Cushing's Disease/Syndrome | Electronic Forum Digest 42

CUSHINGS-PETS Digest 42

Topics covered in this issue include:

1) Re: runny eyes
by Linda Wroth <lwroth@ix.netcom.com>
2) Re: runny eyes
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
3) Re:runny eyes
by Jackie Siniard <siniardj@email.uah.edu>
4) RE: Urine tests
by "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
5) new list member
by Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
6) Anipryl
by sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
7) Re: new list member
by Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
8) Re: Anipryl
by JCirino@aol.com
9) Re: new list member
by JCirino@aol.com
10) Re: new list member
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
11) Re: Anipryl
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
12) Re: Anipryl
by sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
13) Re: Anipryl
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
14) Re: Anipryl
by sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
15) RE: new list member
by Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
16) Re: Anipryl
by Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
17) RE: new list member
by Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
18) RE: new list member
by Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
19) Re: new list member
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
20) Schonus Update
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
21) just a quickie
by Susan Kuchinskas <hautlynx@sirius.com>
22) Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by <loiskos@ix.netcom.com>
23) Re: new list members
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
24) Re: new list member
by DLowder25@aol.com
25) Re: Anipryl
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
26) Re: new list member
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
27) Diabetic cushbabies
by DLowder25@aol.com
28) Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by <loiskos@ix.netcom.com>
29) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by Cindy Venable <cindyv@ntr.net>
30) Re: new list member
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
31) Re: Schonus Update
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
32) Re: new list member
by Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
33) Re: new list member
by "Capa97" <Capa97@ix.netcom.com>
34) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by hilbro@juno.com (h hilbro)
35) Re: new list member
by "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
36) Re: several topics covered
by write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
37) Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by CBABTPC@aol.com
38) Re: new list member
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
39) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by CBABTPC@aol.com
40) new lister with questions!
by Paula Hart <hartp@hpanis.an.hp.com>
41) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
42) Cushings-Pets Digest
by "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
43) Cushing's and pituitary surgery in humans...
by Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
44) Make your own cooler mat!!
by Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
45) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by hilbro@juno.com (h hilbro)
46) Thanks to all!
by Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
47) RE: Diabetic cushbabies
by Jude Fine <jfine@novatel.ca>
48) UNSUBSCRIBE ME PLEASE!!!!!!
by wpersky@olivermcmillan.com
49) Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by Valerie Allen <VBAllen@concentric.net>
50) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by DLowder25@aol.com
51) Thanks!
by DLowder25@aol.com
52) Re: new list member
by Glimpact@aol.com
53) Re: new list member
by Susan West <swok34@swbell.net>
54) Re: Behavior Changes
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
55) Cushing's Links
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
56) Re: Cushings-Pets Digest
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
57) Re: new list member
by JCirino@aol.com
58) Re: Behavior Changes
by CBABTPC@aol.com
59) Re: Diabetic cushbabies
by DFRS2@aol.com
60) Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
61) another new member
by Paula Hart <hartp@hpanis.an.hp.com>
62) kennel shots safe?
by scott <scott@adams.net>
63) cataracts
by "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
64) Re: Cushings-Pets Digest
by Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
65) Re: kennel shots safe?
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
66) Re: cataracts
by CBABTPC@aol.com
67) Re: Behavior Changes
by Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
68) Re: new list member
by floyd@zianet.com
69) Re: Behavior Changes
by CBABTPC@aol.com
70) Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by Jackie Siniard <siniardj@email.uah.edu>
71) Re: Behavior Changes
by Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
72) Re: another new member
by JCirino@aol.com
73) Re: new list member
by JCirino@aol.com
74) Re: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by CBABTPC@aol.com
75) Re: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
76) Hi Everybody!!!!
by Miner <marcia@nortexinfo.net>
77) Diabetes list
by Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
78) personality changes
by sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
79) Re: Diabetes list
by CBABTPC@aol.com
80) 1st dose of Lysodren
by Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
81) Re: personality changes
by CBABTPC@aol.com
82) Re: 1st dose of Lysodren
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
83) Re: personality changes
by JCirino@aol.com
84) Re: 1st dose of Lysodren
by hilbro@juno.com (h hilbro)
85) Personnality Changes
by Robert Glover <rglove19@idt.net>
86) Magical Cures
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
87) Re: cataracts
by Jeri <kurvenal@ameritech.net>
88) re: Springer
by Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
89) Re: Cushing and Hypothyroidism
by LynneYoung@aol.com
90) Magical Cures
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
91) Re: kennel shots safe?
by "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
92) Re: Magical Cures
by Jeri <kurvenal@ameritech.net>
93) Re: personality changes
by Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
94) 1st Lysodren dose
by DLowder25@aol.com
95) Blindness
by DLowder25@aol.com
96) Re: new list member
by Susan West <swok34@swbell.net>
97) Re: 1st dose of Lysodren
by "Capa97" <Capa97@ix.netcom.com>
98) Re: new list member
by JCirino@aol.com
99) cooling it
by Susan Kuchinskas <hautlynx@sirius.com>
100) I Didn't Forget!
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
101) Diet
by "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
102) Re: Diet
by Linda Wroth <lwroth@ix.netcom.com>
103) Re: Diet
by write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
104)
by Jackie Siniard <siniardj@email.uah.edu>
105) Re: Diet
by Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
106) Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
by Spot210@aol.com
107) Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
by "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
108) Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
by Danestuff@aol.com
109) Wrong Career
by L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
110) Fwd: off topic - Humor - Gone to the Dogs
by DFRS2@aol.com
111) Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
by DesignSue@aol.com
112) Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
by DesignSue@aol.com
113) Re:
by Susan West <swok34@swbell.net>
114) Re: several topics covered
by "Capa97" <Capa97@ix.netcom.com>
115) Re: Veggies
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
116) Re: Lysodren tolerance
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
117) Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
by Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
118) Re: several topics covered
by write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
119) introduction
by meri <meric@execpc.com>
120) Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
by DFRS2@aol.com
121) Re: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
by JCirino@aol.com
122) Re: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
by Danestuff@aol.com
123) Re:
by write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
124) Re: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
by CBABTPC@aol.com
125) Pixie
by Tom Reighney <tomrei@bellsouth.net>

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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 00:56:52 -0700
From: Linda Wroth <lwroth@ix.netcom.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: runny eyes
Message-ID: <35A07CE9.7D88@ix.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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My Cushing's dog's eyes run because she has small tear duct outlets; her
liver function showin in blood tests is fine :-).
Linda Wroth Richmond, CA lwroth@ix.netcom.com

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Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 08:56:07 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: runny eyes
Message-ID: <9807060856.ZM23285@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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On Jul 5, 6:06pm, Cybervet5@aol.com wrote:
> Subject: Re: runny eyes
> In a message dated 98-07-05 15:34:31 EDT, Glimpact@aol.com writes:
>
> << the eyes are a reflection >>
>
>
> I was taught "the eyes are a reflection of the soul"....which means a
> thorough ophthalmic exam oftens detects many disease processes, which can
> include liver disease...
> M. Brownstein DVM
>-- End of excerpt from Cybervet5@aol.com

"the eyes are a window to the soul, and a dog has a soul with nothing to hide"

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Hell hath no fury like root.

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Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 09:43:35 -0500
From: Jackie Siniard <siniardj@email.uah.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re:runny eyes
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980706144335.00b96868@email.uah.edu>
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>Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 07:19:23 -0500
>From: SINIARD-RC@redstone.army.mil (SINIARD-RC)
>To: siniardj@email.uah.edu
>Subject: Re:runny eyes
>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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>
> THIS MESSAGE IS FROM RANDY (SUNNY'D DADDY) ONLY.
>
> Our Sunny has had runny eye's before, but since Cushing's and Lysodren
> treatment I have noticed they seem to be nonstop. She is a Manchester
> Chihuahua (18.5 lbs last Friday down from 18.7) She seems to be
> losing a little weight everytime we visit the Doctors. We'll take any
> loss. Anyway her eyes run especially outside in the sun. It is
> possible they are more susceptible to the outside environment since
> Lysodren was started.
>
> I am not sure if it is related to Lysodren or to Cushings. I know
> with Cushings the dog's immune system is broke down more, so they get
> sick easier and keep the illness longer once they get it. Our Sunny
> has had a sore throat through two 14 day courses of Clavamox, one 14
> day course of Baytril and now working on a liquid 14 day course of
> antibiotic (can't remember the name). Her water intake had jumped
> dramatically from 18-22 ounces a day to 32-39 ounces. But according
> to our new vet, Dr. Gorman, this is in line with a two year Cushings'
> diagnosed dog. He showed us a formula which showed how the increase
> in water consumption moved up the further a dog was into Cushings.
> Anyway, it set our mind at ease.
>
> The next good news was that after our two weeks of every other day
> dosing of 1/2 pill in a.m. and 1/2 pill in p.m. our Sunny did not have
> to have a Stim test done. Dr. Gorman checked her Urinalysis and found
> that it was improved over the last, so the Stim test was not called
> for yet. We are continuing the 1/2 pill dosing and he will recheck
> her in two weeks on July 17th. I am not sure how he tells from her
> Urine, but he does and Sunny was happy since she did not have to go
> through the torture of the needle. I guess he tends to be up on this
> disease more than our last vet because he has a Cushings baby too! If
> I were a vet I would know as much as I could about a disease my doggy
> had.
>
> I guess my main point to all this is that Sunny seems to be a little
> better except for her appetite! It hasn't changed, she still begs for
> food, but I glad she does. Her eyes run indoors, but more so outside.
> Cushings is just one of the most confusing diseases I know.
>
> REMEMBER THIS MESSAGE IS FROM RANDY (SUNNY'S DADDY) ONLY.
>
> If you should reply back to Jackie concerning this message address it
> to Randy (Sunny's Daddy) in the body of the message. As soon as I can
> find out for sure what my e-mail address is (Remember I have an
> outgoing and and incoming) I will add it to my messages.
>
> Randy (Sunny's Daddy) {[Jackie Sunny's Mummy], SUNNY, [Saphir
> Cat-Sister]}
>
>
>
>______________________________ Forward Header
__________________________________
>Subject: Re:runny eyes
>Author: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu at INTERNET
>Date: 7/3/98 5:34 PM
>
>
>Anyone have any experience with runny eyes in their
>Cushings dogs? Jesse, who is also diabetic, has had a lot of white
>matter in the corner of and over the surface of her eyes for the past few
>days. She may have allergies I don't know about. I missed the vet who
>closed for a three day holiday so I thought I would check with y'all.
>By the way where do you get Milk Thistle? How do you know what amount to
>give. Jesse is holding her own at 16.8 lbs.
>Also, I note that there is a lot of talk about weak hind legs. Jesse has
>never shown any sign of this, just a general wasting and weight loss at
>the beginning of this whole thing. Years ago she went unexplainably limp
>in her left hind leg and was given steroids at that time (?) and has
>never shown any sign of a limp or weakness since. Her front upper legs
>have lost the most muscle mass, but her back seem to have come back in
>the last month or so. She is still an agile jumper and smooth dancer.
>
>Tom, Jesse, & Uta (under the bed)
>
>_____________________________________________________________________
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>From: write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
>To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
>Subject: Re:runny eyes
>References: <B0002268640@kailua.huskynet.com>
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Love doesn't make the world go 'round: love is what makes the ride
worthwhile. - Franklin Jones

Jacqueline P. Siniard
Staff Assistant, Graduate Studies
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Materials Science Building Room C206
Huntsville, Alabama 35899
ph: 205-890-6002 Fax:205-890-6349
e-mail: siniardj@email.uah.edu

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Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 11:28:24 -0400
From: "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
To: "cushings" <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: RE: Urine tests
Message-ID: <002b01bda8f2$b8124900$27e60bd0@chesters>
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I would be interested in what urine tests are used to check on the =
cushings meds. Gretle is on Anipryl 10Mg. once per day. She has =
diabetes which was well regulated and is now bouncing around. I =
mentioned several times that I am very concerned about a medication =
which regulates part of the hormone system being at one set amount =
without some means of testing. =20
I see the body trying to adjust to her insulin injection and food =
intake. I have seen the rebound swings when the blood sugar got too =
low. It seems beyond doubt that the animal's body would try to =
compensate for the change in steroid production and this would be at =
some varying level. If 10Mg will decrease symptoms that are patent, why =
doesn't it over suppress when the symptoms abate?
I noticed something that seems like compensation for cushings =
symptoms. Gretle is a red dachshund with black outer hair. When she =
was in the sun, the black hair would suck in the heat and the red hair =
seemed to hold the heat in. She would be hot to touch in the sun but =
cold in the same air out of the sun. Now, since she has Cushings and =
seems to overheat easily, she does not feel hot when in direct sunlight. =
Is this the reason the animal's hair changes color, etc., when they get =
Cushings?
chester

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<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>I would be interested in what urine =
tests are=20
used to check on the cushings meds.  Gretle is on Anipryl 10Mg. =
once per=20
day.  She has diabetes which was well regulated and is now bouncing =

around.  I mentioned several times that I am very concerned about a =

medication which regulates part of the hormone system being at one set =
amount=20
without some means of testing.  </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>    I see the body =
trying to=20
adjust to her insulin injection and food intake.  I have seen the =
rebound=20
swings when the blood sugar got too low.  It seems beyond doubt =
that the=20
animal's body would try to compensate for the change in steroid =
production and=20
this would be at some varying level.  If 10Mg will decrease =
symptoms that=20
are patent, why doesn't it over suppress when the symptoms =
abate?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>    I noticed =
something that=20
seems like compensation for cushings symptoms.  Gretle is a red =
dachshund=20
with black outer hair.  When she was in the sun, the black hair =
would suck=20
in the heat and the red hair seemed to hold the heat in.  She would =
be hot=20
to touch in the sun but cold in the same air out of the sun.  Now, =
since=20
she has Cushings and seems to overheat easily, she does not feel hot =
when in=20
direct sunlight.  Is this the reason the animal's hair changes =
color, etc.,=20
when they get Cushings?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>chester</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 12:35:46 -0700
From: Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: new list member
Message-ID: <199807061934.MAA05783@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

My name is Elizabeth Rubin in Berkeley, CA as you can probably note from my
address.

I have 3 Brussels Giffons. Two are littermates born 1/31/91 (7 1/2 yrs)
and another born 5/92 that shares
some similar bloodlines.
These little guys are from a well known reputable breeder that claims all
of her lines have no health problems.
Breaker developed a cataract before the age of 2 yrs. I had already
finished his championship before discovering
the eye problem and had bred him. ( I stopped as soon as I found out) I
believe that this could be hereditary.

I thought that would be my worst problem...In Feb.98 due to the El Nino, we
had one entire month of rain and my
dogs gained weight. By March I noticed what little sausages the were and
began dieting them. By April, two had
slimmed down but Gabby looked bloated. I tkke them out to the dog park
with is flat easy terrain and noticed that Gabby had respiratory prblems
and no tolerance for ecercise. I thought that because they are out of
shape due to lack of exercise and that he was still alittle over weight
that this was the problem.

By May, I saw that he was not any slimmer, he was virtually licking the
kitchen floor looking for food and drank copius amounts of water. He had
slimmed down but still had a big belly like a wormy puppy. His breathing
bothered
me and since I see many patients with Congestive Heart Failure in my job as
a partime nurse I took him to the Vet and
said that I thought that he had CHF. Much to my surprise, he did! A fairly
young dog with no signs a health problems until a couple of months earlier
( and they were ambiguous). He had x-rays, etc. and I started him on
lasix, Enacard and Thyroid since his thyroid was low. He seemed better
although he was drinking 2.5 gal of water per day and this is a toy breed!
His appetite was (is) insatiable. The Vet said there was no diabetes and
that he
should be ok. His skin turned black, his hair fell out and other areas
became very thin, the liver is enlarged, his
cholesterol is triple what it should be , the SPGT liver enzymes were high
and the alkaline phosphatase levels
were very high. Still the Vet didn't seem concerned. After I read some
info on Cushings, he seemd to have most
of the symptoms. He has been tested and is postive. Discrimmination tests
are being done to determine the
source. This has taken another almost 3 weeks. I should have the definitive
results today and begin treatment.

well, that is my life story....but I do have questions:

1. Breaker and Gabby are litter mates and I am wondering if the Cataract
and Cushings are hereditary or if it is
considered familial. These are such young dogs. I have told the
owners of the offspring from this line of
breeding about the health concerns that I am having now so they can
be alerted to anything unual in their dogs.

2. I believe that I understand the side effects of the treatment that Gabby
will get from the mitotane tx. but what
can I expect long term?

a. Will the clinical symtoms ( big belly) go away with treatment?
b. Will his hair grow back into the bald spots? does he need
to be kept warmer now?
c. How do I exercise him with the 2 other dogs? will his
tolerance improve?
d. Everything that I have read says there is a 2 yr life
span...has anyone done better? ( I hope)
e. will a change in his diet improve his health?
f. Anipryl is supposed to help with alzheimer's symptoms but
the vet wants to use the other treatment
(mitotane) so will the dog become senile or a danger to
himself?
G. What types of other diseases might he get due to the
Cushings? What things should I watch for?

Well, I 've probably used up the max of 30K (ha) so I will quit now. I am
not usually so verbose but am so upset
by the DX and the 2 yr life span but no other info on how to live with my
dog in a way that is good for him , it
would be good to get the experiences of others for my own mental health.

Thanks for any sharing of experiences anyone can give me.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 14:58:41 -0500
From: sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Anipryl
Message-ID: <35A12C6A.705F@Tradepress.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

After 2 years on Lysodren, Puffin is now off that and on Anipryl. She
had been doing fine on the Lysodren, but Cushings symptoms returned
about 8 weeks ago -- panting, excess water drinking, etc. Our vet did a
STIM test and felt it was time to switch meds. She's been on Anipryl 10
days now. I have noticed the panting has decreased, and maybe the
drinking is a bit less, but her tummy seems much more bloated to me. So
far no vomiting or diarreha. Does it really take 1-2 months of Anipryl
before she gets better?

I know we're at the dreaded 2-yr. point, but I really need to hear from
those of you who've gone beyond that.

Thanks for listening.
Sandy & Puffin

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 14:56:47 -0400
From: Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <05256639.006CAD52.00@MTA-Austin2.tivoli.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hi Elizabeth and welcome to the list. I'm sure that you will get many
responses to your questions and I hope that you find it useful. My Kelso,
a scottie, will be 12 this month and was diagnosed with Cushings a year
ago. He is on the lysodren treatment and has tolerated it very well. With
treatment, you will find many of the symptoms subside. Kelso never really
lost a lot of hair, but I have noticed that it is now much thicker. The
appetite and drinking should also subside, especially the water intake.
Kelso still lets me know when it is dinner time, but he has always done
that. My initial vet also said the 2 year life span, but you will find
many on this list who have exceeded this. I just moved to Austin TX and
Kelso's new doctor said that with proper treatment, the 2 years is a
fallacy. I received a message from a scottie owner in California whose dog
lived over 7 years with Cushings. Kelso is ready for his first year
anniversary and showing no signs of slowing down. Be sure to watch for
signs of infection. Cushings will suppress the immune system and an
infection can quickly get out of control. We have noticed this with
mouth/gum infections. A simple infection quickly went into a bone
infection and Kelso had to have 3 teeth pulled. He was on antibotics for
months. I believe that urinary and bladder infections are also more
common. As others will tell you, be sure to have a great rapport with your
vet. If you don't feel comfortable now, find another one, especially one
experienced with Cushings. You may also find that your dog's heat
tolerance will be much lower. I turn down the AC at night just to keep him
comfortable.

