Patti, Thank you. I hope you and Tipper can come through this week with some answers that will not be difficult on both of you.
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Patti, Thank you. I hope you and Tipper can come through this week with some answers that will not be difficult on both of you.
Vicki, I think those are all excellent questions and I am really glad you've put them together to ask. With the conventional radiation, it was my understanding that the only thing it could do with certainty was hopefully eliminate the neurological problems for a period of time (the circling, not eating or drinking, the confusion, etc.). But all the rest of the Cushing's symptoms could still remain because the pituitary tumor was not being eliminated -- just reduced back to the smaller size that is typical for other Cushpups. Now the situation could be different with the cyberknife, but you do need to find that out. Because it would be horribly disappointing if you went into the procedure expecting to see a huge difference in Scoop's other health issues if that expectation is not likely.
Skye, Thank you. I sure hope things become clear. Right now it doesn't feel like it will and I will struggle with this, in my mind, the rest of my life.
Thanks for checking on us.
good morning vicki and i must agree with leslie this dreaded disease gets the best of us and our pups. know that you are the best mom ever to your baby scoop !!! and we are all here listening,supporting and sending you our prayers.hope today the sun is shining for you ...patty(milo)meka xoxox
Marianne, Yes I do hope with a smaller tumor things would be better but I know there's a chance they won't be but I remember reading someone's thread from a couple years ago where the tumor was destroyed. I know that is not usually the case but I guess you never can be sure how it will turn out.
I feel like a little kid who just doesn't know how to make the right decision. This just sucks to have to make a decision like this.
Hi Vicki,
You must be going through a really tough time. And I think you have some good things said by Squirt's Mom and others. Do listen to the experts. And know you are the best mom Scoop and Raleigh could ever ask for. My wife and I are continue to say prayers for you and your babies!
It does suck. hugs, Judi
Bob, Moo and Judi-Thank you
It all sucks, big time and we, none of us, should have to be making these heart wrenching decisions but this is what we were dealt and we all do the best we can. So we hold onto each other as tight as we can, no matter what, we are here for each other and there is no judgement or wrong decisions when faced with situations like this. It all comes from the heart.
But as Marianne said, from the head, I think these are all valid questions that need answers so you have an accurate picture.
love and hugs dear Vicki
Sending healing hugs to you and Scoop!
Hi Vicki. Hugs to you and Scoop.
This is a terrible time, when you just don't know where to turn and what to do next to try and make things better. I too think you have a valid set of questions to ask and that the answers might be a guide for you to help know what to do.
It all comes down to evaluation of possibilities with this disease. If we do this, what will the likely result be, what are the chances things will improve vs the chances that they won't. How risky is the procedure to Scoop, what are his chances of surviving the procedure.
In the end, it is quality of life. We use the medications to try and give our babies the best quality of life possible for the time they have left here on earth with us. We do all these procedures and tests to know what will help them the most to give them that quality of life we want for them.
We evaluate every opinion given by the experts by our friends here on the fourm who have been through this themselves and then we try to take it all and make a decision and it is still hard to know what to do and half the time I think we are guessing and hoping. Lists can help, many many lists. List of what recommendations have been made and what can be ruled out, what has helped so far and what has not. At leas that is one method that I've been known to us. Not everyone is a list person. :)
My heart goes out to you as this is so difficult.
Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Continued prayers of strength be sent to you. Please give Scoop some kisses on the nose for us.
Hi Vicki,
Just want you to know I'm thinking of you and Scoop. I can imagine tge agony you're feeling trying to make decisions. I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts.
Julie & Hannah
Good Morning Vicki:
Just wanted to let you know that I am praying very hard for you and Scoop. I am begging God to show you some mercy and help you get Scoop thru this. The thought of what you are having to endure kills me. I pray for you and Scoop to find your way.
Patti
Is texas to far away for you and scoop to travel and see doctors? we have Texas Gulf Coast Specialist and Texas A&M.............do you think you would be able to get any help there? or speak to the doctors there? I know its hard for you to even breathe right now........your soul is shattering............God speed you strength and peace...may the answers surface. if nothing has to be decided immediately........dont....just breathe a moment if you can. sending hugs.
Addy, Letti, Sharlene, Belinda, Julie, Patti, Skye-Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes for Scoop. I have such a hard time with decisions no matter what they are and this is the toughest one I've had to face. I see Scoop do things and I'm so sure it's the tumor and I think to myself, that's it. I have to do whatever. Then I stop and think and get confused all over again. It hurts so much when I see him acting strange or doesn't want to take food that you just never thought he would refuse.
