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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on September 19, 2013, at 9:44:45
I don't know where to turn to for help but long story short my 9 year old poodle 20lbs has had a lot of bacterial & yeast skin infections and has one not on all four paws. Vet said he has the cushinoid profile so bloodwork done sent off. There is a medication now called Trilostane for it. But so far $443 for the tests all paid for from my SSI which is only double this amount each month. Only income. Yes have a husband but he doesn't help me with money. House is paid for half my money and I bought all the furniture. But since he is younger he doesn't feel he should be burdened with anything. But my concern is Teddy as without him I have nothing. He is my life. So any one know anything or have experience with this. As I have to have Teddy. Also this is what killed my Mother. My endo has told me that it wasn't Addisons as she took cortisone. Evidently Cushings you produce too much of it. I'm already lost. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on September 19, 2013, at 22:58:53
In reply to My Poodle Most Likely Has Cushings Disease Help!!!, posted by Phillipa on September 19, 2013, at 9:44:45
After talking with a lady who walks her dog when I ride bike found her dog also has Cushings and they are not treating with medication. And my oldest Daughter had a dog with same used melatonin and now the holistic vets are using Flax Shell Ligands so if positive most likely will go holistic first. The lady's dog was diagnosed three years ago and is fine. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on September 20, 2013, at 13:55:32
In reply to Re: My Poodle Most Likely Has Cushings Disease Help!!!, posted by Phillipa on September 19, 2013, at 22:58:53
Hope your pup is going to benefit from holistic treatment. I would rather try that than conventional. I know how u feel about ur pet, mine are such joys to me! : )
Posted by Phillipa on September 20, 2013, at 18:05:32
In reply to Re: My Poodle Most Likely Has Cushings Disease Help!!! » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on September 20, 2013, at 13:55:32
Gadchik thanks still no results from bloodwork but natural is the way will go unless someone presents me with convincing evidence to chemo pills. He feels fine and doesn't ever appear sick. Sometimes I think it's like humans money for meds P
Posted by alexandra_k on September 21, 2013, at 0:01:41
In reply to Re: My Poodle Most Likely Has Cushings Disease Help!!! » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on September 20, 2013, at 18:05:32
> Gadchik thanks still no results from bloodwork but natural is the way will go unless someone presents me with convincing evidence to chemo pills. He feels fine and doesn't ever appear sick. Sometimes I think it's like humans money for meds P
sometimes i think it is worse... vets can cost more than doctors... and health insurance for pets is hideously expensive...
i really hope things work out.
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2013, at 17:25:55
In reply to Re: My Poodle Most Likely Has Cushings Disease Help!!! » Phillipa, posted by alexandra_k on September 21, 2013, at 0:01:41
What a relief to know that he is okay. Has a slight elevation of cortisol. But his cholesterol went down. And he's borderline Cushings so no meds. I told the Vet about the natural treatment which was given to me by my Daughter who had a dog with it. But I need to see if this Flaxhull ligans, and melatonin can bring the levels down more. And it's not toxic like the chemo med. Vet is googling this also and when her and the other 13 Vets in the practice do their grand rounds she is going to see if any of the others know of this too. Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on September 21, 2013, at 18:53:23
In reply to Re: Yeah!!!! Vet called with bloodwork he's okay!, posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2013, at 17:25:55
That is good news, Phillipa.
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2013, at 19:54:05
In reply to Re: Yeah!!!! Vet called with bloodwork he's okay! » Phillipa, posted by alexandra_k on September 21, 2013, at 18:53:23
Sure is and thanks for responding Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on September 22, 2013, at 8:37:43
In reply to Re: Yeah!!!! Vet called with bloodwork he's okay! » alexandra_k, posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2013, at 19:54:05
Good to hear! Pets have made my life so much fun & when u have them, u really love them maybe more than people. : )
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2013, at 17:44:42
In reply to Re: Yeah!!!! Vet called with bloodwork he's okay! » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on September 22, 2013, at 8:37:43
Just when I think it's all okay and paws are healing. Still on the antibiotics and medicated shampoo. He's starting opening the sores with licking again. Could the dexamethasone challenge test given him cortisone and that is why he wasn't itching and now out of body so itch again. Any tricks? Have tried covering them, also typical sprays for dog licking. Starting to think either allergy or behavioral. Any thoughts? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on September 23, 2013, at 14:23:10
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help?, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2013, at 17:44:42
Sorry to hear this. My dog gets bad itching several times a yr, and the vet gave me prednisone pills to give him. I only do it, it he is really bad, and try not to give to him every day. We've used anti itch powder and benadryl cream too.