Again, welcome to the list and give your pups a big hug!

Doreen

Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu> on 07/06/98 02:35:46 PM

Please respond to cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu

To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
cc: (bcc: Doreen A Osborne/Tivoli Systems)
Subject: new list member

Hi
My name is Elizabeth Rubin in Berkeley, CA as you can probably note from my
address.
I have 3 Brussels Giffons. Two are littermates born 1/31/91 (7 1/2 yrs)
and another born 5/92 that shares
some similar bloodlines.
These little guys are from a well known reputable breeder that claims all
of her lines have no health problems.
Breaker developed a cataract before the age of 2 yrs. I had already
finished his championship before discovering
the eye problem and had bred him. ( I stopped as soon as I found out) I
believe that this could be hereditary.
I thought that would be my worst problem...In Feb.98 due to the El Nino, we
had one entire month of rain and my
dogs gained weight. By March I noticed what little sausages the were and
began dieting them. By April, two had
slimmed down but Gabby looked bloated. I tkke them out to the dog park
with is flat easy terrain and noticed that Gabby had respiratory prblems
and no tolerance for ecercise. I thought that because they are out of
shape due to lack of exercise and that he was still alittle over weight
that this was the problem.
By May, I saw that he was not any slimmer, he was virtually licking the
kitchen floor looking for food and drank copius amounts of water. He had
slimmed down but still had a big belly like a wormy puppy. His breathing
bothered
me and since I see many patients with Congestive Heart Failure in my job as
a partime nurse I took him to the Vet and
said that I thought that he had CHF. Much to my surprise, he did! A fairly
young dog with no signs a health problems until a couple of months earlier
( and they were ambiguous). He had x-rays, etc. and I started him on
lasix, Enacard and Thyroid since his thyroid was low. He seemed better
although he was drinking 2.5 gal of water per day and this is a toy breed!
His appetite was (is) insatiable. The Vet said there was no diabetes and
that he
should be ok. His skin turned black, his hair fell out and other areas
became very thin, the liver is enlarged, his
cholesterol is triple what it should be , the SPGT liver enzymes were high
and the alkaline phosphatase levels
were very high. Still the Vet didn't seem concerned. After I read some
info on Cushings, he seemd to have most
of the symptoms. He has been tested and is postive. Discrimmination tests
are being done to determine the
source. This has taken another almost 3 weeks. I should have the definitive
results today and begin treatment.
well, that is my life story....but I do have questions:
1. Breaker and Gabby are litter mates and I am wondering if the Cataract
and Cushings are hereditary or if it is
considered familial. These are such young dogs. I have told the
owners of the offspring from this line of
breeding about the health concerns that I am having now so they can
be alerted to anything unual in their dogs.
2. I believe that I understand the side effects of the treatment that Gabby
will get from the mitotane tx. but what
can I expect long term?
a. Will the clinical symtoms ( big belly) go away with
treatment?
b. Will his hair grow back into the bald spots? does he need
to be kept warmer now?
c. How do I exercise him with the 2 other dogs? will his
tolerance improve?
d. Everything that I have read says there is a 2 yr life
span...has anyone done better? ( I hope)
e. will a change in his diet improve his health?
f. Anipryl is supposed to help with alzheimer's symptoms but
the vet wants to use the other treatment
(mitotane) so will the dog become senile or a danger to
himself?
G. What types of other diseases might he get due to the
Cushings? What things should I watch for?
Well, I 've probably used up the max of 30K (ha) so I will quit now. I am
not usually so verbose but am so upset
by the DX and the 2 yr life span but no other info on how to live with my
dog in a way that is good for him , it
would be good to get the experiences of others for my own mental health.
Thanks for any sharing of experiences anyone can give me.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 16:04:59 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <e45d9234.35a12dec@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hello Sandy,
I just subscribed to this list and my dog was just recently diagnosed with
Cushings. He is currently on Anipryl (1 month). My vet originally told me it
would take up to 3 months to see any improvement. How true this may be I don't
know, but to date I do not see much improvement so I may have to continue
waiting it out to see.
I have never tried the other med you mentioned as he was only diagnosed in May
of 98.
Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 16:10:27 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <98168d8.35a12f34@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hi everyone,
I am new to this list. I have a shetland sheepdog, approx. 12 yrs old,
diagnosed with Cushings in May who has been on Anipryl for the last month. I
have seen no improvement as yet but have been told it could take 3 months to
see anything. Does anyone know which, Anipryl or the other med for Cushings
is better or has better tolerance than the other. I am new to all of this and
I guess, very impatient, wanting to see some kind of improvement for my
friend. I guess I want to know if I'm doing the best I can by him. Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:13:33 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <9807061513.ZM8105@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Well, you've taken the time to get yourself well informed, you care enough
about your pups to love them, and you're asking your vet all the right
questions.

Ivan recovered, visually, almost completely within a few short months. In
fact, my wife went out of town for two weeks right after he started on
Lysodren, and her first reaction was "he has hair"! Most of his signs and
symptoms abated, although he was always a hungry puppy.

We also had his littermate, Molly, and Carol's parents had another littermate,
Peter. Sadly, Molly died in February, 1995 due to acute autoimmune hemolytic
anemia (due, we think, to vaccination reaction). Peter died two weeks before
Ivan, but never showed any signs of Cushings.

Ivan did quite well, and was alert and very bright up to the end. Letting him
go was all the more painful because of this.

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Hell hath no fury like root.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:23:38 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <9807061523.ZM8375@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I've forgotten how old Puffin is, but our vet said he wouldn't have given two
cents for Ivan's making it the three plus years he did. At 14 1/2, he did
pretty good. I think there's something that makes our little furkids tougher,
maybe it's our love, maybe it's their's.

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Hell hath no fury like root.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 15:38:01 -0500
From: sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <35A135A0.14A4@Tradepress.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Puffin will be 12 in Nov. She's a wimp on the outside, but a tough
little cookie on the inside. She's ruled the roost since 8 weeks old. I
personally think it's our love and good care that keeps 'em going. I
will cook special meals for her and get a part time job for medicine if
I have to. She's my baby!

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:44:59 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <9807061544.ZM9106@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

On Jul 6, 3:38pm, Sandy Mannix wrote:
> Subject: Re: Anipryl
> Puffin will be 12 in Nov. She's a wimp on the outside, but a tough
> little cookie on the inside. She's ruled the roost since 8 weeks old. I
> personally think it's our love and good care that keeps 'em going. I
> will cook special meals for her and get a part time job for medicine if
> I have to. She's my baby!
>-- End of excerpt from Sandy Mannix

Sounds like you could be stuck with her for sometime to come!

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Hell hath no fury like root.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 15:56:05 -0500
From: sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <35A139DC.2C8C@Tradepress.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Dillon
Thanks for the great words of encouragement! I'm feeling a bit anxious
right now. We had such good results with the Lysodren in the beginning
that I want the same to happen on the Anipryl.

Sandy & Puffin

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 14:01:24 -0700
From: Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
To: "'cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu'"
<cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: RE: new list member
Message-ID: <199807062058.NAA05567@eve.atm.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Hi all!

I'm also a new list member. My 7-1/2 year old "son" Herbie
(beagle/retriever mix) was diagnosed with pituitary Cushings just two
weeks ago. We noticed Herbie drinking much more water than usual, so we
started doing searches on the Web for information. I ran across several
articles on Cushings and realized he had some of the other symptoms as
well (i.e., low tolerance for exercise, skin irritations, increased
appetite, increased panting, etc.). I took Herbie to the vet and
expressed my concern about Cushings. The vet said Herbie didn't look
like a typical Cushinoid dog and, in fact, after performing a physical
exam, said Herbie seemed extremely healthy. However, he said the
symptoms I told him about indicate he could have Cushings. After
several rounds of tests, he determined Herbie does have Cushings. He
consulted with an Internist to verify his diagnosis. By the way, he
also verified Herbie does not have Diabetes or any other complications.

The vet will be putting Herbie on Anipryl to begin with. He mentioned
Mitotane as an alternative (costs less), but said both he and the
Internist implore us to use Anipryl if we can afford it. He said
Mitotane is an extremely harsh drug, and there is a higher probability
of death if the improper dosage is given. He said with Mitotane, Herbie
will most likely be very ill initially when he begins treatment. With
Anipryl, he will not be ill; plus, there are no side effects with
Anipryl. He did warn us that if Herbie doesn't respond to Anipryl, he
would have to try Mitotane. What are other people's experiences with
these two drugs?

Regarding the 2-year lifespan... I had read the same thing, and was
quite concerned. However, when I asked the vet about Herbie's
prognosis, he said 7 to 10 years if he responds favorably to treatment.
I had to ask him to repeat himself because I couldn't believe what I
heard!! I mentioned the 2-year lifespan I had read about, and he said
that was not accurate. I felt better after hearing this, but I'm still
curious to hear from others out there about what they've heard or been
through personally.

One other note of interest. The Internist told the vet to do a urine
culture for a bladder infection. The vet didn't think it was necessary
after initial urine test results, but the Internist explained that
there've been a lot of recent studies that show a high percentage of
Cushinoid dogs have undiagnosed bladder and/or kidney infections. I
don't remember the details, but the reason the infections are not
diagnosed has something to do with the fact that Cushinoid dogs urinate
so frequently. My vet said he couldn't argue with the results of the
studies, so he agreed to do a urine culture. We'll bring in a urine
sample when we pick up Herbie's first dosage of Anipryl.

I have one question maybe someone can answer. Does anyone know of a
veterinary hospital anywhere in the country that performs surgery to
remove pituitary tumors? If so, which hospital, and do you know their
success rate? I read an article in Life Magazine about Angell Memorial
Animal Hospital in Boston, and wondered if maybe someone there has
performed such a surgery. They sound like a very advanced, impressive
hospital. I realize this is dangerous, risky surgery, but I want to
explore all options. I would do anything to help Herbie, and I would be
willing to take him anywhere in the country for help.

Thank you all for your support! Please add us to your prayers!!

Shari, Tom, and Herbie Peterson

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 14:07:20 -0700
From: Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <199807062106.OAA31292@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html>
<font size=3D3>At 03:44 PM 7/6/98 -0500, you wrote:<br>
>On Jul 6,=A0 3:38pm, Sandy Mannix wrote:<br>
>> Subject: Re: Anipryl<br>
>> Puffin will be 12 in Nov. She's a wimp on the outside, but a
tough<br>
>> little cookie on the inside. She's ruled the roost since 8 weeks
old. I<br>
>> personally think it's our love and good care that keeps 'em
going. I<br>
>> will cook special meals for her and get a part time job for
medicine if<br>
>> I have to. She's my baby!<br>
>>-- End of excerpt from Sandy Mannix<br>
><br>
>Sounds like you could be stuck with her for sometime to come!<br>
>>-- <br>
>dillon pyron<br>
>dillon.pyron@amd.com<br>
<br>
<br>
I hope you are "stuck" with Puffin for  quite a long
time!<br>
Elizabeth</font>
<BR>
</html>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 16:16:35 -0400
From: Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: RE: new list member
Message-ID: <05256639.0073F187.00@MTA-Austin2.tivoli.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hi Shari and Herbie and welcome to the list. We have lots of new people
this week!! :( My scottie, Kelso, is on lysodren. I also was very
concerned about lysodren. About a month before Kelso was diagnosed,
another scottie that I know had a very adverse reaction to the lysodren
loading and died. I was in a panic because my vet was not familiar with
anipril and wanted me to try the lysodren first. I took all the
precautions including persuading my boss to let me work at home during the
loading phase just to watch Kelso for any reactions. I basically
interrogated my vet as to what to watch for ( I didn't know that this list
existed at the time) and spoke with him almost every day. Kelso started
reaching conversion on day 5. On day 6, he refused food all together and I
knew that we were there. Again, my vet was there every step of the way.
Besides a few episodes of vomiting, Kelso has tolerated the lysodren very
well. My new vet here in Austin, now states that good control is the key
to this disease and the number of years that dogs survive.

We wish you well with your baby and we are here to help. I wish that I had
known about this list a year ago. Many thanks to Leslie for starting this
and in heartfelt memory of Missy. I know that she is happy and waiting for
Leslie and Scot at the Rainbow Bridge.

Doreen, Kelso and Blair

ShariPe@Attachmate.com on 07/06/98 04:01:24 PM

Please respond to cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu

To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
cc: (bcc: Doreen A Osborne/Tivoli Systems)
Subject: RE: new list member

Hi all!

Thank you all for your support! Please add us to your prayers!!

Shari, Tom, and Herbie Peterson

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 14:37:12 -0700
From: Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
To: "'cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu'"
<cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: RE: new list member
Message-ID: <199807062134.OAA07795@eve.atm.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"

Thanks for the welcome and words of encouragement, Doreen!

I am so glad I discovered this list!

Shari

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com [SMTP:Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com]
> Sent: Monday, July 06, 1998 1:17 PM
> To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
> Subject: RE: new list member
>
>
> Hi Shari and Herbie and welcome to the list. We have lots of new
> people
> this week!! :( My scottie, Kelso, is on lysodren. I also was very
> concerned about lysodren. About a month before Kelso was diagnosed,
> another scottie that I know had a very adverse reaction to the
> lysodren
> loading and died. I was in a panic because my vet was not familiar
> with
> anipril and wanted me to try the lysodren first. I took all the
> precautions including persuading my boss to let me work at home during
> the
> loading phase just to watch Kelso for any reactions. I basically
> interrogated my vet as to what to watch for ( I didn't know that this
> list
> existed at the time) and spoke with him almost every day. Kelso
> started
> reaching conversion on day 5. On day 6, he refused food all together
> and I
> knew that we were there. Again, my vet was there every step of the
> way.
> Besides a few episodes of vomiting, Kelso has tolerated the lysodren
> very
> well. My new vet here in Austin, now states that good control is the
> key
> to this disease and the number of years that dogs survive.
>
> We wish you well with your baby and we are here to help. I wish that
> I had
> known about this list a year ago. Many thanks to Leslie for starting
> this
> and in heartfelt memory of Missy. I know that she is happy and
> waiting for
> Leslie and Scot at the Rainbow Bridge.
>
> Doreen, Kelso and Blair
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ShariPe@Attachmate.com on 07/06/98 04:01:24 PM
>
> Please respond to cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
>
> To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
> cc: (bcc: Doreen A Osborne/Tivoli Systems)
> Subject: RE: new list member
>
>
>
>
> Hi all!
>
> I'm also a new list member. My 7-1/2 year old "son" Herbie
> (beagle/retriever mix) was diagnosed with pituitary Cushings just two
> weeks ago. We noticed Herbie drinking much more water than usual, so
> we
> started doing searches on the Web for information. I ran across
> several
> articles on Cushings and realized he had some of the other symptoms as
> well (i.e., low tolerance for exercise, skin irritations, increased
> appetite, increased panting, etc.). I took Herbie to the vet and
> expressed my concern about Cushings. The vet said Herbie didn't look
> like a typical Cushinoid dog and, in fact, after performing a physical
> exam, said Herbie seemed extremely healthy. However, he said the
> symptoms I told him about indicate he could have Cushings. After
> several rounds of tests, he determined Herbie does have Cushings. He
> consulted with an Internist to verify his diagnosis. By the way, he
> also verified Herbie does not have Diabetes or any other
> complications.
>
> The vet will be putting Herbie on Anipryl to begin with. He mentioned
> Mitotane as an alternative (costs less), but said both he and the
> Internist implore us to use Anipryl if we can afford it. He said
> Mitotane is an extremely harsh drug, and there is a higher probability
> of death if the improper dosage is given. He said with Mitotane,
> Herbie
> will most likely be very ill initially when he begins treatment. With
> Anipryl, he will not be ill; plus, there are no side effects with
> Anipryl. He did warn us that if Herbie doesn't respond to Anipryl, he
> would have to try Mitotane. What are other people's experiences with
> these two drugs?
>
> Regarding the 2-year lifespan... I had read the same thing, and was
> quite concerned. However, when I asked the vet about Herbie's
> prognosis, he said 7 to 10 years if he responds favorably to
> treatment.
> I had to ask him to repeat himself because I couldn't believe what I
> heard!! I mentioned the 2-year lifespan I had read about, and he said
> that was not accurate. I felt better after hearing this, but I'm
> still
> curious to hear from others out there about what they've heard or been
> through personally.
>
> One other note of interest. The Internist told the vet to do a urine
> culture for a bladder infection. The vet didn't think it was
> necessary
> after initial urine test results, but the Internist explained that
> there've been a lot of recent studies that show a high percentage of
> Cushinoid dogs have undiagnosed bladder and/or kidney infections. I
> don't remember the details, but the reason the infections are not
> diagnosed has something to do with the fact that Cushinoid dogs
> urinate
> so frequently. My vet said he couldn't argue with the results of the
> studies, so he agreed to do a urine culture. We'll bring in a urine
> sample when we pick up Herbie's first dosage of Anipryl.
>
> I have one question maybe someone can answer. Does anyone know of a
> veterinary hospital anywhere in the country that performs surgery to
> remove pituitary tumors? If so, which hospital, and do you know their
> success rate? I read an article in Life Magazine about Angell Memorial
> Animal Hospital in Boston, and wondered if maybe someone there has
> performed such a surgery. They sound like a very advanced, impressive
> hospital. I realize this is dangerous, risky surgery, but I want to
> explore all options. I would do anything to help Herbie, and I would
> be
> willing to take him anywhere in the country for help.
>
> Thank you all for your support! Please add us to your prayers!!
>
> Shari, Tom, and Herbie Peterson
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 17:13:33 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <9807061713.ZM12427@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>
I have one question maybe someone can answer. Does anyone know of a
veterinary hospital anywhere in the country that performs surgery to
remove pituitary tumors? If so, which hospital, and do you know their
success rate? I read an article in Life Magazine about Angell Memorial
Animal Hospital in Boston, and wondered if maybe someone there has
performed such a surgery. They sound like a very advanced, impressive
hospital. I realize this is dangerous, risky surgery, but I want to
explore all options. I would do anything to help Herbie, and I would be
willing to take him anywhere in the country for help.
<
I believe that UC-Davis has done some in the past. It is not as easy a
procedure for dogs as it is for humans (we have a "built in" access path that
dogs don't have).

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Hell hath no fury like root.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 19:12:09 -0300
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Schonus Update
Message-ID: <35A14BB9.74D2CF89@warwick.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Everyone...

