Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Mel - No lizards today. I think they are calculating their losses and working up another strategy. ;)I hope so, or they don't have a chance! Poor little things. They are just thirsty and the pool is so inviting, but deadly. Buddy sits out there and guards all the lizard holes, waiting for one to make a run for it, then pounces like a cat.:eek: His rear leg weakness does not seem to stop him from catching lizards! Those suckers are fast!

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Yay Buddy aka Mighty Lizard Hunter, great test results, now lets have some fun with those lizards!!!!!

Hi Kathy
Congrats on the great report on Buddy!Hope the lizard hunter is having a great day!I can just picture those poor lizards!:eek:
Patty

Kathy:
Great to hear Buddy had good test results. I think you said he was Yorkie? They are some really determined dogs, so I can see how the back leg weakness does not even slow him down. Maybe Buddy can get his own reality show on tv, as the Mighty Lizard Hunter!! You should video tape him doing it, I am sure we all would love to see it.
Blessings
Patti

No head tremors for eight days!:confused::)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Wooohooooo.. great news to read :)

Now, I been meaning to ask, just how big are these lizards? haha someone mentioned them hung on the wall and since then I am imagining huge ones :eek::eek:

Trish,
We have many different sizes and shapes of lizards.:D. They range from about four or 5 inches to eight or 9 inches.:eek: We have a lot of alligator lizards. Those are the bigger ones, and easiest to catch. :D google images has some great pictures of them. They are quite big for a little dog to tackle, but Buddy has no fear!;)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

OMG!! I went to google images and put in alligator lizards.. go have a look there is a pic of someones hand a few rows down and there are quite a few little lizards and one big one, are they like those???????????? They make me feel ill, so very pleased we do not have those in my yard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Flynn would love them though!)

Yes Trish, exactly like those!!!! Some are ever bigger!!:eek: I think we live on several nests. Every spring and summer they are all over the place! You really do get used to them after a while. They are no big deal. I have caught many with my hands to relocate them, before Buddy sees them. I fish several out of the pool just about every day.
The water attracts them, they they can't get back out.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Oh nice, living on a lizard nest hahaha.. just like those 17 year old cicada nests of Tina's haha. You could leave a few bowls of water out for them?

If I lived with a nest of those I'd be calling you up to borrow Buddy to come get them. A few is fine, but nests of them! yowser. I lived with geicos when I was in Hawaii, but no nests, just a few here and there.
I bet Buddy would give Molly lessons if we needed it. LOL Not likely up here in Canada though, too cold.
In Texas, in some areas, they get crickets that cover the entire wall of buildings and the streets. They crunch as you drive down a road. *shudder That was not fun! I don't mind crickets in moderation either, but covering a wall..that's beyond my tolerance level. LOL

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

so it's not just the mighty lizard hunter...it's the mighty brave lizard hunter! I just looked at the photos on google too. I'll preface it by saying that other than turtles I am afraid of reptiles and don't like them at all! Those lizards are pretty big!! Buddy, you brave boy!! I'm with Trish they make me feel a little sick, but if I had to choose I'll take a lizard over a snake anyday!! :D :D
So happy to hear about another tremor-less day!! :D
Barbara

Hi Kathy,
I don't think I have posted to you before, but I have been reading along on Buddy's thread and have been enjoying all of his adventures chasing lizards. What a brave little boy! ;) I love the new thread title. And I am so happy to read he hasn't had any head tremors for over a week, long may that continue! So nice to hear he is feeling better. Hope you guys are enjoying your weekend.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

Kathy,

I don't mind reptiles, BUT I googled alligator lizards and most of the pictures show them biting people. YOW! Vicious little creatures.

Buddy, keep momma safe :)

Kathy:
So glad Buddy has not had any siezures. You should film his little antics with the lizards. What does he do with them after he catches them? Everything Tipper gets she throws up in the air until it is beyond recognizable! Have a good holiday, tell Buddy he has to give the lizards a day off for Memorial Day!! Blessings
Patti

Buddy had a small head tremor yesterday morning. It was nine days since the last one. I'm starting to think they might have something to do with a temporary drop in blood sugar. He doesn't have diabetes, that has been checked. He could have temporary bouts of hypoglycemia. A couple of you have mentioned that possibility before. I think I might've brought on the tremor. Since it was Saturday morning, I had no real interest in getting up early. We both overslept. His breakfast and Trilo ended up being an hour later. 10 minutes after eating his breakfast, the tremor hit. It lasted about five minutes, then was gone.

