Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
I am only posting for Tipper this morning as I have an enormous amount to catch up on from being gone for 2 days. I have an appointment for Tipper with the laser therapist this afternoon and wish I didn't but she needs it. I do not want to get back in my car for a year after all this. I am going to break this down into the 3 specialists that saw Tipper.

IMS:
Tumor, spleen, gallbladder, liver check with Ultra Sound
She spent a lot of time studying her inside this time I was told.
Gallbladder she still has some gravity dependent material as she did
Liver- still coarse echotexture and some hypoechoic nodules.
Spleen normal
Kidney both normal but decreased corticomedullary definition
Right adrenal normal
left unchanged tumor
Small intestines and stomach normal
Pancreas Normal, Colon normal,
Lymph nodes normal
Compared to previous study nothing has changed.
Will need periodic ultra sounds

Cardiology:
Her heart mumur is still so slight it is not even graded as a 1
Her heart muscle function is very good
She needs to eat a good diet and get the xtra weight off and can have only low salt treats.
No hypertension, no symptoms, no structural changes whatsoever
This is a slow progressing valve disease
No walking in temperatures below 32 degrees
No heart enlargement, no arrhythmias
Recheck in 6-9 months
Continue Hawthorn as it makes high blood pressure lower and lower blood pressure higher, make sure of fatty acids being used in the salmon oil and if not sufficient use Welactin, or Dermcaps or 3Vcapsules. Check the instructions for use with her weight.
She should always be watched carefully after any anesthesia for respiratory status.

