Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Just popping in to see how you and your little lizard hunter are doing, hope you have a great weekend...

Kathy:
I am so glad that the SEB is helping Buddy. He needs to get back in the groove and track down those pesky lizards. I am elated he had not allergic reaction, so now he doesn't have to put up with tummy problems, as they can get quite uncomfortable according to Miss Tipper. Tipper wakes up every morning anywhere between 5:00 and 6:00. It makes me really tired all day as I am up late and don't sleep well sometimes, but as long as I see her face and she is still with me that is all that matters to me. I am starting to think the muscle contractions at nite are a result of the Cushings eating up the muscle, and it makes it twitch. Even though Tipper's Cushings has been under control for a year she is still losing muscle. It is really noticeable on her ribs- her torso is rounded outward- it looks like she swallowed a big ball and it is puffing her sides out. I was told her liver etc. is not enlarged so it has to be the muscle letting go and her girth expanding because of it. At nite I see her sides rippling with muscle contractions, and her rear legs. That is where she has lost the most muscle so it is making perfect sense to me. Have a good weekend with the baby. Blessings
Patti

So glad the SEB is helping Buddy - everything is nicer when our babies have good digestion!

Lot's of good news here lately. Let's keep it going :)

Happy puppy, happy mama :)

Kathy:
Tell Buddy Tipper the ripper wants a tally on the lizard catch!! Hope Buddy continues to do well on the SEB.
Blessings
Patti

Well it's Monday and I don't have to go to work because I'm on summer vacation! YAY!!!!!!:D It's about 75° with a cool breeze and I'm home with Buddy. So it's a perfect day!:D

Update: Buddy's tummy continues to do well. It has settled nicely. I am giving him the (SEB) slippery soup a couple times daily. No indication of an allergic reaction!!:D He is totally off of the Pepcid AC now. Buddy's nasal/allergy symptoms are also starting to improve, but I don't want to jinx that. I wonder if the SEB is helping that too? Any thoughts? His sneezing and runny nose has just about stopped, so he is rattling and wheezing less. I don't know why, but I'll take it.:D
Kathy

I have sinus problems plus GERD. It seems when one of them is acting up if does have a negative effect on the other. So, just maybe the SEB is helping both!

I am so happy to hear that Buddy's tummy is doing better...YaHoo!!!!

Angels,
SEB Is a miracle herb. Thank you so much!!!!!! Buddy's stomach has settled and his allergy symptoms are clearing. It is truly a miracle! :D Buddy has been running around, barking and chasing birds today. He feels so much better when he's not drugged on Benadryl all the time.
Kathy

Great news Kathy!!
ha! If no lizards are to be had, Buddy aims for the sky! Birds beware! He may not catch you but he's going to tell you what's what in His yard!

huggers,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Yes Sharlene,
The lizards have been pretty scarce lately, so a boy's got to hunt something!:D Who gives those birds a right to invade his airspace anyway! LOL
Hugs,
Kathy

Hi Kathy,
Yay for the slippery elm bark!! How great that Buddy is getting great results all around! :D Couldn't be happier to hear he is feeling so well. What a great start to your summer break!!
Your 75 degrees plus nice breeze sounds great...we have the 3 "H" week here...hazy, hot, humid. ugh.
:) Barbara

Soooooo relieved it is working. Glad you had the poll on it because who would have thought with the allergy issue that it would work? Way to go mom. Great call and I'm so glad to hear he's doing so much better. Kim

Kathy:
I couldn't be happier that your precious Buddy is doing so well. After all the hurdles you two climbed over you deserve this. Your summer vacation, and Buddy's health issues letting up will make the summer so much sweeter. May you and Buddy continue to be blessed.
Patti

HURRAH, it does make sense. I have allergies, sinus issues, asthma and Gerd. When the Gerd is bad, my sinus issues are bad, the acid goes up into my nasal passages.

I just heard back from the neurosurgeon (via my vet)who is running Buddy's prednisone/trilostane trial. She is very pleased with his progress. She said that the combo is not effective for all dogs. That is why there was a three-week trial period. Buddy's Prednisone has been weaned as low as it can go in order to control his neural symptoms. He is now taking one half of a 5 mg tablet once per day. As neural symptoms start to return that dosage will have to be increased accordingly, still maintaining the lowest possible effective dose. Neural symptoms will return as the tumor continues to grow. My vet has been advised to keep him on his current Trilostane dosage of once per day with breakfast. Once per day dosing allows the cortisol to rise somewhat throughout the night. That could help slow down the tumor and still partially control Buddy's most bothersome Cushings symptoms. There is a delicate balance between controlling the Cushing's symptoms with Trilostane and adding the prednisone. It has to be monitored very carefully. Buddy's trusted vet will be gone most of the month of July,so I had to get the results of his trial and RX filled this week. I am distressed at the fact that his vet will be gone so long. He's the only one at that place that knows anything about Cushing's. He was gone when all of this started with Buddy and things were really screwed up then.:p If they don't know about Cushing's protocol,I can't imagine they know anything about macro-tumor treatment either!:o Thank goodness I have all of you to keep the quacks in line while he's gone!;) Unfortunately, Buddy may need some of those quacks.:p
Update for today: Stomach and allergy symptoms have settled thanks to SEB. I love that stuff! :D The house behind us has a parrot. It is kept in a screened, family room area. Whenever Buddy goes out to the backyard to take care of his business, that bird squawks loudly on purpose! I didn't realize this was happening because I was working. The bird squawks and Buddy forgets what he's out there to do and runs up and down along the fence barking at the bird. It is hilarious!LOL This will repeat several times. Buddy will start to sniff and as soon as he's ready to pee, the bird will squawk again. I don't know how that parrot knows, but it does. Talk about cheap vacation entertainment! LOL:D
Kathy

