Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Just an FYI for everyone - we have a thread in Everything Else on recalls for pet products. Here is the link -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31

We try to keep up with the recalls and post info when we get it so keep an eye on EE for updates and new recalls listed.

Hi Patti,

Hannah is currently taking sucralfate because the vet thinks she may have an ulcer. She took it for a week about a week ago as well. It seemed to help. Her stool was dark, which could have been from blood and
it got better after a few days. Now she is back on it for at least a couple of weeks because we don't think it fully healed. The main thing I read was that it can cause constipation. She was okay, and I was worried that could be a problem for het. The most difficult thing for me is spreading it out from her othermedications because it coats the stomach and will prevent absorption of other drugs. I spread it out at least one hour, and two if possible, from other meds. Does the vet want you to try it?

Julie & Hannah

Julie:
Thanks for the reply. I think Tipper will be on it once the IMS sees her as I know she probably has damage form the acid reflux. I think hers is in the throat. She is having a hard time swallowing, and seems to have acid creeping up at night. I am sure she will have to be put on something until it is healed. I assume they are going to take a biopsy while in there with the scope, and I will be a total basket case until it comes back. I don't think this is something they stay on right?? Did your baby have acid reflux? Blessings
Patti

So pleased you had a good night and that she is full of get up and go.

As she has always been an active girl, the storms probably annoy her cause she can't go out either, exercise is so good for their mood as well as their health IMO.

I hope upon hope that nothing comes along. I hate that you can never have peace of mind with this disease, I am praying for a good IMS visit.

Look forward to tomorrows update.

Big hug, kisses to Tipper and a belly rub ;)

Mel
Xxxxx

Ps never used the medicine which is why I never responded x x

Quote:

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Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Mel;
We had a pretty calm night. Tipper slept fairly well. She is still doing all the hard swallowing though. I am sure her throat has damage from the acid reflux. I am wondering if anyone had any experience with Sucralfate?? If so has your dog had any adverse reactions to it?? I know it can make your electrolytes especially potassium out of balance. I am sure Tipper will have to get something to coat her throat and stomach, and I want to use something with the least amount of side effects. If anyone if familiar with this please respond to me. Mel Tipper walked so many times yesterday because there were no storms. I wish they would just stay away, and she would be fine. She had me worn out yesterday. For having Cushings she still continues to want to walk many many times a day. I think she is walking over a mile a day now. In the grand scheme of things that really doesn't mean much, as I know one thing can come along and wipe that out. It is like living on the edge of your seat all the time. Just a caution to everyone: DOGFOOD RECALL ON INNOVA, CALIFORNIA NATURAL,EVO, HEALTHWISE, AND KARMA. Blessings to all.
Patti

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Hi Patti,

Hannah does not have acid refulx. The vet thinks she has an ulcer due to suddenly darker stools. The sucralfate is not supposed to be long-term, no. But for now we are trying 2-4 weeks. I have a month's worth if I need it. But we will check in periodically to see how she's doing, and I monitor her stools daily, of course.

I hope Tipper's appointment goes well. I know how stressful and worrisome it is whenever they have anything done. When is the appointment?

One other thing I thought of regarding the storm fear: have you heard of D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromone) spray? They also make a plug-in. I have the spray and I spray it on a bandanna and tie it around Hannah's neck. She doesn't have storm anxiety, but I use it when we go to the vet or groomer and it really seems to calm her. My other dog, Izzy, has terrible storm anxiety. The D.A.P. doesn't seem to do much for her. She has a thundershirt, which helps a little. I also have Xanax for her and it also reduces the anxiety, especially if I give it a little before the storm starts.

Julie & Hannah

Julie:
Tipper's appointment is on Friday. I am so anxious about it. How do you give the Sucralfate? I am assuming it is a liquid?? If it tastes bad Tipper won't drink it. Did you ahve any trouble with the Vetoryl being absorbed? Any trouble with electrolytes after using it? Thank you for all your help. I am going to get that spray you are talking about as years ago I had a cat I used it on and it worked for him. Hope your baby is doing well today. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
In a way I cannot wait until Friday. Last night I thought Tipper would not be able to go until Friday. What a bad night! She was all over the bed every few seconds. At times I thought she was not going to be able to swallow. She was having a very difficult time. There is something very wrong with her throat and Friday seems an eternity right now. I am giving her small amounts of Manuka honey and coconut oil to soothe her throat. I don't know what else to do. Last night I gave her a small drink from a syringe and she could hardly swallow it. I need to get her seen and get this taken care of. I am sure her throat is raw from acid reflux. Since I have her back on the Pepcid she still gets maybe 2 episodes daily. This is making me a nervous wreck. I have the Cushings under control and now this. I feel so sorry for her when she stares at me like she is telling me what is hurting. I know just a regular sore throat is painful and she has been suffering this for over a month. I am wondering if I should ask my Vet to start Sucralfate today. I am afraid to wait until Friday, what do you think???
I don't see how it could hurt her. Anyone have any advise please let me know. Thank You and Blessings to all.
Patti

Hey

Sorry you didn't have a great night.