As for the lizards, there was a couple of things that could happen once Buddy catches them. If we're both outside, I tell him to drop it and he does. It scurries away if it's still able, otherwise I snatch it and dispose of it. Either way Buddy is furious:mad: He then yaps hysterically! :eek:When he catches one when I'm in the house, he will toss it around until it no longer moves. The nerve endings in the tail continue to twitch even when it comes off, so the game continues, until I come out and dispose of it. That still makes him furious because I took his prize away!:mad: Yapping hysterically once again!:eek: The last place scenario is when he catches one outside and brings his prize in to share. Quite often they are still alive and will scurry somewhere, usually under the couch. Then he really yaps hysterically! :eek: It is always bedlam when that occurs.:eek: I do not encourage him to hunt the lizards. I rescue them whenever I can. Buddy has made lizard hunting his mission in life. :rolleyes:Although he has caught plenty of them and continues to do so, there are always plenty more! I like them because they keep the bug population down and are quiet. However my backyard is not a safe place for them.;). Yes, I could easily video Buddy catching the lizards, but I won't. I can't just stand by and take video when he is torturing a harmless creature. I have to intervene. That is just me!;) Have a wonderful holiday weekend angels.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

OMG that's so gross. The tail continues to twitch after coming off.

Happy Memorial Day my friends!

After you see that tail off and twitching a couple of hundred times, it doesn't seem as gross anymore!:D;)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

You should mention the possibility of hypoglycemia to your vet and see what they thing. The way to know for sure is to take BG reading during an episode and see if it is low at that point. I'm not overly familiar with it but others on here might be. I did read that 4 small meals a day can keep BG at a more level rate, but again, that is just what I have read.

Last time it was 8 days between tremors or 9? Has he had any more today?

Have a good Memorial day
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

No tremors since the short one yesterday morning. It lasted only about 5 minutes. Buddy has been fine all day today. I never know when they are coming. It would be very difficult to get a BG level during a tremor, when they are sporadic and only last 5 minutes. Buddy already gets three meals a day. That seems to help his tummy issues due to the trilo. I could try to give him a little snack later in the evening.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

I researched hypoglycemia in dogs. It is common in smaller breeds especially Yorkies. Buddy is a yorky. It has a lot of the same symptoms as Cushings, so it could have been overlooked. Lethargy, muscle weakness, wobbly gait, to name a few. One of the main symptoms of hypoglycemia is FACE TREMORS! Buddy's tremors are head tremors. His whole body does not shake, only his head vibrates. I'm going to pick up a bottle of Karo syrup and rub some on his gums the next time he has a tremor, to see if that helps. I can't give him honey due to allergies. I have that on hand. His vet might know something about hypoglycemia. It is obvious they don't know much about Cushings. I'll call Tuesday to get his vet's schedule for the week, so I can take him in one afternoon after work. In the meantime, I will give him smaller meals more often.

Buddy's GLU Level on his last bloodwork dated 3/4/13 was normal.
GLU 99 range 70-143

This bloodwork was done after a fast of more than 24 hours due to bouts of vomiting. He had been given only water. His head tremors were occuring at that time, yet his GLU level tested normal. If he really is hypoglycemic, shouldn't his GLU level have reflected a significant drop????:confused: Does this mean that he can't be hypoglycemic and the tremors are caused by something else? The more I read, the more confused I get.:(

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

It's 2:00 AM. Buddy has been restless tonight hasn't been able to settle to sleep. I finally broke down and gave him a half a tramadol to see if that helps. Usually when he's unable to settle that means he's hurting somewhere. I don't think Buddy has hypoglycemia because his glucose levels would not have tested normally if he had. He was having tremors when he had that blood work done. If his blood sugar had been low, that would've been indicated on the test and it wasn't. I keep going back to what Kim said. She said that the only time that we see tremors like this is when there is a macro tumor. I have read up on them and they are really bad news. If he has one, do I really want to know? There is usually someone there to talk to, but not tonight. It is going to be a very long night.:(. Well at least tomorrow is a holiday and I don't have to go to work in the morning. There is that.