Just a short note to let you all know that Schonus is now going thru
another loading phase. Think this is #4!! Everything sure is outta
whack here....water intake sky rocketed...distended belly...and I lost a
finger last week giving him a treat (only kidding)! ....colitis has
returned and now we've got a huge lick spot on top of his front paw!

There's just one thing I can't figure out...we were giving him 4,500 mgs
a week and every time he was given Lysodren, his water intake went way
up. BUT on the day that he was to get Lysodren, it dropped to normal.
It was like the Lysodren was causing him to drink more...the more
Lysodren...the more water.

I also would like to take this time to say "Thank You" to all of you who
share your good news! It gives me the strength to keep up with this
roller coaster ride! It really helps!

Linda & Schonus

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Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 17:07:52 -0700
From: Susan Kuchinskas <hautlynx@sirius.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: just a quickie
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19980706170752.00d454e0@pop.sirius.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi, Linda, I'm sorry I haven't had time to write butr I do think about you
and Schonus every day, and tell my friends about you two. I saw your post
on the list.... gawd I want him to get better. morre drinking and peeing
here, but more hair too. more soon Susan
>

Susan Kuchinskas

http://www.sirius.com/~hautlynx/

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Date: Mon, 6 Jul 98 21:30:52 -0400
From: <loiskos@ix.netcom.com>
To: "Cushing's Disease" <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <199807070125.UAA01960@dfw-ix10.ix.netcom.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

>Side effects. The only noticeable thing is her sight! She seems
>to be going blind. This only seems to happen when she comes inside from
>the bright outside. Yes, I try and keep her going straight but I have 3
>other dogs and everybody is poking coming thru the door. Has this
>happened to anybody else. After all, Springer is 13 years old, but
>this just started 2 days after the medication.
YEP. Duffy too lost a good deal of sight very quickly. White spots
visible in eyes. Hearing too is limited.
Just in last few days his sense of orientation has deteroiated. Walks
into corners and can't find way out. Walks into areas of a room he's
never been in before, then can't figure out where he is.
Poor guy just "zonks" -- so very sasd to watch, not knowing what I can
do. Try to get his attention, take his head in my hands and talk to him.
After leading him out of corner...
Sine he's showing some deterioratin, I'm tkaing him off the amitriptyline
(anti-depressant). Woudl rathe have him a bit grouchy than spaced out.
Will reprot if progress.

LOIS

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Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:31:14 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list members
Message-ID: <35A17A62.1A630CCA@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Wow, so many new members today! Welcome to everyone. Sorry you have to
be here, but I'm glad you found us! I'm no expert at Cushing's disease
since my poodle, Boomer, was just diagnosed in March, but he is doing
well now so I thought I would share what I know with ya'll and try to
answer some of your questions to the best of my ability.

Elizabeth Rubin wrote:
1. Breaker and Gabby are litter mates and I am wondering if the Cataract
and Cushings are hereditary or if it is considered familial.
>> I don't believe that Cushing's is hereditary.

2. I believe that I understand the side effects of the treatment that
Gabby
will get from the mitotane tx. but what can I expect long term?
>> Never heard of mitotane. Is this the same as Lysodren??

a. Will the clinical symtoms ( big belly) go away with treatment?
>> The belly should go away or at least get smaller

b. Will his hair grow back into the bald spots?
does he need to be kept warmer now?
>> Hair should grow back, for some quickly, some slowly, some not at all
>> Boomer doesn't seem to be colder, in fact he seeks out cool spots.

c. How do I exercise him with the 2 other dogs? will his tolerance
improve?
>> I would exercise him only as much as he can take,
>> not sure if his tolerance will improve

d. Everything that I have read says there is a 2 yr life span...has
anyone done better? ( I hope)
>> Many dogs live longer than 2 years. It all depends on so many factors:
>> the age of dog at diagnosis, how well they respond to treatment,
>> other health factors, and I believe the love and care their owners
>> give them. I have to wonder if this "2 yr life span" was stated many
>> years ago when there wasn;t much known about the disease and its prognosis
>> was rather bleak then. But times have changed...so who knows???

e. will a change in his diet improve his health?
>> A good diet is very important for dogs with cushing's.

f. Anipryl is supposed to help with alzheimer's symptoms but the vet
wants to use the other treatment (mitotane) so will the dog become
senile or a danger to
himself?
>> Again if you are referring to Lysodren I have not heard of it making
>> a dog senile or dangerous.

G. What types of other diseases might he get due to the Cushings? What
things should I watch for?
>> Cushy dogs are more susceptible to other infections since their
>> immune system is suppressed.

Keep in mind that every dog is different and it is important that you
work very closely with your vet. It's up to you to "interpret" how your
dog is feeling based on his behavior. And most of all, give your cushy
poo lots of love and attention. It can make you and him/her feel much
better :)

-- Liza and Boomer

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Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 21:31:08 EDT
From: DLowder25@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <1ee3088e.35a17a5e@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 98-07-06 15:39:11 EDT, you write:

<< Will his hair grow back into the bald spots? does he need
to be kept warmer now? >>

Elizabeth:
Welcome to the group. They've been a big help to me and Mollie Bear.
Mollie Bear was diagnosed a little over a year ago. She's been on Lysodren
ever since. If you look on the Cushings Gallery, you will see a very furry
dog. She was bald last year so, if nothing else, the Lysodren has worked
miracles to get her gorgeous fur back.
A couple months ago she was diagnosed with diabetes too. That's another
thing to watch for. I thought she was having a major relapse from the
Cushings because the symptoms are so similar. It's been difficult to control
but she's doing much better. Both diseases are under control (pretty much)
and she's doing well.
So keep the faith....hard to do but this group helps a lot with support and
info.

Debbie & Mollie Bear

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:33:32 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Anipryl
Message-ID: <35A17AEC.4FD67364@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Does anyone know if this typically happens (the reoccurence of symptoms)
after being on Lysodren for a couple of years?

-- Liza and Boomer

Sandy Mannix wrote:
>
> After 2 years on Lysodren, Puffin is now off that and on Anipryl. She
> had been doing fine on the Lysodren, but Cushings symptoms returned
> about 8 weeks ago -- panting, excess water drinking, etc. Our vet did a
> STIM test and felt it was time to switch meds. She's been on Anipryl 10
> days now. I have noticed the panting has decreased, and maybe the
> drinking is a bit less, but her tummy seems much more bloated to me. So
> far no vomiting or diarreha. Does it really take 1-2 months of Anipryl
> before she gets better?
>
> I know we're at the dreaded 2-yr. point, but I really need to hear from
> those of you who've gone beyond that.
>
> Thanks for listening.
> Sandy & Puffin

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:40:28 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <35A17C8C.F56247B3@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Joan,
I don't know that either medicine is better than the other. Both
have their pluses and minuses. If your vet suggested one over the other
and you trust your vet, then I would follow his advice. My vet had his
reasons for choosing Lysodren for Boomer, so we are using it. So far,
it seems to be working wsell, although I'm not sure we are at the proper
dosage yet.

-- Liza and Boomer

JCirino@aol.com wrote:
Does anyone know which, Anipryl or the other med for Cushings is better
or has better tolerance than the other.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 21:41:19 EDT
From: DLowder25@aol.com
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <7b56ff7a.35a17cc0@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Just went to the vet yesterday for Toby (my other dog who has a bad limp)
and my vet informed me that Mollie's insulin is to be discontinued in January.
We just got her under "control" at 173 and now we have to switch insulin.
Anyone else heard this? She's on Lente and my vet said we'll have to use
Humulin from now on and it doesn't work as well in dogs. They said they
weren't selling enough to continue making it (Mollie uses almost a bottle a
week--isn't that helping the company???)
Any experience out there with Humulin? Thanks! Debbie & Mollie Bear

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 98 21:47:48 -0400
From: <loiskos@ix.netcom.com>
To: "Cushing's Disease" <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <199807070142.UAA03429@dfw-ix10.ix.netcom.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

>I would like your opinions on the following:
>1. Could this aggressiveness be related to the Cushings? Is she just
>getting senile? (Bonsai might be calling her names, but I never notice
>any provocation on her part)

Duffy's doc said "definitely YES" when he became quite an untouchable
grouch with Cushings. Vet was not surprised.

LOIS

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:51:21 -0400
From: Cindy Venable <cindyv@ntr.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <199807070154.VAA24445@rome.ntr.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

My Pepper is on PZI because she developed antibodies to humulin; she was doing
well on it - and really still is, but now she's started on anipryl for the
cushings. So far so good.

DLowder25@aol.com wrote:

> Just went to the vet yesterday for Toby (my other dog who has a bad limp)
> and my vet informed me that Mollie's insulin is to be discontinued in January.
> We just got her under "control" at 173 and now we have to switch insulin.
> Anyone else heard this? She's on Lente and my vet said we'll have to use
> Humulin from now on and it doesn't work as well in dogs. They said they
> weren't selling enough to continue making it (Mollie uses almost a bottle a
> week--isn't that helping the company???)
> Any experience out there with Humulin? Thanks! Debbie & Mollie Bear

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:59:09 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <35A180ED.C9CEB445@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Shari,
Welcome to the list and I wish you and Herbie good luck in your
treatment.
While your vet is correct that Mitotane (Lysodren?) is a harsh drug and
if given in too large amounts it can be life threatening, I don't
believe that a dog will necessarily be very ill during the initial
treatment. The course of treatment with Lysodren consists of an initial
"loading" phase, where the dog is given the med daily unitl the symptoms
(increased thirst, hunger, urination) subside. Once that occurs you
stop the medicine until an ACTH Stim test is done to determine where the
dog's cortisone level is. Based on that you determine a maintenance
dosage and go from there.
During Boomer's loading phase, he showed no change until the ninth
day. On the tenth day he would not eat and I could tell that he did not
feel good. I stopped the medication then and we started the maintenance
phase. Within a few days he was felling better and his appetite
gradually returned. With Lysodren it is very important that you learn
to "read" your dog. If he is having an "off" day, then a little
Prednisone can be given to make him feel better. I gave Boomer
Prednisone every other day for the first month of the maintenance phase,
but have not had to give it since. This is just my experience with
Lysodren, others may have had different results.
As for Anipryl, it is not without side effects. I believe that
diarrhea is one of them, but I'm not that familiar with its use.
As for the 2 year lifespan...I don't believe there have been any
scientific studies to supprt this claim. I believe it was someone's
educated guess. Again, this is the information I have read.
Good luck to you and Herbie! Keep us posted to his progress!

-- Liza and Boomer

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 22:00:54 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Schonus Update
Message-ID: <35A18156.774091C5@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Linda,
Just know that we are here "for the ride" with you! Let's hope that
4 is the lucky number!

-- Liza and Boomer

L Boyce wrote:
>
> Hi Everyone...
>
> Just a short note to let you all know that Schonus is now going thru
> another loading phase. Think this is #4!!

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 21:11:41 -0500 (CDT)
From: Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95.980706204837.26936B-100000@bradley.bradley.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

When I asked this following Sweetie's diagnosis of pituitary tumors, I was
told by the doctor at the University of Illinois Small Animal Clinic that
surgery was only being tried in the Netherlands, with very limited
success. The one human being I have encountered with similar Cushings was
also not a candidate for brain surgery. If you should find out anything
different, please contact me! Please!

Sweetie recently developed an infection between the toes of her right foot
but I discovered her gnawing and got her on antibiotics and have been
putting ointment on the foot, covering it with a sock for 15 minutes so
the ointment will soak in thoroughly without interruption. She is now
doing fine. I had been putting the tea tree oil on it to no avail.

Anipryl truly does seem to take 3-4 mos. to totally assimilate, though
Sweetie's panting and drinking of water eased in the first few weeks.
In her case, I suspect the combination of anipryl, thyroid meds,
glucosamine chondroitin, milk thistle and varied vitamins has given her
back vitality and playfulness.

I am eagerly awaiting delivery of much-heralded Canine Cooler Bed. The
"inventor" is a very sweet guy who majored in zoology. So pleasing to give
one's money to a small business entrepreneur who really cares 'bout dogs!
Best wishes to all & the wonderful dogs.

Jenny & Sweetie
jk@bradley.bradley.edu

On Mon, 6 Jul 1998, Dillon Pyron wrote:

> >
> I have one question maybe someone can answer. Does anyone know of a
> veterinary hospital anywhere in the country that performs surgery to
> remove pituitary tumors? If so, which hospital, and do you know their
> success rate? I read an article in Life Magazine about Angell Memorial
> Animal Hospital in Boston, and wondered if maybe someone there has
> performed such a surgery. They sound like a very advanced, impressive
> hospital. I realize this is dangerous, risky surgery, but I want to
> explore all options. I would do anything to help Herbie, and I would be
> willing to take him anywhere in the country for help.
> <
> I believe that UC-Davis has done some in the past. It is not as easy a
> procedure for dogs as it is for humans (we have a "built in" access path that
> dogs don't have).
>
>
> --
> dillon pyron
> dillon.pyron@amd.com
> Hell hath no fury like root.
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 22:07:46 -0400
From: "Capa97" <Capa97@ix.netcom.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <199807070230.VAA17263@dfw-ix15.ix.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi, Sam was on Anipryl for 3 months with no improvement, but no side
effects.Then we went to :
She has had to do two loading doses with Lysodren & Prednisone( for no side
effects, first time 10 days, then wait 7 days for Prednisone to leave
before tests. No real change. Then seven days with no Pred . Tested great!
Now on maintance (2 pill a week). She has Diabetes also & is starting
cataracts.
Has anyone else had trouble with DRY EYES ( no tears working) with Cush-
Diabete - Cataracts
Pat & Sam
> From: JCirino@aol.com
> To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
> Subject: Re: new list member
> Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 4:10 PM
>
> Hi everyone,
> I am new to this list. I have a shetland sheepdog, approx. 12 yrs old,
> diagnosed with Cushings in May who has been on Anipryl for the last
month. I
> have seen no improvement as yet but have been told it could take 3 months
to
> see anything. Does anyone know which, Anipryl or the other med for
Cushings
> is better or has better tolerance than the other. I am new to all of this
and
> I guess, very impatient, wanting to see some kind of improvement for my
> friend. I guess I want to know if I'm doing the best I can by him. Any
> suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 22:37:54 EDT
From: hilbro@juno.com (h hilbro)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <19980706.213002.9983.0.hilbro@juno.com>

On Mon, 6 Jul 1998 21:41:19 EDT DLowder25@aol.com writes:
> Just went to the vet yesterday for Toby (my other dog who has a bad
>limp) and my vet informed me that Mollie's insulin is to be discontinued
in
>January. We just got her under "control" at 173 and now we have to
switch
>insulin. Anyone else heard this? She's on Lente and my vet said we'll
have
>to use Humulin from now on and it doesn't work as well in dogs. They
said
>they weren't selling enough to continue making it (Mollie uses almost a
>bottle a week--isn't that helping the company???)
> Any experience out there with Humulin?

Eli Lilly has discontinued manufacture of Iletin I Lente and NPH
beef/pork insulin, although current stocks will continue to be available
through most of 1999 according to their marketing people. Though pure
pork will still be made for a while, it will probably follow suit and be
discontinued because, as you say, these species insulins are not
profitable for the companies that make them. Beef/pork insulin is
usually about 90% beef which differs from dog insulin by three amino
acids, and only 10% pork which is identical to dog insulin in amino acid
structure but doesn't have good duration. Human insulin differs from dog
and pork insulin by only one position and is, therefore, theoretically an
appropriate choice for dog insulin therapy.

Recent studies by Richard Nelson, DVM, UCal-Davis, et al. indicate that,
in fact, serum anti-insulin antibodies are more prevalent in diabetic
dogs treated with beef/pork versus recombinant human insulin and that
these antibodies may adversely affect glycemic control in some dogs.
Nelson and colleagues are using Humulin (available in all durations,
generally recommended is Lente or NPH b.i.d.) as first-line treatment in
dogs, even before the beef/pork becomes unavailable, because they now
feel that sustained glycemic control is more likely with this protocol.
There is reason to believe that the beef/pork discontinuation is sort of
a "tempest in a teapot" and not a real cause for worry based on these
extensive research results indicating such good results with human
insulins for dogs. The studies are quite recent and are just now being
presented in veterinary Continuing Education seminars, so may not have
been widely disseminated yet. But the data is available to veterinarians
through professional sources.

We have recently switched one of our diabetic dogs from beef/pork to
Humulin insulin and, after an initial re-regulation, she is doing well.
The Humulin is said to do a better job with subduing post-prandial BG
spikes and I would concur with that claim based on my observations.
Therefore. a flatter curve is attainable and, consequently, tighter
glycemic control is likely possible.

It is a pity that drug companies must rely solely on profit for
manufacturing justification (although the FDA will sometimes step in on a
compassionate use basis), but in this case it appears that there is
little reason for worry.

H. Brown
Prennydew Labradors
Thanks! Debbie & Mollie
>Bear
>

_____________________________________________________________________
You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 23:35:09 -0000
From: "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <B0002279096@kailua.huskynet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Elizabeth,

Sorry for all your bad luck!

Check with your vet. I'm told (not from a vet) that Enacard is a brand
name for a generic drug named Vasotec--a prescription of Vasotec filled at
your local pharmacy (ideally Walmart or Price Club/Costco) is less
expensive than Enacard. Verify that and then ask for a prescription.

I had a dog diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He lived more than 2
years longer than that diagnosis, probably due to my feeding him a homemade
diet most of that time.

----------------
Scottee Meade <Scottee@huskynet.com> 'Tee Party Bostons
Canine Behavior Consultant Burke, VA
Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Old Dominion Kennel Club
----------------

----------
From: Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: new list member
Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 7:35 PM

My name is Elizabeth Rubin in Berkeley, CA as you can probably note from my
address.

well, that is my life story....but I do have questions:

2. I believe that I understand the side effects of the treatment that Gabby
will get from the mitotane tx. but what
can I expect long term?

a. Will the clinical symtoms ( big belly) go away with
treatment?
b. Will his hair grow back into the bald spots? does he need
to be kept warmer now?
c. How do I exercise him with the 2 other dogs? will his
tolerance improve?
d. Everything that I have read says there is a 2 yr life
span...has anyone done better? ( I hope)
e. will a change in his diet improve his health?
f. Anipryl is supposed to help with alzheimer's symptoms but
the vet wants to use the other treatment
(mitotane) so will the dog become senile or a danger to
himself?
G. What types of other diseases might he get due to the
Cushings? What things should I watch for?

Thanks for any sharing of experiences anyone can give me.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 00:23:14 -0400
From: write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: several topics covered
Message-ID: <19980707.002319.13950.4.Write2Tom@juno.com>

Debbie: My Jesse (7 yr. mini-schnauzer, Cushings/diabetic) has been on
Humulin for the past 5 or 6 months. She has proven to be a brittle
diabetic and still not completely controlled though she is doing better.
Do not expect overnight control with this disease as it is mostly just
trial and error, then under control, then starting all over again. At
least that has been our experience.

Shari: Jesse went through two brief loadings with Lysodren with no
prednesone and no ill effects. We are now on hold for two months before
testing again. Some days she is a puppy again and some days she is
cranky. Mostly she is brave, loving and accepting of her situation.

