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Monday, March 28, 2011

A Note From Joey and Maggie: Please Stand By


Dear Gentle Readers,

We just wanted to let you know that like your 'Long and Short of it All' host 'Joey,' updates will be a bit spotty this week.  We're hoping that we may be able to squeeze in just a few as the week progresses, but we're unsure at this point.  We should be back to speed next week. 
Everything is OK on the home front - Joey is doing amazingly well as we continue to treat him for Addison's Disease after his surgery last fall for adrenal-dependent Cushing's Disease and spleenectomy.  He got his monthly DOCP shot yesterday (OUCH!)  and continues to get oral prednisone and ursodiol every day.  He's a happy boy.
We wish that we had such good news to report for 'Maggie.'  We're still having trouble getting her meds stablized for her pituitary-dependent Cushing's Disease.  We took her in for levels a few weeks ago, and her cortisol level is 5-10 times where it should be.  So, we doubled her dose of trilostane, and will do follow-up levels this coming Saturday.  To top things off, she has developed a nasty tumor on her anus.  It was aspirated, and is "most likely" benign, so we are thankful for that.  She will have to have surgery to have it removed soon, but we've got to get her Cushing's under control before such a procedure.  We'll know more after Saturday's visit to the vet.  She spends a lot of time sleeping and trying to get comfortable because her big belly from her Cushing's really gets in the way.  We can't tell if she's a happy girl because she doesn't wag her tail anymore - she's embarrassed about her tumor and keeps her tail tucked in at all times.  Hoping Saturday's vet visit goes well and we can schedule to get her tumor removed.  We miss her wagging tail.

Yours in Dachshund Love,
Joey and Maggie....
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29 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Hi Joey and Maggie, we are sending good healing vibes your way Maggie, and crossing our paws for a speedy recovery. You can do it girl Get well soon, your 4 cyberspace friends from Quebec Canada
    XXX and woofs, LollyPop, Sass, Shilo and Miss Maggie

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  2. Tracy and LouieMarch 28, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Hi Joey and Maggie,

    My Louie's cortisol numbers were through the roof, but it was determined that a bunch of begign anal tumors were the cause of the elevated numbers. Please make sure your vet understands there is a corralation between anal tumors and cortisol levels. A shot of female hormones shrunk the tumors in less than 2 weeks (Louis is 13 and we really did not want to have to surgery on them)... It was truly a miracle as the tumors were so big they were close to obstructing his ability to go to the bathroom and the vet said he would become incontinent if something wasn't done to them soon... A month later, they are completely gone! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at trc171@aol.com. Hope Maggie feels better!!!

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  3. Jayne D. and AnnieBelleMarch 28, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Maggie, Joey and Carson, Just wanted to let you know - we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, and praying that all will soon be well. As Gilda Radner used to say "It's always something!!" With love, Jayne and Annie

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  4. BaxromanaMarch 28, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Hi Joey and Maggie, we'll be keeping Maggie in prayer that the effort to get the cortisol levels stabilized will happen soon. Then, surgery for the tumor removal so she can be back to her tail wagging self.

    Baxter's Mom and Dad

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  5. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Dear Joey and Maggie...so sorry to hear about your medical and medicine problems. I hope you both will have everything straightened out soon and that Maggie will be back to wagging her tail. What a lovely Mom and Dad you have to take such good of you both. Sending you a warm and loving WOOF, Baron

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  6. firstyouleapMarch 28, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Much love to our dear Maggie. I so enjoyed looking into that face last week (while she was really waiting for her dad's lap to free up!) Such a sweetheart, we need to get that tail wagging again. Love to Joey and Carson too! Melinda and Jeeves

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  7. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Hang in there!! You have all the love and support of your many readers and there is strength in numbers!! Take care of each other!!

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  8. sundoxMarch 28, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Sending get well wishes your way....

    You have beautiful dogs and you are very good doxie parents....

    your friends,
    Kristi, Schatzi, Savannah and Brandee

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  9. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    Dear Maggie! Big woof from the north of Germany. We're sending you love, prayers and lots of positive energy. You are on our minds, especially on Saturday. Don't be afraid. We love you! Tobi & Ani

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  10. AnneMarch 28, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    hang in Maggie - we are wagging our tails in your honor to get to feeling better SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    sending all of our love and prayers your way!
    -Roxie Lou, Coco Beane and Auntie Em

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  11. Rowdy and BetteMarch 28, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Thanks for all the love and support - Maggie is actually sicker than thought, she would not eat breakfast this morning after we posted, so it was off to the vet's in case she was having an Addisonian's crisis from too much medication. She vomited once we got there as well.
    @ Tracy and Louie - thanks for the tip on the anal tumors and cortisol levels. Will bring up to the vet tonight when Maggie will hopefully come home.