Skye-Texas is far to travel but thank you for making that suggestion. If I could my choice would be U of FL. That's also too far. That would be if the decision for stereotactic radition would be made.
Vicki:
My God I just realized where you are located. I lived in the South Hills my whole life, up until moving here. I come back to Pgh. to go to my Dr. all the time. What a small world it is. What practice do you take Scoop to and where are they located? Tipper and I are holding out for a miracle for Scoop. He so deserves to be well. I am very familiar with Whitehall, and have friends living there. Maybe with the nicer temperatures you could go outside and sit with Scoop and let him enjoy the smells outdoors. GOd Bless You Both.
Patti
Patti, I live in Whitehall but it is located just north of Allentown. It's a little over an hour north of Phila. I have heard there is a Whitehall near Pitts. but I'm in eastern PA. Too bad it isn't closer maybe we could have met up somewhere. It takes about 4.5-5 hours to get to Pitts from where I am.
Patti, Thank you for all your prayers for Scoop. They are so much appreciated. He does deserve to be well, as all our babies do. Scoop has always been such a good boy!
I read an article on the VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital website. Dr. Bruyette talks about surgery done on dogs for pituitary tumors. Then he mentons that Cedars-Sinai researchers have identified a substance that shrinks this kind of tumor in a laboratory environment. He said a clinical trial is in the planning stages to see how it works on living dogs. This article is from Dec. 2010. Has anyone ever seen this or heard if they conducted the trial?
Hi Vicki,
I found an article from 2011: http://www.dogaware.com/articles/new...gssurgery.html
In it Cedars was looking for dogs for trials to try and shrink the pituitary tumor.
Looks like the best person to contact for information is Dr. Bruyette.
Maybe you could give them a call, find out if they ran the trials, are still looking for dogs and get more information.
Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
On Tuesday Scoop spent the day at the vet's for a BG curve. Not only do I pay for the curve, I also pay a days stay for them to keep him there. Boy was I mad when I picked him up. My boys have always been spoiled. They get chicken and carrots when I eat lunch and again when my husband and I eat supper. They also get treats in the afternoon. So I have to take along on BG curve days what Scoop ususally eats during the day and they are supposed to give it to him at the times I say. I send a note with times(I also mark the times on the baggies) and other instructions about him being used to going out every 2-3 hours, making sure they hold a short, tight leash because of him being off balance walking on uneven grass and offering him water esp. after he eats something. I'm afraid he won't know where the water is because of him being blind and not being used to where it is. The vet leaves early on Tuesdays. When I picked Scoop up his chicken and carrots from supper were still in the baggie. I asked the tech if he was offered them and refused to eat or if they weren't offered. She said she thinks they weren't offered because they were busy. That makes me so mad they can't take a few minutes to take care of Scoop. While I was checking out at the desk I was holding Scoop. He was trying to get down but I was afraid he had to pee so I just held him. Well we get outside and I took him to the grass. Boy did he have to pee. When we got home about 10 minutes later, he peed more. Then he pooped quite a bit and peed some more. We went inside and he took a big drink of water. Then soon after we got home it was time for Scoop to get his dog food and his insulin shot. So after that I took him out to pee again, which is the routine. When we came in Scoop went into one of his episodes. He wouldn't settle down. He vomited up phelgm. Then twice he vomited up his supper. Soon after the last vomiting he settled down and went to sleep. What a bad day for Scoop.
When the vet called me on Wed. I told her I wasn't happy and told her everything. She said she left early but she saw him being walked. I wonder what time that was! She said next time she'll write it on the board. Well why wasn't it written on the board this time, geez! I hate having to leave him there.
The vet and I were talking about things with Scoop. She called him an enigma.(sp?) My poor baby. Why did he have to get this horrible disease and nothing goes right for him.
