Skippy has passed; 12 y/o Yorkie with likely pituitary tumor (Trilostane)

2500-3500 to remove the adenoma????????
i paid 200 at my local vet to remove my flynn's adenoma. including antibiotics and painkillers. [4 years ago.]
this operation is no big deal at all!
i think your surgeon wants a new ferrari.
ask your local vet what he or she would charge you.
my flynn was a long haired border collie and his butt was a smelly mess.
despite of the cushing's he recovered very quickly.

Just a thank you for sharing your experience in having Flynn's adenoma removed. I agree about buying a Ferrari. I have been checking around and have found a local vet that offers CO2 laser. I likely will call and explore that option. Skippy doesn't go back for a Stim test until the 24th and IMS has said no surgery until cortisol is under better control.

Overall, Skippy is doing better although the last two days we are struggling with loose stool with some blood, likely accompany the stool. Haven't stopped the Vetoryl yet but will tomorrow if it continues. Treating with Imodium which is probably not the best. I have an email into Purdue regarding this.

Maybe of interest to some of you: I am going to ask the IMS at Purdue to test Skippy's cortisol with an ACTH Stim test and utilizing the McFarland protocol, i.e., MCFarland protocol: pre Vetoryl blood draw and then a second blood draw after dosing with vetoryl and food. Then he will have an ACTH Stim test, if IMS agrees. It is important to begin to examine whether or not the McFarland protocol is effective in testing cortisol levels of Cushing's dogs.

Skippy remains fairly lethargic, but will walk, even trot, after initial reluctance. He is far more interested in things around him, e.g., dogs, people, cats and me. He has been eating well but less and losing weight. His behind remains a disaster, large black growths continue to appear and enlarge across his tail area. Took him to groomer yesterday who had to scissor cut because of thin skin and these bleeding polyps-sores. NOT CC as best I can tell.
Neurological symptoms are limited to a loss of hearing although Skippy is not deaf - yet.

Quality of life is impossible for me to measure as he is my dog and I so dearly love him. But, I don't believe he is in pain and seems to enjoy his life within its limits. I still have hope that Vetoryl will improve his quality of life for awhile if we can get his cortisol under control. I don't know what to think about these likely sex hormone growths across his tail.

Two steps forward, one step back. Thanks,

Carole and Skippy

Awww, Carole. It's so hard when we love them so. I hope something starts to work for him. He sure is trying, as is his Mom.

Carole, I agree with Joan 100%!

Also, I commend you for experimenting with this new monitoring protocol. Unfortunately, I've not yet gotten Dr. B's assessment. But if and when I do, I'll definitely add it here. In the meantime, I'll be so interested in finding out how things go for Skippy. And I'm surely hoping for as many good days as are possible for our brave little boy.

Best wishes always,
Marianne

It's good to hear from you, Carol. You are such a great mom and sweet Skippy is so very lucky to have you on his side. I hope the Vetoryl gives the results you are hoping for and that his poor behind can get some relief.

Hugs,
Leslie

Oh that would be awesome Carol if Purdue will do some comparison testing using McFarland protocol.

It really does sound like skippy is better than he was before the radiation from what you have said. To me it sounds like it anyhow.

Thanks for your comments and support. Yes, Skippy is better than before radiation, no question. Every week is a new challenge however. This week, it's the diarrhea that now has blood. I sent his IMS, Dr. Scott-Moncrieff an email early yesterday asking should I stop Vetoryl or treat or both? No response yet. (She could be away, busy, whatever. She's only in clinic a couple of times a month as she is the head of their IMS.) I then called Skippy's local vet who is collaborating with IMS. She called Purdue IMS Department expressing concern that Skippy may be overdosed on the 15mg BID (he's now 25lbs); they were unaware of any problem with Skippy. Last night, initially Skippy wouldn't eat but then did eat and I again dosed him. (I know my decision is not in accord with Drecha's guidelines.) This morning I'm out of 5mg Vetoryl so I will run to some vet, get the meds and dose him again if he will eat. Local vet will Stim him later this morning and treat diarrhea. I truly hope I'm doing the right thing in continuing Vetoryl. Nothing about Skippy's illness is typical and nothing about his treatment has followed any protocol. All of which is compounded by the unavailability of his highly expert but sometimes inaccessible IMS. So frustrating...

Just received an email from IMS; she says continue Vetoryl and let's treat the diarrhea for a couple of days. Stop Vetoryl tomorrow if diarrhea isn't cleared. She will test Skippy's cortisol on the 24th using ACTH stim and McFarland protocol. I will update when I know more.

Did the diarrhea stop? sometimes antibiotics plus a good probiotic will help with that.

Yay that they will use both protocols. You'll be the first to do a comparison!

Hi Everyone,

I just charted the past week with Skippy and am still struggling but plowing forward. Started the boy on the metronidazole on Wednesday pm. Two more doses on Thursday and another dose on Friday am, along with restarting the Vetoryl on Friday pm and no metronidazole since. He has been very lethargic the last couple of days but has been eating; he's not going out to pee much or poop at all. (Although my friend thinks he may have pooped in the backyard last night since she let him out for awhile in the middle of the night and he came back kicking his feet.) He is walking, at first reluctantly but then briskly for a few blocks. I will try him further soon. My fear is overdosing him on Vetoryl. I could reduce the dose back to 10mg BID or maybe even 15 am and 10 pm. I so hoped that the radiation would kill the Cushing's but it's not to be. And, now I am learning (relearning) all of the finer points of dosing, testing, tinkering, watching, stalking and whatever. Live in hope, die in despair and if the diarrhea reappears I will stop the Vetoryl and take him for a stim immediately.