Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
Tipper has a decent nite last nite. It poured here all day really heavy rain. Because there was no thunder Tipper was fine. She even went out on the front porch while it was raining and she has never done that. Not too much noise sleeping last nite, but all the skin rippling, leg jumping etc. is very much scaring me. She only does this when sleeping, never when awake. I am worried this tumor becomes active while she is sleeping and that is where all this is coming from, although I have heard others mention their babies doing this after starting Vetoryl. It is very dark and overcast here today. I just hope the cool weather keeps on coming as she can really enjoy herself when it is cool. I am going to attempt to clean 2 rooms today. I can't stand dust on furniture, and things have gotten out of hand here this week. If I can't do it I will yet I will just quit, and rest. Tipper has stayed with me 24/7 since I got sick. She is always next to me and wants to be touching me with some part of her body. It is such a cute and endearing thing that she has always done. I start waxing Tipper's paws with paw wax in October. It keeps her feet form cracking and smelling in the cold weather, it is actually called paw wax. They use it on sled dogs. It dries really quickly, and I am glad as Tipper is always licking something on her. She is so much better on the 25mg. Barbara. I noticed an immediate difference in her the first day. No more continually begging for food, and that is such a relief as we all know. I am working on getting this weight back off her she gained during the uncontrolled period. It is harder to get off this time for some reason. I am having to give her xtra chicken as I need to get 3 pills down her in the morning instead of the 1 we were used too. So that adds up too. Giving 3 pills is a pain in the you know what. Then after that she has to have her Gallbladder pill. Then her supplements, so that takes a lot of tiny pieces of cut up chicken to get all this down her. I use the real lean chicken breast, I am afraid with all she takes cheese would be too much fat, and she will not eat no fat cream cheese or anything no fat, she hates it. One smell and she walks away. Hope everyone has a good day with their babies. Blessings
Patti

Cooler weather here today and tomorrow. Hope you are getting some too. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sending hugs and prayers

Hi Everyone:
Another decent nite for Tipper. I have noticed her seeming depressed lately, and kind of distant. She slept well for the most part last nite, I think it is the cooler weather. Got her vaporizer ready for when the heat comes on. Glad I bought extra filters last year so I was all ready with it this year. I used the Dermapaw on the spot where Tipper is chewing and licking. I put it on before bed time. That is one thing we have not had too much of an issue with is the skin. I continue to give her the vitamin e every day, so it must be helping. Her breathing at nite is soooo much better after the Adequan that I thank my luck stars that Leslie told me about it. It was a major worry every nite we went to bed. Now she can at least sleep without struggling for air. She does still make some noises, but not at all like before. My nerves are a little better knowing I don't have to lay there and worry about her not being able to breathe. All I can say is thank God for the cooler weather. It has made such a difference. I hope there are no more storms, and that way Tipper's eyes should be ok. I was glad to see fall come, so it would be easier on Tipper, but sad about it also as it means more time is flying by for my girl. Blessings
Patti

So glad to hear Tipper is doing a bit better especially with the sleeping. Bet you are sleeping better too, I hope so anyway.

Hi Patti,
So happy to read that the better nights continue for Tipper and that her breathing is so improved.
I agree this cooler weather makes all the difference for Cushings dogs. Trixie is so much better now that the heat has subsided and she can be outside more enjoying the great weather which always seems to help make for better days and nights.
It's great that you noticed some positive change right away with the new dose. Seeing some of Trixie's symptoms coming back just a little I feel like she should go from 14mg twice a day to 15mg. Which would bring her from 28 to 30mg. Of course I'll wait until we do an acth but I'm thinking she isn't as controlled as she could be, and bringing her up 2mg shouldn't cause a problem.
Well I hope another good night is in store for Tipper. I feel a very cool breeze coming in my window right now...I'll have to close it a little because it's getting cold in here!! Yay for the cold weather!

Barbara

Good news Patti! I hope that you are also getting some rest. How are you feeling?

Yes Patti,
Time does fly by with our precious babies. That is why it's important to cherish every moment. I hope you are feeling better too. :) xxxx

Hi Everyone:
Another decent nite for Tipper. I am curious if anyone else has noticed the twitching and muscle contractions in their dog?? Tipper really had a lot last nite. I usually wake her when they get bad, and it stops. She even slept under the covers last nite. I had to put her down vest on this morning as it is 34 and foggy. She has never had a lot of hair especially on her belly, and now even less. I notice she is sensitive to both hot and cold extremes. I am curious if anyone with a dog who has a heart murmur has used Hawthorne? If so please let me know how it worked out. I spoke with Tipper's cardiologist yesterday and she wants to see her in November for a chest XRay to check her heart, and if this disease progressed any. If so she may have to go on the Ace Inhibitors which Dechra says is a very touchy situation while on Vetoryl. That is why I am looking into Hawthorne. It is reputed to really help the function of a dogs heart and regulate blood pressure. I am taking the yorkie Toby for a trim this morning, before the cold weather sets in. Just to get him trimmed up a bit, and cleaned up. Yeah for the cold weather!!! Keep it coming Tipper loves it. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,

In reading on Hawthorn in my books, I don't find anything that cautions against use in cases of CHF. In fact, Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff say Hawthorn is used in CHF with success. The cautions I did find are -

1) concerning cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

2) not recommended for patients with slow heart beats or hypotension, or who are sedate

3) it can effect other heart meds, making them stronger, usually resulting in lower doses needed of those meds

I have asked on the Animal Herbalist group on FB to see if anyone there has heard of it being contraindicated for CHF and will let you know if anyone responds.

4)