Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
Not too bad of a nite for Tipper, some episodes of struggling. It is really hot and humid here already, and Tipper did not want to go on her second walk which is highly unusual. I hope it is just the heat index and nothing brewing up with her. It could be her luxating patella is acting up, you just never know with all the issues they have. I will monitor her closely and see if I can figure out what the problem is. I tasted Tipper's chicken yesterday. Wow what a difference in flavor from the chicken I am used to! It has a wonderful flavor, and you can definitely tell there is no salt. I am so glad I was able to find her some. What would we all do without the use of computers etc.? I would go crazy as we live in the country, and anything we need usually begins with an internet search, and followed by a purchase. I would never be able to get all the stuff I need for Tipper here. There isn't even a pet store for 40 miles. Tipper sure did enjoy her chicken though. Have a good weekend everyone. Blessings
Patti

I'm in the process of transitioning all mine over to kibble for a while to see if the chicken is causing our digestive upsets lately. I hope this chicken helps Tipper feel better!

Leslie:
Thank you I hope she feels better also. Let me know if the elimination of the chicken from the diets helps your babies. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Where the H is Mel??? I didn't think she was going to be gone for what seems like a gazillion years! I miss her checking in on Tipper. I hope she is having a wonderful time, she deserves it.
Blessings
Patti

Patti, Glad to hear Tipper has her chicken. Hope she is enjoying it.
Hope you and Tipper had a good weekend.
Hugs

Hi Patti,
I am glad to hear that Tipper loved her chicken, yum! You sure have a great mom to do that for you Tipper!:D Thankfully she didn't struggle to breath too much last night.:) I can't imagine living so far away from everything.

Mel is on a well deserved vacation. I miss her too!:o xxxxx

So glad you found the chicken and that Tipper likes it, keep up the good work Tipper.....sending hugs and prayers

Chicken! Finally :)
The humidity does a job on Daisy too. I'm sure that Tipper doesn't like this either.

Daisy had luxating patella surgery in 2005.

Mel is away for two weeks so she will be back this weekend, hopefully all nice and refreshed! I miss her chats at night too! :) Glad you got the chicken for Tipper, yum yum!

Hi Everyone:
I have to go to the urologist this morning so this will be short. It is already almost 74 here and the humidity is really bad. Tipper was reluctant to walk, but finally agreed. We walked really slow, and with the cold pack on. Tipper always lays like a frog and yesterday she had her hind legs curled underneath her, which is a sign to me her knee is bothering her. I am hoping that is the only reason she is reluctant to walk. I have always felt if she is still continuing her walk, I don't need to worry as much. When she doesn't want to I get really paranoid as I have heard people on here say when their dogs got really bad they did not want to do any exercise anymore. I pray this is only temporary, as walking has been Tipper's favorite thing since she was a puppy. Early this morning around 5:00 am Tipper started with a case of the hiccups. I jostled her around a little and they went away only to come back again minutes later. This seemed odd as she has never done this. I thought maybe struggling to breathe she took in too much air. She did have some struggling last night and heavy snoring. Have to get ready and get going, I always put out Tipper's Prednisone and Benadryl for the sitter and don't want to forget. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,
I hope that your appointment goes well today!
This heat sucks the life out of Daisy. She will not walk in it except to go outside and do her business. Once she's done, the short walk back into the house is extremely slow. I know that it's the heat because she perks back up once we're inside. It's like she's two different dogs!

