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Oh Patti, yes lots going on, but you have to try take one day at a time, enjoy each precious day that you have with Tipper, try not to waste it worrying, I know thats hard...you know what your furbaby can handle, so you will have to make choices, but know we are right beside you and here if you need us....so breathe, take a walk, clear your mind and enjoy Tipper, he knows you love him....we love you too....hugs
Patti, I am really sorry to hear there is so much going on with Tipper.
I hope you get some answers soon. Praying everything will be just fine with Tipper.
Big hugs to you.
Kathy,
I couldn't have said it better.
Patti, we all know how you feel believe me! Take your cue from Tipper. You'll know if you have to help her or not. I don't know how to explain it, but you can tell.
Lot's of hugs for you both and we are ALWAYS here for you!
How are things today? How's Tipper doing? My friend who lives in Pittsburgh told me she had big thunder storms there last night...so I thought of you right away! Hope Tipper was okay if you had those storms too.
We are having some right now...one just blew over. Trixie went under the kitchen table but already popped back out. She got through that one pretty well. Crossing my fingers they're over for now!
Hoping all is okay with you, Tipper and your other furry ones!
Barbara
Hope you and Tipper are doing ok today. Just wanted to send you some positive vibes.:)
Hi Everyone:
Well I took my cat for his blood work today, Tipper was supposed to get her blood pressure, but because of the storm last nite and the continuing rain it was a waste of time to take her. Last nite I thought Tipper was going to have a heart attack. It stormed and thundered all nite and would not let up. She panted a wet spot that was huge, shook, ran in circles and back in and out of the closet. It was a horrible nite, I am exhausted. I talked to the vet about tranquilizers as a last resort because of her blood pressure and her eyes. He said with her history he would not want to do that. I asked him if I could sort of knock her out a little with Benedryl as she is safe with that and he said yes. I gave her some when I got home as it was still raining. Now I feel bad cause she is just sleepy a lot. I talked about Tipper's situation with my vet, did not get to go over every little thing. He showed me some papers from what he looked up on the veterinary web site. The stats were not good for dogs having this operation. He said he is very concerned about it, and if it was his dog he would not do it. The hospital called today to answer my questions. The IMS said that Tipper's CT Scan that she had a few months back showed no tumor on her pituitary gland. She said she took the liberty of checking into it as she knew it was a concern of mine. So is it just the adrenal tumor??? Well I sent all the tests to Dr. Bruyette and the IMS findings. He said he thinks it is PD and that the adrenal tumor is secondary. So here are two different opinions. He said he would not operate, but instead do another ultra sound in 2 months seeing if the tumor has grown. The IMS also said Tipper has no other masses in her abdomen, as I was worried about the object the other Dr. showed me on the screen that was as big as a 50 cent piece. It was nothing I guess or she would have seen it with the high resolution. There is nothing showing her that anything has spread to anywhere else in her. The size of the adrenal tumor is contained in the left adrenal measurement, as it is involved with it and cannot be measured alone. The left adrenal is 1.05 X 2.79 cm the right is 0.592 X 2.18. I do not know what to make of all this. I can sure use some ones help that has experience with this. Dr. Bruyette said that it is either a non-functional adrenal tumor or a pheo. Are there any tests to rule in or out for a pheo like blood or urine etc??? I know that you cannot determine 100% unless it is removed, but is there some way to gain an edge on what this is??My vet said most of the stats that he pulled said that the life expectancy gained by removal was an average of 2 years. Tipper will be 12 in October God willing. She has tracheal issues, a heart murmur, vestibular problems, and now retinal issues. She could live out those two years maybe if I do nothing, so why put her thru this terrible surgery? I know the IMS said it will either cure her or kill her. At her age with her problems, even though she is tuff as nails, I am worried about her making it. Not that I need you guys to make decisions for me, I am curious if this were you what would you do?? Even though maybe by all accounts this is a small tumor- I do not know as I am not familiar with these centimeters and measurements done, it is still a terrible operation on an old dog with problems. Her life expectancy in her breed is 16-18 years and I feel so cheated by this. I am torn as to what to do from here. I need some insight from all of you before I go and see the surgeon. I am moving away from the surgery possibility. I think the other day at the ultra sound Tipper let me know she has just about had enough. How much more can I expect from her?? This is an awful position to be in. My only fear is if I just keep treating her and checking on the tumor, that if she would go into distress at home how could I help her ? I need to over come that obstacle some how to decide what to do. I cannot have her in distress with no help and have her suffer, it would kill me. If it were sudden I would be crushed, but it would be better for her and no suffering would be involved. If I had an emergency close it would be different, but I don't. I would appreciate any ideas, thought or help you can give me. Blessings
Patti
Oh Patti,
This is a call only you can make with guidance from Tipper. When Buddy looked at me with his big, brown, sad, eyes, I knew exactly what he needed me to do for him. There wasn't a doubt in my mind. Knowing he was in pain didn't make it any easier, but Buddy's needs had to come first. It was about what he needed, not what I wanted.