hahahaha, that is hilarious!!! That bird has Buddy's number alright. hehe I bet it's having a great time. :)

Kathy, you are the best thing Buddy has going for him. Sure it would be better if his vet was around, but he sounds pretty stable and I'm very much convinced that anything that goes on, you will have researched it and be ready to tell any of those vets that get it wrong, exactly whats what, because you are smart and you are Buddys knight in shining armor.
We are all right here, ready to jump in and back you up however you want, any time you want. We're all pretty hand as research assistants if ever needed too. LOL
hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

Thanks Sharlene,
You are a gem!:) My vet is going to be retiring eventually. He has been saying it for years. I really hope that he lasts at least as long as Buddy does. I know that he has a right to take time off, particularly in the twilight of his career. He has earned a slower pace. I know that in my head. But my heart tells me to lock him in his exam room and block his parking space in case he break out. :eek: You do what you have to do Sharlene!;)
Hugs,
Kathy

Okay, if that is the plan, you can use my car to block the any extra spaces too. :D :D

huggers,
sharlene and molly muffin

Oh Kathy, I am so pleased to read your report! You are doing such a wonderful job of taking care of Buddy and of advocating for him. He is such a lucky little guy to have you for his mom! And you both are really being pioneers in braving the trilo/pred treatment combo. I have a feeling that you guys will be a great help to other folks who end up facing this same journey!

Sending many hugs and belly rubs,
Marianne

Hi Kathy,

What a great report to read this morning! I am so glad this approach is helping that sweet boy and hope it continues to for a long time to come. It sounds like Buddy is feeling pretty good and is enjoying his newly discovered lizard disguised in bright feathers. :D That's funny....I can just see him telling that bird to mind it's own business so he can take care of his! :p

We have a thread in Everything Else about macroadenomas that was started by one of our members who dealt with the same thing in the hopes that others who come after would share their experiences to help others who come after. Since this a pretty new treatment approach, Buddy's story could really help someone else if you wish to share on this thread -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/show...t=macroadenoma

We would still want you to keep this thread going but the macro thread contains only info on macros from different experiences, offering a lot in one spot to those looking for info. ;) You may find something there that will help you as well.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Kathy:
I have a parrot named Elvis. He calls all the animals by name. They can hear better than a dog and smell like one also. If someone strange comes into the house and Elvis has not even seen them, he knows they are in here. Poor Buddy can't catch a break, now he can't even pee in peace!! Can the bird see into your yard where Buddy is? They are smart little devils let me tell you. Elvis starts talking real loud every time the phone rings, and you cannot hear the other person. Everyone asks if I am babysitting grandchildren! He never shuts up, he is always babbling about something. He sings songs, he knows the alphabet, he can mimic sounds , he can add some numbers, he laughs in my voice, he dances, he is a real ham. His very favorite is Don Ho's Tiny Bubbles. He sings it every day. His Tarzan yell would rival Carol Burnett's. He has even given himself the nickname El.
Well I don't know too much about Tipper's breathing last nite as she spent it in the closet, it was thundering and lightening, and 65 mile and hour winds. Needless to say it was not a good nite for her. I saw the cool mats online Kathy but I was not sure if they even worked. Does anyone else have any experience with them? It would be a good idea, but don't want to waste the money if it is just another gimmick. Tipper's blood pressure and weight were both up a little, but still not bad. So we will be getting out the Lentils again, and using them as some of her dog food substitute. Have to get all of Tipper's walks in early as it looks like more rain any time now. Blessings
Patti

Leslie,
I will consider posting Buddy's tumor reports on the other thread, so they can be of help to others. However, as of now I'm not ready to read all of those stories. I know the direction that this is going and it's hard enough. Concentrating on those other stories would make my heart hurt more than it already does. I get much too emotionally involved with each fur baby's plight and that would just be way too hard right now.
Kathy

