Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

How nice that Tipper is enjoying the snow so much! You must have really loved seeing her so happy and energized!
We had snow showers all morning...nothing sticking here..the streets are too warm. Too bad it's all over already...I like it too.

Funny how Trixie doesn't love going out in the rain and this morning we had the same wet streets like a rainy day except snow flakes were falling. Well, she can tell the difference between rain and snow and she was so eager to get outside once the front door was opened.
She was happily trotting around sniffing the snowflakes and we took a long walk along the East River, she was loving it. Dogs really love snow!
I hope Tipper has a great day and some more time out in the white stuff !!

Barbara

Hi Everyone:
I have gone over Tipper's blood work and corresponding ACTH's. There is no apparent pattern. It is about split on the times she has low cortisol and low reticulocytes etc., as when the cortisol was higher and the reticulocytes etc were higher and she had higher cortisol. That has solved nothing, so I am back to square one, thinking the low oxygen at nite time. I am going to ask the vet if Tipper can come for Adequan every 3 weeks instead of 4. She isn't honking, but making that sort of snorting sound when she smells something, and I can tell it is bothering her, and she has been doing that constant swallowing. Also, is anyone aware of anything that they just came out with that would be better for her than GlycoflexIII??? Maybe even something I could use in conjunction with it??? I need to go to the source of the problem and try to work from there to help her. Blessings
Patti

Barbara:
I am glad Trixie had a good walk too. Tipper's fish oil is shipped so I should be getting it soon. I am wondering if it is good or bad to refrigerate it so it does not get rancid. She takes vitamin E everyday so I do not need to add that to her regime. My whole day is spent doling out her pills and supplements. No wonder I cannot get the weight off her as I must hide this multitude of pills and supplements in chicken to get her to take them. It is funny how these dogs get energized form the cold weather and snow. I am happy Trixie had some good numbers this time. That sounded so nice a walk along the river. Tipper much prefers this weather, she even went out last nite when it was pouring down rain and went potty with no problems. I think she realizes the thunder is gone and she is not scared now. Thank God! Blessings
Patti

Glad that you and Tipper are having a good day and she is loving the snow. Molly loves it too as long as it isn't icy and doing the melt/freeze/melt/freeze thing.

Good luck at the doctor. Both of you. :)

Is there any recommendation as to how often or for how long they can take Adequan shots?

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi
I give adequan every 3 weeks and was told that was the max but with my dog that passed last year who had severe arthritis his vet had him on weekly adequan shots so I would guess that it depends on the severity of the pain. We also give the injections ourselves actually my husband does the honors. Buddy is very good getting the shot. It's when they start to lose the muscle mass that makes it harder on them. I buy the 2 pack vial from Drs Foster Smith. I also want to mention that I use GlycanAid advanced formula from Handicapped pets and have been for years.
http://www.handicappedpets.com/glyca...d-formula.html

Have you tried Chamomile for your little ones breathing problems? I have been looking around for some approaches. Chamomile helps with inflammation and since tracheal collapse can involve inflammation I thought it might help some. It is also antispasmotic and calming. It is relatively harmless unless you have allergy involvement here. It doesn't look like there is much that can be done without major intervention. I noted some possible accupuncture both normal accupuncture and with some kind of injection which sounded involved.
I agree that getting a blood gas with an anxious dog would not be ideal. Since I'm not involved with vet medicine - I wonder if they don't have a pulse ox type equipment for dogs. Surely they use something in their surgeries to monitor oxygen. Even with that Tipper would probably be anxious just being in the office. Humans can take a pulse ox instrument home and measure their levels during their sleep. This would be difficult with a dog but you can ask if this is possible. Then you could also measure their oxygen level with oxygen on to see if Tipper would be getting any use of the oxygen if you do figure that all out
I watched a couple you-tube videos about tracheal collapse and see what you are dealing with. My dog so far only gags once in a while and I'm sure this is from atrophied muscles and possibly more coming our way.
I'm thinking of using chamomile if I decide to retry the trilostane. I found out that trilostane interfers with glucocorticoids (of course) which helps balance your digestive system as well as everything else in the world, so if our dogs system is used to the glucocorticoids then we go in there and upset the system - we have upsets all over and the digestive system is one.
If we can reduce a small amount of inflammation this could give Tipper a little more room to breath.
Oxygen can be drying and humidity does help but unless you are putting the oxygen tubes directly in Tipper's nose, I don't think this would be a major issue. I would think just having a vaporizor in the room would help. We do not use humidity with oxygen when humans are on lower levels anymore. Tests have been done and they came to this conclusion. But I recently had a colonoscopy and of course they put oxygen in my nose and I felt burning in the one nostril immediately then for a couple days afterward I was sneezing from the irritation.
I am also giving my dog Alpha lipoic acid once in a while as it helps with kidney and heart. Of course I give Coq10 most every day, but I read something about it that I may need to rethink my use of it but can't remember what or where I read it. CoQ10 helps with the congestive heart problems which I believe you mentioned you were already using. Not sure if increasing the dose would be of benefit and you have a small dog so would be more sensitive to increases. All of these supplements are not regulated and most contain some kind of soy in the capsules (magnesium stearate) which can cause problems if soy is a factor with allergies.
I can't remember if you mentioned Tipper's hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, I know you talked about the reticulocyte count - but if your hemoglobin levels are low you have decrease access for oxygen to be carried into the lungs which would not help Tipper, but I would think this would be more of a problem with exercise than asleep.
I am really glad you are telling us what you are going through as it helps me see where I can be headed. sorry for all the rambling but I can't sleep as usual. God be with you. Jan W.

Hey Patti.... just catching up on your thread. Poor Tipper having some problems again, but as always you are right on top of it.

You are happy about the snow??? Guess that's because Tipper likes it so much, but I detest it, and have to keep a constant eye on Keesh when he's outside as he freezes up. It's difficult to haul an 85 lb dog (he was that weight) back into the house cause his legs won't work. He's been like that since a pup.

I will be keeping an eye on your thread to see how you and Tipper make out. I'm extremely busy these days, sometimes you wonder if a holiday is a good idea cause there's twice as much to do if not more when you get back. I cannot get rid of this exhausted feeling either, I contribute that to getting so sick when I was away.

Glad to hear though things are relatively going well with Tipper. Keep up the good fight, and thinking of you.

Hugs

Hello

Work has been very intense, it's worse since the merger.

Boyce is doing great, he wasnt as scared of fireworks this year so I have no idea why but i will take it. He didn't run off and hide just barked a few times at the loud ones. He also loves the white stuff, had done since he was a pup, I love it, causes absolute chaos over here on the transport system but it looks so pretty :D

Hope Miss Tipper had a good night and that you are doing ok?

Big kisses to her from me and a tight hug for you

Mel
Xxxxx

Hi Everyone:
I am getting ready to take Tipper to the vet's for her Adequan shot and blood pressure. I can't wait to see what excuse they come up with for not calling me about the oxygen. Tipper had a good nite, but it is 18 here this morning and she cannot walk if it is under 32 because of her breathing and her heart. It is not supposed to warm up so we may have to play ball in the house as she will be thoroughly bored. I need the dog sitter for Monday morning as I have the Urologist appointment at 8:30am. The road have been really icy around here with many accidents so I hate going out early, but I have to get this done before the end of the year or I will have to pay my deductible again. I think I am going to make Tipper and the cats some salmon today instead of the usual chicken. Yesterday Tipper drank a lot of water and is starting at it again this morning. I have to keep an eye on that to see if something is up. She is so fat around the middle from this disease that it is hard for me to lift her. I bet with all the water she drank she will have gained back the 4 ounces she lost. It is a continual battle, which it never was a few months ago. I will post when we get back. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
I am back form the vets office. The vet is so impressed with Tipper's blood pressure since being on the Hawthorne. He asked me where I got it as he has an Amish neighbor with high blood pressure that will not go to the Dr. Isn't this a turn around??Now he is looking to me for answers! Anyway her blood pressure was 120. I urge anyone who has a Cush dog to with high blood pressure to get them on this Hawthorn. It will save your dogs life. High blood pressure really does a number on their kidneys, so it is best kept low. When Tipper first started with this I called a great Dr. who worked with me on her allergies years ago. She told me the single most important factor in the Cush dog is blood pressure, so I am just passing that along. I have Tipper's done faithfully every week. We also discussed the trachea issues and that Tipper has been snorting like a pig again this past week. He said on some dogs the Adequan wears off faster, so she is to get shots every three weeks now instead of every four weeks. He said these shots hurt, and she is just the most stoic dog, she never even winces when getting it. Also her anal glands were full, as I keep a record on them too. I am the record queen! So I had them clean them out. Dogs with allergic histories should have them cleaned regularly, and their ears checked. I felt a lump on Tipper's chest the other day. Even though she is prone to those fatty cysts I wanted him to feel it. Do you think any of us could find it??? Heck no. So I decided to mark it with a red magic marker the next time I find it so I can show him. It is 32 now and moving up the thermometer, so I think I will walk her when it hits 34. Blessings
Patti