Pat: Jesse too has cataracts forming and the vet says she probably has
very blurred vision and is perhaps seeing mostly light and shadows. He
offered to set her up with a specialist in Louisville if I wanted, but we
must be realistic about the amount of money we have to spend at this
point. (these are very expensive conditions to treat and we have another
dog with a portosystemic shunt who must be medicated and fed as well.) I
took her to the vet today because of a mucus discharge from her eyes over
the week-end. She has always been prone to conjunctivitis, but never has
her tear ducts stopped up before because of it. We are doing twice daily
cleaning with saline solution and three times medication with Neo-Predef.
Back in five days for another tear test. Sometimes an eye infection is
just an eye infection.

Everybody stick in there and love your pets.

Tom, Jesse and Uta (learning to be a guide dog)

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 09:42:21 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: loiskos@IX.NETCOM.COM, owner-cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu,
cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <2846b5fd.35a225be@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Targa isn't grouchy at all, but she is definitely more remote and less
affectionate. I have to really press her for "kisses" now. She doesn't
spontaneously interact at all. I don't know whether this is related more to
the Cushing's or to her sudden blindness, but it was a real change in
personality.

Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 08:44:15 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <9807070844.ZM12609@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Regarding surgery, I was contacted a few years back by a guy who was a diver
and wanted to know how long after "skull surgery" he could dive. I asked him
what kind, he told me they had cut out a small portion of this sinus cavity,
removed the tumour and reattached the wall. Doctor told him 6 to 9 months, I'm
an instructor, not a doctor, who am I to argue with that. His name is Scooter,
I think Leslie has a link, although it may be out of date.

Anyways, the problem is that, for dogs, the pituitary is more deeply imbedded
in the brain, and located more directly behind the eyes.

I'm not a vet. I'm not stubborn enough :-)

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Hell hath no fury like root.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 09:48:11 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: cindyv@ntr.net, owner-cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu,
cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <348b82b2.35a2271c@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/6/98 8:59:31 PM, cindyv@ntr.net wrote:

> Any experience out there with Humulin? Thanks! Debbie & Mollie Bear

Missed your earlier post, Debbie.

Targa has been on Humulin since her diagnosis and is doing fine on it. It took
awhile to hit the right dose, as with any insulin, but since regulation she's
stayed completely stable. We've increased it slightly twice, as she regained
the weight she lost from the diabetes initially, and so far we have had no
hypo incidents. (6 months) She has been on Anipryl since April, and there
have been no problems using the two together that we could see.

Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 98 10:08:27 EDT
From: Paula Hart <hartp@hpanis.an.hp.com>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: new lister with questions!
Message-ID: <9807071408.AA11742@hpanis.an.hp.com>

Hi,

I just subscribed to this list and am trying to gather as much info as
possible regarding cushings and my dog. Any feedback would be greatly
appreciated.

I have a 9 year old German Shepherd who, over the past couple of months,
has been drinking/urinating more that normal. I was concerned about
diabetes & made an appt at the vet for him. His initial blood work &
urinalysis came back normal, so the scheduled him for a low dose dex
test last Thursday. Of course the vet is now on vacation & the results
came in this morning. The vet on call summarized the results abnormal, but
really wants me to wait til our regular vet comes back to discuss the
details.

The test showed a baseline cortisol level of 3.7, followed by readings
of 1.0 at 4 hours and 1.1 at 8 hours. It's the 8 hour test that she said
should be 1.0 and that the 1.1 is considered abnormal. In my own little
mind I see the 1.0 and 1.1 as still supressed & wonder just how diagnostic
a reading of 1.1 at 8 hours is.

Can anyone shed any light here? I am worried sick about this dog and am
trying to get as much info as possible while I wait for the return of our
vet.

Thanks, in advance, for any information.

Paula

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 10:17:35 -0400
From: "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <002c01bda9b1$fe0e56a0$27e60bd0@chesters>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I started out with humulin N with Gretle and she seems to be doing well on
it. She has some swings in bg but do not think it is the insulin. Did you
subscribe to the diabetic list as they have done a lot of research on the
insulins?
chester
-----Original Message-----
From: DLowder25@aol.com <DLowder25@aol.com>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
<CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Date: Monday, July 06, 1998 9:43 PM
Subject: Diabetic cushbabies

> Just went to the vet yesterday for Toby (my other dog who has a bad limp)
>and my vet informed me that Mollie's insulin is to be discontinued in
January.
>We just got her under "control" at 173 and now we have to switch insulin.
> Anyone else heard this? She's on Lente and my vet said we'll have to use
>Humulin from now on and it doesn't work as well in dogs. They said they
>weren't selling enough to continue making it (Mollie uses almost a bottle a
>week--isn't that helping the company???)
> Any experience out there with Humulin? Thanks! Debbie & Mollie Bear
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 10:37:47 -0400
From: "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
To: "cushings" <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Cushings-Pets Digest
Message-ID: <005201bda9b4$d02169a0$27e60bd0@chesters>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_004F_01BDA993.48140480"

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_004F_01BDA993.48140480
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

How do you change over to the digest form of the list?
chester

------=_NextPart_000_004F_01BDA993.48140480
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>

<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>How do you change over to the digest =
form of the=20
list?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>chester</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_004F_01BDA993.48140480--

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 10:10:47 -0500 (CDT)
From: Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Cushing's and pituitary surgery in humans...
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.980707100234.17453C-100000@curly.cc.utexas.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Dillon wrote:
Regarding surgery, I was contacted a few years back by a guy who was a
diver and wanted to know how long after "skull surgery" he could dive. I
asked him what kind, he told me they had cut out a small portion of this
sinus cavity, removed the tumour and reattached the wall. Doctor told him
6 to 9 months, I'm an instructor, not a doctor, who am I to argue with
that. His name is Scooter, I think Leslie has a link, although it may be
out of date.
******************

I was so bummed when Scott (aka Scotter) pulled his Cushing's web page
down, and I've been hunting for it since. His page detailed his entire
experience with Cushing's and included incredible before and after photos.

I did another search for him today and I'm believe I've found him. I sent
a note asking him to temporarily join us so that we could learn a little
more about Cushing's from someone who's been through it and who can speak
English (as opposed to just barking....). I'll keep you posted on his
response.

Thanks for the reminder about Scotter, Dillon. What a great
coincidence--another Austinite and a diver to boot. His was the very
first Cushing's web page I found when I began my search.

-Leslie

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 11:14:24 -0400
From: Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Make your own cooler mat!!
Message-ID: <0525663A.00581410.00@MTA-Austin2.tivoli.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

I know that there has been info on buying cooler mats, but you can make
your own. This has been posted on the scottie list. If anyone is
interested in making me one for Kelso, he would greatly appreciate it since
his mam has trouble sewing on buttons!!

The only question that I have on these---if you put these down on carpet,
won't the carpet get wet??? Again, I have never seen one of these, but
they sound great. If someone has bought a commercial one, please fill us
in on how they work.

Happy sewing!!

Doreen

Cooler Mats

Go to your plant nursery and get a package of Polymer Granules. It will
probably have a brand name but the stuff is the same, AKA x-linked
polyacrylamide. It has a fantastic absorption rate; one pound of the
granules will hold 50 gallons of pure water, less if the water is high in
minerals or salts.

Lay out the size mat you think you'll want, top and bottom pieces. Sew
around the three sides, then sew parallel tubes in fabric about 1 1/2
inches wide, leaving end open.

Put about 1 teaspoon of the granules per 12 inches of length of the tube, 2
teaspoons for a tube 24 inches in length, then sew across the fourth side.

Place the mat in water. About 30 minutes will give you 50% absorption, 60
to 90 minutes should give you 100% absorption. If you find it's too full
or not full enough, let it dry for several days and just add or subtract
granules.

The commercial ones have a fabric envelope that works as a cover and close
with Velcro, but they work fine without it.

Care instructions:

WARNING: when not in use, hang in well ventilated area. This will prevent
mildew.

Washing instructions: hand wash in mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and hang to
dry in a well-ventilated area. Do not machine wash or dry.

If desired, place cooler in zip lock bag and place in refrigerator. This
will keep the cooler hydrated for months. If longer storage is desired,
dry the cooler.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 12:28:14 EDT
From: hilbro@juno.com (h hilbro)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <19980707.112009.9983.3.hilbro@juno.com>

H. Brown
Prennydew Labradors
Thanks! Debbie & Mollie
>Bear
>
--------- End forwarded message ----------

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 10:26:56 -0700
From: Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
To: "'Cushings listserv'" <CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Thanks to all!
Message-ID: <199807071725.KAA26238@eve.atm.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Rather than respond individually to each person who has addressed my
questions and warmly welcomed Herbie and I to the list, I thought it
best to send out one big THANK YOU!! The postings have been very
helpful, and I look forward to learning more.

Shari and Herbie

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:11:50 -0600
From: Jude Fine <jfine@novatel.ca>
To: "'cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu'"
<cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: RE: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <71EF2C533A9BD11187FF006097DF400851343A@ntsrv004.corp.novatel.ca>

My diabetic poodle, Emily, has been on Humulin N for almost two years now with
no problems. Her fellow diabetic (also cushinoid), Molly, is also on Humulin N
succesfully.
Jude

Jude Fine
Senior Canine Rescue Society
jfine@novatel.ca; olddoglady@writeme.com
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/9703/
"Hug an Old Dog Today"

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:02:07 -0700
From: wpersky@olivermcmillan.com
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>, <listproc@yangtze.cren.net>
Subject: UNSUBSCRIBE ME PLEASE!!!!!!
Message-ID: <FB98EA2F9B2AD111BF3A00A0C9495D47174C53@SERVER>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

CUSHINGS-PET UNSUBSCRIBE wpersky@olivermcmillan.com

PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE SENT THREE REQUESTS TO listproc@listproc.listproc.net
SINCE 6/22/98 AND THREE REQUESTS TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TO GET UNSUBSCRIBED.
MY EX-WIFE IS REMAINING A MEMBER AND FORWARDING TO ME ANY INFORMATION
PERTINENT TO OUR SCOTTISH TERRIER WITH CUSHINGS. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
UNSUBSCRIBE ME. THANK YOU.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
[mailto:owner-cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu]On Behalf Of
Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 1998 10:48 AM
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: RE: new list member

Doreen, Kelso and Blair

ShariPe@Attachmate.com on 07/06/98 04:01:24 PM

Please respond to cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu

To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
cc: (bcc: Doreen A Osborne/Tivoli Systems)
Subject: RE: new list member

Hi all!

Thank you all for your support! Please add us to your prayers!!

Shari, Tom, and Herbie Peterson

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 17:51:45 -0400
From: Valerie Allen <VBAllen@concentric.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <35A29870.3C11@concentric.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Lois,

I can't remember if Duffy is on Lysodren or Anipryl, but I've read that
Anipryl is used to treat Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (see
http://www.moorshead.com/pets/cd.htm), which sounds a lot like what
you're describing. On the other hand, Cleo showed some of those
symptoms (including hearing loss) when she had an ear infection! What
does your vet say?

Val and crew...
Cleo, Honey and Bandit

loiskos@ix.netcom.com wrote:
>
> >Side effects. The only noticeable thing is her sight! She seems
> >to be going blind. This only seems to happen when she comes inside from
> >the bright outside. Yes, I try and keep her going straight but I have 3
> >other dogs and everybody is poking coming thru the door. Has this
> >happened to anybody else. After all, Springer is 13 years old, but
> >this just started 2 days after the medication.
> YEP. Duffy too lost a good deal of sight very quickly. White spots
> visible in eyes. Hearing too is limited.
> Just in last few days his sense of orientation has deteroiated. Walks
> into corners and can't find way out. Walks into areas of a room he's
> never been in before, then can't figure out where he is.
> Poor guy just "zonks" -- so very sasd to watch, not knowing what I can
> do. Try to get his attention, take his head in my hands and talk to him.
> After leading him out of corner...
> Sine he's showing some deterioratin, I'm tkaing him off the amitriptyline
> (anti-depressant). Woudl rathe have him a bit grouchy than spaced out.
> Will reprot if progress.
>
> LOIS

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 20:01:44 EDT
From: DLowder25@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <5e9b896d.35a2b6ea@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 98-07-07 10:19:06 EDT, you write:

<< subscribe to the diabetic list >>
I've misplaced the address. Could you give it to me again? I need help
with the diabetic end for sure. She's still not totally controlled but close.
It's becoming more frustrating than the Cushings! Thanks, Debbie & Mollie
Bear

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 20:09:14 EDT
From: DLowder25@aol.com
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Thanks!
Message-ID: <1ee776b1.35a2b8ab@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Thanks to all for responding to my diabetic Humulin/Lente question. I feel
a lot better. Maybe we'll get better control with the Humulin. The Lente
isn't really doing the trick. She's on 40 units twice a day and is still
running close to 200. We ran 350-500 for two months with no real change until
a couple weeks ago. She's 65 lbs by the way. (Yes, 40 units twice a day---a
little insulin resistant perhaps!?)
A couple people have noted personality changes in their pups due to the
drugs/disease whatever. Mollie, too, has gone thru a change but it's to a
move lovable dog. She's much more affectionate than she ever was. One big
plus for the disease from our standpoint (the only one actually).
Thanks again! Debbie & Mollie Bear (and brother Toby)

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 20:31:54 EDT
From: Glimpact@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <d0178c4f.35a2bdfb@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

One of the leading Cushing's veterinary doctors is at the Universoty of
California at Davis. This is his e-mail address:

ecfeldman@ucdavis.edu

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 19:48:24 -0500
From: Susan West <swok34@swbell.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <35A2C1D8.26CA4A09@swbell.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

JCirino@aol.com wrote:

> Hi everyone,
> I am new to this list. I have a shetland sheepdog, approx. 12 yrs old,
> diagnosed with Cushings in May who has been on Anipryl for the last month. I
> have seen no improvement as yet but have been told it could take 3 months to
> see anything. Does anyone know which, Anipryl or the other med for Cushings
> is better or has better tolerance than the other. I am new to all of this and
> I guess, very impatient, wanting to see some kind of improvement for my
> friend. I guess I want to know if I'm doing the best I can by him. Any
> suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> Joan

I don't know which one is better, though I do believe from what I 've read and
been told, I would much rather stay with the Anipryl than Lydrosen. Pinetta has
been on Anipryl now about 6/7 weeks and I've noticed very little change; but she
had few symptoms, too. I have noticed her activity level increase dramatically
over the past week and am guessing the Anipryl is just perhaps beginning to
work. It is so HOT here in Oklahoma.....so I'm not sure what part's Cushing's
and what part's summer heat. Though she does stay indoors.....the 104 degree
walks are killers and I try to limit those.

susan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 21:19:09 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Behavior Changes
Message-ID: <35A2C90D.F00E7D53@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

We've noticed that Boomer has become more affectionate in the past few
months, wanting to sit or lay in my lap and eat up the attention!

-- Liza and Boomer(I love my mommy's lap!)

CBABTPC@aol.com wrote:
>
> Targa isn't grouchy at all, but she is definitely more remote and less
> affectionate. I have to really press her for "kisses" now. She doesn't
> spontaneously interact at all. I don't know whether this is related more to
> the Cushing's or to her sudden blindness, but it was a real change in
> personality.
>
> Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 21:22:42 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Cushing's Links
Message-ID: <35A2C9E2.C9B2B4A4@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

With all the new members lately, I just wanted to let everyone know that
there are many links to some great info about Cushing's Disease at the
cushing's list web site that may answer some of your questions:
http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~lolawson/cushings/cushlinks.html

-- Liza and Boomer

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 21:23:17 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Cushings-Pets Digest
Message-ID: <35A2CA05.4378A40A@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I would like to know the answer to this also.

-- Liza

> chester b. smith wrote:
>
> How do you change over to the digest form of the list?
> chester

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 21:54:36 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <458533b5.35a2d15d@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/7/98 9:45:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, swok34@swbell.net
writes:

<<
I don't know which one is better, though I do believe from what I 've read
and
been told, I would much rather stay with the Anipryl than Lydrosen. Pinetta
has
been on Anipryl now about 6/7 weeks and I've noticed very little change; but
she
had few symptoms, too. I have noticed her activity level increase
dramatically
over the past week and am guessing the Anipryl is just perhaps beginning to
work. It is so HOT here in Oklahoma.....so I'm not sure what part's
Cushing's
and what part's summer heat. Though she does stay indoors.....the 104
degree
walks are killers and I try to limit those.

susan >>

Susan,
Thanks for the info. What dosage do you give your dog and what is his approx.
weight. I am trying to figure out if the doseage is right also. This week I
am starting to see more pep in Pepper so I am hoping that this may be the
start of the drug working. When was your dog diagnosed?
Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 22:13:57 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: gatorpoo@mediaone.net, owner-cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu,
cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Behavior Changes
Message-ID: <106bba41.35a2d604@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/7/98 8:22:27 PM, gatorpoo@mediaone.net wrote:

>We've noticed that Boomer has become more affectionate in the past few
>months, wanting to sit or lay in my lap and eat up the attention!
>
>-- Liza and Boomer(I love my mommy's lap!)

I envy you Liza!! Before all of her health problems Targa was always very
aware of our feelings and emotions, and would often try to comfort us if we
were upset. She was always happy- eagerly awaiting our arrival at home. It's
been a great change since January. We were really concerned about her
cognitive function, but since she went on the Anipryl, that has improved. But
I sure miss the days when she connected with us on a more affectionate level
without any prodding!!

Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 22:42:07 EDT
From: DFRS2@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetic cushbabies
Message-ID: <ce1d374c.35a2dc81@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Debbie and Mollie Bear:

Since I am on the Muffin list for owners with Diabetes, I have known about the
upcoming discontinuance of Llentin insulin for some time now. Rosie is still
on it and I don't plan on changing her until I have too. Some people are
buying up all they can find, but my vet says there are others we can switch to
which should work fine. Your vet can prescribe one that is compatible for
Mollie Bear, not to worry. My vet said there is a Humulin that may work for
Rosie.

If you are interested in the Muffin list you can get on it by sending an e-
mail to:

Marjordomo@majordomo.esosoft.com

In the body of the message type: Subscribe and Your Name

It is a terrific group of individuals. Good luck.

Judy and Rosie

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 23:23:45 -0000
From: "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <B0002282864@kailua.huskynet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

We have been treating my cushbaby Halley with Chinese Herbal Medicine since
she was diagnosed 14 months ago. We have gradually gotten all of her
symptoms under control--the hyperkeratosis is gone; she no longer paces
through the house all night long searching for any crumb of food she can
find; her thirst seems to be manageable now. No hair regrowth, but we're
hopeful.

Last time I updated my vet about her, I mentioned she was having "senior
moments" where she seemed to get lost and forget what she was doing and
just sort of stand around. She was also much more aloof and outside the
main family circle--lying down behind our chairs in the living room....He
changed her to yet another Chinese Herbal combination (each time we've
changed we've seen even more improvement than with the previous herbs).
She has become more social with us and playful with the other dogs, and I
have not noticed her becoming "lost in thought" again.