Would your normal vet just have a chat to you about your concerns with these episodes and if there was anything non prescribed you could do? Just asking as the IMS might want to go in a different direction and we wouldn't want to do anything that could set you back on that appointment. Or could you call the IMS and ask them if they think it's a good idea before speaking to your vet? Maybe they could bring the app forward?

Big hug, kisses for Tipper

Mel
Xxxxxxx

If Tipper's distress is getting worse, I would call the vet, probably whoever is going to be looking into what this problem could be, and let them know how she was acting last nite. Ask if there is anything you can do to help her between now and Fri - or if they think she needs to be seen before Fri. Don't hesitate to express your concerns - we are a huge part of the diagnostic processes our babies go through because we see how they are in their normal environment VS the vets seeing them in the clinic where our pups often act as if nothing is wrong at all and they just want to go home or become so stressed what the vets see is exaggerated. So let someone involved in Tipper's case know what is going on.

And let us know what they have to say.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Patti, Sorry to hear Tipper had a bad night. Hope things will be better today.
Big hugs to you and Tipper

Hi Everyone:
I called the IMS and my regular Vet. The IMS said sucralfate was fine to be given today before being seen on Friday. I am waiting for my Vet to come in this afternoon and get her some. It comes in pill and liquid form. I am sure she needs the liquid form to help her throat as the pill would only do the stomach. This medicine adheres to lesions and ulcers caused by acid and heals them. I hope he has some in the office, if not a trip to the drug store will be in order. She cannot suffer anymore, so I am going to insist he give it to her. I have to do it while he is in today as she can be allergic and have a reaction to any new medication. Please pray for my Tipper she is having such a hard time swallowing. Blessings
Patti

Glad you spoke to both, hope you don't have to chase that blinking vet and they call you

Praying for you both

Mel
Xxxx

Poor Tipper... I have reflux disease & it can be very unpleasant. Hopefully the meds will help.

Praying for you and Tipper. I hope the meds help with no allergic reaction!!

I hope this helps Tipper, Patti. I am so sorry you are having such worry with your little girl. You do such a great job and Tipper knows it:):)

love and many hugs

Patti-
I hope you get the sucralfate and it gives Tipper some relief. I have the pill form, but Hannah is easy to pill. I just put a tiny dab of canned food on it. The vet said that was fine. I do know you have to give it separate from other meds because it can prevent absorption. Hannah is not on any meds for Cushing's, but does take a lot of other medications/supplements (Atopica, Hydroxyzine, Denamarin, Pepcid, Cosequin, and a probiotic) . The vet gave me directions for how to split it up. I give it at least an hour away from other meds-preferably two hours, and an hour before she eats. Be sure you ask about that. I sure do hope you see Tipper feeling better soon. I think it works pretty quickly.

Thinking of you and Tipper!
Julie & Hannah

Hello Patti

Did you hear back from the vets? How you both doing?

You hanging in there?

Mel
Xxxxxx

Hi Patti,

Checking in to see how things are going with Tipper and if you were able to get the Sucralfate from your vet.

I really hope this will giver her some relief till you can get to the IMS on Friday.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

praying for you and Tipper, sending hugs too!!

Morning

How are you both today?

