Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

I must have missed something, who is Sonja?

Trish,
Sonja is Apollo 6 or Angel Apollo on the forum. Apollo passed A few months back. Sonja lives in the city where I live. She contacted me and offered support in case I needed help with Buddy. She pops up on the forum from time to time. We exchanged contact information a month or so ago. I sent her an email to see if she knew a reasonable price IMS in our city that I could take Buddy too. Now you're caught up. I love it that you care enough to want to know Trish.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Oh of course, I have seen her posts about her beautiful little Apollo. That is very kind of her to offer support like that, hope she has some good tips on an IMS for you and the Budster. xxx

Kathy:
Just thought about Buddy when I was awake last night. Do you think the lizards have some sort of toxin on their skin, or pee when he catches them, and he is being poisoned by them? Just a long shot, but hey everything we seem to do is a long shot with this disease. I thought maybe this could be the cause of his head tremors, as this could possibly effect him neurologically???? Just trying to help out. Blessings
Patti

oooo...good thought! Lead me to wonder about chemicals - pesticides, etc - the lizards may have come in contact with that might transfer to Buddy.

Very interesting thought...No chemicals or pesticides are ever used in the backyard. However the lizards might be coming from a neighbor's yard where chemicals and pesticides are used. We live on a corner lot with neighbors on two sides. The chemicals may not be on the lizards themselves, but he could be sniffing something through the fences. The lizards are usually found along the fence line. Buddy is very sensitive to everything due to allergies, so it is possible. Thank you ladies.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Okay, all of the stress is getting to me and making me a little more loopy than usual! :eek::rolleyes:;):D I made myself some oatmeal for breakfast this morning and absentmindedly put it in Buddy's bowl!:eek: It is time for an intervention!:D Which of you lovely administrators are in charge of loopy pet parents? :D

No head tremors since Thursday afternoon.:) Frontline was applied Wed. evening.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Sorry, can't help ya...don't even know a loopy pet parent. :D

Hey Kathy, you've mentioned lizards, but how about toads? Do you ever see toads in your yard? It is well documented that certain toads excrete toxin on their skin that can cause a whole range of issues from hypersalivation to seizures if dogs or cats pick them up in their mouths. Just a thought...

Hi Marianne,
I haven't seen a toad in my yard for more than 20 years. I live very close to Mission Trails Regional Park. It is a a mountainous nature reserve, in a desert climate, so we get lots of critters. I often see raccoons, possums, skunks and coyotes prowling around at night. Buddy is not allowed out in the yard alone after dark, because cats and small dogs in the neighborhood have been carried away by coyotes. We are always overrun with lizards to Buddy's delight! There has been a few rattlesnakes in the neighborhood, thankfully not in my yard. My back yard is enclosed with 6 foot plank fencing all the way around. There are always many lizards trying to get to the pool for water. Unfortunately, if they make it to the pool without Buddy catching them, they usually drown because they can't get back out. I have rescued many lizards! Thanks for the toad information and for teaching me something new. :)

Loopy Pet Parents :D:D

We usually try not to round them up and just let them run wild for a bit. They always seem to show up for dinner. ;)

Putting oatmeal in the dog bowl is no worse than pouring ice tea into your coffee instead of milk. :D (I've done that, also poured orange juice into the coffee, mornings are not my best time obviously) :o

So did Buddy end up having oatmeal for breakfast? :D

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Well, the good news is that we can cross toads off your list of worries! ;) :)

I just thought to mention it because we do have toads around our yard, and I've started to wonder whether they may be causing some problems for us. Both my girls have had weird episodes of excessive drooling, and one night Luna started pawing madly at her mouth before her head swelled up in an extreme allergic reaction. :eek:

The toads may have nothing to do with it, but I've tried to clear away some of the gutter troughs and other areas in our yard where they like to hang out to stay cool and moist. We do have a few small lizards around here, too, but they are way too quick for my girls who seem almost hypnotized when they see them! Maybe it's the difference between a retriever and a terrier -- my Lab girls look like they're wondering, "And exactly where am I supposed to carry that thing????" :p

Marianne

Marianne,
I have some questions about the ACTH test numbers. Buddy had his first ACTH since starting Trilostane on 4-9-13. To refresh your memory, I waited a week longer than the standard time because I was dosing him on an empty stomach per vet's instructions. I dosed him properly for a week before his ACTH.