We may never "cure" her Cushings with the Chinese Herbs, but her quality of
life is radically improved over what it was when she was diagnosed.

----------------
Scottee Meade <Scottee@huskynet.com> 'Tee Party Bostons
Canine Behavior Consultant Burke, VA
Member, Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Old Dominion Kennel Club
----------------

----------
From: Valerie Allen <VBAllen@concentric.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Date: Tuesday, July 07, 1998 9:51 PM

Lois,

Val and crew...
Cleo, Honey and Bandit

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 98 8:39:10 EDT
From: Paula Hart <hartp@hpanis.an.hp.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: another new member
Message-ID: <9807081239.AA29117@hpanis.an.hp.com>

Hi,

I posted this yesterday morning, but haven't heard any replies, so I'm
hoping the message didn't make it through. If this is a repeat - please
forgive me! Since I'm new to the list I'm not sure about the response
times etc.

In any case, I would *really* appreciate any insights you all may have
regarding the test results below. Thanks!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Hi,
>
> I just subscribed to this list and am trying to gather as much info as
> possible regarding Cushings and my dog. Any feedback would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> I have a 9 year old German Shepherd who, over the past couple of months,
> has been drinking/urinating more that normal. I was concerned about
> diabetes & made an appt at the vet for him. His initial blood work &
> urinalysis came back normal, so the scheduled him for a low dose dex
> test last Thursday. Of course the vet is now on vacation & the results
> came in this morning. The vet on call summarized the results abnormal, but
> really wants me to wait til our regular vet comes back to discuss the
> details.
>
> The test showed a baseline cortisol level of 3.7, followed by readings
> of 1.0 at 4 hours and 1.1 at 8 hours. It's the 8 hour test that she said
> should be 1.0 and that the 1.1 is considered abnormal. In my own little
> mind I see the 1.0 and 1.1 as still supressed & wonder just how diagnostic
> a reading of 1.1 at 8 hours is.
>
> Can anyone shed any light here? I am worried sick about this dog and am
> trying to get as much info as possible while I wait for the return of our
> vet.
>
> Thanks, in advance, for any information.
>
> Paula
>
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 04:55:09 -0500
From: scott <scott@adams.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: kennel shots safe?
Message-ID: <35A1F07D.20CCC63C@adams.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I will need to kennel my Lab Jake at the end of August for 4 days...
Are the Kennel shots for Parvo & kennel Cough safe for a Cushings dog?

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 10:12:53 -0400
From: "chester b. smith" <chesterb@penn.com>
To: "cushings" <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: cataracts
Message-ID: <004201bdaa7a$808e8dc0$1ee60bd0@chesters>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_NextPart_000_003F_01BDAA58.F8798780"

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_003F_01BDAA58.F8798780
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I have seen an number of posts with pets going blind. This has happened =
to Gretle from the diabetes. Her blood sugar runs high at times. I had =
posted earlier about the fear that the Anipryl being consistent with =
decreasing symptoms may result in other problems but have no basis for =
the fear.
Gretle's water intake is almost nil. She seems to get most of her =
water from lettuce. Her output is normal and not concentrated or =
anything.
In a diabetic pet, when the bg goes up the water intake and output =
also goes up to dilute the sugar and eliminate it. Is the Anipryl =
stopping this process and resulting in cataracts in dogs?
I would like to hear about a lot of dogs on Anipryl for over 6 =
months with the blood sugar swinging high without cataracts -- if the =
water intake has been normal. It would make me feel better.
chester

------=_NextPart_000_003F_01BDAA58.F8798780
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>

<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>I have seen an number of posts with =
pets going=20
blind.  This has happened to Gretle from the diabetes.  Her =
blood=20
sugar runs high at times.  I had posted earlier about the fear that =
the=20
Anipryl being consistent with decreasing symptoms may result in other =
problems=20
but have no basis for the fear.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>    Gretle's water =
intake is=20
almost nil.  She seems to get most of her water from lettuce.  =
Her=20
output is normal and not concentrated or anything.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>    In a diabetic =
pet, when the=20
bg goes up the water intake and output also goes up to dilute the sugar =
and=20
eliminate it.  Is the Anipryl stopping this process and resulting =
in=20
cataracts in dogs?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>    I would like to =
hear about a=20
lot of dogs on Anipryl for over 6 months with the blood sugar swinging =
high=20
without cataracts -- if the water intake has been normal. It would make =
me =20
feel better.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>chester</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_003F_01BDAA58.F8798780--

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 09:21:14 -0500 (CDT)
From: Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Cushings-Pets Digest
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.980708091716.32127B-100000@moe.cc.utexas.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

To set your subscription to Digest (that is, all posts for the week
delivered to you each Monday morning in the form of a single message),
send e-mail to <listproc@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu> with the following text
in the body:

set cushings-pets mail digest
--

To resume receiving individual messages delivered upon posting, send the
following message to <listproc@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>

set cushings-pets mail noack
--

A good reference source for listproc commands and information on listprocs
in general, see http://www.cren.net/listproc/docs/usercard.html or e-mail
me directly.

-Leslie

On Tue, 7 Jul 1998, Liza Klosterman wrote:

> I would like to know the answer to this also.
>
> -- Liza
>
> > chester b. smith wrote:
> >
> > How do you change over to the digest form of the list?
> > chester
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 09:31:36 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: kennel shots safe?
Message-ID: <9807080931.ZM7997@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

They might be expensive, but I would recommend getting titers drawn, first. I
no longer trust the Parvo vaccines, I've seen three reports on Corgi-L of
litters being killed by bad Parvo vaccine batches.

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Happy Trails, to you, until we meet again.
-Roy Rogers

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 10:40:29 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: chesterb@penn.com, owner-cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu,
cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: cataracts
Message-ID: <7976a62e.35a384de@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/8/98 9:16:02 AM, chesterb@penn.com wrote:

>I would like to hear about a lot of dogs on Anipryl for over 6 months with
the
>blood sugar swinging high without cataracts -- if the water intake has been
normal.
>It would make me feel better.
>
>chester

Chester,

Targa has only been on Anipryl for 3 months, but I wanted to mention something
I noticed reagarding her loss of sight. You may recall, we thought Targa had
diabetic cataracts, but it turned out that they were actually very mild, and
her blindness was due to SARDS. I noticed that Targa was hardly drinking any
water from her bowl, yet if I brought it to her and offered it, she would
drink. I realized that she was having trouble finding the bowl on the floor,
even though it was where it had always been, and was located about two inches
from her food bowl. Evidently, she found the food by smell, but would "give
up" if she didn't find the water right away. I purchased one of those raised
dual bowl feeding stations, and the problem disappeared. This is also good for
her, because of her degenerative spine disease, and I wish I'd thought of it
earlier. Anyhow, her water intake has returned to normal. I've had to increase
her insulin twice since she's been on the Anipryl-related to her regaining the
weight she'd lost- and she acted like a regular diabetic dog who was
experiencing a rise in the glucose level during those two incidents. She drank
more water than usual, and urinated more often. As far as the cataracts, I
haven't noticed them getting any worse, at least as far as we can tell with
the naked eye. Obviously, I won't be taking her back to the ophthalmologist
unless she develops some additional problem with her eyes. Just thought I'd
mention this in case Gretle's lack of drinking might be related to her sight.

Anne and Targa
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 10:23:13 -0500 (CDT)
From: Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Behavior Changes
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95.980708101527.22798C-100000@bradley.bradley.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

You know, when my father was developing Alzheimer's he became really NICE
(was a bit of a curmudgeon before) and later we came to understand that
the disease not infrequently causes people's personalities to completely
alter to the opposite of what they were. If Cushings simulates senility,
then the personality change is logical. Thank God Sweetie has got her
name-sake personality back, but before the Anipryl kicked in she was
reclusive, cranky and spacy. I remember taking her to the dog store where
a group of retired Greyhounds were being shown, and she GRRed so fiercely
at them that they all began shaking. This was totally unlike my dog, who
had never growled, nipped or bitten any living thing!

Jenny & Sweetie, Tibetan Terrier, 8.5 yrs., on Anipryl since year's start
jk@bradley.bradley.edu

On Tue, 7 Jul 1998, Liza Klosterman wrote:

> We've noticed that Boomer has become more affectionate in the past few
> months, wanting to sit or lay in my lap and eat up the attention!
>
> -- Liza and Boomer(I love my mommy's lap!)
>
> CBABTPC@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > Targa isn't grouchy at all, but she is definitely more remote and less
> > affectionate. I have to really press her for "kisses" now. She doesn't
> > spontaneously interact at all. I don't know whether this is related more to
> > the Cushing's or to her sudden blindness, but it was a real change in
> > personality.
> >
> > Anne and Targa
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 09:26:09 -0600
From: floyd@zianet.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <35A38F91.6F46@zianet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

JCirino@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 7/7/98 9:45:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, swok34@swbell.net
> writes:
>
> <<
> I don't know which one is better, though I do believe from what I 've read
> and
> been told, I would much rather stay with the Anipryl than Lydrosen. Pinetta
> has
> been on Anipryl now about 6/7 weeks and I've noticed very little change; but
> she
> had few symptoms, too. I have noticed her activity level increase
> dramatically
> over the past week and am guessing the Anipryl is just perhaps beginning to
> work. It is so HOT here in Oklahoma.....so I'm not sure what part's
> Cushing's
> and what part's summer heat. Though she does stay indoors.....the 104
> degree
> walks are killers and I try to limit those.
>
> susan >>
>
> Susan,
> Thanks for the info. What dosage do you give your dog and what is his approx.
> weight. I am trying to figure out if the doseage is right also. This week I
> am starting to see more pep in Pepper so I am hoping that this may be the
> start of the drug working. When was your dog diagnosed?
> Joan

Joan,

Regarding you inquiry about the dosage of Anipryl, I have some
literature on Anipryl that states the initial dosage should be 1 mg/kg
of weight or 1 mg/.45 lbs. It also states that dosage can be increased
to twice this amount if needed. I got this article from the net last
winter when Cybil was first diagnosed, but have not been able to find it
again. Someone on this list indicated a while back that the rights to
Anipryl had been sold and that much of the info about it were pulled
from the net as the result of the sale. If anyone would like a copy of
this article, I will be happy to FAX it or send it if they will email
their FAX number or mailing address. I don't know that it tells a great
deal more than we already know, but it makes me feel more in control
with more "official" knowledge.

We are about to increase Cybil's dosage to 2 mg./kg of weight. Our vet
had not heard of increasing the dosage until I took him a copy of the
article I referred to above. Many of her symptons decreased with the 1
mg./kg of weight dosage, but particularly the panting did not. I am
hoping for some relief in that area with the increased dosage.

At any rate, I hope this is helpful. Hugs, kisses and prayers to all
the furbabies.

Patti and Cybil

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 11:58:34 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Behavior Changes
Message-ID: <be000088.35a3972b@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/8/98 10:28:15 AM, you wrote:

>You know, when my father was developing Alzheimer's he became really NICE
>(was a bit of a curmudgeon before)

This was my experience with my mother as well. It actually made things easier
to deal with. Targa has only been on Anipryl three months, and although we are
pleased with the clinical changes re: Cushing's, and the cognitive
improvement, We haven't seen much improvement personality wise. I'm still
hopeful that she will regain her sweet personality. How long did it take on
the Anipryl, before you saw a shift in Sweetie's attitude?

Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 11:33:03 -0500
From: Jackie Siniard <siniardj@email.uah.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980708163303.00b78228@email.uah.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 11:11:17 -0500
>From: SINIARD-RC@redstone.army.mil (SINIARD-RC)
>To: siniardj@email.uah.edu
>Subject: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>Content-Description: cc:Mail note part
>
> THIS MESSAGE IS FROM RANDY (SUNNY's DADDY) ONLY.
>
> I don't understand a distancing aspect, our Sunny is clingy if
> anything. She will not leave our side and if we get out of her sight
> she is scratching on the door, or panicing at the door until we let
> her in the room or outside. It's really hard because she gets so hot
> and pants so much we have to put her in to cool her down. Of course,
> she is then panicing at the back door because we are outside and she
> is in and can't see us. It's one of those CATCH 22 situations. So,
> we are constantly going back and forth to keep her cooled down. We
> live in Huntsville, AL and the temperature here has been in the 90s
> for I believe at least 20 consecutive days now with only recent rains
> (the past few days), however the water is very minute, so we water the
> plants and tomatoes every day to keep them alive. That is when Sunny
> wants to be outside with us and it takes over an hour to water, so she
> invaritably gets HOT.
>
> So you can see how it is hard to understand anyone's baby
> distancing themselves from their mom or dad.
>
> THIS MESSAGE IS FROM RANDY (SUNNY's DADDY) ONLY.
>
>
>______________________________ Reply Separator
_________________________________
>Subject: Re: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
>Author: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu at INTERNET
>Date: 7/7/98 9:42 AM
>
>
>Targa isn't grouchy at all, but she is definitely more remote and less
>affectionate. I have to really press her for "kisses" now. She doesn't
>spontaneously interact at all. I don't know whether this is related more to
>the Cushing's or to her sudden blindness, but it was a real change in
>personality.
>
>Anne and Targa Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; name="RFC822
message headers"
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>Content-Description: cc:Mail note part
>Content-Disposition: inline; filename="RFC822 message headers"
>
>Received: from pcgw2.redstone.army.mil ([136.205.157.101]) by
>ccppo.redstone.army.mil with SMTP
> (IMA Internet Exchange 3.01 Enterprise) id 00008219; Tue, 7 Jul 98 08:43:48
>-0500
>Received: from ns1a.redstone.army.mil (root@ns1a.redstone.army.mil
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Love doesn't make the world go 'round: love is what makes the ride
worthwhile. - Franklin Jones

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 13:00:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Behavior Changes
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95.980708125420.1135B-100000@bradley.bradley.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Golly, can't really remember. First I noticed a decrease in wetting
accidents in the house (!) though the carpet is truly destroyed; next a
decrease in panting; finally, a less aggressive approach to eating (tho
still inordinately interested). I'd say about three months into treatment
I could see an established personality change, although she rather
immediately at start of treatment stopped staring fixedly. The personality
change, in short, has been gradual.

Her water drinking also abated at start of treatment. I agree with others
that if I encourage water she drinks it, but she rarely seeks it out now.
This is something to be aware of; not sure I understand the potential
connection between Anipryl and cataracts but you've sure got my attention.

Jenny & Sweetie
jk@bradley.bradley.edu

On Wed, 8 Jul 1998 CBABTPC@aol.com wrote:

>
> In a message dated 7/8/98 10:28:15 AM, you wrote:
>
> >You know, when my father was developing Alzheimer's he became really NICE
> >(was a bit of a curmudgeon before)
>
>
> This was my experience with my mother as well. It actually made things easier
> to deal with. Targa has only been on Anipryl three months, and although we are
> pleased with the clinical changes re: Cushing's, and the cognitive
> improvement, We haven't seen much improvement personality wise. I'm still
> hopeful that she will regain her sweet personality. How long did it take on
> the Anipryl, before you saw a shift in Sweetie's attitude?
>
> Anne and Targa
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 15:57:59 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: another new member
Message-ID: <a3e0096c.35a3cf49@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/8/98 8:41:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
hartp@hpanis.an.hp.com writes:

<< >
> The test showed a baseline cortisol level of 3.7, followed by readings
> of 1.0 at 4 hours and 1.1 at 8 hours. It's the 8 hour test that she said
> should be 1.0 and that the 1.1 is considered abnormal. In my own little
> mind I see the 1.0 and 1.1 as still supressed & wonder just how diagnostic
> a reading of 1.1 at 8 hours is.
>>

Hi Paula,
I'm also new to the list. I have had all these tests done on my dog as well
and all I can tell you is the vets have a bottom line figure for each four
hours that the dog is tested. It should go down each time and not go up as
yours seemed to. I can't remember what my dogs figures were as it was quite a
few months ago but he was off the charts. Its a very important test. Mine has
only been on Anipryl for about 5 weeks and I am just now starting to see
improvement. At first I can honestly say I saw nothing., but all alone my dog
has made my vet crazy--because he tests on everything and anything we're
absurd and he had to eventually confer with specialists because he was
baffled. Its a long hard road but I think it will get better. Hang in there.
My dog had cataracts for years before any of this came up.
Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 16:03:01 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <57571e81.35a3d07b@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/8/98 11:29:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time, floyd@zianet.com
writes:

<< Regarding you inquiry about the dosage of Anipryl, I have some
literature on Anipryl that states the initial dosage should be 1 mg/kg
of weight or 1 mg/.45 lbs. It also states that dosage can be increased
to twice this amount if needed. I got this article from the net last
winter when Cybil was first diagnosed, but have not been able to find it
again. Someone on this list indicated a while back that the rights to
Anipryl had been sold and that much of the info about it were pulled
from the net as the result of the sale. If anyone would like a copy of
this article, I will be happy to FAX it or send it if they will email
their FAX number or mailing address. I don't know that it tells a great
deal more than we already know, but it makes me feel more in control
with more "official" knowledge.

We are about to increase Cybil's dosage to 2 mg./kg of weight. Our vet
had not heard of increasing the dosage until I took him a copy of the
article I referred to above. Many of her symptons decreased with the 1
mg./kg of weight dosage, but particularly the panting did not. I am
hoping for some relief in that area with the increased dosage.

At any rate, I hope this is helpful. Hugs, kisses and prayers to all
the furbabies.

Patti and Cybil
>>

Hi Patti and Cybil,
Thanks so much for info but I am such a dunce when it comes to figuring
anything. My dog is approx. 30 lbs. What would his doseage be? I would love
to have a copy of the article. Is your e-mail address the
pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu? If so I will e-mail privately you with my home
address. Thanks so much.
Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 16:59:25 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <6179bea6.35a3ddae@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Randy,

So far the reply posts are running pretty even for A) less affectionate, and
B) more affectionate! :) I do think that Targa's sudden blindness from SARDS
greatly affected her interaction with us. It may just be an unlucky
combination of things, I suppose. She is still very much loved and cared for,
in any case!

Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 16:10:40 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
Message-ID: <9807081610.ZM25128@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

On Jul 8, 4:59pm, CBABTPC@aol.com wrote:
> Subject: Re: Re[2]: CUSHINGS-PETS digest 41
> Randy,
>
> So far the reply posts are running pretty even for A) less affectionate, and
> B) more affectionate! :) I do think that Targa's sudden blindness from SARDS
> greatly affected her interaction with us. It may just be an unlucky
> combination of things, I suppose. She is still very much loved and cared for,
> in any case!
>
> Anne and Targa
>-- End of excerpt from CBABTPC@aol.com

After Ivan went lame, he was especially frustrated. He was always our shadow,
and couldn't stand it if we were out of sight for even a minute.

