Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Actually a pet store, independent or not, might be a good option too. My local independent pet store owner, does cat rescue. So you never know. :)

Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper had a small episode of seizures early when she went to sleep. She did get some rest, so did I. I decided to go to the 30mg Vetoryl after her ACTH test today if it shows cortisol rising. I am afraid in the trilostane that she is not getting an accurate dose and when I think she is getting 8mg from it, it could according to studies on compounded drugs be only 4-5mg. I need to get this cortisol under control as her symptoms are thru the roof again and that seems the only way to do it. I just hope going form the trilo to all Vetoryl she does not plummet to far. Also I am taking my oldest cat along to the vet today. He gets an early detection profile every 6 months and is due. I am asking the vet to have the lab check for corona virus too. I read many cats form breeders already have it, wheich would mean Lucky does too and that Grace could stay. It is a long shot, but it is worth a try to save her anguish of moving again. I forgot to get urine from Tipper, so that means another trip this week, oh well! I always check her urine when doing the ACTH and blood panel. It is so frigid here I think 15 below is what they said on tv. Blessings
Patti

HI Patti,
This super cold weather is making it hard to give the dogs some decent exercise isn't it? It was not as bad here this morning as by you...but still at 14 degrees I cannot take Trixie for more than an around the block walk.
After catching up on your posts I was wondering if the neurologist explained why the seizures would only happen at night? Do you ever notice Tipper having a seizure during the day when she's active? Just curious about that. Could it be when Tipper is lying down she is pressing a nerve that sets off a seizure? Seems like if was related to medication or anything else it would be more likely to happen anytime. Seizures are sometimes such a mystery!
Sorry about your parrot bite! There are nothing like parrot jaws. They can practically crack open a coconut, I know they can crack open nuts that need a hammer to open...very strong jaws! Awww...I bet Elvis was having some winter blues too!!
I don't want to hope your cats all have that corona virus...but I wish Grace could stay with you. I know you have enough on your plate...but the way she ended up in your car that day, seems like it was all meant to be. If she has to leave you I know you'll only put her with someone you trust.
I also think that the restlessness at night is a good marker about the cortisol maybe being a bit high. Now that Trixie is controlled she is so peaceful at night. She used to move around constantly when her levels were still high. Though with this weather and lack of exercise Tipper could just be restless too.
Seems like over the weekend we will finally have some moderation in the temps...I hope you do too.

Barbara

Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper had her ACTH and blood work so we will see about the Reticulocyte count now and the alt etc. She gained more weight and has to stop now, even the vet said this is unlike her. I have to get her all the way onto the new lower calorie food by next week. He said we need to test for thyroid on a Monday. I said after I recuperate from all this. Chance my cat will be 14 and he lost 1/2 lb and the vet is concerned, and I am too. He is small and that is a lot for a small cat to lose. He had his check up and blood work and a corona virus check. If Chance was exposed to it at the breeders that means he has had it for nearly 14 years and would have exposed my Lucky to it. He has never been sick with anything like that so if he has had it it has not turned into anything all this time and that is good. So this is Grace's last shot at staying here. I did everything I could and now it is in God's hands. I came out of there with my head reeling from a 1000.00 bill I had to pay for all this and Grace. I am busted, broke and any other words you can think of right now. I have to get some more money together for Tipper's thyroid panel and Lucky needs blood work and Toby. It never ends here. I will manage I always figure something out. I will have all the test results back by probably Friday, and I will go pick them up as I forgot Tipper's urine and have to take it. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well we area having 40 -50 mile and hour winds. It is really bad out there. Tipper went in on my bed and I turned the electric blanket on for her and she is napping. That ACTH testing is the pits. It is really hard on them. I wish there was a much easier way that did not involve pain for these babies. Tipper gets these so often she is developing a submissive behavior and just sitting there in complete compliance. That kind of makes me sick when I think about it, but the vet told me that is how she is getting. She must be on about number 15 of them by now. The vet agreed to go back to the Vetoryl as we are not sure she is getting enough in the compounded trilostane. So I guess after Fridays results we will be going to the 30mg Vetoryl again. I feel so bad she gained weight again, but it is not from me giving her excess food. I will do the thyroid earlier next month she needs a break and so do I. She should be on her low cal food totally next week, I have given her nuggets and more nuggets the past two weeks so she should not have a reaction- at least I pray she doesn't. It is Grace's time now so I am going to pay attention to her for a while. She never must have been given toys. My boys play with toys every day and I interact with them. She does not even know what to do with one, and that is sad. Blessings
Patti

Well I do hope that things work out with Grace, but then I don't want your cats to have anything dire either. :(
Maybe Tipper is just so use to the tests now that they don't scare her or freak her out at all. She isn't doing the cringe submissive is she?