Hello Everyone:
Got back from the dreaded Urologist. He said I may have to have surgery. I told him that is not an option as I will not leave my dog. She has never been away from me at night, and I won't leave her no matter what. So we discussed some options. I am going to be taking meds and going for blood and xrays etc. I told him it better be a one shot deal and get it all done the same day or forget it. I am not going to leave my dog so don't even suggest it please. Tipper did end up walking twice today, thank goodness. Valerie the heat is sucking Tipper's energy too, this is miserable, and people want to know why I like winter!!!!! Hope everyone is keeping cool, it is to be in the 90's all week here. Blessings
Patti

Everyone:
Please go to Tipper's new album. I told her the other day this chicken is expensive and she needs to get a job. Low and behold she got dressed up today and informed me she is going on a casting call. She is trying out for the movie "Beach Babes and Their Dogs." She is hoping to get the part as there will be another film shot after this on Snow Bunnies and Their Dogs, and she is wanting to wear her Pittsburgh Steeler Gear for that one! Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,
I totally understand why you don't want to be away from Tipper even for one night. I know how worried you would be.:o Tipper needs you to be as strong and healthy as possible. Is there anyone that could stay and help you out for a few days, so you could get the surgery? What about your pet sitter? I know that money is an issue, maybe you could work something out with her/him. I am worried about you Patti. Please take care of yourself. Praying for you and sweet Tipper.xxxxxx

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Everyone:
Please go to Tipper's new album. I told her the other day this chicken is expensive and she needs to get a job. Low and behold she got dressed up today and informed me she is going on a casting call. She is trying out for the movie "Beach Babes and Their Dogs." She is hoping to get the part as there will be another film shot after this on Snow Bunnies and Their Dogs, and she is wanting to wear her Pittsburgh Steeler Gear for that one! Blessings
Patti

---

Hi Patti,
Are you in the Pittsburgh area? That's where I live:D

Hi:
I lived in Pittsburgh my whole life, only moved away a few years ago. I love Pittsburgh my home town, and we love our Steelers. I have a whole Steelers family room with all Steeler stuff. What part of Pittsburgh to you live in and who is your baby's Dr.? Blessings
Patti

Oh Patty, do remember to try and take care of your health too. Remember that Tipper needs you to be healthy.
Tippers pictures are cute. Beach babe indeed.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Patti,

one of my friends had a procedure done where the sat her in a tub of water and bombarded her with ultrasound waves to break up the kidney stone. She was quite pregnant so surgery was not an option.

Might be worth asking about.

As for the heat, we are back to 90+ degrees here in CT and I just installed the 3rd window air conditioner because 2 A/Cs and 2 constantly running ceiling fans were not cutting it.

You know it's bad when the dog and cats are laying sprawled out on the floors trying to keep cool inside the house. UGH!

I am absolutely amazed that Tipper went for one walk today, let alone two.

Daisy gave me that look "Are you HIGH?!?!" I'm not going anywhere.

Hi Everyone:
Tipper did not want to walk this morning which I already said worries me. She sat on my bed for about a half an hour after breakfast, and then finally decided to go. I think it is a combo of the heat/humidity and her luxating patella. She stayed in for the rest of the day yesterday, and was bored and naughty, but I will take bored and naughty any day. Valerie I have already had the Lithotripsy once before, in the water. I had a black and blue mark on my back the size of a hand . This stone is not big enough to do that with, so they would have to go in surgically and remove it. I am doing the meds first, so as soon as my drug company gets them to me I will start on them. I have a mail order pharmacy, which stinks in an emergency and you need it like now. If I go to a regular pharmacy they penalize me 60.00 per RX. That is outrageous and I will not pay it. If you try to pay cash for the RX they have your insurance in the computer and tell you by law they have to use your insurance. So instead of me paying say 5.00 cash for an RX, they want me to pay 60.00, and that is not happening. Tipper is on the floor beside me of course and I can hear her wheezing. I saw or heard somewhere about someone with throat problems- it was a person. They rubbed Eucalyptus on the outside of the throat and it helped. It has many healing properties. I have some, but I am scared to rub it on Tipper because of the smell, and her breathing problem. Also she is allergic to everything. I am curious and would like to try it though. This is a one walk day today, as it is already in the upper 70's this morning. Blessings
Patti

Patti, Sending you love, strength and healing energy. Try not go push yourself or Tipper to walk if it's really too hot. Hear exhaustion is dangerous and can cause more damage than missing an occasional walk. Take care of yourself Patti!big hugs,

Patti,

how ridiculous these pharmacies and drug companies are!!! That makes me MAD!