Kathy

Hi Kathy
I am here, bit late logging in tonight. You sure it is not just trembling, Flynny does that on occasion. It used to just be in his back legs but sometime includes the rest of him, head included. I see his ears wobbling.

Isn't it always the worst, middle of the night and you fears get the better of you! Try get some sleep and see how he is tomorrow. They do seem to get aches and pains at different times. I have Flynn on a very small dose of Tramadol now, 12.5mg twice a day and it seems to be holding his arthriticy pains pretty good!

Kathy:
I am so hoping Buddy does not have a macro tumor. That was my biggest fear with Tipper in the beginning as she exhibited many of the macro symptoms. When she just had her scan I told them I did not want to know as I would melt on the spot if she had one. This has to be the scariest disease anyones' dog could get. I saw another Jack Russell at my vets the other day picking up Vetoryl. This disease is so rampant it needs to be researched so people so not have to go through the heartache we have been through. I am going to start calling some universities and asking about how you get a study started. Tipper was up again at 5:30 this morning, it is wearing me out, but I just do it anyway. I know how you feel being up all night and you mind won't stop thinking of all this Cushings stuff. Thank God Tipper and I were blessed with knowing from her scan she does not ahve a macro tumor. Tipper has just not been herself for a few days, it really scares you when this happens, you think now what. Hope Buddy gets on the mend. Blessings
Patti

Dear Kathy,

I'm so sorry that Buddy continues to have these tremors! I can only imagine how upsetting they are for you. I remember when my Peg's grand mal seizures first began. I would pray that each episode would be the last. And then when she would have another one, my heart would break all over again. As things have turned out, though, we have been very lucky with her in that even though we have never determined the cause, her seizures have been totally controlled since she was placed on medication.

I know you are still totally uncertain as to the cause and even the true nature of Buddy's tremors, though. Have you ever gotten a response to your email from the neurosurgeon?

Your idea about the hypoglycemia is an interesting one, and I don't think it can be ruled out on the basis of a normal glucose level if the blood wasn't drawn at a time when the tremoring was occurring. From what I've been reading, there can be two types of hypoglycemia. One is referred to as "fasting hypoglycemia," and it is true that the glucose reading would be low at the time of a fasting test. But there is another type -- "reactive hypoglycemia" -- that seems to occur only episodically, especially in conjunction with meals. And with that type, a fasting blood glucose will be normal. Here's a link that told me more about this. I realize that neither onset profile fits Buddy to a "T," but otherwise the symptoms of hypoglycemia certainly do seem to fit what you are seeing. So I wouldn't necessarily rule it out yet.

http://www.americancanineregistry.co...poglycemia.htm

As another alternative to the notion of a macrotumor, I read back through your thread to see that the neurologists were originally debating whether Buddy may have suffered a stroke. If so, I would think the tremoring could be mini-seizuring that could have resulted from residual brain damage. If that's the case, perhaps an anti-seizure medication could be helpful for him in the same way that it has been helpful for my Peg. Phenobarb is the most commonly prescribed anti-seizure med for dogs, but may not be the best choice to be used alongside trilostane. There are other medications that that can be used, though, instead. The downside is mainly that they take a longer time to reach therapeutic level.

I guess my main point here is to try to reassure you that, even though it is very upsetting, the tremoring may not be as catastrophic as you are fearing. And if it were me, I'd first really try to pursue the notion of hypoglycemia with somebody knowledgeable. Since Yorkies are especially vulnerable, I'm surely wondering if that can indeed be the source of the problem and that there has been a hormonal imbalance associated with his Cushing's that is triggering the problem.

Sending many hugs,
Marianne

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Budster's Mom

I keep going back to what Kim said. She said that the only time that we see tremors like this is when there is a macro tumor.

