Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Barbara,
Just a quick question, I thought you were doing part Vetoryl and part compounded. Could you remind me what Trixie’s dose is currently? Thanks for your help. I am just contemplating Zoe’s dose.

Hi Addy...yes...doing 28mg a day for Trixie divided into 14mg am/pm. I use 10mg Vetoryl and 4 mg trilo.
I'll post this on your thread..not sure you meant it to be here on Pattis.
Barbara

Hi Patti,
I don't know about headaches but I do think dogs definitely react to the change in air pressure. I know Trixie usually hides when she hears the wind blowing...even without rain! Maybe she equates strong wind noises with thunder? I don't know but maybe Tipper was reacting to the wind and the other weather noises you had last night. I also have seen Trixie sniffing the air when the wind blows...she's sometimes on the couch and puts her nose up straight and sniffs.

I have been really afraid to try the fish oil. Trixie's gastro system has been so good lately, (knock wood)...I'm so afraid to mess with it by adding something new. She has a sensitive system so I don't want to start up any diarrhea or vomiting episodes right now, that's why I havn't given it a try yet.

The day she went in to have her acth and blood test she was not fasted. Not only did she have treats on the morning walk at 8am and her breakfast at 10am then I gave her three dog treats at 2pm that they have on the desk at the vet right before she went in. I didn't realize it could screw things up so much.
So...she ate those 3 biscuits, (and they weren't small) and went in to have the blood drawn probably within 15-20 minutes of eating them. I don't believe they were "fatty" treats but I read that it can definitely change the results. The article said that eating before the test can raise Triglycerides up to 20% more than fasting levels. She should be fasted at least 12 hours before testing...since it was also an acth she had eaten (and eaten plenty).
I'm sure her triglycerides are not super low but maybe that really high number would not have been quite so bad had she not just eaten 3 treats plus the earlier meal.
I want to do another test and next time a fasted test to recheck her triglycerides and also her liver numbers. She's back on Denamarin again so after a month we will retest the blood to see both the Triglycerides and liver numbers.
Trixie seems so good but those liver numbers have me worrying.

Barbara

aww Patti, sorry I posted to Barbara on your thread in error:o

Barbara:
I usually get a blood panel on Tipper every time she goes for an ACTH as it is easier on her when they are doing the testing. She always eats before her test too so I have very little blood work while she is fasted. I am going to get one though in a month I want to see her Reticulocyte count. I know what you mean about messing with the gastro system. I know I had heard other members on here talk about their dogs licking air, I wonder if the smelling is associated with that?? Just seems odd she has never done this before, but then again with this disease there are so many weird things it is enough to make you crazy sometimes. I told Tipper yesterday that I have to get a secretary to keep all her appointments etc! How is the work coming over at your mom's house? Hope Trixie is liking the cold weather. Blessings
Patti

Hey Patti,
Trixie loves the cold weather! Of course ever since Cushings so do I!! That heat made everything so much worse for Trixie, and I know you feel the same goes for Tipper.
Things out at the house are moving along but not so fast...I am chipping away at all the stuff. I can't be there everyday, if I could it would go a lot faster. We did get 25 big bags of donations packed for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. Gosh, my parents just had so many clothes and we never cleaned out my dad's stuff while my mother was alive.
Luckily they will pick up from the house and they keep 40% of the donations right in the local area (Long Island) and the rest they send to areas that don't get stuff as often. Many of the charities who request clothing donations take the clothes to be ground up and used for cheap furniture filling and carpet pads. I only gave very nice clothes in good condition and shoes..many brand new and barely worn. My parents both had a very fine wardrobe. Of course our family and some friends went thru and took things-then I neatly packed up all the good stuff for donating. We wanted it to go to people who need decent clothing, not ground up into rag filler.
Now onto furniture, rugs etc....we have a few local resale people coming in to possibly buy some stuff so we'll see how that goes.
It's all very hard for a sentimental person like me...I have to work fast when I'm there or else I start to think too much and then I get upset.
My mother was a saver, she was neat but boy she saved a lot of stuff!!...I even found a bill for the Vet from 1975!! The schnauzer I had growing up had bladder stones so was at the vet a lot...can you believe??-an office visit, x-rays, allergy tests, vaccination, and medications...grand total was $125. I'm sure my mother thought it was a lot of money back then but how I wish we had 1975 pricing now!!
I'm afraid Trixie has never had a fasted blood test except for the LDDS we did back in March. I am hoping things will look better on that fasted test when we do it...being optimistic here, hope I'm not fooling myself!

Barbara

Hi Everyone:
Today was blood pressure day, and Toby had to get Tipper riled up before we left so she was 140 today which is not high but high compared to what she has been. She gained weight from me taking the lentils away, and having to give more dog food in its' place. I have to get that taken care of. Leslie I emailed Cat the Nutritionist a few days ago and have heard nothing back yet, I am sure she is very busy so I am waiting. Barbara I am glad you are getting things moving at your mom's before the real bad weather sets in. You have accomplished a lot so far. My rescue cat Lucky suddenly took ill the day Monday. it probably is not his sludging as that starts over time. This was just right away on Monday he got sick and he never acts like this. I do not need another vet bill!!! I am waiting to see if this is just a fluke thing as sometimes cats do this or if it is something to go to the vet about. I checked him all nite and have not slept. Tipper got up at 500am and I am dead. She is still acting hungry and I do not know now if it is the lentils or her trilo dose is not high enough. I feel bad today all this stress is catching up with me. I have not even gotten my meds yet for my kidney stone, I am too busy with the babies. I will get on it today. Lucky is not eating so I have to see I may have to syringe food into him. If it comes up he may have a blockage. It is hard with 2 cats telling who went to the bathroom and who didn't. Tipper has laser therapy tomorrow and Monday the eye Dr. in Pittsburgh. I could use some help right about now. Blessings
Patti

Patti - Please take care of yourself and get your Meds that's an order lady. I know how this feels to be that busy with the furbabies and forgetting yourself as my body crashed last week cause I forgot my own meds so please take care of yourself. Poor Tipper acting all hungry Woody is doing the same at the moment, but I,m managing to ignore him so far. Good luck for tomorrow and Tippers laser appointment I do so hope you get the results you need from the eye doctor as well. Your plate is really full but please take time for yourself as you will be no use to the babies otherwise. :)

Tracy:
I know it is easy to get all wound up with the babies. I am going to take this afternoon and get my meds etc. taken care of. Now with the cat sick, I really am bombarded! Thank you for caring I appreciate it. Blessings
Patti

Patti...you must get your medications and take care of yourself too!! I am so sorry about Lucky! I do hope the kitty is okay and like you said..just a fluke.
I always found Trixie to have a bigger appetite in the cold weather...this was even before Cushings. Is there a substitute for lentils...something with protein and fiber that Tipper can have? How about oatmeal or some brown rice? I give Trixie brown rice when we have it, and oatmeal is good for dogs and a small serving may keep Tipper filled longer.
I'm not big on changing and adding things to the diet, but maybe something like lentils will help the appetite issue. Trixie is always hungry...before Cushings and now with it. She's always ready to eat.

Barbara