Neurologist:
This was the most concerning and interesting.
Firstly the neurologist said I am a walking Cushings Encyclopedia, and when he heard I had a video of Tipper admitted to being a little intimidated by me. He was wonderful and could not have been nicer and had a colleague along for his opinion also. Tipper was examined form stem to stern. He said she is in the best shape of any Cushings dog he has seen. He also told me her ACL is torn but not completely. He made Tipper walk as he told me he was particularly interested in her gait as Glynda had mention to me once. He said Tipper had no problems with a stiff legged wide gait and that was good. Checked her eyes and they were good. Then checked reflexes and her nerves, and just all over exam, even in her ears. He put Tipper CT scan up on the monitor which is the 1st time I got to see it. He told me and showed me how really minute her pituitary tumor is, and that she had no lesions in her brain, no tumors, her brain was absolutely normal. He let me explain all of what is going on with Tipper - he took 1 and 1/2 hours with me after the exam. He and his colleague both watched the video of Tipper. Both really studying it closely, and said they were thankful to see this as no one does videos and they are so telling. First he said there is no neurologist that can 100% diagnose a seizure without an EEG, and there are maybe a handful of the machines in the U.S. as they are not used. They go more by clinical and he said you have to know precisely what you are doing when diagnosing them. He told me he read my letter about het focal and myoclonic seizures I suspected Tipper of having and he was amazed at what I knew about them. He said he cannot 100 5 say it the focal seizures, but that I nailed it with the diagnosis of what it would be if it is a seizure. He said we do not need an MRI of Tippers brain as the CT scan showed him what he is concerned with , and does not want to cost me that money and put her thru it . He does not believe she even needs a spinal tap either. He wants to start her on a benign medication for one week ( Trazodone) at 50mg if that does suppress the activity at nite it could be a violent sleep disturbance during her REM sleep or muscle tremors. If is does nothing I got to 100mg the nest week for a week and see if it does anything. He told me this medicine has been studied more than any other medicine like it and it has been found to be really safe and little side effects if any. If this does nothing we will be leaning to the seizures, which are not totally as scary right now after he explained it to me. Because they are small and she does not wake up he does not believe she is in danger as bad as they are to watch. The fact that I can wake her and they stop he told me is very good. I f anyone want to know the difference between a seizure and a tremor this is it. A seizure only originates form the brain, a tremor only comes from the muscle. The electrical impulses that I feel going thru Tipper's legs when this happens can be muscle impulses. He told me if he were a betting man he would say the Vetoryl is the cause of all of it, which is not a totally bad thing, as we know she needs it to live. We are going to try and counter act it and see if we can be successful. Also he told me that since Tipper was doing this only after starting the Vetoryl and her Pituitary tumor was already scanned at that time he is definitely ruling that out as the cause. He was the most patient male Dr. I have ever encountered. He told me if Tipper doesn't take up smoking or drinking she could go on a long time because of her body condition, if no other problems crop up. We did have a laugh over that as I said I might be the one doing that. He asked me if he could show the video to a few other in the hospital while I was in Cardiology and I said whoever wants to see it as it may help another dog somehow. He then took Tipper out in the hallway and wanted to see her trot and walk, but Tipper met up with a boxer and anted to mix it up with him. I am to call him in two weeks and if nothing has happened I can choose to ignore her episodes, or we will go to another conservative plan. I am conservative by nature and that is great for me. He said I have done everything right with this dog, I told him you all have helped me so much with that.
The IMS and Cardiology both told me Tipper is so well behaved that she never has to be sedated for her testing as when they tell her to lie still she does not move. She was a trooper, but she was with the IMS and the Cardiologist so long I admit to going in the ladies room and having a meltdown. I was a nervous wreck wondering about her tumor and her heart. There was a girl sitting by me that her dog may have bladder cancer, she was beside herself too and hard to comfort. Upon seeing the IMS and Cardiologist and hearing about Tipper's results all I could so was cry and hug my Dr.'s and they both told me they were holding their breath while testing her as they know how much I love this dog. They were so kind to me, except for the bill, I almost fainted. It had to be done so what can I say. I will find a way around it, I always do somehow. Tipper is kind of a hospital celebrity now as everyone thinks she is still a puppy and such a cute face and they love her eyebrows. They cannot believe she will be 13. I put Tipper in the car when done and went back in and gave the girl whose dog may have bladder cancer my rosary I keep in my pocket when Tipper goes to the hospital.. She cried and thanked me for it, at first did not want to take it . I told her if it helps her dog it is worth it. I have others I can use. I cried and thanked God for all my blessings all the way home, until Tipper was ready to barf looking at me balling my eyes out. She just takes it in stride, turned her back to me and slept. We had to go to the drive thru pharmacy and I was so tired I could not believe they told me an hour wait. I called the pharmacist over and explained the situation and she made Tipper's RX right away and we were off to the house. We were gone 12 hours and it was exhausting. I have to take Tipper to laser today and tomorrow the new cat to the vet for it shots etc.
Ok here is the cat story. My Dr. moved into a big building with a big parking lot. I just got a lecture from my Dr. and came out to find some kids and their mother standing beside a car where a cat was yowling inside and just about screaming out. I said is that you car, they said yes, I said what is wrong with that cat. They said we are taking it to the pound we have a dog that it does not get along with and we don't want it anymore. I said what happened to it's eye, they said it the dog got it. They said the dog was tearing the cat up as the cat was declawed. Something I am firmly against. They said we may just let her out somewhere this is too much trouble. They said she was terrible for the car ride and need to ditch her somewhere. I asked her age etc. Then said I will take her. They looked dumb founded like no one would ever want her. They said she will probably tear up your car. I said just give her to me I will deal with that. They opened up the door and that cat could not wait to get away form them. The kids laughed and thought it was funny. After getting her in my care and locking it and starting my car I drove over by them and them and told them this was not a laughable situation and they should all be ashamed and that she will have a good life now and they all just mumbled stuff under their breath. I told them I have their license number, and they better not do this again as I was turning it in tot he Humane Society. I did not but just wanted to scare them as they could have cared less about this cat. She sat on my front seat on Tipper's pillows none the less and never moved, never cried, just rubbed my hand. She stood up at the toll booths and the attendants said what a beautiful cat, and she rides with no carrier? She is a gem and was fed up being hurt by a Burnese Mountain Dog, which are gentle giants but rough and could land on her an break her back. Of course you guessed it the dog came way after the cat was there. This cat must weigh 20 lbs. I will keep Tipper away from her like I do Lucky, they will never meet. She is grossly over fed and not cared for at all. She is a Main Coon but still way over weight so much I can hardly lift her and she can get up on nothing to look out. She is calm and sweet and after shots and sequestration period she will meet my cats slowly thru the door crack and then the gate etc. They know she is here and can smell her scent. God bless her she is Amazing Grace. So this is about the longest post in history on here. If you have any ideas or comments or questions on any of this please do as you know I always want your feed back. Now I must get caught up on some stuff and I will post later to all your threads and get caught up on them. Tipper and I have truly been blessed so I have to tell one short story about it. When my father was passing I said dad how will I know you are watching me and see how my life is going after you are gone. He said I have always been strong and competitive so I am going to be a hawk, so when you see a hawk it will be me because they see everything. The day before we left a Perrigrine Hawk came into our yard walking around looking for mice. Have never seen one the whole time I lived here, and I believe they are endangered and not too many left. After we came out of the hospital and start to get onto the interstate there was a hawk right above us on t light pole looking right at us. I know it was my dad watching over my Tipper. I ask him every nite to please keep her safe. So I know God and my dad made these blessings Tipper and I received yesterday, there is no doubt in my mind. Last nite as I prayed I told God I was not asking for anything, but wanted to thank him for our blessings. I truly hope you all receive blessings too.
Patti

HA! I knew that cat was home! :p And we AIN'T gonna talk about animal hoarding! ssshhhhhhh.....my floor space is rapidly disappearing under dog crates! :D

You're an angel to take Grace and I know she will settle in and be grateful you were the one to find her. I hope you neighbor is ok - that is just a sad situation.