Cold here today too but suppose to warm up to -5C for a high tomorrow. Of course with that comes snow. :) of course LOL

Stay safe and warm
hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

hi patti, it sounds logical to me that tippers weight gain comes from the lack of exercise because of her leg injury and the bad weather.
doesn't that sound more logical than a thyroid problem? it can save tipper a visit to the vet and you a lot of money? from what you describe tipper was always in pretty good shape.

i saw it with my dogs too. since flynn could not walk much anymore, the other dogs gained weight too. i hope this is the case with tipper too.
since the weather is ok, we can walk longer distances now. ian has lost 1 kg [2 pounds] last month. he still has to lose about 2 kg. he is on 30 mg vetoryl too and his pot belly is less pronounced now. he weighs around 13,5 kg [about 28 pound]
a 1000 dollar bill today? hope you don't get nightmares from it!
i would..... i wish there was a fund for cushing dogs world wide [treatment and research]
we do have a Faculty of Veterinary Medicine where vet students get their education. they used to give large discounts overthere, but not so much anymore.
i can still send a stool sample every month of each dog which the students research for canine parasites for free, so you don't have to put unnessesary meds into your dogs [no deworm].
they never found any so far over the last 2 years. it is an interesting project. the outcome so far is that hardly any adult pet dog has canine parasites. flee control is necessary though.
take good care of yourself , and good luck with the results on friday.

Hi Everyone:
Well I think part of Tipper's weight gain is the no walking I still studied all her T4's and they were all low normals ready to go into abnormals so she could be having thyroid issues. She had some seizure activity early on before she really got into her sleep. She slept better last nite because she was exhausted from her testing day. We have laser therapy today and then she goes back to her regular schedule of once every 3 weeks. I am tired out mentally and physically and need a few days rest. I have to go out Friday and take the urine sample, but that will be it until Wednesday so I can take it easy a few days and not have to be trekking out anywhere. I have some people that flip animals for profit trying to get Grace and pretending they will give her a good home. They will never get her. I will see to it if she leaves here she has an iron clad, clean, wonderful ,forever home or she does not go it's that simple. Delora is getting worse physically and mentally. I may either get a pizza or make something next week and take up and eat it with her for some company she is lonely and you never know when you will never see someone again. She likes to work puzzles and cross word books so I will see if I can find her some. My other elderly man neighbor is better and out and about so that is good. I wish I could hit the lottery and take care of all our dogs and all the elderly that need help. I am just glad that I am able to work things around that I can afford what Tipper needs for now, that is a blessing. I just wish I had the income I did when I was working as this would be real easy then. It is what it is so I deal with it. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well the long awaited news is in...... Grace cannot stay neither of my cats have been exposed to the corona virus. I must start to really get a good home for her. This is breaking my heart that she must go, but that is the way it is. On the other hand my Chance had an excellent report, he needs to eat a little more now. Then we have Miss Tipper. Well I was right her thyroid took a big dip, and when I heard her alk phos 300 I was so upset. A dogs thyroid can make their alk phos high so if any of your babies are having that problem please check into it. I knew it as I read it somewhere before and I asked the vet and he confirmed it will make it high. So that is why the weight gain with Tipper. I think I should just call all the shots here and forget the vets. So we will have to do the thyroid panel and send it to Michigan State. Probably in a week, she needs a break, I need to think where I can pull this money from. Also her reticulocytes are way down so I was right it was the lentils!!! This is the one that really mystified me. Tippers ACTH results were not what I was expecting according to her clinical signs. Her pre number is .9 so she is low again ,and the post was 5. The vet told me her thyroid could have a lot to do with the wacky hungriness and drinking more. I was shocked as I expected her to be high based on her clinicals, but now that the thyroid is involved that adds another dimension to the mix. So I immediately got out the bottle of 8 mg trilostane and swapped it for the 7mg I already have. I will be lowering her dose starting tomorrow. She will have to be rechecked at least baseline in about a month. I just have to keep a close watch on her. I want her on thyroid meds asap to get this alk phos down. I am interested in hearing what others are using for thyroid and which is the safest drug to use? I would appreciate some heklp on this. I take Synthroid and know for a fact in people it must be started on a low dose or it tends to blow the top of your head off from a head ache. So I will want her started low if that also happens in dogs??? Anyone with thyroid experience please give me some advise. I am sick over Grace and I asked my other neighbor and he does not want any pets. I am back to square one, but I know she will get a good home I just need to network and find someone. I am home for about 4 days so I will do it then. Everything else seemed good according to the vet with Tipper's tests so I will pick my copies up tomorrow and then let you know after I pick thru it all. He never gives me the whole picture so I want to see it myself as usual then I will see what is good and bad according to me. I am sick over Grace so please pray I find her a home I am getting so attached to her. Blessings
Patti

Oh I am so sorry that definitely have to find Grace a new home. I know you can do it though. Just might take some time. Glad that your cats are both well though. That is good news.

Okay, bummer about the thyroid, but yes it causes the same symptoms as cushings and is why we always say has it been ruled out.

I can't speak to which thyroid medication is the best, but I'm sure some of the others on here can and have knowledge of it.

Plus, no matter what Patti, you are the absolute best at researching Anything from Tipper. :) LOL

Still I'm sure others will chime in. :)

Hang in there Patti!!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin