Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
We are back from the vets and wow they did not give me the full extent of Tipper's blood works as usual. Her alp is up in the 300's because of the thyroid. Her Albumin is up and the protein is way up. The calcium is up too and that falls in line with the previous two being elevates. I already have a suspicion that it is the change in food. That is all that is different. I am putting her back on her old food. Maybe the Fromm had too much protein for he to handle?? This is upsetting, so upsetting in fact I left my copy there. I will have to get it as I have to take urine back as I could not get it from her this morning. Tipper was all over the bed last nite and neither of us slept. She has her blood work done for the thyroid, so it will be back in about a week. I hate when they give you blood results over the phone and do not give you the whole picture. I was floored by all this. Chances was stellar for his age and he is 13 tomorrow God Bless him. I need to get him a treat for his birthday. Maybe a little tuna. All my animals were born on the 4th of the month but Lucky don't know his as I rescued him. I am emailing the rescue about Grace to see if I can make some arrangements for the weekend if the weather is good. I am attached to her and this will be heart breaking for me so I need to do this asap before I chicken out, she needs out of this room. Tipper was a maniac this morning over no food. I took it in the car and fed it to her after we left the vets. I read some where corona can live in carpet for 2 months so this room will be off limits to the animals, and disinfected. My vet said he finds that statement untrue but I cannot take chances. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
I have begun the task of researching Tipper's high albumin, protein, and calcium. From what I have found so far it could all be related to her thyroid not functioning properly. This needs to get straightened out as it can cause seizures,heart arythmias etc. This is the first time she has had a rise in protein and calcium. The vet told me they were related and from what I see that is true.
This has me very nervous indeed. She will have to get on medication asap to get this under control, so I am hoping for a quick return on her thyroid panel results.I got up this morning to my eye swollen up, do not know what that is from. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
I just sent the vet a letter with all Tipper's T4 values for the last 12 blood tests. I asked him to please start Tipper on a thyroid medication at half the normal dosage before the report comes back from Michigan state. The consequences to this calcium etc. are scary to say the least and I need to get on this. I told him Tipper is suffering hypothyroidism and if he didn't believe me, I would bet him Tipper's bill on it. I am tired of messing around while her dilly dallies and takes his time. Tipper already has heart problems and this can affect her heart. That is why I am asking for a low dose as not to give her a fast heartbeat or cause her problems as she is so allergic to stuff. He better call me if her knows what is good for him as I will be back down there after him. She has every symptom of this and that is why she is drinking so much again and peeing so much. I don't want kidney problems from this calcium so he best move his you know what. Blessings
Patti

i skipped one day at this forum. too tired. i hope that grace can find a good home via this rescue centre. she needs a home of her own. the longer she will stay, the more you will grow attached to her.
good to hear that chance is in excellent shape.
how is your eye?
i hope tippers thyroid results will come in soon.
what did your vet say about tippers bloodwork. did he have any idea?
i hope the two of you will have a good night sleep. maybe you can try out a doggy cushion/bed or something like that on the floor so tipper can move around without waking you up. you can do with a good night sleep.

Hi Everyone:
I am waiting for the vet to call about Tipper's thyroid. I have already called 4 times so they know I mean business. Tipper is really not good today, feeling like sluggish and tired. Not her perky self by any means. The rescue lady has not contacted me back yet. Everyone is getting ready for the big storm tonite we are to get 10 inches. Then more snow on the weekend. I am tired and just dragged out. I am hoping to hear from the rescue tonite. Grace needs out of this room the poor baby. It is time to take Elvis for his wings and beak trim again so that is at the end of the month when the traveling vet comes in town. Blessings
Patti

hi patti, is a traveling vet someone who makes house calls?

Hi Everyone:
Well the vet never called me yesterday as they said he got real busy, which is still no excuse. I called there bright and early this morning and had a conversation with the receptionist that sort of went like this-I am the biggest client he ahs at this practice and I am sick of his crappy treatment and not calling me when he is supposed to. If he thinks I cannot or will not go else where he is wrong as I am the one educating him on this stuff not the other way around, so I can just as easy use another vet. If I do not hear something today I will go somewhere else where they value a client who pays them enough to send their daughter thru college. I am really ticked off and he better not push anymore of my buttons. With what I read yesterday and Tipper's symptoms following the patter of it I am really worried for her even though he is not as usual.
This is basically what I researched. Tipper's high alt, calcium, and protein, can be caused by her parathyroid that secretes a hormone to regulate calcium. She could have calcemia which is dangerous and can really affect the kidneys, make heart arythemias, and cause seizures. I read several publish articles from Jean Dodds saying that any dog having seizure activity should always first have a full thyroid panel done. Also that the thyroid medicine may then stop some seizures when the thyroid functions normally again with meds. Also she said this can contribute to muscle wasting and tremors/seizures. Tipper we know does have the latter, I am worried as she already has heart problems. and she certainly does not need kidney problems. They can have thirst and more urination, and be tired and have personality changes. Tipper had all of that right now. She was restless last nite and drank more water and moved all around the bed. She is not running around as much more sedate. I read all her T4 readings form 12 blood tests. They are all low normal, and this last one was really low. In my fax to the vet I told him that Jean Dodds says all a dog had to do is present with one of these symptoms and it can mean thyroid issues. Tipper has them all and due to that I want her to start on a half dosage of thyroid meds now even before the stuff form Michigan comes back.
I sent him all the readings and asked if there was a reason he would not agree with the findings??? If not I wanted to start her today on meds- he is off after Wednesday and that is why I need to start today in case she has a reaction to them. He plays games and fools around too much for me and I am ready to leave him if he does not wake up today. This is serious stuff that can be a result of her blood work and she is not feeling well for day I have said that. I am not willing to wait on the results form Michigan as the writing is on the wall plain and simple. He better move his you know what if her wants Tipper as cash cow or I am done, I have had an uphill battle with him all throughout this and I am tired of fighting him. He knows what this dog means to me and he knows I don't put up with this so why he is doing it again I do not know. There will be consequences this time I am not bluffing.
On another note the rescue contacted me and they want a front shot of Grace to see her face. Part of her mane is shaved because of her blood work and not sure it looks so great, but I will do what they want. This cat is weighing heavily on my heart. I truly feel pain when thinking of making her leave. Please pray this vet does what he is supposed to and this gets taken care of today. Blessings
Patti

Patti,
I hope he calls you and does right by you and Tipper. waiting and worrying is horrible.

Goodness Patti. I have not caught up on your thread in a while. Good for you for standing up to your vet. It really burns my biscuits when these people act like we are not important. We pay them, not the other way around, they should make the effort to remember that!

Patti,
I hope your vet hears you! You must be his best client, certainly he could have found 10 minutes to reach you at some point in the day.
I really hope the rescue can help with Grace. I'll be crossing my fingers.

Barbara