I don't blame you for wondering about the Eucalyptus. With Tipper's allergies, I would be concerned. Another use for Eucalyptus is to put in behind the shower head and the steam and smell of the plant helps with breathing problems.

I hope that the meds help you avoid surgery!

What surgery are they planning, ureteroscopy and laser? If the stone is small they can usually just go up the ureter and grab it or break it up with a laser which pass easily as gravel, most of them are day stay procedures. If it is small they do not usually need to do an incision. I am presuming they think it is a uric acid stone if they think meds will help dissolve it, something like Ural?? Or maybe they have given you an alpha blocker to help relax the tissue in the urinary tract to help expel it.

If you do manage to pass it Patti, try and catch it (listen for a splash/tinkle!) or even pee into a container so you can strain it. As a recurrent stone former it would be really helpful for it to be analysed so they make recommendations for you on diet etc to help prevent any new ones forming. I can tell you it is much better to be in for one day/night than have it get stuck and infected, as urosepsis from stones is extremely dangerous!!

He Everyone:
I am still shaken to the core about Simba. I pray for Letti that she can get thru this. We got another good blood pressure this morning and a little more weight loss, so we will stay with the lentils. I am so glad as I have been watching her weight nugget by nugget. It is so hot and miserable here already this morning. Only one walk for Tipper, she is in for the remainder of the day. I am very concerned and have been for some time about Tipper's girth. Wen I have to lift her up the steps I hear her moan, like it is hurting her. I had thought of a full body ultra sound, as I am really worried about tumors etc. now that Letti's Sim had them also it makes me very nervous. I am not sure, but maybe that could have been part of poor Scoop's problem also. I know Addy said maybe you there are things you do not want to know, and I am with her on that. My concern is if there is something small and can be taken out I would want to know. Then again is she in any shape to remove things?? I know my last dog that died from cancer had to have her spleen removed and she died shortly after having it done. I am scared not to know, but would be more afraid to remove something. I would like some opinions on what others think about this please. It has been months since her last ultrasound to check her adrenals. Also I am wanting an opinion on whether Denamarin is better than Hepato Support (Milk Thistle) for the liver or can you give both?? Thank you all for your help in advance. Blessings
Patti

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goldengirl88

Also I am wanting an opinion on whether Denamarin is better than Hepato Support (Milk Thistle) for the liver or can you give both??

---

Patti, Scarlett took Denamarin, which contains a standardized extract of milk thistle seeds, and SAMe. Her liver values went down towards normal, and she felt great for a month. Then, her neurological symptoms from GME overwhelmed her. I was impressed with how well the Denamrin worked for her. I do not think they can be used together.

I have a friend who's baby has liver cancer and she is on both. Animals studies with MT have found no toxicity even at very high doses and no warnings are issued concerning pregnancy, nursing, etc - it is a very safe herb. Now there are those like Squirt who seem to have a allergy to it but as long as the pup can handle the herb, I would feel fine using Milk Thistle with Denamarin.

However, Hepto Support is not just Milk Thistle - it contains quite a few other things so I would ask the vet or an herbalist about using this product along with Milk Thistle. There may be one of the other ingredients that wouldn't work well with the Denamarin.

Leslie:
As usual you come to my rescue when needed. I am going to have to put Dr. in front of your name! Well on second thought no not a good idea since you know more than they do!! Thank you again. Hope Squirt is doing better. Is the walking ok? It is terrible when these babies hurt, it makes us miserable too. Blessings
Patti

Patti,
That prescription stuff makes me crazy mad too!! This is what's wrong with the whole healthcare mess! It's ridiculous what goes on with insurance and the costs of simple medications. It's like when your in the hospital and they charge $25 for a tylenol. I don't get it.

My dermatologist prescribed a type of hydrocortisone ointment and she gave me a coupon and said this makes it "free" at the pharmacy. I didn't have to pay anything but the papers that came with it in the bag said "your insurance co has saved you $478!! So somewhere the retail price of this "free" tube was $478??? What?? I'm pretty certain my drug coverage did not pay that much for anything! It was just for an allergic reaction, nothing serious. It's insane...all mumbo jumbo so we can't understand what's going on.

Anyway...Trixie is on Denamarin for her very high (and scary) liver numbers. Before diagnosis she started it and right away it lowered the numbers quite a bit. Trixie hasn't had any adverse side effects from taking it. I recently bought it online at vetinternetco.com for $38 with free shipping. That was for the non chewable tabs. It was the best price I could find but maybe someone knows something better...if they do I hope they'll post. I shopped around and $38 was the lowest I found.
Hope Tipper is enjoying the a/c and keeping cool.

Barbara

Barbara:
I will check and see if it is cheaper anywhere. Tipper's alk phos was always really good at 35 then it went to 150 in a month. I know that is really low compared to some of the values I have seen in the 1000's, but I like to get things right away before they get worse. She has been on Hepato Support, but I thought this may be better. I will let you know as I see the vet on Monday and we will go over all this. Blessings
Patti

Molly is taking the Hepato support, but I know my vet said one or the other. I opted for this one, but it did take a long time to see a difference in the numbers. If at some point it stops helping with the liver values, in my case the ALT in addition to the ALkp, then we'll think about switching. Here in Canada it isn't Denamarin though, it is another one. I can't remember what it is called but I did put it on my thread when my vets office got it in. (for anyone in Canada reading this).
Leslie definitely knows her stuff. :)

Trish is a wonder isn't she. Full of all kinds of useful information. :) I hope you get rid of that nasty stone soon!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Quote:
Originally Posted by goldengirl88 View Post
Hi Trish:
Thanks for all the help on the kidney stone. Yes the meds are to help me pass the stone. I think Flovent if I am not mistaken. Glad you told me about the laser I can't imagine a normal surgery. The stone is too small to do Lithotripsy, so I am on these meds for a week. May have to use meds to dissolve it if that does not work. Getting an xray and blood work after a week on the meds. They gave me a strainer and container to go in on the potty. I have been straining my urine, I saw what looked like 2 small tiny crystals, so tiny I could not get them into a specimen bottle. Either they were others in there or maybe pieces of the other one. It is hard to believe something this small can cause so much misery. It has been 15 years since my last one so I am lucky. He said he will find out, but is guessing uric acid crystals. Worried about taking this drug when it comes as he said it can affect your heart. Do you know anything about that?? Thank you for your help and I hope Flynn continues to do well. We are suffering in the heat and humidity we are in the mid to upper 90's. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patty
I do not know that drug, I wonder if you mean Flomaxtra? If so, it does not affect the heart as such but it can in some patients drop your blood pressure. There really is not too much problem with it though. IF it is that drug it won't dissolve it but may help pass it. He might be guessing uric acid, the big thing we notice with those stones is that they do not show up on plain xray but you can see them on ultrasound. Hopefully you will get rid of it on your own!
__________________
Stop worrying about what can go wrong and start getting excited about what can go right!

Hi Everyone:
The heat and humidity is unreal already. Tipper did one walk. That is it for the day. Not too bad of a nite for her, we were supposed to get a storm and you could feel it in the air so she went in the closet and stayed. I have been opening the door up wider for ventilation so it is not so hot in there. Yesterday she seemed to be bothered by her back legs being a little weak. I noticed her hesitant on jumping on the sofa, and just barely making it on the bed. We are still on the Lentils as it is helping her lose the weight I want off her. It will make it easier on her legs too. I am going to play ball with her today as she is really getting bored inside. When she was well we spent most of our time outside. I am looking forward to next week it is to drop down into the 80's. At least that will be some relief. I wet her down good with a wash cloth, and put her ice pack on and only walk her a before 7:00am. Hope everyone is able to have a good day and stay cool. Blessings
Patti

Patti, How are you doing today? I may not write much but think of everyone and hope all is well.

