Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
It would seem that now during the day when Tipper lays down she is wheezing also. It only happens when she lays down. When she is standing she is ok. She did not want to go on a second walk today and that has me worried. Could be her foot, and then again could be something else. I am increasingly worried about this breathing. The vet never said a word about it yesterday as he was the substitute vet. Tipper drank more water the last few days so I am glad the ACTH is next Wednesday. I am going to try and get her moving again, I don't like this not wanting to walk. Tipper loves to walk she would walk miles f you kept going, so this scares me. Blessings
Patti

Has Tipper had an ultrasound? It's odd to me that the sounds are only when she lays down. Josie wheezed and honked all the time. Now when she lay on her side so that the mass was pressing more, she made more noises but she was never silent, never had normal breathing sounds. Is it possible the liver or something could be enlarged, pressing on the lungs causing her troubles? Just rambling, pulling thoughts out of the morass of my mind. :p I keep coming back to the scope she had that didn't find anything. :confused:

Hi:
Wanted to post as I forgot something. When I was at the laser session with Tipper the Dr. told me that a good way to help these dogs that have had muscle loss in the hind legs is to sit on a chair and let them put their front paws up on you. Rock them back and forth to strengthen that leg muscle. Do this several times a day, and keep doing it forever. I had also previously mentioned walking in circles and figure 8's. Blessings
Patti

Patti, I read your post on Lett's thread. Please let me and the others know what Dr. Bruyette says. I will be very interested.
Thank you for always thinking of Scoop and me.
I know Tipper is a sweetheart. Your love for her and how you going to the ends of the earth for her shows how special she is. This disease can do horrible things to some and I'm sure that doesn't help her mood sometimes. Sometimes I wish Scoop would have been able to meet the others, before he passed away, who are battling the same situation he was in. Hope you and Tipper have a good day. Love and hugs.

Vicki:
I posted on your thread as Dr. Bruyette just answered me. I truly hope I can get Tipper's breathing problem straightened out, or I feel she will not be with me long. Blessings
Patti

Do you think it would it make any difference if Tipper's head was raised when she's sleeping? Like a incline pillow so no pressure would be placed on the chest and trachea? Easier said then done to get a dog to sleep on a new pillow but when this is only happening when lying down leads me to think that there is pressure somewhere causing this labored breathing.
If the head and chest were gently angled up it might take the pressure off the top half? I'm thinking an incline wedge pillow with only a slight lift? Maybe it's worth a try?
They make them for cribs and the angle is very subtle....
something like this maybe--

http://www.dexproducts.com/products_sleeping_sl.htm

Barbara

Tipper has to be cranky and exhausted. She isn't getting proper rest, poor thing. I don't want to go walking either when I'm tired. Leslie might be on to something. When did Tipper have her last ultra-sound? Xxxxx

Hi Everyone:
Good suggestions about the angle in which Tipper's head and neck are. I have tried that many nites. The problem is she moves so much to get comfortable, and I have to keep lifting her head to put the pillow under and she gets mad and goes in the closet. At times it does help some, but I do believe this puts her trachea in a position where is kind of closes up part way when she lays, and that is why she is struggling for air. That is why I had the scope done, but so much for that. I am probably going to have an ultra sound after her next ACTH and blood work next Wednesday. Dependent on the results of the blood work I will probably opt to do one. They just got a newer high resolution machine which is good for showing everything. Do I really want to know or see a problem that I can do nothing about? That is the question I am asking myself. Last nite the breathing was not too bad, but we have a newly developed problem now. We have a maintenance man that takes care of common areas where we live. Yesterday I saw him in his little mule stopping all along the roads where we live and putting something on them. I was curious right away and went out and asked him what he was doing. He was spraying poison on all cracks everywhere on the road ways to kill weeds. Oh just great! And even greater, that they never even thought to consider the residents that live here and walk their animals on these roads. I thought I was going to have a stroke I was furious. If I had not seen him and walked my Tipper in that, and she constantly licks her feet I can only imagine what could have happened. I wanted to put my hands on his neck and strangle him!
We have a common bulletin board, why no notice this was going to be done???? I could just scream! I am still hot over this. It could have cost my Tipper her life. God what are these people thinking, or should I say not thinking? I will be composing a letter to the maintenance boss. So both dogs will go in the car and off this property to walk. Because Tipper has no flea protection on anymore, I am taking her about a 1/2 mile away where there is a warehouse and huge parking lot as she cannot do the grass. Ok I am doing better now that I vented. Tipper is laying by my feet struggling to breathe as I post this. I hope you and your babies have a good weekend. Blessings
patti

Patti,
Regarding an ultrasound..... Only you can answer the question as to whether you really want to know if something is found that you can do nothing about. For me, I would definitely answer yes to that question. Knowledge is power, at least then I could make a plan of action, even if it was to do nothing and appreciate the time I had left with my baby. I wouldn't be so obsessed about trying to find a cure if there wasn't one. I knew Buddy was terminal and his days were limited. I opted to make him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. Even though it was painful, it did help me to know. Xxxxx

That's terrible about the weed spraying! Good thing you saw them and asked what was going on. Re: ultrasound Trust that you will know what to do when the time comes. I will be thinking about you and hoping that you find the answers you are looking for.
Nikki