I am not about to tell you what I think you should do, because I don't know. You know Tipper better than anyone. You know how she is feeling and what she needs better than anyone. There does come a time when we have to let them run free. Whether it's Tipper's time, I can't say. Take some time for yourself and pray on it. You will receive your answer when the time is right. The tumor may not even be growing. Please consider that possibility.
Many, many, hugs,
Hi Patti.. I thought I'd take some time tonight to write before I fall into bed.
I'm not much help to you, but I do know that Keesh is getting up there and I've done all I can do for him now. I have some decisions to make as well after tomorrow for his care, but I've done the best I can.
You too have done far more then most in trying to care for Tipper and all I can say is exactly what has been said before.
Pray on it not only for Tipper, but that some answer or decision you actually make can give you some peace. I know we'd go to the ends of the earth for our beloved babies, but when all avenues have been exhausted, you literally need to find some comfort in knowing that you did your best.
We all worry about you and Tipper, these aren't just words.... I am sincere in saying this. You have been such a great support with others, and you deserve all the support you can get.
I know you will make the right decisions, only you know best.
Please take care of yourself and Tipper and I'll be praying for you and your beloved fur babies.
Hugs to you
Hi honey, we all know how much you would miss Tipper if something should happen.
Did the vet give you exact percentages of success/failure for the surgery?
Given Tipper's age and other issues, I don't believe that I would chance it for the possibility that it might give her two more years and being so risky.
She'll let you know when she's had enough.
As for the benadryl making her sleepy. Can you give her 1/2 the dosage?
Oh Patti,
Let us start with the eyes- I am not sure how bad Tipper's bleeding is, Zoe had a bit of that last year and it resolved on its own. Our eye vet said it can happen from many things. For Zoe it has not happened again that our eye vet has seen . Do you have a written report from the eye vet?
There is a urine test that can be done to check for phenon. tumor. I have to go find the source, I just read it and for some reason I thought Marianne mentioned it to you awhile back. I did read those tumors seem to take up more space in the adrenal gland perhaps making it more mass like.
As for an adrenal tumor being malignant or not, keep in mind that often the surgeon is not 100% sure if it has spread until they get into the surgery. They thought Zoe's vulva surgery would be a piece of cake until they got into it and then could actually see the mass was deeper than they thought. My point is there are no guarantees there.
At least it is the left side not the right side.
Did you reread the list of questions Leslie posted from Trish? You need to.
I cant tell you what to do. You know your dog. I will tell you that if you do decide on surgery you must be prepared for not only the surgery but the post op as well. It is okay to say, I cant do it. There are no judgments here.
I have to tell you, Zoe's ultra sound in April was not good. It is possible she has a mass in her right adrenal gland, a mass on her spleen and her liver. They cannot tell me if they are tumors, why I dont know. I have not mentioned Zoe's adrenal glands and possible tumor until now, here on your thread.
Dear Patti, hugs and love and shoulders to lean on, I cant tell you what to do. Follow your heart. Whatever you do, you do out of total love and devotion and Tipper knows that.