Kathy

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Sorry if you took my post that way - the intention was that a macro is a possibility but it could be something else. The question is, as you mentioned, do you want to do the testing? I can understand if you elect to do skip testing - that is your call. I'm sorry that you are going through this. Hugs to you and Buddy. Kim

Good morning Angels. :) Sorry about the distress call in the middle the night on a holiday. :( I gave Buddy a small meal later in the evening last night, thinking he could have reactive hypoglycemia. I think tummy trouble was the reason that he was unable to sleep. He's been getting that occasionally since I started to give him Trilostane, but it has been better since starting the Pepcid. I give him 1/2 a Pepcid (5mg.) a half hour before breakfast and Trilo. He was able to rest and did finally sleep about a half an hour or so after I gave him the tramadol last night. This morning he is spunky, active, full of himself, and totally fine. :rolleyes: I on the other hand are total wreck and did not sleep at all last night! :eek::( This is where I am totally frustrated.....If Buddy was in a lot of pain and miserable all the time I know what I'd have to do. Those perimeters are unclear. 99 percent of the time Buddy is perfectly fine, active, happy and normal. He goes many days without any head tremors at all. When they hit, they're usually short lived, Buddy is disoriented for a bit, then fine once more. I am a googling fool when I have something to research and am on a mission. Last night my brain was on overload from inputting too much data and second guessing myself with what if's??? Now, I'm tired and feeling defeated because I can't seem to fix this and that's my job!

Marianne - yes, the neuro surgeon and other two neurologist thought that Buddy may have had a stroke. No, I never got a response to my email. It is possible that they never even got it. I called the specialty hospital to get the email address to send it to. i was told that they would forward it on to the doctor. I don't know if they did.:( I sent the email on May 3rd.
Thank you being there to offer guidance and support.:) I am surrounded by people who don't think I am doing the right thing. That includes my family. They don't understand any of it and don't see the point of trying to figure it out, so I'm on my own and it's hard. I have to work. I have special needs kids depending on me. June 19 is the last day of school before summer break. That is good and bad. Good because I'll be able to be home and monitor Buddy more closely. Bad because I won't have any income coming in until September. That is usually fine because I save for the summer months. Unfortunately this year my savings and then some, has gone to vet bills, so it's going to be a lean summer with more vet bills yet to come. This certainly is depressing and I am a glass half-full kind of girl.;) Do any of you angels have a magic wand that you could wave and make all of this disappear? At least one of you should have that power at your disposal!;)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Oh Kathy, ((hugs)). I too am sorry that Buddy keeps having these tremors, but I am glad he is feeling good today. Darn it, sorry I wasn't on last night, normally this night owl would have been. But we had severe thunderstorms through most of the night and a tornado warning at 1:30 am for crying out loud! :eek: So I was down in the laundry room with my little ones for a bit. Jasper gets pretty anxious with storms and high wind, so had to deal with that rather than be on the forum. I am a bit tired today also, but thankful I don't have to work.

Now that I see that it is thought that Buddy may have had a small stroke at some point, I too am wondering about the tremors being some type of seizure activity, maybe a focal seizure? I know those can cause trembling or shaking in specific areas of the body. I am sure you have investigated that, but it was just my thoughts.

You are doing an amazing job with Buddy, don't let others get you down. I understand all about that, my friends are supportive, but I know that they think I am crazy with all that I do for Jasper. My Mom gets it, thankfully, and is good for moral support, but she lives over 1000 miles away. So I am on my own for the most part also. It is really hard sometimes.

I wish I had a magic wand Kathy, I would use it freely for all of us and our babies!! ;) I struggle with the financial aspect also as my savings has been spent down to the bare bones too. I had been saving for a couple of years for new carpet for my house (which it desperately needs). That is all gone, and then some. I know there are a lot of us in that boat. I got approved for care credit a few months ago, so I have that to fall back on thankfully. I am now trying to figure out how I can afford pet insurance for my 1 year old Shelby. I sure would like to get it for her, it would have been a godsend to have for Jasper.