His numbers were 8.4 ug/do. Pre draw
15.2. Post draw
No changes were made in medication.

His second act was done yesterday on 5/18/13. 39 days after his last ACTH test.

I picked up a copy of Buddy's last ACTH Test when I was the vet yesterday. What confuses me is the reference range given by the lab.
I assume these numbers are what they consider to be normal levels?:confused:

Canine
2 - 6 Pre- ACTH (resting cortisol)
6 - 18 Post -ACTH Cortisol
I thought we were targeting 9.1 or below?? :confused:

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I should have his new numbers tomorrow. Thank you,

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Budster's Mom

I assume these numbers are what they consider to be normal levels?:confused:

Canine
2 - 6 Pre- ACTH (resting cortisol)
6 - 18 Post -ACTH Cortisol
I thought we were targeting 9.1 or below?? :confused:

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I should have his new numbers tomorrow. Thank you,

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

---

Not Marianne, just me!! I can help you with that, those reference ranges (2-6 & 6-18) are for a dog that does NOT have Cushing's disease.

You are correct in that you want Buddy's post number to be between 1.5 ugdl - 5.4 ug/dl, with a post as high as 9.1 ug/dl if clinical symptoms are controlled.

Thank you Lori for clearing up my confusion once again.:)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

We are here for you, Kathy, ask as many questions you want!!;):)

Hi Kathy and Budster, a bit YAY for you two! No further tremours is such a good thing. Such a strange thing to happen and scary too, hope you get to the bottom of it soon. That was a good idea about toxic lizards and toads... I know in Australia they have nasty toads that are poisonous so happy to hear you do not think that is the probem. Budster would have been upset if you curtailed his hunting! Hope your day is good tomorrow, think you have the day off or is it back to work? Trish xx

Yes, I'm back to work today.:o. Buddy has been released from his cone prison. He no longer looks like a desk lamp when he sits down.:D:D LOL
No tremors since Thursday!:);) Three day weekend ahead! YAY!:D:D
ACTH test results coming today or tomorrow! :o

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hey Kathy

How are you and our little lizard hunter?

Any news on the ACTH results?

Bug hug

Mel
Xxxx

Hi Mel,:)
The mighty lizard hunter was great all weekend, no head tremors.:)
I watched him like a hawk!;) I am still pretty stressed and feeling the pressure, but otherwise okay. I have you guys to keep me semi-sane! Thanks for checking up on us!:)

No ACTH results as of yet, either today or tomorrow I suspect. I am more concerned about Buddy's head tremors than his ACTH numbers right now.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Would somebody please change my thread title. I would like it to be....

Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter

I'm already known on the forum as the mighty lizard hunter's mom, so it seems appropriate.:):D

Thanks,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Thread Tile changed Kathy.

so glad to hear that the mighty lizard hunter hasn't had any more tremors. Yay

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thank you Sharlene, that was quick!:)

I'll post Buddy's ACTH numbers when I get them.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hi Kathy
Hope Buddy is happily catching lizards today.Yay!!No head tremors-that's great news.Thanks for posting on Fella's in memory of thread.You are right-what a sign from my boy!!The sad part is that I didn't even "get" it,till much later!:).I've been begging that boy for a sign and he has a cheesecake named after him!!:D:D.I thought it was cute but I was so depressed,it wasnt till I got home and talked to you guys that I said"OMG,it was a sign!!I can just see him rolling his eyes and thinking "come on,you're looking at a menu with my name on it-how much clearer do you need it to be"?:D:D.