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))) )))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Kathy:
For what it's worth I would feel the same way too. The situation is too difficult as it is, and I would not want to read all that right now either. I do agree when you are able somewhere down the road, it would be helpful to others. Tipper send hugs and kisses to Buddy. We pray every nite for Buddy. Blessings
Patti

Mobility update…..
Up until about a year ago, Buddy was able to jump onto the cedar chest to sit in the window. When he could no longer jump up safely, I put up a ramp for him to get up there. The ramp worked very well until about six months ago. That's when he was starting to have difficulty getting up and down the ramp safely. He could still get up, but he couldn't always get down by himself. I thought the problem was just aging, but soon found out that he had rear leg muscle wasting due to Cushings and neurological deficits due to a suspected Macro-tumor. The ramp was taken down permanently about three months ago. Buddy has since been doing his guard duty in the front doorway, through the security doors when the weather permits. The weather has been in the 90s the last couple of days, So he hasn't been able to look out except for early in the morning or later in the evening. This afternoon, Buddy lead me to the ramp which was being stored in our screened in family room. I realized that he wanted me to put the ramp up. I tried to distract him from it to no avail. He kept going back to the ramp. So I carried it in and set it up, knowing that he was not physically strong enough to use it. I was quickly proved wrong. As soon as the ramp was secure, I moved out of the way and he ran up it and plopped down on the cushioned cedar chest. He looked at me like to say, "see, what's the big deal?" He has been using the ramp, up and down, by himself all afternoon. OMG:eek::D I don't know how he is able to do it, but he is. It is mind blowing!:eek:

Awwwwwwwwwwwww.....:o :) :) :) :)

Oh Kathy that is the most wonderful of news! Thank you for putting it into context for us too, that just makes it even better.
Super big hugs, this is a good day for you and Buddy
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Oh wow that is so cool. Love it. You need to video those moments! :) So happy for you. Note I head out tomorrow so keep it up while I'm away. xoxo Kim

Thanks Kim for reminding me.;) Have a wonderful trip. Don't forget my suggestion on handling the kids, when they start acting too much like kids. Back away slowly and pretend like they belong to somebody else.;):D
Big hugs,
Kathy

Wonderful :D

All the things we all used to take for granted are now precious moments :)

Oh Kathy, such a smart boy you have there!! Sending huge and loving hugs to you both, Lori

Awwww Buddy!! :p Love that he wanted that ramp up and just popped up there on that chest to do his best guarding! What a good boy! That is just the cutest story! :)
Such a smart guy he is!! I think he is out to prove everyone wrong!
GO BUDDY!!!! :D

Barbara

I just popped by to wish you and Buddy an awesome Friday and weekend and hope Buddy is busy using his ramp to guard the house:D Such a smart boy.

awwww....How sweet is that? Buddy knew what he wanted and that you could make it happen for him. Good boy, Buddy!

Kathy:
How smart are these dogs??? That is so heart warming to hear Buddy is doing something else he used to enjoy. They know how to talk without saying a word. He communicated to you without a sound, so he is very tuned into his mommy. Glad you are home and able to enjoy this time with him. Blessings
Patti

Awwww - I just love that Buddy was able to tell you what he wanted without saying a word. I'm sure he's going to spend many happy hours guarding his territory. Go Buddy!

Buddy has always been able to let me know what he wants. I tell him to "show me what you want" and he will take me right to whatever he wants. Sometimes he wants cookies, or he thinks it's time for a meal. Other times he wants the front door open, so he can look out. He may want me to move the pool cover, because it's covering his lizard holes. He often wants me to go outside with him. He will lead me to his water bowl when he wants freshwater. Buddy has no problem whatsoever communicating his wants. He doesn't always get what he wants and is a pouter when that happens. Most of the time he gets exactly what he wants and he's a happy guy!:D

Buddy woke up with a little upset stomach, reflux thing. When this happens his nose runs and he wheezes, because of the acid invading his sinuses. I didn't give him any Pepcid or Benadryl. I gave him his Trilostane /prednisone combo with breakfast. A couple hours later I gave him first dose of SEB for the day. His stomach settled and his sinuses cleared within a half an hour of giving him the SEB. Hope all are having an awesome weekend,
Kathy

Buddy is an amazing little guy.

Wow, sounds like that SEB is just wonderful for him. Everything seems to be working so well lately for him.

All great news!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I am bummed tonight. :( Buddy has been doing so well and I let myself enjoy it. He is having a hard time walking this evening. His front legs keep giving out on him. It looks like we cut the prednisone down to far. We dropped from twice a day dosing to once per day in the morning a week ago Friday. It's possible that he's just overly tired tonight, but I'm not feeling that. I'll see how his mobility is in the morning and then give his vet a call. :-) His vet will be gone most of the month of July, but is supposed to be in tomorrow. I hate these reminders that we are dealing with a tumor which will rob him of his ability to walk. It is happening much too soon.:(
Kathy

I will sit with you on the couch tonight Kathy :o