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Happy Trails, to you, until we meet again.
-Roy Rogers

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 16:13:08 -0500
From: Miner <marcia@nortexinfo.net>
To: cushings <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Hi Everybody!!!!
Message-ID: <35A3E0E4.168D@nortexinfo.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

This is a Welcome and Hello to all new members of the Cushings Club!!!
You will enjoy it here. I joined only afew weeks ago myself. The
support from these people is wonderful and helpful!!! I can sometimes
keep up with my vet, when we are discussing our next move.

I haven't replied to anybody because Springer became very sick last
Sunday. She is needing 24 hour care!!! I was so tired by last night,
that my husband took over. I had been up on and off for 48 hours!!

Springer started on 300 mg Lysodrom last Wednesday 2x a day. She
was on 250mg 2x per day for 10 days. (Loading). Nothing had changed so
it was upped. By Friday I noticed a real problem. She had already been
running into things and now she was staggering. I said, ok, I will call
the vet Saturday Stupid ME!!! It was a holiday. I kept giving the
medication hoping she would last under Monday AM. I placed a call to
the vet at 4pm Sunday and he said stop medication and try to calm her
down. She startered panting at 3:30, she was resting and moving
constatly until 11pm. I called the vet and he said bring her in. He
gave her 2 shots, something to relax her and some asperin. All the
panting she did, was not good for her insides. He said it would wear
off in 8-12 hours. It lasted 24 and I was in contact with the vet
during that time. Her eye sight is returning just a little bit.

We knew we had a problem when she tried to get up and couldn't. She
seemed paralized. Called the vet, he said it might be the Lysodome.
She could not get up to eat,drink,pee etc. So I kept food and water
close and WE have not left her side. Yesterday we put Springer in our
horses water trough filled it up so she couldn't touch the bottom and
she started swimming all FOUR LEGS!!! Of course I had her head and my
husband had the rear for balance. I was so tired last night and
Springer was sleeping soundly in the living room. We both went to bed
at 2AM. At 4 AM something HIT our bed. Both of us wake up and there is
Springer!!!!! The house was a wreak but we do own a shampooer that
works just fine!!! She is walking alittle, we hold her to make sure she
does not fall and hurt herself. We missed the appointment we had at the
vets for the cat who is also sick. I will get his blood results
tomorrow. His Liver was almost totally shut down 2 weeks ago. He
seemed to be getting better but today he weighed the same. He is still
eating and drinking.

We swam Springer again this morning. My husband works the 3-11pm
in Irving Tx. She is sleeping on her bed and I have to keep getting up
to make sure she is ok. I don't want her banging into anything else.

Springers water intake is WAY DOWN!!! 2-3 cups a day since Monday.
Now that could be because she was sick,can not get to water on her own,
or hopefully we have a maintance level. Our vet, is going with choice
#3. I call him everyday and report everything that is going on. She is
also on Soloxine 5mg for her tyroid and 1/2 Bayer 3x per day.

Because I am a former recent Chemo patient, I never wanted to put
my baby thru this. The vet said she is still doing ok, just very weak.
I know just what this feels like, so I am leaving her alone. After my
Chemo treatments I was very sick for 24-72 hours. Even with the great
anti-sick medication I was getting.

So for all the new folks and there puppers out there. Please,
please, hang in there. It is very trying. For those of you working and
worrying, hang in there. I know now what a 24 hour caregiver goes
thru. I have not left the house in weeks. When she gets better, I will
leave, but not until then.

Hugs and prayers to everybody!!!

Marcia Miner and the girls in Valley View, TX

We have raised up her feeding bowl and water dish so she did not
have to bend over. She really liked that!!! I wished I had done this
earlier.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 14:18:29 -0700
From: Shari Peterson <ShariPe@Attachmate.com>
To: "'Cushings listserv'" <CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Diabetes list
Message-ID: <199807082116.OAA20480@eve.atm.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

A friend's dog was just diagnosed with diabetes. I thought I remembered
someone from this list mentioning a diabetes list. I thought it would
be helpful if my friend could subscribe to it. Can someone tell me the
name of the diabetes list, and how my friend can subscribe? If there
are several such lists, which are the best?

Thanks!
Shari Peterson

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 16:22:07 -0500
From: sandy.mannix@tradepress.com (Sandy Mannix)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: personality changes
Message-ID: <35A3E2F6.2E17@Tradepress.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Puffin was always a sweet affectionate furbaby, and still is. Now she
follows me everywhere and gives me the saddest look when I have to leave
for work. She's all wiggly and happy when I return. I have noticed that
she sleeps just inside the door now, probably waiting for me. She used
to sleep in the living room. And strangely enough, in the past week or
so, when I am home, she sleeps by the door too. Maybe because it's
quieter, cooler and darker? Fortunately, she's still a sweetie and
actually begs for cuddling more than before. We'll see what further
weeks on Anipryl bring. I'll be devastated if she turns into a "mean"
Lhasa!

Sandy & Puffin

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:47:03 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diabetes list
Message-ID: <74ce413d.35a3e8d8@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Shari,

The list is called the Muffin list after the listowners late pup. As far as I
know it is the only diabetic list for dogs (and cats), although there is a
spin-off list/website just for cats.

To subscribe: Send an E-mail to: Majordomo@Esosoft.com

Leave the subject line blank

In the body of the message write : subscribe muffin

Lots of good info, and kind nd helpful people there!

Anne and Targa

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 14:50:07 -0700
From: Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: 1st dose of Lysodren
Message-ID: <199807082148.OAA29547@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Well, after many tests, it has been determined the it is a pituitary
induced Cushings and my vet has decided to begin Gabby on Lysodren.
I ordered from the pharmacy yesterday and it should arrive today. I wasn't
told how to administer it. Should
it be on an empty stomach or with food. Shall I give it to him in the
morning with his lasix and thyroid meds then
go to work and leave him? yikes! Or shall I give it at night with his
lasix, thyroidand heart meds and then go to
sleep and hope he is alright? I don't think I'll be able to sleep. I also
feed my dogs at night and they have a biscuit
in the morning so if Gabby needs an empty stomach that will have to change.

The vet also gave me prednisone to help counter ant bad reactions. Right
now, I am the only one not coping well.
My boy takes it all in stride, but his panting episodes and general
weakness set me off. I hate seeing him struggling
to breathe.

I spoke with the Vet about Anipryl, which he has never used, but he told me
that he called a clinical pathologist and
an endrocinolodist at the Laboratory where the tests were done and they
also suggested Lysodren.

Jane, it is nice to know someone in my area. Thanks for the e-mail. I'll
write to you privateley.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:52:06 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: personality changes
Message-ID: <82e259b2.35a3ea07@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/8/98 4:20:29 PM, you wrote:

>We'll see what further
>weeks on Anipryl bring. I'll be devastated if she turns into a "mean"
>Lhasa!

Just to clarify, in case I inadvertantly caused any worry or confusion-
Targa's personality hasn't changed since she has been on the Anipryl, it
happened at least two months before she began her treatment. I am just hoping
that she will improve in that area- as well as she has in the rest of her
clinical picture.

Anne and Targa.

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 16:57:54 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: 1st dose of Lysodren
Message-ID: <9807081657.ZM29077@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I would personally recommend giving it on a full stomach. That seemed to work
best with Ivan. Of course, he was fed twice a day, so that made life a little
easier. With luck, you'll start on Thursday, and have the weekend to asses the
full affects while at home with him.

Good luck, I know he'll do well, and probably you, too :-)

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Happy Trails, to you, until we meet again.
-Roy Rogers

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 18:16:56 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: personality changes
Message-ID: <e06dbd04.35a3efd9@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

In a message dated 7/8/98 5:57:41 PM Eastern Daylight Time, CBABTPC@aol.com
writes:

<< Just to clarify, in case I inadvertantly caused any worry or confusion-
Targa's personality hasn't changed since she has been on the Anipryl, it
happened at least two months before she began her treatment. I am just hoping
that she will improve in that area- as well as she has in the rest of her
clinical picture.

Anne and Targa.
>>
Hi Everyone,
Just to put my two cents worth in. My Pepper has been on Anipryl for 5 weeks
and no personality change at all except more energy.
Joan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 18:23:57 EDT
From: hilbro@juno.com (h hilbro)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Cc: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: 1st dose of Lysodren
Message-ID: <19980708.171553.9983.11.hilbro@juno.com>

>feed my dogs at night and they have a biscuit
>in the morning so if Gabby needs an empty stomach that will have to
>change.

No, Lysodren has the potential to be irritating to the stomach and should
be given with food, preferably a full meal. Should you see any upset or
nausea within a day of giving the Lysodren, you can safely give Pepcid or
Tagamet (ask vet about dosage depending on size of dog) with the Lysodren
or afterward. Our current little Cushings guy has been on Lysodren for
four years, doing just great, but early on we made the mistake of not
giving Lysodren with food and had a few tummy upsets -- never happened
with another dog, so it's an individual thing.

H. Brown
Prennydew Labradors
>
>The vet also gave me prednisone to help counter ant bad reactions.
>Right
>now, I am the only one not coping well.
>My boy takes it all in stride, but his panting episodes and general
>weakness set me off. I hate seeing him struggling
>to breathe.
>
>I spoke with the Vet about Anipryl, which he has never used, but he
>told me
>that he called a clinical pathologist and
>an endrocinolodist at the Laboratory where the tests were done and
>they
>also suggested Lysodren.
>
>Jane, it is nice to know someone in my area. Thanks for the e-mail.
>I'll
>write to you privateley.
>
>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 18:30:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: Robert Glover <rglove19@idt.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Personnality Changes
Message-ID: <199807082230.SAA23378@u1.farm.idt.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi all,

Dudley has been on Anipryl for almost 3 months now and I never saw any
personnality
changes. He's still his sweet adorable self!

Jan Glover, Seattle, Wa
Dudley, my Cushings dog

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 18:30:40 -0300
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Magical Cures
Message-ID: <35A3E500.5FE602E9@warwick.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Everyone!

Just wondering if anyone has a "magical cure" remedy for lick spots? As
stinky as tea tree oil is...Schonus has now decided he likes the taste
of it! Has anyone tried goldenseal?

Linda & Schonus

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 17:36:09 -0500
From: Jeri <kurvenal@ameritech.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: cataracts
Message-ID: <35A3F459.13FF@ameritech.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

CBABTPC@aol.com wrote:
> I purchased one of those raised
> dual bowl feeding stations, and the problem disappeared. This is also good for
> her, because of her degenerative spine disease, and I wish I'd thought of it
> earlier.

I don't know what sort of degenerative spine disease, but if it's
degenerative myelapothy, you might want to check this web site:

http://kitty.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm

By following some of those recommendations, and using Chinese medicine,
my dog who is diagnosed with DM is now doing great! He was diagnosed
in December.

> As far as the cataracts, I
> haven't noticed them getting any worse, at least as far as we can tell with
> the naked eye.

Some vets have had success with using supplements to halt the
progression
of cataracts, and to even reverse them, to at least some degree. I'm
following my vets advice for the supplements and eye drops (Vit. C and
zinc eyedrops), and my lab's cataracts have certainly not been getting
worse, and appear to be a bit better. While you're saying that your
dog's cataracts aren't getting worse, it still might be something
to look into. My lab, though, does not have Cushings or diabetes,
so I don't know if any list dogs would have the same success.
Jeri

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 17:44:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: Leslie Lawson <lolawson@uts.cc.utexas.edu>
To: Miner <marcia@nortexinfo.net>
Cc: cushings <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: re: Springer
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.980708164806.4976G-100000@curly.cc.utexas.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Oh Marcia, my hear just aches for you and your family! What a rough time
you've had.

I'm confused about the dosing you're giving Springer. Are you on a second
loading dose with Springer or are you giving Springer 600 mg a day as a
maintenance dose? I'm no vet, but unless you're still in loading or your
vet's intention is to induce Addison's disease (an accepted mode of
treatment), I'd think the dosage is *way* high. I'm no vet of course.....
If you're still in your original loading dose, I suspect you're finished
and have reached maintenance in a big way.

I'm in no way qualified to dispense medical advice, but I'll pass on what
my vet told me: if your Lysodren-treated dog stops or dramatically
reduces eating or drinking, vomits, has diarreah, or otherwise looks badly
off (other than those typical Cushing's symptoms), contact your vet ASAP.
Don't give the next scheduled Lysodren dose until you've spoken with your
vet!! Also, you should have some prednisone on hand in case of a crisis.
Your vet will instruct you on when and how much to give.

Re: the amount Springer is drinking. Talk to your vet to get an idea of
how much a dog her size should be drinking. I think I remember my vet
saying that a dog should drink 60 cc or ~2 oz. per pound of body weight
per day, but I can't say for sure. That would equate to 3.5 cups for a 15
pound dog--that sounds about right. Much less should be cause for
concern, I would think. Our Melissa had a really rough time with Lysodren
and we constantly fought dehydration with her. Dehydration wreaks havoc
with their systems, so it's important to keep on top of it. I could tell
when Missy was getting dehydrated because she had a funny smell to her.
Not stinky, but metallic or something. Neither Scot nor our vet could
smell it though, so I wouldn't rely on the sniff test. To get Missy to
drink, we'd make a game out of it with a needleless syringe. She seemed
to have fun drinking from the syringe and it had the dual benefit of
enabling us to measure how much she was getting. ;-)

You'll be in my thoughts. Gentle hugs to Springer and if I could, I'd
send you a big dose of strength and inner peace to get you through this
tough time. I'm also pulling for your kitty.

-Leslie

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Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 19:13:04 EDT
From: LynneYoung@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Cushing and Hypothyroidism
Message-ID: <98ec5095.35a3fd01@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Just a note to remind everyone to have their dogs thyroid checked if there is
any question... after a lecture at camp from the dermatologist that mentioned
that Cushings dogs are often hypothyroid... and mentioning loss of hair on the
tail ( which I had worried about on Heaven, even though the rest of her coat
is gorgeous)... we had her checked and she is indeed low... we are now
treating her and I think ( only 2 wks) seeing some nice energy level
changes...
\
Lynne Young and the Chalfonte Shelties

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Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 19:16:19 -0300
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Magical Cures
Message-ID: <35A3EFB2.4E6CB631@warwick.net>
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H. Brown....

Thanx so much for your info....the strange part is that he does have
staph infection inbetween his pads for which I've been using tea tree
oil and it's done miracles. In fact, my Vet now has another dog with
the same problem and he did not want to give the dog antibiotics so he
called me to ask me where I got the oil. Schonus doesn't lick the oil
off his pads but on top of his paws, he licks like it's a lolly pop! I
tried using some Gold Bond Powder on it to dry it up some. About two
months ago...he had lick granulomas on top of both front paws and they
cleared up nicely and his hair even grew back in but now it's just the
one paw and it's been bleeding, etc. I just don't want an infection to
set in there also. I've been rinsing it with hydrogen peroxide and then
applying Bactoderm which I got from my Vet but the ointment wasn't
helping at all. I already have the Vitamin E oil...guess I'll head back
to the Health Food Store for the Aloe. Have you tried goldenseal? The
lady in the Health Food Store had recommended that.

Again, thanks!

Linda & Schonus

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Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 20:20:33 -0000
From: "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: kennel shots safe?
Message-ID: <B0002286476@kailua.huskynet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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Scott,
That is something you should be asking the vet who is treating Jake for
Cushings. That person is in the best position to assess Jake's health and
determine what might be risky.

One thing you can do, if you're concerned, is find out if the kennel will
accept titre results. You can have Jake's titre level for parvo (and for
distemper) checked. If he's got enough immunity, he shouldn't need a
booster.

There are also homeopathic nosodes that can be given after a vaccine to
help counteract any ill effects of the vaccine. These are available by
prescription only and should be handled and administered with care. If you
want to know more about them, contact a local holistic vet or one that does
homeopathic phone consultations.

----------------
Scottee Meade <Scottee@huskynet.com> 'Tee Party Bostons
Canine Behavior Consultant Burke, VA
Halley, 12-1/2 years old Boston terrier, diagnosed 5/97, on Chinese Herbs
----------------

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Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 19:19:22 -0500
From: Jeri <kurvenal@ameritech.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Magical Cures
Message-ID: <35A40C8A.830@ameritech.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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L Boyce wrote:
> Just wondering if anyone has a "magical cure" remedy for lick spots? As
> stinky as tea tree oil is...Schonus has now decided he likes the taste
> of it! Has anyone tried goldenseal?

Goldenseal can cause allergic reactions for some.
If your goal is simply to keep Schonus from licking the spots, you might
ask your vet if using Bandguard would be appropriate, (it's a cream
bandage protectant that your vet probably has on hand). It's the only
thing that has kept my dogs from licking when things like stitches
have been just too tempting.
Use of a laser on the spot that Schonus is licking might work well,
depending on the cause for the licking. Some vets use lasers with
great success, even when all else seems to fail.
Jeri

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Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 20:08:04 -0500 (CDT)
From: Jenny Kellstedt <jk@bradley.bradley.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: personality changes
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.95.980708200302.20407A-100000@bradley.bradley.edu>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I don't want to give the wrong impression either. Sweetie went reclusive
at the onset of the disease, and the Anipryl brought her back. She also
follows me everywhere like Mary's little lamb and wants me outside with
her when she has to go out. My new vet (in January) particularly remarked
to me on how closely bonded we are, which indeed we were before Cushings
and are again back to that norm. Above all, be patient while awaiting the
Anipryl results (easy for me to say now).

Jenny & Sweetie
jk@bradley.bradley.edu

On Wed, 8 Jul 1998 CBABTPC@aol.com wrote:

>
> In a message dated 7/8/98 4:20:29 PM, you wrote:
>
> >We'll see what further
> >weeks on Anipryl bring. I'll be devastated if she turns into a "mean"
> >Lhasa!
>
>
> Just to clarify, in case I inadvertantly caused any worry or confusion-
> Targa's personality hasn't changed since she has been on the Anipryl, it
> happened at least two months before she began her treatment. I am just hoping
> that she will improve in that area- as well as she has in the rest of her
> clinical picture.
>
> Anne and Targa.
>

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Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 21:31:35 EDT
From: DLowder25@aol.com
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: 1st Lysodren dose
Message-ID: <f3623d6.35a41d78@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Hi Elizabeth and Gabby!

