Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Patti,

It sounds like you're heading in the right direction now with the veterinary care and I'm happy that Tipper's vet is consulting with Dechra.

Sending positive thoughts!

When in doubt withhold the pill is our motto, so if Tipper was off enough for you to be concerned then I'm glad you withheld the pill today. I'm still not clear why Dechra thinks her 2.3 is low as that is not in their literature that I could find. I do know in Dr. Peterson's December blog, he said he prefers that post number to be no lower than 2ug/dl.

Also, keep in mind, that because Zoe's cortisol was higher at 7.2, I also lost control of her cortisol for a good six weeks following surgery.

I know you always do what is best for Tipper and guard her with your life. I was originally concerned about talk of having to change Tipper's dose and having surgery shortly there after. I also think though, it is wise to discuss extra issues we face with our Cush pups and surgery. Often times, the vets dont bring it up unless we ask and because of my experience with Zoe last summer with just minor surgery, I learned to make sure a plan was in place to address her ability to cope with all the stress surgery and a possible hospital stay can cause.

I'm sure Tipper will be feeling better soon.

(((((((((hugs)))))))))))))

Hope Tipper starts feeling better and is more herself as the day goes on. I do think it was a good idea to postpone any sort of treatment/surgery until she is herself.
I think one always has to remember that the numbers are guidelines and not all dogs are optimal at the same numbers. It could be that Tipper does better with a little bit higher of a number, although I wouldn't thing too much higher as you mentioned that symptoms were still there when the number was over 5 on the post draw.
Normally after an ACTH test, the cushing symtoms seem to go up, not downward for a day or even two. So, I am wondering what is actually going on with Tipper. Is her cortisol dropping for some other reason? Is this something else? It's very hard to say. When was her last dose change and what was the last ACTH test result?
I'll look through your thread if I get a chance. I have to get back to work though now. :(

hugs, hang in there patti!
sharlene and Molly mufin

Sharlene:
Dechra seems to be concerned about her pre number dropping below 1.4. especially now that she is experiencing other symptoms of low cortisol. Could it be that between the test on Monday and now on Wednesday she dropped further, but not into Addisons? That is my guess at this point. Dechra seems to think she should go from 30mg maybe to 20. They are to call me when they get this all sorted out with my Vet. I will post what they finally recommend, and will let all of you advise me since I trust all of you more than any of them! Blessings to All.
Patti

Just a quick reminder of where we are at with dosage and results for Tipper:

Vetoryl dosage and ACTH test results history:

11/23/2012 10mg AM 10mg PM
PRE 1.4
POST 8.7

11/28/2012 moved to 20MG AM 10MG PM

01/02/2013
PRE 1.5
POST 5.4


02/08/2013 20MG AM 10MG PM
PRE 2.0
POST 3.5

04/09/2013 20MG AM 10MG PM
PRE 1.1
POST 2.3

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sharlene:
Tipper has been on one dose of 30 mg Vetoryl sometime now.I will find the exact date she started on this particular dosage- I believe from recollection about 2 months or longer. My Vet called and said he and Dr. Fertig talked this over and I did right to stop the Vetoryl. Dr. Fertig suggested that Tipper stay off it until Sunday. Then I am to resume her 30mg dosage, which scares me. I thought she may have to go down to 20mg. but Dr. Fertig said usually in the early stages of the Vetoryl dosing they may do it but since she has been on this for a while he thinks to go back with that dose. What does everyone think of this reasoning?? Also we thought of something that may have been a factor. The storms we are having and had last night. This is the first storm since last year when she started on this drug, and I was told that this drug can make them frightened of noise. So what my Vet said is she has always been fearful of them, but her cortisol was much higher and she was more able to deal with the stress. Now that her cortisol is down, maybe she is not able to handle the stress as much. This does make sense to me, although I am still leary of what exactly is going on. She is safe for now so that is my concern. I am to watch her and see how she acts the next few days, he said if she is acting funny to bring her in and get her electrolytes and temperature taken. I will monitor her closely as she sticks right with me until the thunder and then she runs in my closet. Lord I think I need me a big old tranquilizer! That is one reason I have never opted to quell my anxiety with them, as I would be eating them like M&Ms with all this going on. My Tipper needs me so I need to be alert, and at the ready for any emergency. Does all this make sense to anyone?? God Bless Us All.
Patti

Valerie:
Thanks for thinking of us, we need all the positive energy we can get. Hope Daisy is having a good day today. Blessings to you both.
Patti

Thanks Patti,
Daisy agreed to take a short walk with me today :)
Very happy to see that!

Isn't it amazing what Cortisol can and can't affect? Sounds reasonable to me too.

I'm wondering too if it is not low cortisol that you are seeing but something else going on. It is hard to know sometimes. Gosh when Zoe had the eye ulcer with all that eye pressure and she not able to open her eyes and when she did they rolled back in her head, I was shoving prednisone down her throat and running to the car with her.:eek::eek::eek:

I think we are in for storms all week, they hit us and then head on to you.

Hang in there Patti. Lets wait to see how Tipper does the next few days. I'm not sure what I think about keeping her dose the same right now when you start the meds again.:o

Hoping that Tipper does well with the meds, this disease is so scary, I wish they would find a cure other then surgery...