Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
Tipper reluctantly went walking this morning. She was not going to go at all, and changed her mind. This is very much not her, and anything out of the ordinary scares the crap out of me. I am taking her this morning for the 3rd shot, and I am going to get them to clean the hair between her pads, as it could be that. She struggled to breathe last nite a lot. I have the 2 dogs separated at all times now, and actually take Tipper thru the house on her leash. I am being very cautious. I sure hope this third shot helps her as she started this behavior after starting on the shots. I am wondering if that is the pain from them making her not herself? I will post after the vet visit and we'll see if there is any problem with the feet. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,

I really don't think the shots hurt that much. Now if the vet is going back to the same spot for the injection over and over, then yes it could get sore there. So ask him to vary the injection site if at all possible to prevent the soreness. Other than that, they just don't feel pain on the same level we do so I don't think the shots would cause her enough pain to change her personality. If that were the case, you would see other signs of strong pain. ;) She may be experiencing pain elsewhere but I really doubt it is from the shots.

I figure it's more along the lines of feeling badly for so long that is effecting her personality. Just like us, when they don't feel well they can get cranky....and when that "not feeling well" goes on for a while, we and they get even more cranky. So I hope the shots help and she is feeling better soon.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Sincerely hope it is her feet and nothing else. Good luck today and I'll be waiting for your update.

Patti, Hope everything goes well at the vet today.
Hugs

Hi Everyone:
Just back from the vets, of course he had to be 40 minutes late and make my poor Tipper get miserable waiting. I sat in the car with her. He didn't even offer an apology, so I said " glad you could make it." He really burns me. So the technician does the clipping and we got to Tipper's right foot and it took all the strength I had to hold her. She did not want that foot touched no way no how. It took three of us to hold her still. There was a ball up in there of fur, so that was the problem. Unfortunately the tech. nicked her and now it is really sore. I held her and told them to do all feet at once. I keep a spread sheet on all Tipper's weight, blood pressure, nail clipping, anal gland cleaning, so now I can add trimming the feet to it. I can see at a glance when she had what done to her. I will just get the feet clipped on a regularly scheduled basis from now on. I told the Dr. what happened with Tipper attacking Toby, he said she has had so much done at the vets she just probably has a lot of pent up anger and took it out on him as she has no great love for him. He said it is highly likely she hurt her foot from the ball in between her pads when she got up on my leg, and just misplaced the anger. He said he would be surprised if she had pain with the laser therapy she gets, plus the shots for her joints. He said don't fault her for this, but just be careful. He said he would be surprised if she ever did it again as she has a wonderful personality, and had to be in really a lot of pain, as she never cries out or bites. Leslie, I know you will get a kick out of this one, I made a diagram of Tipper's back legs and I make the vets mark on it where she gets the injection, so it does not cause her any more problems. They reluctantly mark it, and I know they are thinking I am about as anal as you can get with my dog. I don't care, as long as she is safe and not hurting too bad for their egos. So shot number 3 is done. I am so glad I found out what was wrong with her foot, that is definitely why she would not walk. Mystery solved! Blessings to all
Patti

So glad to hear it went well and that is was the paw. Think maybe I should be going to your vet. No luck here that's for sure.

No you really would not want my Vet he is terrible. I have to keep 3 steps ahead of him to make sure Tipper gets exactly what she needs. It wears me down at times, and I get sick of the conflicts with him, but he is the best of the crap around here. As long as my girl is safe, and her cortisol is controlled I will keep the battle going with him. I have to do it for her sake. If she were not sick, I would be out of there like a rocket! I can hardly stomach the sight of him anymore after all he has tried to pull on me. Keep going it is going to pay off when you get that vet that cares. Blessings
Patti

I guess the vet is right it could be pent up anger, not feeling well, her foot hurts, and here comes this little bundle of Toby to just aggravate her some more. Hopefully it will never, ever happen again.
Glad they figured out what was wrong with her foot.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Patti, you know that I care about you and Tipper the Ripper.:) I am so sorry that she is out of sorts and I know this pains you deeply.:o Toby was very lucky that he survived that attack physically unscatched. It had to do a number on him emotionally. I feel sorry for the little guy. It can't EVER happen again!:eek::eek:Toby may not be as lucky the next time. He is counting on you to protect him. I am relieved to hear that you have separated the dogs and are moving Tipper through the house on a leash. I hope you are also protecting yourself, as we are all a bunch of worry warts.:o Big hugs,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Leslie, I know you will get a kick out of this one, I made a diagram of Tipper's back legs and I make the vets mark on it where she gets the injection, so it does not cause her any more problems. They reluctantly mark it, and I know they are thinking I am about as anal as you can get with my dog. I don't care, as long as she is safe and not hurting too bad for their egos. So shot number 3 is done.

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My first post here on your thread - been so wrapped up in my Poor Pitiful Pia's problems - it's time to branch out and learn more about the wonderful people who are here for me. So if I'm covering territory already discussed in the past, please accept my apology.

Until I moved to California 2 years ago, I was a neonatal and peds ICU nurse. I want you to know that we documented on our medical administration record the specific site every time we gave an injection. We would NEVER give an injection in the same spot twice. Good for you for making that diagram for Tipper's injections.

A thought - have you ever considered giving Tipper the Adequan injections at home and saving yourselves a trip to the vet and all the angst and tension that go along with the visit? I've taught 7 and 8 year olds how to give themselves insulin injections, and it is just not hard at all. If your vet or vet tech would be willing to show you how to do it, it could save Tipper from a lot of anxiety. I gave Pia injections of buprenorphine after she had jaw surgery, and now I'm giving her B12 injections every week. She couldn't care less when I do it, and it's so nice to not have to load her into the car, sit in the waiting room, wait for the vet, get the shot, and then pay that bill.

Tipper's nighttime breathing problems - does she have any cardiac issues? My other dog, Maggie, a Boston Terrier, was having breathing issues at night, panting, seemed short of breath, work herself up choking. The vet heard a heart murmur and so we had a cardiac echo which showing some mitral valve regurg. He started her on a chewable tablet (and she actually does like it and chews it up) called Vetmedin. It helped her immediately, and she's still on it with quiet nights a year and a half later.

It's hard to have a bonehead for a vet, especially when it's the best of the boneheads around. We struggle with vet care where we live because we are in the boonies, and if I hadn't gotten completely fed up and taken Pia to UC Davis when I did, she's probably be dead. I'm fortunate that I have the time to make those 220 mile round trips over the mountain and a car that gets nearly 40 miles to the gallon. Truthfully, I'm not even completely sold on the vets at Davis. For the most part, they're residents who don't have the life experience of a long-time vet, but they do have the experts as teachers and they consult with them regularly, but I have to keep those residents on their toes because this is my Pia, and nobody messes with her!

I hope those injections of Adequan kick in for Tipper. I love the nickname "Tipper the Ripper"!