Got to go out to work today (boo) but I wanted you to know I was thinking of you before I did

Hope you got the stuff from the vets and had a better night

Big hug, kisses to Tipper

Mel
Xxxx

Good Luck to you and Tipper for the tests and appointment with IMS later this week, hope the reflux problem is settling. Flynn has that occasionally and I give him Losec (vet prescribed) and it seems to help. Have a good day xx

Hi Everyone:
Tippper has some real issues with her throat. It is starting to scare me if she has a growth of some kind. Gave her 2 doses of the Sucralfate, seemed to help a little not too much, maybe it needs time. She is still swallowing hard like something is in her throat. I can hear her throat is not clear if that makles sense. I am scared what they will find on Friday, God help us. I am praying they do not find as tumor. I have to go today for my colonoscopy. I have been up all night doing the prep. This time they made me drink 64 ounces of Gatoraid. It finally made me throw up. I will thro up if I see a Gatoraid bottle in the store, that's how much I like it. That is what my Dad died from colon cancer, so I have to be checked all the time. Afraid to leave Tipper with a sitter, it is scaring ,me to leave her. I will post when I get home as I am going to Pittsburgh to my Dr. there. The sitter has a car here and will run Tipper to the Vet if any signs of trouble. God Bless Us All, please pray for my sweet Tipper.
Patti

Mel:
Sorry you had to go out to work today. Hope you have a nice day. Thanks for checking on Tipper the Ripper. Blessings
Patti

Patti, Prayers for Tipper. I hope things are just fine with Tipper today while you are at the doctor. Hope you get good results from your colonoscopy.
My dad died from colon cancer, too.
Hugs to you and Tipper.

mine as well,:(

I hope everything goes ok, Patti. We will all be thinking of you and saying prayers.

Checking in to see how things went today Patti. Hope Tipper was fine while you were away.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Another check in...

Hope your both ok, update when you can

Big hug, kisses for Tipper the Ripper :D

Mel
Xxxxx

Patti,
hope you are doing okay today. I can only imagine how much you hate gatorade right now. ;)

Hi Patti-
Just checking in on you and Tipper. I hope you're both doing okay.

Julie & Hannah

How are things going today Patti? Good luck on Friday!!!

Hi Patti,
I hope you and Tipper are both okay. You know us worry warts. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Mel,Sharlene, Amy, Vicki,Addy, Valerie,Julie:
Well all went well yesterday, no problems with the old colon. I was more worried about my Tipper to tell the truth. I told the Dr. no more Gatoraid, he said why didn't you drink something else? I told him I called his office and the nurse said it had to be gatoraid. He said I could use gingerale, or crystal lite. I could strangle that nurse! So anyway the protocol in the hospital is that you have to have someone drive you home. I have no one to drive me 3 hours so I made my girlfriend from Pgh. come to the hospital to pretend she was taking me home. They would not even let me get the gown on before seeing her. She showed up and they let me get my procedure. Afterwards, she went to her car and I went to mine. I have had this done 5 times now, so I know the drill. I am wide awake and within my faculties, or would never drive it. It was the only creative way to get out of there to come home. You have to do what you have to do sometimes. Tipper was ok I make the sitter call me every half hour to tell me what she is doing. She is still having severe difficulty swallowing so I am anxious and scared for Friday. We just got back from the Vets now as Tipper had to have her blood pressure which was high today 160 and her electrolytes checked for Friday. I am scared to death they will find something on Friday that cannot be fixed. God Bless You all and please say a prayer for my Tipper.
Patti

Thanks for the update Patti. We were worried about both of you.
I pray to god that nothing is found on Friday that can't be easily corrected. We need some smooth sailing for you two for awhile. Tipper is doing so good other than the swallowing/breathing issues, and I would love to see that continue for you both. I feel that when Tippers doing better that you will be too. This stress is just not good.
Hang in there! We're all anxiously awaiting Friday.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Patti, Glad to hear things went well with you and Tipper was Ok while you were away. Hoping and praying for some good news on Friday for Tipper.
Hugs

I was getting worried too so glad you are ok.

Praying for Miss Tipper and you for Friday.

Still doing blinking spreadsheets hence the brief note

Be back to check on you later

Big hug, kisses for Tipper the Ripper

Mel
Xxxx

Glad to hear you are okay and I hope Friday goes well.

We are all trying to banish the evil spirit illnesses from our forum pups. I currently have a garlic necklace on and plan to do a special dance around the coffee table while chanting:D;) I took an old slipper of my granddaughter's which had a cookie monster head attached to them and taped the word Cushings to it and will stick pins in before bed:D:D:D:D

I hope you never have to drink Gaterade again. Did I spell that right?

Patti I'm so glad that you're appointment went well and now praying for Tipper too!

Good luck with Tipper on Friday.Just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers!

Praying for you and Tipper and sending hugs too, so glad that you have your Tipper to help you thru the tummy stuff!!

Morning, how are my girls?

Did you get a better night? How are you holding up?

Big hug, kisses for Tipper

Mel
Xxxxx