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  12. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Sending all our love and good wishes for Maggie's health and happiness from Tel Aviv! I hope the vet will be able to tell you more tonight, and that whatever
    (s)he has to say will put your mind at ease.

    Let's get that tail waggin' again, Maggie!

    Hugs from,
    Becky and Michael the dog

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  13. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Please get a Biopsy on the tumor, one of ours had a anal tumor and it was cancerous ( his type had a 75% survival rate )and he was gone from us in 8 months. Have them be AGGRESSIVE with removing the tumor so the margin around it is wide. Ours wasnt and it came back and took him from us as well as not getting a 2nd opinion, our mistake. Better safe than heart broken,

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  14. Oscar and HansMarch 28, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    We have our paws crossed and our tails wagging for Maggie! We will be thinking of her throughout the week.

    Here's hoping she is back to her wigglebutt self soon! WOOF!

    --Oscar and Hans

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  15. mamamouseiamMarch 28, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Sending hugs and best wishes your way, Maggie. And you, too, dad! Our dogs are such an integral part of our lives, and it's heartbreaking to see them in pain. You'll all be in our thoughts.

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  16. Rowdy and BetteMarch 28, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Thanks again for all the well-wishes and prayers. We did do an aspiration on the tumor, and it is "most likely" benign. This was sent out to a lab, and not done in the doctors office.
    Today just gets worse - after taking Maggie in to the vets this morning for what most likely would have been an overdose of trilostane for her Cushing's, it turns out that she has pancreatitis. Her lipase was over 6,000. So, she will be at the hospital for 3 days on IV's, hopefully she will get better and won't have to need more intense care with TPN, etc after 3 days.

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  17. Jayne D. and AnnieBelleMarch 28, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    Continuing to keep you all in our prayers, Carson, Maggie and Joey. May tomorrow bring better news about sweet Maggie and may she feel better very soon. With love, Jayne and Annie

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  18. WhitMarch 28, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Aww poor Maggie! Get better soon!

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  19. JonathanMarch 28, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Maggie,
    Get well soon from two of your fans deep in the heart of Texas.
    Dex and Red

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  20. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Dear Maggie, I join with everyone else my prayers for your recovery and wait eagerly to see your beautiful presence and wagging tail! God and St Francis hold you in their kind, loving hands...your Florida fan, Baron

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  21. intelliwenchMarch 28, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Scooter Pie says feel better soon!

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  22. BruceMarch 28, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Dear God please touch these Doxies with your healing hands. Help them & their parents in Jesus name.Angels around & about you. Love from Oklahoma.

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  23. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Dad Carson,

    Our Minnie (who also has Cushings and is on trilostane) went through a bad bout of pancreatitis last fall. After a week she pulled out of it and now is on a HillsWD-only diet. She recovered amazingly well and her trilostane dose is back down to where it was before. We're all praying for Maggie to pull out of this setback as soon as possible.

    Minnie, Nelly, Kirby, Henry and Mom Lynette in San Diego

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  24. AnonymousMarch 28, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Please know that we are all pulling for you and we know you are doing all you can for your Maggie. You have really had a tough go of it lately and your strength and love is to be admired. Hang in there and trust the process and remember to breathe and take care of yourself.

    You are in everyone's thoughts tonite.

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  25. Keren HeningMarch 29, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    My mom - may she rest in peace - worked as a distributor for Hill's dog foods for over 20 years at Sharpe and Vejar in L.A. I always smile when I hear of a pupper getting Hill's Prescription Diet foods. We're sending Maggie healing thoughts from The Herd in Baltimore!

    Auntie Keren and Guinness, Merlin, Dr. Beau Leaky and Miz ImaDoraBelle.

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  26. JablanaMarch 29, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    keeping our paws crossed and sending lots of love and good wishes your way...

    Princes Lea...
    dont forget kisses for Joey!;)

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  27. Hi, I'm Peach!March 29, 2011 at 3:04 AM

    We are praying for Joey & Maggie!

    Lots of love & licks,

    Charlotte, Maggie, Sammy & Kohana

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  28. AliciaMarch 29, 2011 at 8:09 AM

    Prayers and healing thoughts for the lovely Maggie. She needs to be able to happily wag her tail again soon and be healthy!

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  29. Tracy & LouieMarch 29, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Keeping you all in our prayers - Maggie is a tough cookie so before you know it that little tail will be wagging happily again! Love from Tracy & Louie

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