Hang in there Kathy, you are doing a great job with Buddy. And we all have each other to lean on on this forum, which is such a blessing. I hope you are getting some rest and enjoying the holiday.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

oh Kathy, those sleepless, worrying nights are not fun at all. You said it well, Buddy for the most part is doing really well. A head tremor now and then that goes away with no lasting ill effects is at the very least manageable and seems to allow you time to save finances and try to figure this all out. As long as nothing gets any worse and the status quo is maintained, I think you'll be okay.
The problem is that really there is nothing in the blood work that is telling us what might be causing this and no side weakness that is indicative of a severe stroke either. On the next visit to the vet, have a chat about these tremors, instead of scheduling a new appointment that will cost more money.
I think you have a month or so right? Maybe the next tremor will be 10 days or never, you just don't know. I don't think he is in pain, he doesn't act like it.
You're doing awesome! Second guessing ourselves is our own worst enemy. I know I suffer from it too.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sharlene,
I would love to discuss the tremors with my vet when we go for an ACTH or some other test. It hasn't worked out. I need to go and pay for an office visit so I'll have their undivided attention for at least a few minutes. I took video of two of the tremors. I want them to see that. I also want to bombard them with the hundred questions I have!:D Even if they know very little about head tremors, seizures, strokes and hypoglycemia, at least I ran it by them first. I plan to get my $$$ worth out of that visit!:D They will be so glad to see me go!:D I am not hopeful that they will be of much help, but I have to try.:rolleyes:

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

One of Buddy's front legs has been caving in on him this evening. I noticed it when he is trying to walk normally. It started about 10 minutes after his dinner at 5:30. At 6:40 PM Buddy continues to have difficulty walking. He is unstable. He barely makes it to his water bowl. I carried him out to go potty. He didn't want to walk at all. I carried him back in and gave him a small amount of sugar water. He licked eagerly. No head tremor as of yet but definite weakness all of a sudden. I will pick up some Caro syrup tomorrow after work and check the drug store for gluco-paste. I still don't know if he's having hypoglycemic episodes. I don't know what is going on. He has been fine all day until after dinner. Now he can barely walk. I will call the vet in the morning. It is going to be another sleepless night.:(:confused: It doesn't look like I have a lot of time to figure this problem out!:(

Oh my. Please video him walking as well so you can show it to the vet. I am so sorry. Kim

Oh Kim, how scary for both of you.
I hope that the vet finds a solution quickly.

Should I withhold his Trilostane in the morning if he is still unstable?:confused:
He just had an ACTH Test 8 days ago on 5-19-13
His numbers were Pre 3.2
Post 5.6

Previous ACTH 4-10-13
Pre 8.4
Post 15.2

Buddy had his Trilostane with breakfast at 7:15 AM. It is 7:22 PM.
Shouldn't his morning dose be out of his system by now? He only takes it once a day. Isn't Trilo supposed to leave the system within 12 hours?

No harm in playing it safe and not giving this time.

I would withhold it and see how he does. It could be that the cortisol is still dropping. It can drop for even up to and past 30 days on the same dosage.

Has there been any change since giving him the sugar water? This is the first time that he has had this occur?

Hang in there. This if it is related to the cortisol could have nothing to do with the tremors.
Keep us posted.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Kim,
I carried Buddy out to video him walking. That was a great idea once again. He walked normally. It has been an hour since I gave him the sugar water. An hour ago he could barely stand up.:eek: Maybe hypoglycemia??? I took the video anyway to show the doctor. Buddy ate normally and has not had any diarrhea or vomiting. Does his weakness and then improvement seem like Addison's to you?

Kathy

I would be surprised if it's Addisons but it can't hurt to stop the trilostane. When was the last time you had a full blood panel done? It might be worth a try to see if anything seems out of order.

Hang in there and know we are all with you giving you strength. Kim

See how he does for the rest of the night and in the morning. It doesn't hurt to not give him the trilostane.

We need to find out from some of our diabetes friends what the best way and item to use to get a reading during a tremor or walking weakness spell is, so we can find out if it is hypoglycemia.

So he is now acting completely normal with walking, actions, not lethartgic, etc?

Could this also be a problem with his muscle wastage? Where after getting up from being laying down he walks funny? Molly walks sideways with a stiff leg if she has been laying for too long and then gets up. She has to warm it up a bit then is perfectly fine. Sometimes I'll massage her if it seems particularly bad. She never seems in pain from it, just can't walk a straight line and looks drunk.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin