Need advice about Katie

[momofdecker]

Re: katie new here need help

Just came across this article today on Basic Commands for a Blind Puppy. Has some great info in it that can translate to blind dogs in general. Found a couple of more from the same author...

http://myspecialneedsdogs.com/commands-blind-puppy/

http://myspecialneedsdogs.com/blindscaping-backyard/

http://myspecialneedsdogs.com/nosework-for-blind-dogs/

[Charlie's mom]

Re: katie new here need help

Holli, thanks for sharing those links, what great ideas for the yard

[Riliey and Mo]

Re: katie new here need help

the carpenter wanted over a $1000 dollars like $6000.00 to build a ramp. These portables are much cheaper. Work great and easy to install. The ones i seen are under $500.

[katiesmommy]

Re: katie new here need help

Wow I love the ideas for the yard amd the rugs for stairs. I never realized there was so much info on blind dogs or how common the problem is. Thank you all so very much. I am still searching around for a ramp for Katie. She is feeling all better now. Its so good to see her happy and chipper. She is handling not seeing very well. She had her first adventure yesterday. We went down the big steps and around in our driveway and sniffed around the garage for a bit. We live out in the country so the driveway is uneven and gravel with obstacles on both sides. She did well. I think it helps that she has always been good at listening and is very well trained. I am thinking of maybe trying some sort of step for the truck today just so she can go for a ride. She hates being left at home when I go somewere.
The new vet seems to be working out quite well. They are at least willing to help and they are willing to consult over phone anytime. Nice change of pace.
Thank you all for the tips and advise I sure dont know were I would be without you.

[Eddie]

Re: katie new here need help

I'm glad she is feeling better!
The most useful new word that Eddie learnt when he couldn't see was the word "Bump" so we can warn him before he bumps into things. It is incredibly useful and he knows that he needs to stop and wait if one of us calls it out to him. It is especially helpful being able to shriek it from a distance if you aren't nearby to grab them!
I wear little cat bells on my shoes so he knows where I am and we use quite a lot of bubble wrap to cushion corners in the house, and put plastic traffic cones in front of trees or other things outside that he is likely to run into eg when he is rushing to bark at the gate with the others.
Antonia

[katiesmommy]

Re: katie new here need help

I am so happy. Katie was looking bored this evening so I got one of her tennis balls and cut a hole in it and stuffed a couple jingly cat toys in it so she could hear it. She was so happy she could play catch! She was prancing around the yard throwing the ball for herself. Brought tears to my eyes to see her happy and playing again. We also walked down our rough gravely driveway. She did really well. She was a bit unsure just following me (I used the bells on my shoes idea) so I put her leash on and she regained all her confidence. We are still working on a way to get her in and out of the truck. But at least shes happy and playing!

[jesse girl]

Re: katie new here need help

you and katie are learning together thats wonderful news

we are only limited by our imagination to come up with new and fun ideas

[katiesmommy]

Re: katie new here need help

Ok here we go on another adventure. Katie's Cushing test results came back very positive.
Cortisol baseline 94.3 post ACTH 250.3
Androstenedione base .99 post 2.88
Estradiol base 101.3 post 87.1
Progesterone base 1.35 post 4.82
17 OH progesterone base 1.87 post 13.66
She was significantly elevated on most of these however they are all high.
So.... we are to start lysodren 250mg two times a day for a week. Then another test.
I know this isnt the cushings forum but I feel like I know you all and am comfortable here. So for now I have been just reading along over there trying to learn as much as I can. I know some of you deal with both so any suggestions or cautions or things to watch for would be so welcome. After reading up a bit on cushings and lysodren I am pretty nervous and scared. I have to work so I cant be here to watch over her all day. scary...

[Judi]

Re: katie new here need help

hi Kristi: it is scary but you can do it. Are they having you do a "loading" dose with the lysodren? that is the normal way it is done. I belong to both forums too but have always spent more time here as well.

the folks at the cushings forum were very very helpful to me though, especially in the beginning.

Did they give you prednisone in case the lysodren affects her too strongly? that is normal too

if they didn't do either thing your vet may not know a lot about cushings. most don't. We went to a different vet for the cushings but not a specialist because all the specialists were so far away. In hindsight, I wish I'd gone to the specialist right away.

if you are doing the loading they tell you to watch for a loss of appetite or throwing up and if she does either to stop the lysodren immediately. Jenny threw up a little water but nothing else on day 1 of the lysodren so I gave her lysodren on day 2 and she got sick on the other end. so, throwing up water counts and you should stop and call.

If the vet is just going to start a weekly dose you may not be getting off to the right start with lysodren and I strongly urge you to post about it on the cushings forum (but come back here and update us)

after about 4 weeks or so on the Lysodren Jenny's insulin needs decreased dramatically so keep an eye on that also. I wasn't home testing back then since it intimidated me and her sugar was usually in the 600's. then one morning her back legs were trembling, I got her to the vet thanks to advice on here and her blood sugar was 40. whoops

eventually I got my rowdy girl back so hang in there. I totally understand the emotional rollercoaster. It's a lot to deal with. Judi

[katiesmommy]

Re: katie new here need help

Thank you Judi. Yes the vet is doing a week of loading. 250mg two times a day. Then he wants to retest to see about the maintenance dose. I was told to watch for vomiting amd weakness but was not given any cortisone to counteract if needed. I am so scared. The vet seems to know what he is doing, has several dogs with cushings. But I was reading on the other site about stopping the med 48 hours before the test? My vet just wants her to fast and not take the pill the morning of the test. He also didnt say to watch for signs of being loaded or to stop at that point. Ugg. I think I will be calling and asking more questions tomorrow.

[Judi]

Re: katie new here need help

yep just in case she gets too low they usually give you a small amount of prednisone in case of emergency. The vet may figure he is so close that you can run her in but I felt better having it around. Jenny didn't need to take it even though we had to stop her loading.

It is a lot of testing at the beginning. Expensive but you have to do it.

please keep me posted. I was a blubbering mess when Jenny and I were where you are at now. That was 3 years ago. hugs, Judi

Vetoryl and Lysodren have different rules about stopping before testing. To be honest it's been so long since we've been on it I can't remember. Never hurts to ask.

[Lulusmom]

Re: katie new here need help

Here is a link to Kristi and Katie's thread at k9cushings:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6425

I will be posting a link to this thread on k9cushings. I personally have some serious concerns with the cushing's diagnosis, for more than a few reasons, and even more concerns with Katie's vet's serious breach of Lysodren Loading protocol. I would appreciate any input you diabetes experts may have.

Glynda

[katiesmommy]

Re: katie new here need help

Stuck at work waiting for vet to call cant stop worrying and crying

[Cara Sandler]

Re: katie new here need help

Stuck at work waiting for vet to call cant stop worrying and crying

I'm so sorry. I know it's so difficult when your fur child is sick.

[Judi]

Re: katie new here need help

oh Kristi, she is going to be ok, you are doing everything you can for her. hugs, Judi