SarahsBlackPack Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I have no advice to offer. But I am sending good thoughts for Stella though. Quote Sarah, mom to Stella and Winston . And to Prince, Katie Z, Malone, Brooke, Freddie, Angel and Fast who are all waiting at the Bridge!www.gpawisconsin.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 They had to order the hormone for testing for diabetes insipidus...that, alone, is a couple hundred bucks. I guess it's the same thing you'd treat with and he said that's usually enough "for a week." At this point, even though I really want answers, I'm really that it's not DI. He said it's not exactly commmon... So, not sure when that will get in and the rest of the bloodwork (lepto and thyroid) will probably be back on Monda]y. Sorry I just found this thread. I saw your posts in another thread. My dog Cody has Diabetes Insipidus. Hopefully you can get the hormone (desmopressin acetate) through Costco or a compounding pharmacy. Cody's meds were something crazy like $300 at CVS (human nasal drops), but around $110 at Costco. We switched to pill form and Costco has a new supplier so they are around $80 now. Cody is 50 lbs. Symptoms:Significant weight loss, muscle wasting. She's down to 54 lbs Excessive drinking Excessive peeing (can't go more than 3 hours) Appetite waxes and wanes, generally OK Coat looks like crap, rough, dull, dry, brittle, even the color has changed. Hair loss along the limbs, butt, belly, ears Lethargy, depression, general "doing poorly" Skin seems very thin, fragile and almost transparent, esp on the legs Other things - she also trembles a lot. Outside, inside...doesn't seem to be temperature related. She doesn't have the characteristic "barrel" look of a Cushing's dog. Of these symptoms, Cody only had the excessive drinking/peeing, trembling, and some lethargy. The symptoms you describe regarding her skin and coat make me think a metabolic disorder like Cushings rather than DI. Cody had the trembling, his muscles (especially in his legs) would twitch, but he also would get very faint full-body tremors. I think it was a potassium imbalance due to dehydration (potassium affects muscle contractions), which DI can cause because they pee out too much water and don't absorb enough, leads to an electrolyte imbalance. After going onto the desmopressin the twitching stopped. Something of a side bar, but I thought glomerulonephritis was basically a name for the kidney symptoms you see, but not a "real" diagnosis in that it can be caused by many underlying diseases/issues, is that incorrect? I am honestly asking, I did a little reading when my friend's dog started having similar issues and they suspected Cushing's and that was what I got out of my reading. Like you can have glomerulonephritis from _______ (insert any number of things) or else if you can't figure out the "from" you just say the dog has glomerulonephritis. Am I way off base? You are correct. Glomerulonephritis (aka glomerular nephritis) simply translates to "inflammation of the glomeruli". The glomeruli are blood vessels in the kidneys. They filter the blood and send waste products into the urine. You don't always find the cause of the glomerulonephritis. If Stella has glomerulonephritis I don't think it's central DI (pituitary gland doesn't produce enough anti-diuretic hormone, ADH). It could still be nephrogenic DI (plenty of ADH but kidneys don't respond to it). But my guess is that it's not DI at all, but glomerulonephritis of unknown origin, especially with an elevated protein:creatinine ratio. I'd be curious to see the results of the Lepto test and any tick panels. Fingers crossed for good news. ~Lindsay~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Katann Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I will keep her in my prayers, I hope that you find the cause very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Poor, sweet Stella! Hoping and praying that you guys can figure out this mystery soon. Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 update post 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Stella hope soon there will be a dx for you & some idea on how ot help you Quote Caroline, Mom to Daphne (49B-50215) and Penny (41D-55779)Remembering Bridge Angels Margo and Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Lots of new and improved treatments for cushings. Hoping that Stella does well now that she has a dx. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Sorry you had to wait so long for a diagnosis, BUT, at least you know what it is now, and can treat it! Sending love, hugs, good thoughts and prayers your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Well finally a diagnosis. Hopefully you can come up with a treatment plan that Stella can adjust to. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 A long time coming but must be a huge relief to have some sort of answer you can work with. Hope very much that she responds well to treatment. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Glad you finally have an answer, and it is something you can treat. Don't really understand why your vet was reluctent to test for Cushings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickchick2000 Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 I too am glad you finally have an answer. Hopefully Stella will start to feel better soon. Quote Alicia and Foster Yoshi ( pit bull) Always in my heart: WV's Milky Way 6/25/2000- 4/22/2013, Hank ( St Bernard/Boxer) ???? - 10/3/2017 and Sweet Pea (English bulldog) 2004 - 6/19/2019 www.etsy.com/your/shops/MuttStuffnc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Whew, that was a long hard slog, wasn't it! Glad you finally have an answer and it's something you can work with. Hugs and scritches to you and Stella, respectively. Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I know that our local holistic vet treats Cushings. Perhaps consult with a holistic vet in your area? I am glad you finally have a DX. So frustrating not knowing what it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 (edited) Glad you finally have an answer, and it is something you can treat. Don't really understand why your vet was reluctent to test for Cushings Well, her labs were pretty much normal except protein in the urine and we had an ultrasound done and her adrenals looked perfectly normal. The ultrasound should have showed us something if it were cushings...and it was done by a board certified specialist, not a general practitioner. There was no reason to test further for cushings from their point of view. Even with pretty much every classic symptom of cushings, the diagnostic results weren't backing up that diagnosis. I got frustrated as hell and we pretty much took a couple months to see what happened or if there was any movement in her labs to point us in a direction. She seemed to actually get a bit better...then a bit worse, which brought us back to the vet and me pretty much insisting they figure SOMETHING out. The new doc at the practice suggested we do the dex test (just in time to prevent me from bringing out the expletives). In hindsight, I wish I'd insisted they done this months ago. --> at myself. But, here we are today and we finally have something to work with. Edited December 23, 2010 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Paula LaPorte, pres. of Forever homes Greyhounds posted this on FB some time ago. I just went back to her older posts. http://www.cesarsway.com/news/dognews/New-Tumor-Research-Saves-Dogs-and-Humans Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Paula LaPorte, pres. of Forever homes Greyhounds posted this on FB some time ago. I just went back to her older posts. http://www.cesarsway.com/news/dognews/New-Tumor-Research-Saves-Dogs-and-Humans wow....that's really interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreysAndMoreGreys Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Glad that you all finally have an answer. Now good thoughts for improvements for Stella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stripeyfan Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Sorry to hear about the Cushings and that your vet took so long to test for it! We had a similar experience when Kelly was really sick earlier this year, we had to change to a new practise before we got the tests he needed to diagnose his IBD, so I know how frustrating it is. Hugs to you and Stella. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 I'm glad you finally have an answer! Buster (non grey) lived many years with cushings, I hope Stella will do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Definitely frustrating, but I'm glad you have a diagnosis! What test did you use? The stim test or the dex one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted December 23, 2010 Share Posted December 23, 2010 Definitely frustrating, but I'm glad you have a diagnosis! What test did you use? The stim test or the dex one? we did the dex test first and the stim test today. she'll also go for another ultrasound as soon as we can get her an appointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MZH Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 12/22 I just wanted to update this thread that we finally have a diagnosis for Stella and it's Cushings. The vet finally agreed to do the dex test, which was positive. We'll do an ACTH stim test and another ultrasound before deciding on a course of treatment. It's nice to finally have an answer, but frustrating we didn't get one sooner. I can't say that I'm thrilled with our vet right now, but that's another matter. Our Cullen (the guy in my avatar) went through all this -- no diagnosis for months. We finally tested for Atypical Cushings and that came back positive -- too much estrogen. The testing was done at U of Tenn. It's hard to watch their bodies change right under your nose when test after test show nothing much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifthounds Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 update in post 1... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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