Archie Goodwin - On The Cushings

It seems to be a particularly well placed Noun, but since it can easily be confused with the sound of "cushions", a little dog might think this whole worry and fret might be a good thing.

Cushings is not a good thing.  In June 2009, I did not know that the Pancreatitis Archie has had since 2004 has caused other problems, such as the stopped up gall bladder and the IBS.  Both of those problems have lead to very tiny microscopic tumors in his liver and gall bladder - aka gall stones.  Urinary Tract Infection and the vomiting are the symptoms we treated with Baytril and Metronidazole, and a low dose pain medication.  That was the short term.  The Long Term Treatment was Prescription Diet food for IBS, low fat every thing.



ArchieBloodTestResults

It has been 18 months since we settled the last flare up, in July 2010, and as you can see by the above chart, the progress is holding steady, an increase of 227 in his ALT every 3 months.  That's what is was the Summer of 2010, and the trend remains the same.  The Treatment Protocol has changed just a bit, even though the symptoms are identical:  Clovimax for both Urinary Tract Infection and IBS, 40mg Asperin for pain.  The newest behavior is whimpering and crying in his sleep, so I am guessing the asperin is barely touching his pain.

I'm just not sure where to go with this, because it never dawned on me that I would actually have to face the end of his life.  He has been my extension for 11 years, 5 months, 24 days and counting.  If he ever learned to talk I would be ruined.

What is the next step?  How many flare ups and treatment series does it take to destroy a dog's liver?  As of right now, the Veterinary costs are running $250/flare up, $30/month in Prescription Food.  That is not unreasonable, and he is taking the pills without fuss. So far we are running 18 months between Flare Ups so this might be just an annoyance until he reaches 20.  *Yes, I am getting every last drop out of him**

For now, we treat.  I will keep him comfortable and free from pain.  He's a tad bit slower, but none the worse for wear!

Update on Archie

We had the ultrasound today to determine what the next steps are to fix this enlarged liver and adrenal glands.  Turns out everything is enlarged due to a bad pancreas and a stopped up gall bladder - what a relief - no tumors no cancer.

There is, however, early stages of Cushings, but because we have caught it now, it is completely treatable.

Archie is already feeling better with pain meds, anti nausea and antibiotics.  He ran down the hallway this afternoon for the first time in 8 days.  He jumped onto the couch and he ate his dinner - both firsts in about 4 days.  So at least I know that I caught whatever this is early enough to fix it.

Good news all the way around.  It's a good thing I let the Banfield folks in Vegas talk me into a Premium Health Plan - I only paid $490 out of pocket for a $1200 vet bill.

The Amazing Transformation of Archie Goodwin – April 2007

The Amazing Transformation of Mr. Archie Goodwin

Or… How Vegas has been better to my dog than it has to me!

Eight months ago I packed up my belongings and my dog and traipsed across Death Valley to the City of Sin. At that time, it was a quest for survival as I watched my thriving little consulting business get choked into oblivion.

Mr. Archie Goodwin had been a sheltered, fat little spoiled Chihuahua. He had a nanny to walk him. He had a neighbor Chihuahua to play with him. He was never required to be socialized beyond the limited contact with the outside world than was absolutely necessary.

Archie had acquired a severe large-dog aggression which stemmed from being attacked by a 2 year old Australian Shepherd in late 2004. From that point on, he was viciously fearful of any and all large dogs. After a time, that aggression branched out to all dogs over 20 pounds. Finally, just before the drive across the desert, it had grown to encompass any dog larger than himself.

When we got to Las Vegas, I immediately began a search for a dog sitter. I had become accustomed to indulging Archie's anti-social behavior. He loved the dog sitter and was pretty much a happy camper for the first 3 months we spent here in Las Vegas.

Around month four, there was a change in our financial situation and I could no longer afford the $125/week it was costing for Archie's dog sitter. I was in PetsMart one day and saw the PetsHotel. I found that it was significantly less money than the dog sitter and it was on the way to my office. My hours had changed and I was now able to drop him at the hotel at 7am each morning.

After the requisite round of shots and vet visits, Archie began day care 2 days a week. Hs first week in Day Care, Archie weighed a whopping 18.6 pounds. I slowly worked him up to 3, then 4 and eventually 5 days a week of day care. This option allowed Archie 1 hour of play time in an air conditioned atrium with other small dogs. At first it was very hard on him – he was essentially forced to socialize with other dogs.

At about the one month mark, Archie started to blossom and become a bit of a social butterfly. So I decided to start introducing some day camp days during the week. I started with 2 days a week in day camp and 3 in day care. I noticed a significant change in him immediately. He was happy, alert, well behaved and healthy. Eventually he worked up to daily day camp and the official social butterfly of the PetsHotel. With 3 girls to keep him company he has become quite the lothario of the Hotel! Archie is not allowed to bark at home – I have a strict "No Barking" policy and have worked hard at instilling the command in him. At the Hotel, however, he barks all day, continuously. It seems to be part of his character!! He still doesn't bark at home, so maybe it's good he gets al the barking out at Day Camp!