I'm glad you made it through your day and back home safely. Looking forward to the info you learned, too!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

PS - We were typing at the same time! LOL

Oh, Patti! That sounds so good! :cool::cool::cool:

I'm proud of you for telling those people how awful they are! That should be against the law if it's not already. :mad: That poor cat - just wanting away from terrible people who didn't care one little bit about her. She's hit the mother lode now, tho, and will have the life she deserves. Bless you for caring!

Dear Patti,
It took forever to read your morning post not because it was miles long:eek: but I had to stop many times needing to wipe my tears away, happy tears this time for you and our Miss Tiper, the wonder dog! I'm just ecstatic about the excellent test results and feel like you hit the jackpot with your neurologist as it is so hard to find a decent veterinary doctors these days it seems. I think I know how you felt about him as I know how I felt about our new IMS when I was talking to her the first time. You just know it. I'm just really happy for you and Tipper about the whole thing what'd happened yesterday and hope the new meds will work for her nicely because it's just a wonderful feeling watching your baby not trembling or seizureing, be able to sleep or rest peacefully again. Please, get some much needed rest and relax a bit with these happy findings and spend lots of quality time with Tipper (You both earned it!)putting all your worries away from your head and enjoy each other.:):):) Many, many hugs, from a very happy friend, Song.

Hi Everyone:
Just one little addition to my ever so long post this morning. The cat that the people were going to take and let out in the woods is declawed! She would have no protection. I also forgot to say that I told the mother she should get an award for teaching her children how to care for animals- your turn them lose in the wood and go away and not care! Crazy ______!!!!! She is sitting with me while I am typing this like she is so grateful to be away from that dog. I will take some pictures and post you will not believe her beauty. Tipper has to start all over at therapy because they got her leg hurting yesterday even though I warned them all and everyone who touched her to be careful. She is back to ground zero again and hobbling. We must go to therapy she has to have it and come home and we are going to rest. I have dinner ready to go in the oven and that is it for the day. Blessings Please excuse my typos on my long post, I neglected to use spell check as I am still dead tired.
Patti

Patti,

those are great reports for Tipper overall!!!! Thank God for this IMS and neurologist. Very sweet what you did for the girl in the waiting room <3.

I want to kill those people with the cat! How disgusting and I pray that they never have another pet! Honestly, I would report them to animal control and all vets/rescue organizations in the area.

I've always thought that there should be an animal abuse registry, just like they do for sex offenders. If I had the legal knowledge to avoid being sued - I would voluntarily build the necessary database with Chris' help since he has a masters degree in this stuff. They're considering doing this very thing in Arizona right now and it couldn't happen sooner!

I can't wait to see pictures of Grace. Annabelle Lee is at least a good part Maine Coon and they are super sweet cats.

I'm so glad that you got a good report and hopefully the meds will help and all of you can get some good sleep at night.

What really wonderful reports on Tipper from the various experts. I sure do hope this medicine will work for her. It does sound like muscle tremors the way he explained it and with the pituitary tumor being so small too.
So, vetroyl could certainly be the culprit here.
So glad you were there to save Grace. She obviously Knew she had been saved too and was perfectly content to be somewhere safe. Way to go Patti!

Yes, definitely must see the pictures.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

i am so glad that tipper got so many good reviews from the specialists. must be a big relief for you.
hope her leg will improve again with the laser-therapy.
and for that cat-people;@%%&&*!!
hope she will be a healthy cat, otherwise you will have to plant 2 moneytrees......
take good care of yourself and have a good night sleep.

Patti,
I have tears in my eyes hearing the story of the cat....I just can't take hearing about how cruel people are!! Terrible...and teaching children that it's okay to treat a living thing this way! Ugh...it's awful.
You are an angel for giving that cat a loving home! I was so happy to hear the outcome for that cat is the best possible-with you.

Tippers appt. sounded so comprehensive! How great to find out with certainty that the pituitary tumor is tiny-minute and her brain is pristine--not to mention super smart!! :) That's such a relief. I hope the med works to control the seizures/tremors. Sounds like Tipper is in really great shape after all...hope that knee heals up quickly!

Barbara

All I can say is that your persistence certainly paid off, and I couldn't be happier to read such good news about Tipper. You must be feeling so relieved and a huge weight off your shoulders, other then the bill of course.

I know that things happen for a reason, and it was no coincidence that you were there when Grace needed to be rescued. I'm sure the bond between you two that has already formed will be so good for both of you.

I can certainly feel a bit better now knowing that you got to the bottom of Tippers issues... way to go Mom!!!