Don't want to alarm you but since you're on the Cushings forum you're
probably much more informed than I was when Mollie Bear and I got started on
Lysodren.
My vet (ex-vet) didn't warn me of the possible effects from Lysodren
loading. He was very aggressive with his dosage and after 4 days Mollie
crashed. She refused food, water, and vomited bile, blood every few minutes.
She began having neuro difficulties (from dehydration probably). This was
during a snowstorm and on a Saturday after hours, of course. My vet wouldn't
met me until late in the day and couldn't understand why I was so upset. I
thought I was losing Mollie and I could have easily. He hadn't given me any
cortisone and just didn't explain anything. Just give her this pill in this
ungodly dosage and she'll be cured. Needless to say, I didn't go back to him.
She was off Lysodren for a couple days to settle her stomach. He wanted to
continue that day.
My new vet explained how she would've explained Lysodren and the cortisone.
Poison and antidote. That kind of says it. She's never had any problems
close to that anymore. I don't want to scare you about it but I just want to
let you know what can happen if the dosage is too high. Like I said, she's
had no problems since and has been doing great with no other side effects.
You just have to learn to watch them. We know our babies and know if
something is wrong. I like what Chester (?) said about the weekend when you
can be home.
Give Gabby a kiss and good luck! Debbie & Mollie Bear

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Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 21:42:34 EDT
From: DLowder25@aol.com
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Blindness
Message-ID: <213ccada.35a4200b@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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I noticed just before Mollie was diagnosed with diabetes that her eyes were
clouding before my eyes. I couldn't believe how fast it took place. I
haven't asked how bad the vet thinks they are, cause I guess I don't want to
know. I suppose it was because she was so far out of control and had been
that way for weeks. Her first blood sugar was almost 500.
I've had one blind dog that did just fine so I'm not really worried too much
but I hate that she has yet another thing to contend with.
She's still drinking a lot of water but it could be a summer thing and all
her fur. (I'm scared to cut it again, it takes too long to get that gorgeous
coat to grow back). She's not had any accidents on the carpet in probably a
month or more which doesn't really matter now. I'm ripping up the carpet
cause she's totally ruined it. (Think I read someone else had that problem
too). Then her healthy brother started in on the carpet too---if she can do
it why can't I? (But then, she always was my favorite).
Sorry to Elizabeth and Gabby...I hope I didn't scare you too much in my
other posting but too much knowledge with this disease is still not enough.
Debbie & Mollie Bear

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Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 21:25:41 -0500
From: Susan West <swok34@swbell.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <35A42A24.218CBD75@swbell.net>
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> Susan,
> Thanks for the info. What dosage do you give your dog and what is his approx.
> weight. I am trying to figure out if the doseage is right also. This week I
> am starting to see more pep in Pepper so I am hoping that this may be the
> start of the drug working. When was your dog diagnosed?
> Joan

Joan:

Pinetta was diagnosed last week in March. She weighs right at 20 lbs and is
on 10 ml (?); 1 pill a day. Ideally she should weigh about 16, BUT right now
every ounce is a godsend. Her inability to lose weight (and an attentive new vet)
was the key to our finding the Cushings. I have heard of the amount of Anipryl
being increased/decreased with symptoms; though with Pinetta, her Cushing's
indicators were minor. She has had bouts of hair loss and the muscle weakness in
the hind end, the panting, water drinking, loss of energy......though they seemed
to be sporadic and not consistent.

Hope all goes well with you and yours

susan & pinetta

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Date: Wed, 8 Jul 1998 22:48:43 -0400
From: "Capa97" <Capa97@ix.netcom.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: 1st dose of Lysodren
Message-ID: <199807090259.VAA05328@dfw-ix6.ix.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

We gave Sammy her Lysodren with her Prednisone together in her loading
stage. always after she ate 1/2 of her supper. on her Lasiix days I tried
to give that a couple hours earlier. Dr. had just been to class on
Cushings & they said this was easier on her. She had two loading sessions
but never a side effects. She 's on maintance so it worked well for her.
Pat & Sammy

----------
> From: Elizabeth Rubin <ehr@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
> To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
> Subject: 1st dose of Lysodren
> Date: Wednesday, July 08, 1998 5:50 PM
>
> Hi
>
> Well, after many tests, it has been determined the it is a pituitary
> induced Cushings and my vet has decided to begin Gabby on Lysodren.
> I ordered from the pharmacy yesterday and it should arrive today. I
wasn't
> told how to administer it. Should
> it be on an empty stomach or with food. Shall I give it to him in the
> morning with his lasix and thyroid meds then
> go to work and leave him? yikes! Or shall I give it at night with his
> lasix, thyroidand heart meds and then go to
> sleep and hope he is alright? I don't think I'll be able to sleep. I also
> feed my dogs at night and they have a biscuit
> in the morning so if Gabby needs an empty stomach that will have to
change.
>
> The vet also gave me prednisone to help counter ant bad reactions. Right
> now, I am the only one not coping well.
> My boy takes it all in stride, but his panting episodes and general
> weakness set me off. I hate seeing him struggling
> to breathe.
>
> I spoke with the Vet about Anipryl, which he has never used, but he told
me
> that he called a clinical pathologist and
> an endrocinolodist at the Laboratory where the tests were done and they
> also suggested Lysodren.
>
> Jane, it is nice to know someone in my area. Thanks for the e-mail. I'll
> write to you privateley.
>

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Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 09:44:39 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: new list member
Message-ID: <478f88cd.35a4c948@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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In a message dated 7/8/98 10:26:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time, swok34@swbell.net
writes:

<< She has had bouts of hair loss and the muscle weakness in
the hind end, the panting, water drinking, loss of energy......though they
seemed
to be sporadic and not consistent. >>

Susan,
Peppers symptoms also were/are sporadic which made testing/tests strange. We
have not gone through any hair loss or hot spots but we did have him shaved
about 4 months ago cause his long long fur was just to matted to put him
through the grooming. He was having problems getting up in the hind end and
more coughing than panting, alot of water drinking and definate loss of energy
(which I attributed to his age, stupid me). All have improved considerably in
the past week so I think the anipryl is kicking in. He is taking 15 mil for
his 29-30 lbs so I guess doseage is consistant with yours.
Hope all is better with you.
Joan

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Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 12:24:01 -0700
From: Susan Kuchinskas <hautlynx@sirius.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: cooling it
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.19980709122401.0079e100@pop.sirius.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hhi, Linda. Guess w'ere already heading into the weekend again. Time sure
goes fast. Did I say, and I'm sure I'm not the first, that Schonus must be
the only lab in the world that can't swim? But we already knew he was unique.

A. continues to do well and I think her water intake has actually gone
down, though she still usually wakes me up at 6 to go out--at least not at
3, 5 and 6.

IT's great to think of S. as having puppy flashbacks. those are the times
when you know it's all worth it.

About the top of his paws, try this idea: get a spray for sunburn and
insect bites that has lidocaine. Solarcaine is one brand. Ideally, you'd
wash the spot with an antibacterial soap and dry it well, then spray. You
may have to do it four times a day, maybe only once or twice. Probably only
need to wash once a day, or just try the spray. Instead of keeping him from
licking the spot, it takes away the feeling that makes him want to lick. It
worked well on A. when she was getting infected spots from flea allergy.

I'm glad his pads are still in good shape. they're getting a chance to heal.

We're all having a quiet day today, noon and still no sun, cold house. We
certainly don't need the canine cooler--it seldom gets above 70 in the
house, and the floor is even colder. I can't get started working, which is
not too bad since I don't have all that much work. But I do have some.
That's the hard thing about working at home. I'm usually good, but there
are those days....... Hormones????

I did make a picture of Amaryllis. I'll post it, and also have a look at
your baby. I'm glad to know it won't be too sad. Things can be sad enough,
though right now I am so grateful that I took my dog to the vet when I did,
instead of continuing to think that she was just getting old.

Hope you're having a more productive day than I am. Sometimes I think it's
better to just get up and go work in the garden but other times I waste
time with email and the web and just shuffling papers, of which I have
plenty to shuffle.

have a great weekend!
Susan

Susan Kuchinskas

http://www.sirius.com/~hautlynx/

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Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 17:26:42 -0300
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: I Didn't Forget!
Message-ID: <35A52781.C62FA51B@warwick.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="------------1AB33AEE781B38881EE898C3"

--------------1AB33AEE781B38881EE898C3
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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Leslie....

I'm a day late....but......
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Hope you had a nice day!

Linda & Schonus

--------------1AB33AEE781B38881EE898C3
Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
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<HTML>
<FONT FACE="Arial,Helvetica"><FONT COLOR="#330033">Leslie....</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial,Helvetica"><FONT COLOR="#330033"></FONT></FONT>

<P><FONT FACE="Arial,Helvetica"><FONT COLOR="#330033">I'm a day late....but......</FONT></FONT><FONT FACE="Arial,Helvetica"><FONT COLOR="#330033"></FONT></FONT>
<CENTER><FONT FACE="Comic Sans MS"><FONT COLOR="#CC33CC"><FONT SIZE=+2>HAPPY
BIRTHDAY!!</FONT></FONT></FONT></CENTER>

<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman,Times"><FONT COLOR="#000000">Linda &
Schonus</FONT></FONT></HTML>

--------------1AB33AEE781B38881EE898C3--

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Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 20:23:27 -0000
From: "Scottee Meade" <scottee@huskynet.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Diet
Message-ID: <B0002290401@kailua.huskynet.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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Just curious about what everyone feeds their cushingoid dogs. Anyone
feeding fresh food? What are you feeding, and why?

For the record, I have been feeding Innova, but switched Halley to
California Natural Reduced Calorie--the only such food I would consider
using, as it has no fillers and junk like peanut hulls or cellulose (wood
pulp/sawdust). I have thought about switching to a fresh diet, although
with 6 dogs and a full-time job I haven't figured out how to do it for all
of them yet.

----------------
Scottee Meade <Scottee@huskynet.com> 'Tee Party Bostons
Canine Behavior Consultant Burke, VA
Halley, 12-1/2 yo Boston, diagnosed 5/97, on Chinese Herbs
----------------

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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 13:21:15 -0700
From: Linda Wroth <lwroth@ix.netcom.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diet
Message-ID: <35A569C5.7712@ix.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I feed my five Akitas (including the cushinoid) a combination of kibble
(Nutro Natural Choice mixed with Innova Senior) and various other
ingredients, varying meal by meal. Usually they have fruit and
live-culture yogurt with their kibble in the morning. In the evenings
with their kibble, they rotate vegetables, usually raw; canned pumpkin;
sardines, mackeral, or occasionally salmon; and tofu. Raw knuckle bones
every couple of weeks. Too many dog treats and pizza crusts.

As to why I feed that, they seem to be in good shape and good health in
general and don't have coat or itching problems. (They also get some
supplements.) I'm on a list where a lot of people feed raw meat as a
diet base but there's no way I'd do that with 5 indoor Akitas, plus a
worry about some of the more exotic parasites showing up.
Linda Wroth Richmond, CA lwroth@ix.netcom.com
Sam, 11-11/12-yr-old Akita, diagnosed (pituitary) March 98
On 750 mg Lysodren weekly

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Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 21:16:51 -0400
From: write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diet
Message-ID: <19980709.211653.13950.11.Write2Tom@juno.com>

I'm glad the topic of diet has come up again as I missed most of the
replies the last time it was discussed.

When Jesse was a year old she showed signs of allergy to chicken (she ate
it then threw it up) which led to a diagnosis of pancreatitis. She
tolerated no fat. She refused the canned "vet" food, would not eat home
cooked food (and I'm a chef by trade) and would not eat the dry "vet"
foods. After much tasting she decided she liked Nutro Lite lamb and rice
dried food. When she was diagnosised with diabetes we tried the home
cooked foods again (no thank you) and she now eats Purina CNM DCO. When
she gets tired of it she gets a little (1 TBSP) finely chopped, cooked,
lean lamb heated in a tablespoon water poured over her food. She gets a
small milk bone twice a day or two unsalted, fat free, sugar free
pretzels. since diagnosised with Cushings she has only been reluctant to
eat her mid-afternoon meal. She gets three cups of food a day, in three
feedings along with her three insulin injections. She lost so much weight
with her diabetes we have been trying to get her to gain however she has
gained only 1/10 lb in the past three months.

Tom, Jesse and Uta, the nurse dog

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Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 08:53:50 -0500
From: Jackie Siniard <siniardj@email.uah.edu>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19980710135350.0075d3b0@email.uah.edu>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi once again THIS MESSAGE IS FROM RANDY (SUNNY's DADDY) ONLY.

We have been feeding Sunny Hill's Science Diet R/D both Wet and Dry
twice a day for close to a year now on recommendation of Dr. Chisholm
a Vet at Auburn University. We give her 1/4 can wet (the large can)
and 1/3 cup dry biscuits mixed for each meal. If you are unfamiliar
with R/D it is a food for reducing weight. Our Sunny has started to
reduce but only slightly (4/10 of a pound in the past 4-6 months).

After Sunny was put on this food I called Hill's and asked them the
makeup of the wet food (we were concerned over salt), it has no salt
in it and it is 90%-95% water and the rest in fiber. So guess what
she goes to the bathroom a lot. Our house has no carpeting except in
the diningroom which is closed off to her in the day while we are at
work. She has limited access to only our bedroom, the spare bedroom,
bathroom and the frontroom. She usually pees twice while we are at
work (once in the bathroom on a mat and in the spare room on paper we
have put down). We ran across a thing used for humans called an
inconteniency pad (used for bed wetters), which we put under the paper
so she can't see it and it has saved our floors. You can buy these at
some drug stores and hospital supply houses. It could possibly save
carpets and other floors. We found that Sunny would not pee directly
on them, so we disquised them with newspaper and she will use them.
The ones we use are blue. I can't remember the name of them, but
trade name doesn't matter it is the use that does.

Funny how I can go from food to inconteniency pads isn't it? You
never know what you'll think of when you start typing.

Hope all of you out there have a or had a nice weekend.
Give all the babies a hug from us, they are so precious.

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM RANDY (SUNNY's DADDY) ONLY.

Love doesn't make the world go 'round: love is what makes the ride
worthwhile. - Franklin Jones

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Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 08:58:24 -0400
From: Doreen_A_Osborne@tivoli.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Diet
Message-ID: <0525663D.004C81E4.00@MTA-Austin2.tivoli.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Kelso eats Nutro Max Lamb and Rice dry food with Pedigree canned food. He
eats twice a day and gets 1/4 cup dry and 1/4 of the large can of Pedigree
each feeding. The reason for the large amount of canned food is that he
had to have 3 upper molars pulled last year due to a gum infection, so
chewing hard food is difficult.

Doreen

scottee@huskynet.com on 07/09/98 03:23:27 PM

Please respond to cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu

To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
cc: (bcc: Doreen A Osborne/Tivoli Systems)
Subject: Diet

Just curious about what everyone feeds their cushingoid dogs. Anyone
feeding fresh food? What are you feeding, and why?

----------------
Scottee Meade <Scottee@huskynet.com> 'Tee Party Bostons
Canine Behavior Consultant Burke, VA
Halley, 12-1/2 yo Boston, diagnosed 5/97, on Chinese Herbs
----------------

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 17:29:18 EDT
From: Spot210@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
Message-ID: <16974c16.35a687af@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Jan Glover wrote about a low-cost distributor for Anipryl (Lambriar Animal
Health Care). I was so thankful to learn of this company, because that
medication is so expensive. They require a prescription, naturally, before
they can dispense the meds, so I contacted my vet. He very grudgingly agreed
to write the scrip, but gave me an earful about his feelings about companies
that buy in mass quantity in order to sell product at a lower cost than
individual vets can.

He really laid the guilt trip on me. I empathize with his situation, but I
told him that $100 a month to treat my dog indefinitely is really prohibitive
for me. A rep from Lambriar assured me that they buy direct from the
manufacturer.

I guess I just wanted to share my experience with the forum. I felt that I
was doing the right thing for my pet--my vet even told me when my dog was dx'd
in November that I should look around for a better price, but when I found the
better price, he gave me a hard time! Any comments or thoughts on this would
be appreciated. I'm feeling pretty glum about the whole thing. I don't want
to be on the bad side of my vet when my dog is sick--I'd like to have his
support during these difficult days!
Susan (and Mugsy)

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 16:43:24 -0500
From: "Dillon Pyron" <dillon.pyron@amd.com>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
Message-ID: <9807101643.ZM12148@dvorak.amd.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Oh man, both of our vets (Dr. King in Carrollton and Dr. Smith here in Austin)
have written us scrips for any Rx meds that could be had cheaper from a
pharmacy. They both stocked Soloxine since it is fairly commonly used, but
drugs such as Vasotec and Lysodren were more easily purchased from our local
pharmacy.

--
dillon pyron
dillon.pyron@amd.com
Happy Trails, to you, until we meet again.
-Roy Rogers

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 18:39:57 EDT
From: Danestuff@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
Message-ID: <8cec60ba.35a6983e@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Susan,

Your vet needs to take a trip to the real world. Does he deliberately
pay more for an identical product when he can get it from less? And
if he doesn't, why should you? My vet sends me to the pharmacy
when I can get drugs there for less than he can get them for me.
If you vet isn't making enough money, he may need to reevaluate
his fees for office visits, exams, etc. -- not lay a guilt trip on you
for being a smart shopper.

I think you'll get more response from other listers along these
same lines. Why not take a copy of your original post, and what
answers you get, and have a candid conversation with your vet.
If you don't feel comfortable with the resolution, find another one.
You need to trust and feel totally comfortable that your vet is
going to do the best thing for your dog.

Jackie

In a message dated 7/10/1998 5:32:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Spot210@aol.com
writes:

<< Jan Glover wrote about a low-cost distributor for Anipryl (Lambriar Animal
Health Care). I was so thankful to learn of this company, because that
medication is so expensive. They require a prescription, naturally, before
they can dispense the meds, so I contacted my vet. He very grudgingly agreed
to write the scrip, but gave me an earful about his feelings about companies
that buy in mass quantity in order to sell product at a lower cost than
individual vets can. >>

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1998 19:19:49 -0300
From: L Boyce <lboyce@warwick.net>
To: CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Wrong Career
Message-ID: <35A69385.B23A70D@warwick.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Hi Susan....

Boy, are you in the wrong career field!!!! Pretty soon I'm gonna get a
bill from you!! I went out this morning and got the Solarcaine...when I
got home Schonus was having a field day with his paw!! To the point
where it was bleeding....I grabbed the can of Solarcaine so fast and
squirted maybe a couple of times and I can't believe what
happened!!!!!! He has NOT licked the rest of the day!! Let me tell
you, I was getting to the point of threatening to tape his mouth shut if
he didn't stop!! I then followed the Solarcaine with some Gold Bond
powder...and whamo...he's stopped. I'm sure as I'm writing this he's
off having the time of his life licking!!!

You need to change your career....this is the second time you have saved
my sanity!! How can I ever repay you!! It's brought me at least five
minutes of peace of mind! Now......what might you have up your sleeve
to get him under "control".??? Only kidding! I don't think you realize
how appreciative I am of your help!

Well, tomorrow is day 7 of the loading phase and my "little water tank"
is still 5 - 6 cups over a gallon. I have to call the Vet tomorrow to
see what's next as Monday was his next blood test but I'm not going to
waste my money at this rate! I'm 99.9% sure we'll be doing another
loading dose. I don't know if I mentioned this but my Vet seems to
think Schonus has become tolerant to the Lysodren. My only thought on
that is that I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!! One good thing
that is happening is that he's getting a bunch of new hair on his
belly! It's actually long enough to pull in one spot! He's also
getting some hair growth on top of his head...it's not quite long enough
to lay down and he looks like he had a rough nite or is wearing a hat!
It looks so funny! I call him Alfalfa!! But, the new hair feels just
like baby hair...so soft. Now if we could just get some hair in on his
body!!! I know, I know....one day at a time.