At the end of July, Archie had been in Day Care/Camp for a full 4 months and he seemed thinner. One evening after check out, I weighed him and was floored. I took him off the scale and reset the computer – weighed him again – and literally cried out in joy. Archie weighed 12.6 pounds! By mid-August, he has weighed in at 11.4 pounds!!!

I am completely aghast at the transformation. The PetsHotel has changed my angry fat little anti-social dog, in a sleek, loving, well adjusted social butterfly. He is well behaved and very snuggly.

The Adventures of Cat-Dog!

Nesta the cat moved in to the apartment over the weekend of July 29^th. No one really knew about her, that is to say, there was no evidence of a cat in the building, for the first 5 days. Archie could smell her, but he was with Xoe most of the time and couldnt be bothered.

About 9 days into Nestas arrival at the apartment, she encountered the downstairs Dalmatians. The dog to cat ratio is already 5 to 1, however 3 of those 5 are under 10 pounds each. Its the Dalmatians at 40 pounds each which tip the balance of power in the Threat Quotient for the cat!

On one of the fine afternoons which found me deep in the midst of absolutely nothing, I heard a commotion in the back yard. Within seconds, Nesta came bolting full speed through my kitchen, living room and out onto the front balcony. Hot on her heels was one of the Dalmatians. As Nesta charged past I stood up from my prone position on the couch. In the split second it took me to realize it was the female Dalmatian, Daphne, I could feel both Nesta and Archie looking at me, the only other Alpha Female in the room.

My movement startled Daphne, and she came to a skidding stop at the entrance to the living room from the kitchen.

Archie and I are standing in the middle of the living room, completely amazed. As soon as I made eye contact with Daphne, a mere fraction of a second, she turned around and slowly walked out the back door. No trouble here, she quietly conveyed, my mistake, wrong apartment, so sorry. And down the back steps she went.

From behind my heels, Archie let out a bark. I couldnt criticize because I was as surprised as he was.

Archie and I immediately turned and looked for Nesta, who never circled back around to the only open door in the apartment. I found her on my front patio wall, perched on all fours, slightly puffed up and completely pissed off. I gently picked her up, being careful of her back claws. We walked very slowly through the apartment and as we passed through the kitchen, she gave a very quiet but very angry growl. I opened her back door and let her jump down into her Kitchen. She poured out of my arms and took off into her apartment. I didnt see the poor thing for another 5 days.

Nesta finally began to sun herself on the back steps, but only at the very top, and only when no one was around. After a couple of days, she let Archie join her at a polite distance in her morning sun bath. This seemed to suit her, because any unauthorized noise, bird or squirrel was given a very fierce bark from Archie. The Anti-Dalmatian Alliance was sealed on the back porch of Casa Appleton.

Archie and Nesta began visiting again in the apartments. Sometimes Nesta would come and perch on the arm of our couch. Other days, Archie would join Nesta in her living room for an afternoon sun bath.

If we were visiting Nesta, she would perch on the back of the couch and watch everyone. Occasionally she would come down to the floor, where Archie would try and play. A bop on the nose from Nesta gave Archie clear instruction that the Alpha in the ADA was clearly Nesta.

Nesta practically became drunk with her new found power. Not only was she in charge of the ADA, but a dog was actually terrified of her. The self confidence in her demeanor were clearly evident.

It wasnt until Archies Nana came to visit that I saw the full impact of Nestas influence on Archie.

Nana has taken up rescuing Boxers. As a result, Archie has two new cousins, Criquette and Paddington. He hates them both. Its the Large Dog Aggression that he continues to carry since his mauling by an Australian Shepherd when he was four years old.

Nana brought Paddington, aka Paddy, to spend the night with us. Archie watched in complete horror as this dog came into his sacred apartment. Archie sat perched on the arm of the chair continuously for 15 hours while Nana and Paddy spent the night.

When I went to his perch to see what was so upsetting, I discovered that from his vantage, he had a birds eye view of the living room and the bedroom. Anywhere Paddy went, Archie could see him.

He refused to give Nana the usual greeting of yipping and licking. She didnt smell right, and that other dogs scent was everywhere! His temperature went up and he laid on the arm of the chair with his head down and looking completely dejected. It was at that point, late in the evening, that I discovered the depth of Archies anger. He had dug his front paws into the arm of the chair so hard that he put a dent in the foam! He was shaking and acting sick. He would not let anyone touch him and ran from everyone except me.

The next night, Nana and Paddy had left and we were getting into bed. Archie refused to go under the covers. When I tried to bring him up to the pillows he jumped away as though his paws were burning. I realized he was so pissed off that Paddington slept in his bed that he wouldnt even sit where Paddy had been on the bed. I had to get the Pink Blanket, place it over the area where Paddington had been, and only then would Archie settle down and go to sleep.

Nesta has taught Archie the fine art of indignation and denial. Any area that was previously lacking a feline flavor in Archies personality has been adequately addressed and corrected, now that Nesta has become Archies pal.

Im not sure Im ready for the Cat-Dog!