Posted by Dinah on September 23, 2013, at 19:12:03
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help?, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2013, at 17:44:42
You've tried bitter apple? I never really had much luck with it. How about an Elizabethan collar?
Every once in a while mine start licking their paws. I'd guess allergies, but once they start it can be hard to get them to stop. I take it they aren't confined or in any way stressed or bored? Stress and boredom can both result in hot spots.
If necessary, see if you can get something from your vet. It's important to break the cycle.
I'm glad it's not Cushings.
Posted by sigismund on September 23, 2013, at 19:21:51
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help?, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2013, at 17:44:42
Our vet told us to get beef out of our dog's diet to settle allergies.
He currently eats a kangaroo stew, but lamb is supposed to be better than beef.
Posted by Phillipa on September 23, 2013, at 21:01:09
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on September 23, 2013, at 14:23:10
How did the Benadryl cream work? Is it toxic if they lick it? Today a better day lick wise. I got him a holistice trype and buffalo bone at the holistic pet store today. He ate the whole thing and it was hard and huge. I feel he needs something really hard and time consuming to chew on. Also get bones at the grocery store that are for stew he eats the whole thing and talking of a 20 pound dog. I was told that it's the yeast so got another food with no carbs. See if this new one helps. Still on the malusab shampoo for yeast &cephalexin 250mg Bid. Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on September 23, 2013, at 21:36:49
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on September 23, 2013, at 21:01:09
Ah...
I used to have a border collie (from herding stock) and she needed something to do fairly much constantly or she would make her own mischief (chewing through wooden table legs or destroying corners of walls, most notably). She didn't turn on herself, but she nearly destroyed the house.
This really helped her:
http://www.nylabone.com/product-finder/my-pet-is/dog-large/galileo-bone.htm
It is expensive - but it was worth every penny. I don't quite know how to explain this, but the fibers have a grain to them. They actually can (harmlessly) eat the bone, but it will take a while. It will clean the plaque off their teeth as a bonus feature. I think we needed to replace it (when it got small enough to be a choking hazard) about every 9 months. But she used to really get stuck into it. For hours at a time, sometimes.
There are lots of dog chew products out there and she'd destroy them and nearly choke herself on them every couple weeks. We gave her real bones - but tried to limit them a bit because the vet said it wasn't particularly good for her to eat them (they can break off a sharp bit and it has the potential to get stuck). Depends how protective you are, I think...
Anyway, Nylabone Galileo. Worth a shot, perhaps.
Posted by alexandra_k on September 23, 2013, at 21:42:18
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help?, posted by alexandra_k on September 23, 2013, at 21:36:49
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ybOMTFLTF0
see the textured bits on it? they can worry them for hours...
Posted by gadchik on September 24, 2013, at 8:21:45
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help?, posted by alexandra_k on September 23, 2013, at 21:42:18
My dog's backside itches and he cant reach with mouth, so the benadryl works well, but maybe not for licking. Ive been thinking of trying a rice and lamb only dog food, but the vet thinks his allergies are related to pollen, ragweed. Sure hope ur dog quits itching, that must feel horrible.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2013, at 20:43:30
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help?, posted by alexandra_k on September 23, 2013, at 21:42:18
Alex thanks he demolished this 20 lbs dog that almost $6 bone in a few minutes without knowing this. I was angry and went back to holistic pet store today but of course the owner wasn't there. I told one of the other ladies I felt I should get my money back or be given too large hard bones to take it's place. I bought two and the shitzu who has no problem also ate most of hers. Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on September 24, 2013, at 21:45:40
In reply to Re: Itching Again + causing sores what might help? » alexandra_k, posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2013, at 20:43:30
Nylabone Galileo. Give it a try. Honestly, we went through a lot before we discovered that one and once we did we never looked back. She really took her frustrations (from not being out on a farm outsmarting sheep all day) out on that bone. Make sure you get the right size. I really don't think you will regret it. And it will save you a fortune if it stops her worrying her paws.
This is the end of the thread.
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