Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

I have to wonder how many of our thunderstorm terrorized dogs have similar or other problems because of all the stress. Many vets don't seem to take this problem very seriously or even understand how extreme this phobia can be.

I don't know if it's related or just a coincidence, but an awful lot of our Cushpups seem to be afflicted with this problem.

I had to sedate (acepromezine) Rosie last night because it rained. No thunder or lightning, just darkness, wind and rain, all of which she associates with thunderstorms and therefore they trigger the panic. She has also dreamed thunderstorms several times recently and woken up in a fullblown panic when none of her triggers were present. It takes sustained good weather to allow her to completely recover after an episode; the longer the bad weather has been, the longer time it will take to recover. And unfortunately, in this part of NY it is seldom sunny for more than two days in a row. This has to be taking a toll on her.

Karen:
Do you have any Reticulocyte values on any of you baby's blood work? If they are high this is the reason. If they are you need to get something done about it asap. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well it would seem I have unlocked Pandora's Box. This is the reason a lot of the Cush pups are having trouble with thunderstorm, and loud noises. After all the vets etc.told me don't worry about it ( Reticulocyte) I am glad I listened to that inner voice of mine that said don't listen to them. This can be very dangerous. It thickens their blood and can cause many neurologic problems, eye problems, blindness, stroke the list goes on and on. I have prepared letters to my vet and the IMS with proof showing them they are wrong, and this is definitely what caused Tipper's eye vessel bleeding. I told them I want to get on this like yesterday. I looked at my spread sheet and all of Tipper's last 5 Reticulocyte values were very high. I read phlebotomy and hydroxyurea will lower her making red blood cells, and I do not mess it to mess with the white, that is the tricky part. It has to be done in a hospital so someone better move their ___ on this. I am not fooling around with these vets, after I read all this you could have scraped me off the ceiling. I am thankful I have learned to never ever give up,and to trust myself. So everyone having babies afraid of storms- it could be caused by the tumor from Cushings or excess cortisol, please read my previous post. God is looking after my girl by pushing me to find this. I am shocked at how much these vets do not know, I am wondering what they did learn in school?????? Without the tumor being removed this will continue to happen, so the only solution is what I stated previously. Blessings
Patti

Patti, what exactly am I looking for? I would guess under hematology, but I don't see "reticulocytes" listed there, or anywhere, on the bloodwork report I have. Her RBC (red blood count) is a little high at 9.06 (ref 5.5-8.5) though.

Wow Patti! That is amazing!!!!!

If the blood is thicker does that mean it will clot easier? My Cooper had an aortic blood clot and the specialist vet said it was a complication of his Cushings. Maybe this is what he meant? It's been 7 weeks today since we had to let him go and I'm still trying to figure out what happened to him. I sure hope you get some answers from your vet. This disease is so complicated and horrible.

Karen:
I noticed that on my blood reports years ago the Reticulocytes were not even listed. I don't know if the lab adds it if they find something wrong or the Dr. orders it, I will have to find out at the vet this morning. Blessings
Patti

Regarding Cooper that could be a possibility as when blood is thicker it will make clots. I luckily stumbled upon this after much research. I am going to get my Tipper on something to thin her blood. This reticulocyte when high means too many re blood cells are being made, thus the thickening of the blood. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,

I found your information very interesting and decided to do a little more reading myself. Issues associated with abnormally elevated red cell counts are indeed genuine. But from what I saw, fearful behavior is what triggers the hyperactivity of the spleen and the increase in red blood cells -- not the other way around. So the fearful behavior is the cause of the increased cell production and not the result. Additionally, red cell production caused by fear is only a temporary abnormality.

Quote:

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Transient polycythemia is a type of relative polycythemia that is caused by splenic contraction. The spleen is a storage site for mature red blood cells. When a dog becomes extremely excited or experiences fear, anger, restraint, vigorous exercise or surprise, its spleen contracts in response to the release of epinephrine by its adrenal glands. Epinephrine is commonly called adrenaline. When the spleen contracts, it injects large numbers of red blood cells into circulation, thereby increasing the relative ratio of red cells to fluid in the blood. This is beneficial for dogs that are experiencing sudden and strong feelings, because the increased concentration of red blood cells facilitates the transport of oxygen to key organs and body tissues, preparing the dog for unusually energetic activity.

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http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Health/P...ia/Causes.aspx

It is true that Cushing's itself can be associated with chronically mildly abnormal red blood cell levels (also discussed in that article). But the mechanism involved is neither the cause nor the result of a fear response. In Tipper's case, it seems to me that you may have legitimate concerns if her cell counts are consistently highly abnormal. But from what I have read, I don't think that abnormality is what is causing her fear of storms, and lowering the red cell count will not solve that particular problem.

Marianne

Marianne:
Tipper falls into the category of Secondary Erythrocytosis. This is Endocrinopathy associated Erythrocytosis it is found in dogs with adrenal hyperactivity which does cause behavior changes. I know what you are referring to about the splenic release after fear or excitement. Some of the dogs here may fall into that category. So Tipper's crazy reactions to storms etc. is associated with the behavior changes caused by Endocrinopathy associated Erythrocytosis. In fact I was just at the vets office and he agrees, and said she may suffer from both, having the Secondary that makes her fearful, and then the splenic reaction takes over after that and keys her up. Thanks for your help, I need all I can get at this point.
Patti