My Update..posted in dog forum on Julie, in Nov. 2009

Just to update you.... with all the problems my poor Julie has, now something else cropped up..totally unrelated to Julie's Cushings, Pancreatitis, Heart disease, Kidneys, spots on lungs & gall bladder....was I ever shocked to find this.
Last week Julie had Laser surgery on a huge mass in back & under her tongue, on the left side & on the right side too. Thats small though..like a pea.  We were scared to do this but had no choice. The Vet told me that they use this newer anesthesia...used for infants in hospitals, & now being used on dogs. She said that it is so safe. I let her do it.
Julie came out of it like a trooper!  I was called at 3 pm to come get her..she was supposed to stay there for 2 days.
She was doing so good that they felt that keeping her there, would stress her out. I was prepared for the worst but she survived &  I took her home that same day & she did great. She is still good & healing.
This anesthesia is so encouraging for pets with compromised immune systems.

As far as food goes, I feed her Hills I/D can food & add fat free chicken broth to soften it. She likes it.
For dry food I gave her Hills K/D. She did like it at first, than tasted Purina One lamb & rice & loves this one.
So I gave in & give Julie Purina One Dry food. So what I thought. I just want her to eat. I tell her it's her treat & she eats it thinking thats her treat. lol  I also give her Yams..I cook & mash them, with her pills.  She loves it.
I now give her thin sliced carrots, cooked well, also as treats. Maybe once a week I give her rice & chicken that I cook for her. I did give her a taste of roast beef tonight...very little.  I have virtually stopped giving Julie all table food.
By my doing this, no pancreatitis attacks in 2 months...knock on wood.

Thank you to those of you who made me realize to STOP giving her table food. I have prolonged her life by doing this.

I urge everyone to try to get your dog VPI Pet Insurance or any Pet Insurance.. This saved her life many times. Without it, her treatments & Meds & many days & nights at Vets, would have been way too expensive.

I just thank God for every day that Julie is with us. She is happy, she eats to kill & drinks tons of water. She also sleeps alot too. She pee's alot & poops alot...outside. No diarreah nor vomiting..for now.  We never leave her alone.
Her back legs are weak at times. Is that from her severe arthritis or her Cushings?? No-one knows for sure but for now, she never falls down. After reading many of your posts, I am trying to prepare for any of the many awful things that can happen to her, at moments notice.  My heart goes out to all of you with a sick dog.
Feel free to contact me for any info that you need. I will do my best to help.
If anyone has suggestions for me, I'd be glad to hear them.