Chipper + Cat Food = Ick! Ick! Ick!

[ramanth]

A very sweet woman named Michelle just called. She is a internal medicine student there at MSU and wanted to go over some of the procedures they will be doing today. There was a lot to cover but I think I can remember it all from my hastily jotted notes.

They said they got a sample from his latest diarreha and they are going to check it for parasites. A flotation to look for eggs and a smear to look for an overgrowth of bacteria.

If he does have parasites they do not plan to just sign it off as the problem as parasites could be secondary to something bigger.

He has been given the wormer panacure in the meantime though.

Although Dr. Beal feels strongly it's Addison's, the internist doctors, Dr. Byle and Dr. Ruckland want to cover all the bases and not put their eggs in one basket so to speak.

Chipper will undergo an abdominal ultrasound today where they will look for signs of Gastro-Intestinal issues such as IBD, pancreatis, and colitis. If they see anything suspicious during the procedure they will needle the cells for a biopsy.

Cancer is not totally out of the question but they don't feel it's the underlining issue. More of a better safe than sorry procedure.

In the meantime, they'll await the blood work back for signs of Addison. As it stands, his steriod levels are low (which are controlled by the adrenal glands) but his electrolytes are fine and with Addison's they are typically imbalanced. His protein levels are also low but that could be due to a gastro intestinal issue and not necessarily Addison's.

One of the internists will still be in touch later this afternoon to answer any questions and explain the procedures more or how they are doing.

~~~
Molly, I'd love to come visit. I don't think we have anything going on that day but of course we'll have to see how Chipper is doing.

[mugsy]

That little man has been through hell! Lucky for him Andy fell in love eh? I can't wait to meet him!! I'm excited now! I sure hope the tests show something conclusive so that you don't have to be guessing anymore.

[.sarah]

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that Chipper has not be feeling good, but I'm glad he's doing better today. I hope he continues to improve

[RedHedd]

Oh Kimmy! Poor Chipper sure has been through a lot but I'm glad to hear he's feeling more .... chipper I do hope they get to the bottom of this and that Chipper has many more years of good health with you and yours.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that Chipper is doing much better. Now hopefully the doctors will be able to find out what's been causing his illness. I'm still keeping him in my thoughts and prayers.

[Jakesmom]

Just an FYI, your vet probably knows this info. If you are sick and have an inadequate adrenal response (ie, your cortisol is not as elevated as it should be by the stress of your illness), you will be even sicker. You will improve with steroids, like Chipper did, but it won't cure or treat the underlying illness. It would be unusual for Addison's to not have abnormal electrolytes (and its pretty amazing if his electrolytes were normal with all the vomiting and diarrhea, but they produce opposite electrolyte changes so sometimes they sort of cancel each other out when you check labs).

So, good for the vets that they are continuing to look and not be satisfied with his initial response to the steroids. Hopefully Addison's is it, as it would be easy to treat.

Jakesmom

[shais_mom]

I slept thru the morning and am so glad to come here and see that at least you are 'getting' somewhere!
still sending prayers and lots of love!

[ramanth]

Deep breaths... deeeep calming breaths.

Okay.... bad news and good news.

Dr. Byle called to introduce himself as the doctor that took Chipper's case. The bad news is that because Chipper was given food, they can't run the tests today that they want too, since Chipper needs to fast for 8 hours. Also since he was given medicine, it might skew some of the results.

They also want to wait for the results on the ACTH looking for Addison's. And Dr. Byle was told those results won't come in until tonight.

They can however do the ultrasound which he will under go in a couple of hours.

So this is how it will go.

Tonight they will draw blood after his 8 hour fast. If the ACTH comes back positive they will not do any other tests and will start treatment accordingly.

If the ACTH comes back negative, they would like to take the blood taken after his fast and do a:

1. Bio Acid test - checks the liver
2. Cobalamin/Folate, PLI, and TLI - test is sent to Texas; will be a week before results are in
3. and a GI endoscope - 3-4 days for results

Good news really is that they are being thourough and I really want Chipper to get better. But it comes with a price.

Right now the bill is at $1,100. With the ultrasound, it goes to $1,500. If he has Addison's, that's the total cost. Dr. Byle says it's possible but unlikely though.

If those other tests have to be run, the cost plus his additional stay at the clinic will run about $3,000.



Time to rob a bank. Deeeep breaths.

[.sarah]

Wow, I'm so sorry! I know how you feel though, Buck's emergency surgery last month was over $1,000... Money that I definetly do not having lying around!

[Barbara]

Kimmy,
I read this just now. I am so sorry for all that trouble for poor Chipper and for you. Hope everything goes ok with the tests.

[ramanth]

Just thought I'd share the past couple of days in pictures....

Thanksgiving Day:

Outside enjoying the warm weather and sun


Playing with Sasha, Seamus, and Kia


My sister giving him a big hug and kiss


Saturday, Nov. 25th:

Asked them to get in their crates. Kia got into Chipper's and Chipper followed her. You can see he is a very different dog than on Thanksgiving..




Sunday, Nov. 26th:

Started to perk up. Went outside with Kia in the morning to people watch.


Then decided that my sleeping bag made a pretty nice bed.


Monday, Nov. 27th:

Crashed out on the couch with Kia


Then sharing it with Zam


Tuesday evening, Nov. 28th:

Trying to give him some Pedialyte.

[dragondawg]

Just an FYI, your vet probably knows this info. If you are sick and have an inadequate adrenal response (ie, your cortisol is not as elevated as it should be by the stress of your illness), you will be even sicker. You will improve with steroids, like Chipper did, but it won't cure or treat the underlying illness. It would be unusual for Addison's to not have abnormal electrolytes (and its pretty amazing if his electrolytes were normal with all the vomiting and diarrhea, but they produce opposite electrolyte changes so sometimes they sort of cancel each other out when you check labs).

So, good for the vets that they are continuing to look and not be satisfied with his initial response to the steroids. Hopefully Addison's is it, as it would be easy to treat.

Jakesmom

Disturbances in electrolytes is usually only found in primary Addison's disease or where the adrenal glands themselves are incapable of producing insufficient cortisol. When in the rare event sodium/potassium levels become imbalanced in secondary Addison's disease especially high potassium it can lead to rapid heart failure.

Vomiting, lethargy are common symptoms. Signs of Kidney failure can occur, and that sometimes misleads the Vet. An ACTH challenge test is the only true test that will confirm Addison's disease, and it's a given the Vet school will run that test to measure the adrenal response.

The most common cause of secondary Addison's is prolonged administration of a cortisteroid such as Prednisone and stopping suddenly. If external drugs are not involved another common cause is a Pituitary tumor. It suppresses the Adrenal glands production of cortisol. Usually the tumor is very slow growing and not addressed. Other secondary hormonal causes which suppress adrenal function can cause secondary Addison's disease.

Treatment consists of the administration of oral fludrocortisone acetate (Flurinaf) for the rest of the dog's life. It will be important to minimize stressful conditions e.g. avoid hot/cold environmental temperatures. Likewise a controlled diet will be important in the future.

It sounds like the Vet school is doing a very complete, and excellent job with the diagnostics.