westmbn
01-05-2010, 08:30 PM
Hi, all! I have not been here in a couple years. I have been keeping in touch with Sharon (ventilate) and she encouraged me to post an update on Molly.
As a reminder for those who may have forgotten us, Molly was diagnosed with Cushings in early 2006. She spiraled out of control quickly and a trip to Texas A&M detected a macroadenoma. She stayed at A&M for a month receiving radiation. A few months later we moved to South Carolina leaving our beloved vet behind.
Molly is still with us. We have found fantastic vets here in Greenville, SC as well. We still keep in touch with our very favorite vet in Fort Worth. Molly has aged quite a bit (although she is only 8.5). She has been very stable since we moved, but over the summer she started having strange "episodes". She would not want to eat (a beagle with Cushings should definitely want to eat!), she would just seem off some days, etc. Her IMS recommended an MRI to see if she was having mini-strokes so we would stop chasing other things. The MRI showed brain inflammation (a form of menengitis) and large tumors in her ear canals (internally). Up to this point Molly had not shown any specific discomfort with her ears, so we had no reason to suspect anything there. The vets now think the tumors are putting pressure on her brain and causing these episodes on occasion.
Of course, with all that Molly has been through, we do not want to do too much more to her. The only way they can determine the severity of the tumors is to do major surgery and we have decided she has had enough poking and prodding. Her vet is in complete agreement and believes it's time to just keep Molly comfortable. She still doesn't show obvious signs of pain, but some days she shakes her head a bit and might hold one ear down.
Otherwise, she is eating great, is perky and wagging her tail and seems very happy. She does not have the stamina she used to have, but is still a very sweet and special girl. All the vets and techs at our specialist clinic know her well and always love seeing her. We're pleased with how well her Cushing's has stayed controlled since the radiation. However, we do believe the radiation caused the tumors. No way to prove that though.
Her brother Duke (non-Cushings) has injured his back and has a bulging disk. He is going through the pre-surgery stuff (CT scan, eval, etc.) and will be having surgery in the next couple weeks. Otherwise he is doing well, too.
We are enjoying South Carolina and are very thankful we've found such good vets here, too. I hope all of you "oldies" are doing well and I hope all the "newbies" are finding this site to be as helpful and comforting as I did when I started this journey.
Sue, Sharon mentioned that Zoe had an episode at Christmas. Hope she has recovered (and you too) and that she continues to truck along. I was sad to hear about Sharon losing Nike. I feel like many of you are my family and your losses hurt me, too. But I know Nike has plenty of friends in doggie heaven and one day she can show Molly around up there. Hopefully not anytime soon though. :D
Happy New Year to you all!
- Brandi and Molly
As a reminder for those who may have forgotten us, Molly was diagnosed with Cushings in early 2006. She spiraled out of control quickly and a trip to Texas A&M detected a macroadenoma. She stayed at A&M for a month receiving radiation. A few months later we moved to South Carolina leaving our beloved vet behind.
Molly is still with us. We have found fantastic vets here in Greenville, SC as well. We still keep in touch with our very favorite vet in Fort Worth. Molly has aged quite a bit (although she is only 8.5). She has been very stable since we moved, but over the summer she started having strange "episodes". She would not want to eat (a beagle with Cushings should definitely want to eat!), she would just seem off some days, etc. Her IMS recommended an MRI to see if she was having mini-strokes so we would stop chasing other things. The MRI showed brain inflammation (a form of menengitis) and large tumors in her ear canals (internally). Up to this point Molly had not shown any specific discomfort with her ears, so we had no reason to suspect anything there. The vets now think the tumors are putting pressure on her brain and causing these episodes on occasion.
Of course, with all that Molly has been through, we do not want to do too much more to her. The only way they can determine the severity of the tumors is to do major surgery and we have decided she has had enough poking and prodding. Her vet is in complete agreement and believes it's time to just keep Molly comfortable. She still doesn't show obvious signs of pain, but some days she shakes her head a bit and might hold one ear down.
Otherwise, she is eating great, is perky and wagging her tail and seems very happy. She does not have the stamina she used to have, but is still a very sweet and special girl. All the vets and techs at our specialist clinic know her well and always love seeing her. We're pleased with how well her Cushing's has stayed controlled since the radiation. However, we do believe the radiation caused the tumors. No way to prove that though.
Her brother Duke (non-Cushings) has injured his back and has a bulging disk. He is going through the pre-surgery stuff (CT scan, eval, etc.) and will be having surgery in the next couple weeks. Otherwise he is doing well, too.
We are enjoying South Carolina and are very thankful we've found such good vets here, too. I hope all of you "oldies" are doing well and I hope all the "newbies" are finding this site to be as helpful and comforting as I did when I started this journey.
Sue, Sharon mentioned that Zoe had an episode at Christmas. Hope she has recovered (and you too) and that she continues to truck along. I was sad to hear about Sharon losing Nike. I feel like many of you are my family and your losses hurt me, too. But I know Nike has plenty of friends in doggie heaven and one day she can show Molly around up there. Hopefully not anytime soon though. :D
Happy New Year to you all!
- Brandi and Molly