Hope you and Buddy are had a good day-any day without tremors is a good day!Hugs to you both
Patty

Took me a minute to find your thread with the new title! I like it..very fitting!
I just laughed out loud (really!) when I read your post saying Buddy no longer looked like a desk lamp. That is so funny!! :D Perfect comparison of a coned dog!! It's still making me chuckle!
So it's been no tremors since Thursday? That is really good news. Of course you would like some answers about why they happen anyway but meanwhile they have not been constant. Big gaps between and at least they seem to be coming less frequently. Keeping my fingers crossed they just go away.:) Hoping you get great results from the test.
Barbara

Kathy:
Love that title, very fitting for the lizard catching king Buddy! Glad Buddy has had no tremors so far.Blessings
Patti

Loving the new thread title. Made me smile

How the little guy today? And his mum?

Mel
Xxxxx

Hi Mel,
We are great today, thanks for asking. NO HEAD TREMORS SINCE LAST THURSDAY!!It is appreciation week at work, so we got free lunch today. It is always a great day at work when you get free lunch! :D;)No ACTH test results as of yet. If I don't hear anything today, I will call and check on them tomorrow.

Buddy flushed out three lizards yesterday. A personal best!!::D:D He caught two of them. The first one I made him drop and it scampered away quickly. Buddy was furious at that! :mad: When I made him drop the second one, it didn't fair as well. It went to the lizard graveyard over the fence, to rest in peace. Buddy was furious once again!:mad: He chased the third lizard into the pool, and then yapped hysterically until I fished it out! It was released unharmed. Buddy was furious once again!:mad: All in all a productive day, except for one unlucky lizard.

Hey Kathy

That's awesome news :D

Well he certainly lived up to his name today! I hope the lizard graveyard isn't the neighbours :D

So pleased you are both doing well

Mel
Xxxxxx

Mighty, Mighty lizard hunter. LOL A very good day indeed. No tremors! whooo hoooo! Something Has to be triggering those suckers. Wish we could figure out what it is.

Yay for free lunches!!! wooot wooot
hahahah
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Woohoo! What a catch today. I picture Buddy at home with little lizards mounted on the wall like deer heads in a lodge! :rolleyes: Soooo happy to hear the little guy is out doing his thing and enjoying his day!
Hurray for no tremors. :D

Barbara :cool:

Drum roll please!!!! ACTH results are in and it's Party Time!!!!:D:D:)It's a Celebration!!!:D:D

5-19-13
Pre - 3.2.
Post - 5.6

4-10-13
Pre 8.4
Post 15.2

You are absolutely correct angels! ;) This drop is after 39 days. You said that the numbers often continue to drop for 30 days or more after the first ACTH. Retest in 6 months. Any thoughts!

That is GREAT news!! I still haven't been brave enough to wait 6 months between testing. 3 months is the longest I have gone. But, since Boriss has almost been going good for a year I will probably wait longer this time.
good job!! yay Buddy!!!

Congrats on the good news!!! We love good news. My personal opinion is that six months is too long to wait to retest cortisol.
Buddy should be retested in three months- four months tops - three months is the better option. Dechra advises 3 months.

Good job!!!:D:D:D

Yay... I love good news and good results :D:D:D the best thing I can recommend is watch Buddy for any changes in attitude, appetite and any lethargy. That would be my first clue to get him back for another ACTH stim.

Super good news!!! :) :p :D :) :p :D

At this early stage of treatment, I would not wait longer than three months to retest, either. I think that is sound advice and is consistent with both published recommendations and also the dosing experience of our members.

Marianne

H-U-R-R-A-Y 4 BUDDY!!!!!!!!!!!! :p :D
Kathy---What great news! You must feel great! So for now Buddy stays on his same dose? I am so happy for your fantastic results. After all the scary stuff you went through with the emergency and then the Cushing's diagnosis you and Buddy deserve these great numbers! Yay!!! :D NO wonder Buddy is back to some ace lizard hunting!
Barbara

Yes Barbara, Buddy stays on the same dose. The others have been talking about numbers continuing to drop even past the 30 day mark.
No tremors since last Thursday, six days now. :)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Oh wow. Great numbers :). I'd do 3 months too. I would have too much anxiety to wait longer. Like john said just keep an eye out that he is maintaining at this level and not still dropping. He shouldn't but they seldom read the manual. Lol

Great no tremors!

Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin

Hey Kathy

That's good news. I would go with the 3 months too

Any poor lizards been unfortunate to crawl in the garden today?

Mel
Xxxx