Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

[Rusty's Mom]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

John,

Wishing you and Roxee the best!! I hope her numbers, her energy and her coordination all continue to improve.

You're in my thoughts and prayers!

MJ

[LuvMyMunchie]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

He's pretty partial to a quick bite of vet tech too, isn't he?

Ahhh, now that you mention it, Alison,.....yes!

L

P.S. John - I'm one of those Moms who owns dog clippers and does something that kind of resembles grooming....mainly because I'm afraid that a professional groomer would most certainly be added to Munchie's "nip list"

[AlisonandMia]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Beth is right...Mom is a favorite for munching but his ultimate favorite is a vet - any vet!

He's pretty partial to a quick bite of vet tech too, isn't he?

[LuvMyMunchie]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

We purchased some not so great canned food today and she munched down. (no offense to Munchie)

No offense taken. Beth is right...Mom is a favorite for munching but his ultimate favorite is a vet - any vet!

Funny that you mention Soloxine....I had started to say why Munchie's weight went down in my post and then decided not to - duh. It was from the dose of Soloxine he was receiving - too much. In 6 months he lost almost 3 lbs. Lowered the dose and increased his food by 10% and his weight has remained stable. I've got him trained to sit on a baby scale so I can check his weight every week just in case I need to do any food adjustments. What us pup owners won't do out of love for our babies!!!

Hope it is something as simple as lowering the dose of Soloxine and that her appetite will improve so she can get a tad more padding on her doggy bod.

Louise

[forscooter]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hey John,

Just checking on you! I don't have much advice to give other than to say that when Bailey goes through the picky eating thing, I stick his food with a little warm water in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Not enough to make it hot....but it seems to release what I refer to as "The Aroma"....and he eats much better. Not sure if that will help with Roxee or not.

I think when any pup is not feeling well it is wise to hold the med just for a little bit. I tend to err on the side of caution myself. I am also glad you'll get some input from Dr. Oliver....he helped me lots! I love him!

A thyroid check is also probably a good idea. If that's off, that can give anyone the yuckies....human and canine alike!

Hoping things perk up very soon!
Hugs, Beth, Bailey and always Scoobie

Meant to add that Munchie's favoritest thing is munching so I think he'll be fine with your reference! I hear his favorite thing to munch is his momma!

[Roxee'sDad]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hi All,
Roxee's doing okay today, thanks for asking. We purchased some not so great canned food today and she munched down. (no offense to Munchie)

No Trilo today. Panting has increased, don't know if she is really tired from her very short walks or in combination with the warmer weather. She would pant some even on the Trilo. Maybe it's time to give her a short break and gain some weight which I am hoping turns into muscle mass.

The only real downside over the last couple of weeks is her very picky apetite. If it smells good to her she'll eat it. Seems to change day to day.

Also considering checking her T4 for thyroid. See if the effects of Trilo has affected her thyroid. May need a reduction in soloxine. Hope so.

Will keep you posted and I'll let you know what the vet comes back with.

John (Roxee's Dad)

[Truffa's Mom]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hi Roxee and John

Wanted to see how your baby was doing and I was worried about her low appetite and weight loss. Hope your vet get in touch with Dr. Oliver at the UTK.

Big smooches to lovely Roxee

Marcela & the Choco Labs

[LuvMyMunchie]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

John,

Haven't got any opinions to give, just wanted to drop by and see how Roxee was doing. I also have had a weight loss issue with Munchie in the past so do know how worrisome that can be.

I hope your vet will be discussing Roxee's case with Dr. Oliver too. I've not had the pleasure, but everything I've ever heard about him has been very positive and the fact that he so readily responds to members here, that says a lot in itself.

Give some extra scritchies to your furbabies from me!!

Louise

[Roxee'sDad]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hi Marianne and Jenny,
It's really good that you are keeping me on my toes. Either way, it's a reference number and it is low, and as has been said, every pup is different.

Roxee is being pretty steady on her feet lately but her weight loss is worrisome. She has been very, very picky about what she wants to eat. I can't believe she gave up soft food for kibble. So now she will eat some "Taste of the Wild" Salmon formula. We'll see how long that last

She is still sleeping thru the night, I actually had to wake her up this morning. So we decided to not give her any Trilo today and see how she does thruogh the day and evening. Might skip a 2nd day too and see how it goes from there.

Hope the vet gets to discuss Roxee case with Dr. Oliver at the UTK.

I really rely on your inputs and opinions, that is why I post, so keep it up.

Belly rubs to your pups.
John (Roxee's Dad)

[labblab]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Regardless of the slight modification of the numbers, your observation was still "right on," Jen -- Roxee's test result is down there at the low end. So your advice remains well taken, to be watching her closely. And you are still very much with the program!

Marianne

[BestBuddy]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Yep that's me, always behind the times.
John, I hope I haven't confused you. I don't like reading off the computer so I have been using the hard copy of the 2007 brochure. I guess I had better get with the program and get myself updated.
Jenny

[labblab]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hi Jenny, I read that the number was 1.45 So now I'm confused.

Belly rubs to all your furr babies.
John (Roxee's Dad)

I think I can solve the mystery...

Up until just the last few months, we had been depending upon Dechra's UK published guidelines in making trilostane treatment and monitoring recommendations. In fact, Jenny was instrumental in obtaining and scanning a hard-to-find, detailed informational brochure for us (thank you again, Jenny!). That 2007 U.K. brochure and flowchart did list a "lower" limit of 50 nmol/l (or 1.8 ug/dl).

However, the newly released 2009 U.S. monitoring flowchart has shifted the "lower" limit down to 40 nmol/l (or 1.45 ug/dl). So I guess we must assume that is Dechra's most current recommendation.

http://www.dechra-us.com/File/vetory..._Flowchart.pdf

Hope that clears up the confusion!

Marianne

[BestBuddy]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hey John,
There are so many numbers out there but the one I was talking about was in the Dechra product info for Vetoryl. The conversion is 27.59 so 50nmo/l comes to 1.8.(I hope my figures are right). Many dogs go below this number and are fine but if you have some strange symptoms at this or lower number then I would seriously consider the 7 day break.
Jenny

[Roxee'sDad]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hi All,
Sent my vet a fax yesterday, thought I would document my concerns and questions in writing giving him a chance to read it and prepare for our coversation. I expressed my concerns about weight loss, continued lowering stim results, UTK and a few other items. He called me this evening, thought the fax thing was a great idea and he agreed to contact Dr. Oliver to discuss Roxee's case and his opinion's on the next steps if any we should take with Roxee.

In the Vetoryl flowchart it says for a post less than 50 nmo/l (1.8) to stop treatment for 7 days and restart at a lower dose.
I would be keeping a close watch on her like you already are doing. Was your vet concerned about the low number?

Hi Jenny, I read that the number was 1.45 So now I'm confused.

Belly rubs to all your furr babies.
John (Roxee's Dad)

[Roxee'sDad]

Re: Roxee, 13 1/2 y.o. Shih-Tzu/Lhasa mix on Trilostane

Hi Jenny and Brother John,
Yes I am concerned and will watch her very closely. Vet said it looks good and to keep her on the 40 mg per day. Will talk to him early next week.

But the weirdist thing, Roxee is stronger, today and tonight than she has been in months. Just truckin along in the yard. and to think, two days ago I was begining to give up hope as she could barely stand. We think she may have hurt her front leg sliding on the very few bare spots on the floor. We've pretty much put throw rugs everywhere she walks but somehow she manages to find a bare spot.

Well, nighty night time.
Belly rubs to all your pups
John (Roxee's Dad)