Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Tipper has been doing ok on her Vetoryl, the symptoms are subsiding, but in one of my posts I said I was waiting for the "second shoe to drop", well it has. I noticed Tipper having some neurological signs. She would put her head low to the ground and turn it to the right, then go in a circle and fall down. I have noticed this 2 times in as many weeks. I had seen her months ago before she was diagnosed, go in a circle, and thought she was just fooling around.
Since she had pituitary dependent cushings, I assumed it must be a tumor on her gland pressing on her brain. I am guessing these episodes are seizures. After reading the Macro Tumor material on here, I have just sunk to a new low again. After foolishly thinking I could manage the cushings and she could live her life out, I just got a punch in the gut from this. I am wondering if anyone has had experience with this, and radiation treatments?? Is it even worth considering this. I have just cried all day over this. I somehow thought I could maintain her for a few more years, and now am feeling quite hopeless again. I need some advise. Thank You all in advance for your help, as I am falling apart again.

Hi Tipper's mom,

Here is a link just in case you missed it about macro tumors - http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3567 and are some great links to in this thread - http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229.

Has your vet mentioned performing an MRI to determine if the tumor is growing?

There are many here who have experienced this and I know they will check in shortly.

I do not have any direct experience in macro tumors, but it could be something all together different. My girl exhibit this behavior and it turned out she had a bad ear infection and this was also throwing off her balance.

Keep us updated and big (((hugs))) - we are all here for you in sorting this out.
Terry

Thank You Terry I will make sure the Vets checks Tipper's ears again to see if it could be that.

Hello there! I think that when a macro tumour is present, there are a few different symptoms together that present themselves. They come on gradually and can be very vague. I have just posted my story over in the thread which Terry gave you the link to. Like you said, get his ears checked out-it could easily be something as simple as that. Just keep an eye on him for now and take note of anything else unusual.
As for treatment (if it is a macro) well.....it's a hard call. It depends on a lot of things. How old is Tipper? How strong is he? Have you got the money? It's a very...and I mean very expensive procedure! Like I said, don't get yourself paranoid just yet. When I was researching Maya's symptoms, I found Tonnes of illnesses with the same symptoms. It's hard to know.....
Hugs from Leah and Maya

Maya:
Thank you for the help. I am going to look up the other things that present with a macro tumor. I will have her ears checked the next Vet visit.

Don't go macro just yet. Have the vet do a thorough checkup and blood work to see if anything is off that might be causing the strange side effects you're seeing.
Then monitor to see if the effects are progressing or not.

I love the pictures of your crew btw. What a great bunch!

hugs,
Sharlene

Sharlene:
Thank you for the help I truly am going thru this by the seat of my pants. This is so scarey that I cry all day. I cannot imagine my life without my precious Tipper. I have Lupus and she has been with me thru all of it. I think I am alive today because of the happiness she brings me. I am not sure about getting an MRI. I am scared to death to put her under, and the stress is getting to her with all the tests. Anyway, if you don't have thousands of dollars to treat the tumor, what good is the MRI? I don't think I could put my dog thru radiation anyway. I am having a hard time pilling her now. She is resisting me. I called Dechra and they said absolutely don't let her chew the capsule, which is what ends up happening. Does anyone have any good ideas as I could sure use some. Thank you all I would be lost in space right now if it wasn't for this forum.

I don't think you need to think about an MRI unless any other possibilities are ruled out and then you have to consider whether or not you are going to be able to treat it if it is macro. There really isn't much that can be done if it is. Prednisone for the swelling is a normal treatment.

I'm sorry that you have Lupus to deal with on top of this but how great that Tipper has been through this with you. I know it's a hard disease to deal with.

Hugs,
Sharlene

You can try things like peanut butter, cream cheese, plain butter - anything that is soft enough to form around the pill and that Tipper really likes to eat. Sometimes these things will help disguise the pill and help it slide down plus make it seem like treat-time instead of pill-time. Some pups will gladly take the meds in a Pill Pocket - my Squirt hates those things! :rolleyes: If all else fails, there is a product called a Pill Shooter that literally shoots the pill down their throat.

I want to tell you that I fully understand your feelings about Tipper. My Squirt saved my life when I couldn't save myself. For nearly 15 years, she has been the one constant in my world; always by my side, always the one to come kiss my tears, always the one to bring laughter and hope. When she was diagnosed with Cushing's, I thought my world had ended. Instead, my world opened up to such wonder and magic like I never imagined. We have made some wonderful friends from all around the world and I have learned about things I would have never given a second thought to before. Tho I still fear "the day" I know is coming, Squirt and I are even closer, our bond even stronger. Most importantly, we are never alone...and neither are you and Tipper. Your K9C family will be right by your side all the way, holding your hand, lifting you up when you fall.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

I am so glad you brought this to my attention. I have been giving Boriss his pill in Peanut butter with a green bean on top. He has been tired of the peanut butter lately. yikes! I think he might have chewed a few pills this week. :o

Good luck with sweet little Tipper. The word Macro is the scariest word.:( I am hoping the best for you & Tipper. I know what you mean about your baby pulling you thru hard times & being there for you. Boriss is my world...