Vicki:
I posted on your thread how we are doing also. It is a day by day thing with us and this breathing problem. That is what I need to take care of to keep my Tipper with me. My vet will be back on Monday and we will start the shots of Adequan. I am nervous as I know they are painful, and don't want to cause her pain, she has had enough crap. On the other hand if there is a glimmer of hope this could help her trachea I need to explore it. I feel bad as she has lost muscle mass in her legs where she gets the shots and I know it will bother her for a while. She has to get 2 a week, 8 total. I hope she understands and can endure this. I love her so much I am having a hard time with this. I can watch anything, and don't let my Tipper alone with anyone, but I don't know if I can watch this as simple as it sounds. I guess I have had enough too, but forge on for my girl. I have prayed to God asking him to guide me so we will see come Monday. Stay strong my friend, I know it is easy for others to say, but I know where you are at. Blessings
Patti

Awwww. Painful shots:-( Maybe she'll respond well and will only need a few.

Valerie:
No, unfortunately you have to have the series of 8 to do any good. Leslie was so kind to put me in touch with this vet, and it will be by the grace of God if it works. Blessings
Patti

The shots went very quickly for Josie. Dr. Smith would pull up a small area, give the injection, and give the spot a quick rub in just a few seconds. Josie didn't have time to try to bite him after their first encounter! :p She thought she was a Grizzly Bear and he's a smart man. ;) She didn't yip with the shot nor show any signs of tenderness in the injection areas after so I hope Tipper doesn't either. Wishing her the best of luck with them!

He Everyone:
Last nite and this morning Tipper is making those congested noises again in her throat. She hasn't done this for quite a while. A lot of swallowing going on too, and sticking her tongue out repeatedly. Opening her mouth real wide like she is trying to clear her throat. Only one walk this morning. I wet her down, put on her ice pack and she was ok walking real slow. Today is to be the hottest of them all so we are in for the day. I am having an off morning here. I just found out my insurance will not cover any of the lab work here, or the xrays I need for this stone. I have to go to Pgh. and when I go to my PCP I will go get this done August 8th. I cannot afford all these bills with Tipper like she is so I have to do it this way so it will all be paid. This insurance is a pain in the rear!! Just feeling real blue and down this morning. All the babies that have passed lately have made me so aware of my Tipper's mortality. It has just been a very hard few weeks hearing the pain others are going thru. I truly hurt for all these cush moms. I am going to try and stay busy with Tipper today, as to not think about all this. Hope everyone stays cool with their babies today and has a good weekend. Thanks to our Canadian friends for the cool front coming in tomorrow. We can't wait for some cooler weather and lower humidity. Blessings
Patti

Try to keep your chin up. It's hard I know. I'm still working on trying to stabilize Keesh, and the worry is enormous. One minute he seems to be his regular self and then the next you wonder what's going on. Sometimes I feel like just giving up and let the disease takes its course but we continue on, hope against hope we can make them feel better. I'll be thinking about you today, and all the others here that are struggling with love to keep their babies well.

BTW - you are welcome for the cold front coming - LOL - us Canadians try to please.

Hi Patti,
This all does have a way getting one down. The worrying, the expenses and worst of all seeing your pup not up to par, and the sad news from the board these last few weeks. Add to that this awful heat and then your own health issue...how can you not feel a little blue! I just keep telling myself-one day at a time. ;)

Another awful day of HEAT :eek:..already so hot that Trixie only got a short time outside. Pulled me like mad to head to the park because she doesn't get why we're not going. Totally too much inside time for all of us...dogs especially, but until this heat breaks there's no choice. Plus I'm keeping my shades partially drawn because I face South and the sun pours in..so the dim light makes me feel off too! Can't wait for this to be over.

Try not to let it all get to you...(I have to listen to my own advice too) things have a way of working out! Hope Tipper stays cool and comfortable today! :p

Barbara

Patti,
we all have these days and the uncertainty makes it worse.
Someone needs to find a cure..ASAP!