I know what you mean about having a BIG coffee table in front of the
sofa. I'm getting ready to paint the living room and I think the
Cumberland Gap is easier to get thru! How in the world did you learn
how to sheet rock??? I'm envious!! I love doing stuff like that!

Just so you know....I had EVER intention of making this a "quickie" to
you...but once again, I got carried away. See how excited I get when
something "good" happens!!! It was just important to me to let you know
of how much luck I had/we had with the Solarcaine!! Egads!! imagine
what I'd be like when Schonus finally gets under control???? Yours and
my day are coming!! Have a great weekend!!

Linda

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 07:05:18 EDT
From: DFRS2@aol.com
To: Muffin@esosoft.com, CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Fwd: off topic - Humor - Gone to the Dogs
Message-ID: <5562a619.35a746f0@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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For those of you who need a break!

Judy and Rosie

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Date: Thu, 9 Jul 1998 15:24:53 -0500
Subject: Gone to the Dogs
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---------------------- Forwarded by Judy A King/Frito-Lay/US on 07/09/98
03:25 PM ---------------------------

Rebecca Swartz
07/09/98 10:38 AM

To: Jo Lynn Black/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay
cc: Mark Rothfuss/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Keith
Miller/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Kirk Adams/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay,
Nick Richard/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, John
Gruszauskas/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Lissa
Huebner/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Patty
Thibodeaux/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Doug
Rachunek/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Lana Ordesch/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay,
Karen R Bush/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Margot
Welch/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Marianne X
Burns/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Dianne Faltys/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay,
Tracy X Driscoll/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Nancy R
Thorne/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Gayle Hill/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Ann
Williams/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Mary Newton/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay,
Judy A King/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Kim T
Martin/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Jan Hundley/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay, Jo
Ann Ream/Frito-Lay/US@Frito-Lay
Subject: Gone to the Dogs (Document link not converted)

My step-daughter sent me this. Thought you'd all enjoy it. becky

DOG PROVERBS
"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about little puppies."
-- Gene Hill
"In dog years I'm dead"
-- Unknown
"Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car,
in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing
right in your ear."
-- Dave Barry
"I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his
water bowl."
-- Penny Ward Moser
"The dog's kennel is not the place to keep a sausage."
-- Danish Proverb

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend, and inside
of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-- Groucho Marx.
"The scientific name for an animal that doesn't either run from or
fight its enemies is lunch."
-- Michael Friedman
"To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity
of dogs."
-- Aldous Huxley
"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around
three times before lying down."
-- Robert Benchley
"Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I
think that is how dogs spend their lives."
-- Sue Murphy
"Did you hear about the dyslexic agnostic insomniac who stays up
all night wondering if there really is a Dog?"
-- Unknown
"I think animal testing is a terrible idea; they get all nervous
and give the wrong answers."
-- Unknown
"I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven't got
the guts to bite people themselves."
-- August Strindberg
"No animal should ever jump up on the dining-room furniture unless
absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation."
-- Fran Lebowitz
"Ever consider what they must think of us? I mean, here we come
back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul- chicken, pork,
half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!"
-- Anne Tyler
"I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird
religious cult."
-- Rita Rudner
"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents
a can. That's almost $7.00 in dog money."
-- Joe Weinstein
"Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant."
-- Unknown
"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I
have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons."
-- James Thurber
"You enter into a certain amount of madness when you marry a person
with pets."
-- Nora Ephron
"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you
are wonderful."
-- Ann Landers
"Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea."
-- Robert A. Heinlein
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone
should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore
him."
-- Dereke Bruce, Taipei, Taiwan
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your
face."
-- Ben Williams
"When a man's best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem."
-- Edward Abbey
"Cat's Motto: No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it
look like the dog did it."
-- Unknown
***"Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of
his tail.."
-- Unknown
"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as
the dog does."
-- Christopher Morley
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves
himself."
-- Josh Billings
"Man is a dog's idea of what God should be."
-- Holbrook Jackson
"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person."
-- Andrew A. Rooney
***"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.You are his
life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to
the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such
devotion"
-- Unknown
"Heaven goes by favour. If it went by merit, you would stay out and
your dog would go in."
-- Mark Twain
"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better
for it."
-- Abraham Lincoln
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where
they went."
-- Unknown
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not
bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
-- Mark Twain
"Things that upset a terrier may pass virtually unnoticed by a Great
Dane."
-- Smiley Blanton
"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed
contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans ar nuts."
-- John Steinbeck
"My husband and I are either going to buy a dog or have a child. We
can't decide whether to ruin our carpets or ruin our lives."
-- Rita Rudner

--part0_900155119_boundary--

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 11:54:51 EDT
From: DesignSue@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
Message-ID: <dcc31920.35a78acc@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hi:
If it makes you feel any better, I don't think you should feel glum about
asking your vet for a prescription for Anipryl. I did and my vet didn't say a
word. He just gave it to me. I think they make plenty from their services and
that IS

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 12:01:08 EDT
From: DesignSue@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
Message-ID: <eec699d7.35a78c47@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hi Again,

Must have hit the wrong button as my last response was sent by accident before
I finished writing it.

My vet does give me a prescription for Anipryl with no problem. I feel I do
pay him quite enough for his medical services, not to be a pharmicist.
Besides, the markup on Anipryl has been so enormous. You are not doing
anything illegal or wrong in purchasing it at a better price from someone
else. I'd probably change vets if my vet refused to write a script. Your pet's
health here is more important than that.

Good luck,

Susan and Spenser (the poodle, diagnosed Cushings - Oct. 97)

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 15:10:13 -0500
From: Susan West <swok34@swbell.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re:
Message-ID: <35A7C6A5.C61D9E7D@swbell.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Randy:

I am just going down to the amount you are feeding Sunny (1/4 can RD and
1/3 cup dry) though Pinetta won't eat dry RD so we use Pro-plans lite. In
addition, she gets 5/6 Science Diet Lite Treats a day. She still acts like
she's starving. After trying to get her to eat green beans, wax beans,
cucumbers, lettuce, brocolli, cauliflower, dill pickles, tomatoes,
mushrooms,,etc.........i had given up on a veggie filler......the vet suggested
carrots, BINGO, she loves them. Bought the small ones that are usually used in
stir-fried and cut them up raw and mix with food. She picks out the carrots
to eat first; so we may finally be on to something here. Like you, her weight
loss has been minimal for the last 3 years she's been on the RD........she is
beginning to lose a little (thank god, no more gain) since been on Anipryl the
end of May.

Does anyone have any experience with carrots? I asked the vet if she
could have all she wanted........and she said absolutely.

susan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 21:48:09 -0400
From: "Capa97" <Capa97@ix.netcom.com>
To: <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Re: several topics covered
Message-ID: <199807120158.UAA04140@dfw-ix16.ix.netcom.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

You mentioned Louisville, Are you in Ky. Which area. Just asking, were in
Northern Ky.

Pat & Sammy
----------
> From: Thomas D Johnston <write2tom@juno.com>
> To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
> Subject: Re: several topics covered
> Date: Tuesday, July 07, 1998 12:23 AM
>
> Debbie: My Jesse (7 yr. mini-schnauzer, Cushings/diabetic) has been on
> Humulin for the past 5 or 6 months. She has proven to be a brittle
> diabetic and still not completely controlled though she is doing better.
> Do not expect overnight control with this disease as it is mostly just
> trial and error, then under control, then starting all over again. At
> least that has been our experience.
>
> Shari: Jesse went through two brief loadings with Lysodren with no
> prednesone and no ill effects. We are now on hold for two months before
> testing again. Some days she is a puppy again and some days she is
> cranky. Mostly she is brave, loving and accepting of her situation.
>
> Pat: Jesse too has cataracts forming and the vet says she probably has
> very blurred vision and is perhaps seeing mostly light and shadows. He
> offered to set her up with a specialist in Louisville if I wanted, but we
> must be realistic about the amount of money we have to spend at this
> point. (these are very expensive conditions to treat and we have another
> dog with a portosystemic shunt who must be medicated and fed as well.) I
> took her to the vet today because of a mucus discharge from her eyes over
> the week-end. She has always been prone to conjunctivitis, but never has
> her tear ducts stopped up before because of it. We are doing twice daily
> cleaning with saline solution and three times medication with Neo-Predef.
> Back in five days for another tear test. Sometimes an eye infection is
> just an eye infection.
>
> Everybody stick in there and love your pets.
>
> Tom, Jesse and Uta (learning to be a guide dog)
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
> You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail.
> Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com
> Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 22:32:19 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Veggies
Message-ID: <35A82033.1F3117D9@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

My poodles love carrots as well as just about any other vegetable. I
give them veggies as snacks.

-- Liza and Boomer

Susan West wrote:
>
> Randy:
>
> I am just going down to the amount you are feeding Sunny (1/4 can RD and
> 1/3 cup dry) though Pinetta won't eat dry RD so we use Pro-plans lite. In
> addition, she gets 5/6 Science Diet Lite Treats a day. She still acts like
> she's starving. After trying to get her to eat green beans, wax beans,
> cucumbers, lettuce, brocolli, cauliflower, dill pickles, tomatoes,
> mushrooms,,etc.........i had given up on a veggie filler......the vet suggested
> carrots, BINGO, she loves them. Bought the small ones that are usually used in
> stir-fried and cut them up raw and mix with food. She picks out the carrots
> to eat first; so we may finally be on to something here. Like you, her weight
> loss has been minimal for the last 3 years she's been on the RD........she is
> beginning to lose a little (thank god, no more gain) since been on Anipryl the
> end of May.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with carrots? I asked the vet if she
> could have all she wanted........and she said absolutely.
>
> susan

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 22:34:28 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Lysodren tolerance
Message-ID: <35A820B4.10508FBF@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

is it a common occurrence for dogs to become tolerant to Lysodren?
After what amount of time might this occur?

-- Liza and Boomer

L Boyce wrote:
..... I don't know if I mentioned this but my Vet seems to
> think Schonus has become tolerant to the Lysodren. My only thought on
> that is that I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!!

----__ListProc__NextPart____CUSHINGS-PETS__digest_42

Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 22:42:35 -0400
From: Liza Klosterman <gatorpoo@mediaone.net>
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Veterinarian and Anipryl Prescription
Message-ID: <35A8229B.28262643@mediaone.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

When I ran out of Soloxine (for hypothyroidism) we thought we were close
to being able to take Boomer off of it. The vet only sold it in
quantites of 250. I didn't want to buy that much since I probably
wouldn't use much of it, so my vet gave me a prescription to get 30
tablets from a pharmacy.
You shouldn't feel bad about wanting to save money. This disease is
very costly to treat (I myself have spent over $1000 in the past 9
months) and we all need to save costs wherever we can. Sounds like your
vet has a chip on his shoulder for some reason.

-- Liza and Boomer

Spot210@aol.com wrote:
>
> Jan Glover wrote about a low-cost distributor for Anipryl (Lambriar Animal
> Health Care). I was so thankful to learn of this company, because that
> medication is so expensive. They require a prescription, naturally, before
> they can dispense the meds, so I contacted my vet. He very grudgingly agreed
> to write the scrip, but gave me an earful about his feelings about companies
> that buy in mass quantity in order to sell product at a lower cost than
> individual vets can.
>
> He really laid the guilt trip on me. I empathize with his situation, but I
> told him that $100 a month to treat my dog indefinitely is really prohibitive
> for me. A rep from Lambriar assured me that they buy direct from the
> manufacturer.
>
> I guess I just wanted to share my experience with the forum. I felt that I
> was doing the right thing for my pet--my vet even told me when my dog was dx'd
> in November that I should look around for a better price, but when I found the
> better price, he gave me a hard time! Any comments or thoughts on this would
> be appreciated. I'm feeling pretty glum about the whole thing. I don't want
> to be on the bad side of my vet when my dog is sick--I'd like to have his
> support during these difficult days!
> Susan (and Mugsy)

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Date: Sat, 11 Jul 1998 23:42:13 -0400
From: write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: several topics covered
Message-ID: <19980711.234403.13950.14.Write2Tom@juno.com>

Pat,
I'm in Lexington.
Tom, Jesse & Uta

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 08:46:37 -0600
From: meri <meric@execpc.com>
To: cushings <CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>,
muffin <Majordomo@esosoft.com>
Subject: introduction
Message-ID: <35A8CC43.498@execpc.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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hi
i am new to the list and would like to introduce myself.
i am the proud human of luke (5 mo old aussie, and tisza 13+ yr old
schip).
tisza was diagonsed diabetic and cushiod about 6 or 7 yrs ago. the road
to getting her regulated with the diabetes was a rough one. now 3 vets
later she has been fairly stable for about 5 yrs. we have had our bouts
with high bg, but for the most part she does well. she is now blind and
deaf as well. she gets 8 u of lily nph 2X daily.
i am devoted to this little angel. her daughter was also diabetic but
never diagnosed as cushinoid. she died about a month ago, it broke our
hearts.
i am looking forward to learning more about how others handle the
diseases, and finding ways to help tisza.

meri

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 14:14:45 EDT
From: DFRS2@aol.com
To: Muffin@esosoft.com, CUSHINGS-PETS@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
Message-ID: <8981ae2d.35a8fd16@aol.com>
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Okay.....Here is what you are best at.....

I need immediate advice if you wouldn't mind responding.

We are all use to so many things going on with our pets, I by all means do not
want to panic and overact nor do I want to simplify this current issue that
has arised with Rosie...... So I am turning to my Muffin and Cushings Pets
list because I trust the level headed feedback always given.

Saturday morning, my husband and I had to go out of town and our son was
working. No problem, because our son was perfectly capable of caring for
Rosie. However, it started when he came home from work. Rosie had gone to
the bathroom in the kitchen....1 and 2! This is out of character for her
since we have regulated her Cushings and Diabetes. Virtually no more pu/pd.
Then again Sunday. Our son left for work at 7:30 a.m.....we got home at 12:00
noon and Rosie had again gone to the bathroom again.

I realize the above information can be simply behavorial but wanted to mention
them anyway. In these groups we sometimes have the strangest things in
common...if you know what I mean. The big concern is really about the blood
clots I saw in her urine today! I have called the emergency vet and they are
suggesting that I bring her in today and suggested I not wait until tomorrow
for my regular vet. Rosie appears to feel fine otherwise.

I am depending on you guys for feedback. It seems I have read that bladdar
problems can cause blood to be present in urine, but need more info.

Thanks,

Judy and Rosie (I don't know what all the fuss is....I feel fine!)

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 14:52:39 EDT
From: JCirino@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
Message-ID: <98f872fe.35a905f9@aol.com>
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In a message dated 7/12/98 2:19:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, DFRS2@aol.com
writes:

<<
I am depending on you guys for feedback. It seems I have read that bladdar
problems can cause blood to be present in urine, but need more info.
>>
Judy,
I am no expert by any means and new to the group but whenever blood is
involved, especially passing fresh blood, my vet is always on alert. This can
be nothing or can be something serious. I would go to the vet today and not
take any chances. Sometimes also if I have my children as good as they are
watch my animals, we have many accidents and with us, its definately
behavioral. They don't want to be watched by anyone other thatn mommy and
daddy. Sort of a security blanket concept. I know this isn't much help but
thought I would give my personal opinion. Good luck to you both.
Joan

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 15:09:15 EDT
From: Danestuff@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
Message-ID: <febcc0bb.35a909dc@aol.com>
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Judy,

I don't have the medical knowledge to help -- but blood in the urine
sure sounds scary to me.

I will keep you and Rosie in my prayers. Let us know how you're doing.

Jackie

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 15:25:22 -0400
From: write2tom@juno.com (Thomas D Johnston)
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re:
Message-ID: <19980712.152524.13950.15.Write2Tom@juno.com>

Judy,
I haven't had the blood in urine problem, but I have had to use the
emergency vets in the past (you and I are lucky to have such services)
and I would trust their advice.
I had to be out of town for about 8 hours yesterday and my companion, who
has been second dad to the dogs all of their lives, had to see to the
feeding and injections of Jesse (7 yr. Cushings and diabetic), but
because she is bonded closer to me she would not eat. I came home and
she ate like a wolf the minute she was aware I was not gone forever. I
have to be gone again next week and am planning a pot of lean lamb to
make sure she eats. They choose their leader and fret when we are not
there.

Tom, Jesse and Uta

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 16:48:09 EDT
From: CBABTPC@aol.com
To: cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu
Subject: Re: Rosie - Need Quick Help 1:00 p.m. C.S.T.
Message-ID: <b3da4256.35a9210a@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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In a message dated 7/12/98 1:19:17 PM, you wrote:

>I am depending on you guys for feedback. It seems I have read that bladdar
>problems can cause blood to be present in urine, but need more info.

Judy,

I can't speak from personal experience, but a friend with a diabetic dog has
twice had to treat the dog for bladder infections. They showed up as increased
frequency, mild incontinence, and then the blood clots appeared in the urine.
Antibiotics cleared it right up, both times. Sounds like that might be what's
going on with Rosie.

Anne and Targa

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Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 23:43:08 -0500
From: Tom Reighney <tomrei@bellsouth.net>
To: Cushings Discussion <cushings-pets@mcfeeley.cc.utexas.edu>
Subject: Pixie
Message-ID: <35A9905C.9F70FF29@bellsouth.net>
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Pixie is a 10.5 year old Cocker/Peek mix. She was diagnosed with
Cushing's Syndrome in May, 1998. We noticed a ravenous appetite, unusual
water consumption, and what appeared to be muscle atrophy. Thinking she
might be diabetic we took her to the vet. The blood test was conclusive
for Cushing's Syndrome. The Vet's words were, "She has Cushing's, big
time." All of the Cushing's indicators were very, very high.

She had a 10 day therapeutic dose of Lysodren. Starting with 750 mg/day
which was reduced to 500 mg/day after 4 days. After the 4th day of
therapy she became extremely lethargic and refused all food. After a
cortisone injection and reduction of Lysodren to 500 mg/day, she seemed
to be better, but her appetite was still very diminished. At or near the
10th day of therapy she lost all appetite, refusing all food. She was
loosing her hair and was very lethargic. We thought she was nearing the
end of her life. She had lost nearly 20% of her body weight. The vet
gave her another cortisone and B complex injections and told us to
reduce her medication to 500 mg/weekly. That was 2 weeks ago. Now she is
like a puppy! Full of energy, even playful and seems to be enjoying life
again (she even barks at my daughter's boyfriend). Her appetite is
healthy, but not ravenous. We are watching her water consumption and it
is appropriate for a dog her age and weight and her stomach is not as
distended as before. The vet has asked us to give a twice-weekly update
and seems pleased with her progress. I am pleased with our Vet's
concern. They have been compassionate and very helpful to us in
understanding and treating this disease. We live in a rural area in
Southwest Louisiana and think Pixie is getting good medical care.

Perhaps we have accidentally hit on the correct therapeutic dosage.
Pixie seems to have made a remarkable recovery, although, we are aware
this may be temporary. I've read of others whose pets "crashed" after 4
or so days of Lysodren. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks
TomR