Vicki:
This is heart wrenching to see how little attention they paid to Scoop. He has so many other issues you would think they would be glad to help with anything they can in order to make him comfortable. Every time I take Tipper and one of the techs. takes her I always tell her about being careful of Tipper's throat and rear legs, no slippery surfaces etc. They seem to get an attitude with me, and say "yea I remember about it." I don't care if they like being reminded every time or not as the time they aren't careful she might not be able to walk. Where is the empathy in these Veterinary offices? When you are talking about money though they hear that, and pay attention to that . I've tried being kind and sweet, and taking the girls little treats etc. Nothing seems to work, they just don't seem to give a damn. Poor Scoop like a little TLC would be too much work for them. He suffers enough without that crap. I would be thru the roof too. It's funny they do not seem to support a consciencous owner who loves and painstakingly cares for their dog, and even tries to make their job easier with the food and instructions etc. Sometimes you feel so alone fighting this battle. That staff needs a good swift kick in the butt, and that Vet should be reaming them out thoroughly. Now he is home in the comfort he deserves with his loving mommy to protect him. You are doing a very commendable job Vicki, I take my hat off to you as you have bravely endured all of these ups and downs. May God Bless Scoop with a miracle.
Patti
Oh thank you Patti. I always write things down if he has to stay and I mention things to whoever takes him. I don't know. Right now with everything that's going on I just want to SCREAM! A few times when Scoop had to get eyedrops for his ulcer the vet was afraid he wouldn't get the attention he needed so she let me run him back and forth every two hours but now she thinks that causes too much stress and could raise his BGs. If he doesn't get the food I take that could cause the BG readings to be not a true reading.
Poor Scoop, I understand that they can get busy, but we are paying them to take care of our babies! We trust them, they should do better, it's hard enough on us and our babies to be separated, too bad this has to happen...hope Scoop feels better!
Oh Vicki, what a horrid day. That seems so unfair to poor Scoop. He doesn't know why he isn't getting his food on time, or isn't getting to go to the bathroom as he is use to or get his water where needs it. Poor guy. You know, maybe tell the vet, it isn't any more stressful for him to be in the car With you than it is for him to be there and not get his food, walks and water at the times needed. so. Hmmph on that.
HUGS Vicki! I think you need a few of those today. :)
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Poor Scoop!
Hopefully the vet staff will cooperated better next time:(
I totally agree with Sharlene
Big hug from me
Xxxx
Quote:
Originally Posted by molly muffin
Scoop,
Next time someone who is watching you isn't doing their job, lift your leg to them and give them a big squirt. :p. Maybe next time they will listen.
Vicki,
My heart aches for you everyday. I read your post and just know how your heart is just breaking. Please know we are all here for you and Scoop and will help with whatever you need....we are really great at doing that as you continue on your journey of helping your little guy.
Belinda Rose, that's an awesome idea :) Sometimes actions speak louder than words!
Vicki:
Just checking in on the little Scoopster. What is he up to today? Hope he has now forgotten about the fiasco the other day. It seems dogs are so forgiving of careless people.Hope you both have a good day.
Blessings to you both.
Patti
that makes me LIVID!!!!!!! how would they like it if it was THEM being treated that way, or their child or their family. GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!! makes me want to put alittle web cam on their collar or harness and spy on them. and then play it back for them and say you bring your baby there to get help not to cause more chaotic once back at home. Just heartless of them.
Your a beautiful mom to scoop. Beautiful. Your love and care is the number one reason he has the fight in him he does. bless his sweet pugger heart. Love scoop. love scoopster.
Vicki:
Just checking in on sweet Scoop, I hope you two are having a restful and peaceful weekend. Hugs to you both and Blessings as always.
Patti
good morning vicki.... also checking in on you kids.will look for you later...patty(milo)meka xoxox
Checking in on Scoop too, hope you both have a great weekend!
Vicki:
Hoping you and Scoop had a good weekend. We are in for some nice weather so maybe Scoop can go out and get some good smells outside. God Bless You Both.
Patti
Hi Sweetie,
Sorry you had such an upsetting day. I hope Scoop recovered from the stress. It is so hard to relinquish control to someone else even for a day.
hugs to you and your sweet boy
thinking of you and scoop. ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
Thanks everyone for thinking of us. I spent the evening reading about EPI, SIBO and vitamin B12 deficiency. Tara on the diabetes forum said a lot of Scoop's belly troubles sound like SIBO symptoms. I'll have to see what the vet thinks. She wants a urine sample tomorrow to check Scoop's protein in the urine. He hasn't been on his Benazapril for a couple of weeks. I can't imagine the results will be any good.
did you see if the one specialist at A&M could offer any suggestions? or know of any further avenues of treatment that would help? think of you and scoop alot. and i was glad to see your post this evening.
morning vicki.... so sorry scoop is not feeling well.i am thinking of you two and praying that you can find some peace and less stress today.sending you so much love,support,hugs and strength....patty(milo)meka xoxox