Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Gals;
Thanks for the thunder info. Tipper started a few years ago to be frightened of storms and thunder. For no apparent reason it just started. The Cushings has kicked it up a notch into whole other stratosphere. I did purchase her a Thundershirt a few years ago and it just simply did not work for her. I am going to try the herbal remedy Leslie. It seems I have had good luck with herbs using them for Tipper. It looks like another storm is on the horizon soon. Well we will be in the car going for her treatment, so maybe she won't get so bad. Blessings to all.
Patti

Hello Again Everyone:
I just got Tipper's blood, urine, and ACTH results. Her pre on the ACTH is low it is 1.1 and the post is 2.3. I need Addy's advise about this as this is my first experience with this problem. Her appointment is Thursday for the Hospital. I faxed the IMS the results and she said Tipper should still keep come . I am wanting to know what everyone else thinks is safe due to this change??? Her bloodwork and urine results were good. I am such a nervous wreck I do not want to do the wrong thing. I hate to say this also, but sometimes these places don't want you to cancel appointments, because of money lost. I don't want this to be the case here, as I have no previous experience with this IMS. This is a reality and these things do happen, so I am not sure what to do. I am waiting to hear from Dechra also on this. I am scared to have her put under now. Blessings to all.
Patti

Patti,

I'm so new to this that I wouldn't advise you. I'm sure that one of the more senior members will pop online soon.

We have a hospital that gets paid by the number of human patients that they see and IT IS THE WORST place to go! I witnessed an UCI nurse make a huge mistake that almost cost my father his life so, I fully understand your fear!

I would hope that these people have enough of a conscience to not treat Tipper if they don't feel that it is safe.

Crossing my fingers!

The pre number doesn't mean alot in Cushing's - it is the post number only that matters as it tells whether the meds are working or not. Tipper's post number is perfect! :)

Hi Everyone:
Tipper got up this morning acting funny, and when I gave her her food she did not want to eat. Due to the low cortisol results I got yesterday I know it is that. I did not give any Vetoryl and won't. My question is she did not throw up or anything, do I just let her go or do I need to give her the prednissone? I am under the understanding of not giving it unless you absolutely have to is that correct?? She wants to go for her walk which is a good sign. I don't think there is any immediate danger right now- just don't know. Blessings
Patti

Patti, I don't read her ACTH as being low - the post number is right where it should be and the pre number is nothing to worry about.

Patti,

A post of 2.3 is not a bad number.:) Wait to see what Dechra advises. Whom did you speak to at the hospital? Is it possible to speak to the attending surgeon? IMO, if you cannot have a conversation voicing your concern about Tipper having enough cortisol to cope with the surgery and how will that be addressed, that is a problem and you press until you get an answer that feels right to you.

You call them right back and tell them "Since we are suppressing Tipper's cortisol with Vetoryl, I am concerned she will not be able to produce enough cortisol to cope with the stress of the surgery". How do we address my concerns?". That is the same statement/question you should use with Dechra.

How long is the surgery? What is the recovery time? Will she be staying overnight at the hospital? What day is the surgery scheduled for?

Patti, every dog is different, every surgery is different. I am not a surgeon nor a vet. I can only do what I feel is best for my dog, based on my history with my dog. In my dog's case, I believe her higher cortisol helped her with her surgery, but she seems to do better symptom wise with higher numbers, some dogs do, some dogs dont.

If Tipper is not eating this morning, how often has that happened after she has had an ACTH test? Is this the first time? How is she "acting funny" beside's not wanting to eat?

Zoe's surgeon told me her policy is to not give the drug ( Veotryl or Lysodren) the day of the surgery and she may even give prednisone that day as well. Because Zoe's numbers were already higher, I was satisfied with that answer and because she did so well durring surgery, I resumed her Vetoryl that night. But she did not have a lot of anesthesia as she also was able to have a spinal block for her surgery becuase of the location. Our plan was to get her home as fast as possible to reduce the amount of stress without putting her in a compromising position.

I was lucky that all worked out. So I am asking you to ask the suregon what is the plan to make sure Tipper has enough coprtisol to help her with the surgery and you have to be satisfied with their answer based on your history with Tipper and how she handles things

I'll check in later and I am sure others will be by to voice their opinion as well.

Good luck to you and Tipper!
I'm not the test expert so I'll leave that to the others.

Hugs and xxxx

Hi Everyone:
I just talked to my Vet. He said he has a call into Dechra to the Dr. He will discuss Tipper's situation with Dr. Fertig and get back to me. He said no Vetoryl, and watch for the vomiting and lethargic behavior. Theresa also called from Dechra and told me that her cortisol is low, but not in the Addison danger area at the time. Tipper is always ravenous and never skips a meal, and I mean never. She got up just acting real slow walking around, and she did not wake me to eat which is really odd for her. She was not going to get out of bed, and then I coaxed her to get out. Made her food and she turned her nose up at it. Theresa told me not to try and encourage her to eat, just as long as she is drinking, and let the cortisol start rising on it's own. Tipper will walk if all her legs are broken, so the fact that she walked this morning does not mean to me that her cortisol is ok. She will walk when very ill out of force of habit. Just now as I am typing this a few dogs are barking outside at the refuse workers. Normally Tipper would not let other dogs bark without her responding, and she is not reaponding to it, she is just laying there. She is just slower, laying down, and not moving around a lot as she usually does. Not lethargic as of yet. The Vet is in today thank God, so if I need him in a hurry he is 20 minutes away. This is the first she has acted like this so her cortisol may have gone down even further since the test on Monday, and that would explain this as her results could actually be lower than documented from the test. I will be stuck to her like Velcro today. As far as the appointment with the IMS I am cancelling it. She cannot travel 3 hours in this condition, I would not even attempt it. That will have to go on the back burner as this is todays priority. I am not going to risk her safety for anyone. I am having my Vet look into the procedures of this IMS Addy. I will not take her for an appointment there until she gives us some answers. I guard Tipper with my life and that will never change no matter who tries to convince me to do something I don't feel good about, I won't do it. I will post as the day goes on how she is doing. Jack Russells are one of the most active and high energy breeds, even when sick, so I know my girl like the back of my hand and she is not well. I usually go with my gut feeling and am usually right so that is what I am going to do. Bless You All and thank you for the help, I can always count on you gals.
Patti

Big hug from me and a kiss to sweet Tipper

Hoping she will be bouncing around like her old self later.

Will be keeping an eye, am working hence the brief post

Mel
Xxxxxxx