If you recall, Miss Molly was diagnosed with an atypical form of Cushing’s Disease a couple of months ago. Her body produces too much estradiol, causing a hodgepodge of problems – chronic infections, elevated liver enzymes, and protein in the urine, just to name a few. The University of Tennessee recommended two forms of treatment – melatonin and flaxseed oil with lignans. I gave Molly melatonin tablets every 12 hours until last week. UT recommended discontinuing the melatonin supplement and replacing it with an implant.
I took her to her regular vet for the implant on Tuesday at 5:30 PM. The procedure was complete about five minutes later. Melatonin implants are about the size of a grain of rice, and are implanted in the shoulder area much like a microchip. The cost was approximately $81, but the implant will last from 4 – 6 months.
As for the flaxseed oil with lignans, UT recommended a product called Brevail from Barleans. Imagine my surprise when my order arrived. On the Brevail package was a photo of a woman holding a flower in front of her obviously naked body. It said, “For women’s breast health, PMS, mood, and menopause support.”
I have to take Molly back to UT next Tuesday. Her right ear is still terribly infected, and nothing seems to be helping. On the bright side, however, she is now mellow, cramp-free, and will be competing in a wet t-shirt contest next month!
July 9th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
81 bucks is pretty darn good for something that will last about 6 months
July 9th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Mike - Yep, $81 is not bad at all. That’s cheaper than buying the tablets!
July 9th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
That’s great - hope that will do the trick for her. My Mum remembers Barleans from when she bar tended at a health food juice bar in Dallas in her younger days. It was always the ‘older’ women who asked for it.
BTW - have you ever heard of Traumeel? It’s a great healing ointment that my Mum uses on me. And we’re looking forward to the photos of the t-shirt contest!
July 10th, 2007 at 3:50 am
Johann - Haha! Guess Molly is one of those “older” women. She’s 8 years old this year! I haven’t heard of Traumeel, but I’ll look it up online. Might be worth buying to keep on hand for my dogs! Thanks for the tip!
July 10th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Hope it helps. Buffy suffers from ear problems, I have to bring her to the vet for a good ear cleaning about every six months or so. Part of the problem is that she refuses to let me clean her ears, she goes crazy when I try.
Thanks for visiting my blog and hope you come back. I’m enjoying yours so far.
(And I’m a little younger than my profile said
July 10th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I got a nice little .22 that will solve both your problems. I love my dogs, but there comes a time…
Once did 9 cats in a day for fellow that was going to drown them…scoped .22 is much more humane, don’t you think?
July 11th, 2007 at 8:28 am
John - Thanks for stopping by! And I’m so glad to hear that you’re younger than your profile stated!
Mushy - A .22 won’t solve my problems at all. Nor will it solve Molly’s. She is a good dog and deserves to live a long, healthy life. I think all animals deserve that. And no - a .22 is never humane. And you should be ashamed about those cats. The most humane thing to do would have been to take them to a no-kill shelter where they could stay until adopted. I still love ya, Mush, but I really don’t like you right now!
July 11th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I think it’s time you invest in that Wonder Bra you’ve been promising her.
July 11th, 2007 at 8:59 am
No such thing in those days…may not have even been a shelter.
Anyway, I hates cats!
July 11th, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Hi Tish!!! Wanted to stop by and tell you about our Love those Fruits/Veggies Link Love project. Stop by and see if you’d like to participate - you dog lover you!!!
July 11th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
I’m going to be going back through your Cushing’s posts because we havea miniature schnauzer that we think has Cushing’s. It’s a long process to get diagnosed, but I hope we’re getting closer!
July 11th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Just think, if she wins, she could pay for you to go on a vacation.
Hope that all of her treatments go well.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
I need some melatonin implants.
July 14th, 2007 at 12:12 am
Tiffany - Great idea!
Mushy - What’s wrong with cats?
Johann - Thanks! I’ll definitely play along!
Andi - It took more than 4 months to diagnose Molly. I hope your diagnosis comes soon so you can figure out how to proceed!
Dan - Thanks! A vacation would be nice!
Binsk - Haha! I have a bottle of tablets that you can have!
November 8th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
[...] flaxseed oil with lignans to control the estradiol levels. As an alternative to oral supplements, melatonin is available as an implant. The implant is quickly and painlessly inserted under the skin, costs approximately $80, and lasts [...]