBERTS