Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Franklin's Mum:
First of all thank you for the help. I am so scared Tipper has a large tumor that I cannot sleep. She gets her next ACTH test on October 10th. Both times after having this test she did this behavior. First she put her head down low then to the right and started a circle, her tail wags 100 miles an hour, and then she fell. Her one leg in the back kind of gave way or she put in that way to go down, I don't know which. It only lasts seconds- was behind her so I can't see what her eyes were doing. She is still jumping up on the bed, but I have noticed some reluctance to do so. She is still doing several daily walks for exercise. I felt her back legs and the rock solid muscles she had before have some what diminished. Jack Russells seem to have tiny springs in the back legs and they can spring up and up many times when excited etc. Every once and a while she still does that- maybe when she sees her food is ready to eat. I don't know if it is back leg weakness. Isn't that supposed to subside with treatment? She has been on her Vetoryl for a month now. Prior to that I noticed no weakness, so why would she develop it now??- I might have mis -understood, but I thought the muscle wasting stopped on treatment??? I will have her ears checked again to make sure of no infections. What are the symptoms that usually present when they have a large tumor? If you can give me some examples I can see if she has ever had any episodes of what you tell me. I am so new at this I do not know what to look for. Could the ACTH tests some how cause this? My regular Vet is not real educated about this- I told him she did this and I don't think he knew an answer to it. Anyone I would appreciate input from you, and if you think I should have an MRI done please let me know as I am grasping at straws here. I thank you all in advance for your patience and understanding as I am off the richter scale with this. I just want to proceed correctly and do whatever possible in a timely manner to help my dog live her life out. I am afraid if this is a tumor causing this that that will end her life, if I don't try something. Are these tumors fast growning??

Hi,

Just in case you missed this link in an earlier posting, here is a thread that has been started and maintained by members who's pups developed a macro. Their stories may help you determine if Tipper does fit the profile or not. Without obvious signs, the only way to determine the size of a pituitary tumor is either via MRI or cat scan...and this would need to be performed several times to gauge the growth of the tumor, if any. It can get quite expensive unfortunately. So unless there are strong clues that this is happening with Tipper, this is something I would just keep on the back burner for now.

Macro thread -
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3567

Muscle weakness caused by the cortisol can take some time to resolve. That and hair loss are often the last signs to go away. Trembling can be caused by the Trilo itself; this is listed as one of the side effects of this drug and we have seen it happen here in our Trilo babies. Most of the time, this passes as treatment continues but there are always those pups who cannot handle one drug or the other and have to switch. From the Dechra technical brochure -

Quote:

---

Adverse Reactions:
The most common adverse reactions
reported are poor/reduced appetite,
vomiting, lethargy/dullness, diarrhea,
and weakness

---

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185

You can find much good info in our Helpful Resource Section -
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

Some pups will react to the ACTH test itself and be "off" for a day or so after but this will pass quickly as the stimulating agent leaves the system.

Hope this helps!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Squirt's Mom:
Thank you for the help you gave me a lot of good information that I will be checking into.

Keep in touch, 'k? Regardless of what you learn from the vet and testing, you and Tipper are now part of our family. And some of us just might come looking for you if you disappear. ;)

Has anybody heard from her?

Everyone:
I am still here, haven't been on here as much. Sometimes I can't help, it but it depresses me worse than I am, to hear of some of the furbabies passing. Tipper is still holding her own, but she is so fat in the tummy. I thought the Vetoryl would stop that , but it seems she is larger than she was. I do give her Hepato Support and Vitamin E. She will have another ultra sound on Oct. 2nd. I want to see if her liver is enlarging or what is going on. She is on a low fat diet and that is all she gets so I don't think she put weight on- I will get her weighed also. I am going to have the ears checked again to make sure of no infections. I have already spoken about the circles she was doing. I was going to get her an MRI, but don't think I could have radiation, or the operation to remove the tumor, so I am just contemplating my next move. I called and the MRI is 1800-2400.00 so that is a lot of money to spend if you aren't going to do anything with the results. I guess I just don't know what to do at this point. She hasn't had any more macro symptoms since the last ACTH. She has to have another ACTH on Oct. 10th and that is scaring me because of the behavior she does afterward. Just don't know where to go from here. If anyone has any suggestions I am up for them. I hope everyone has a nice weekend with their babies as fall is coming where I live in the Northeast of Ohio. Great sunny, but cool day to walk my Tipper, as she is sensitive now to the hot weather. Thanks you for asking about me.

Hi.
How are Tippers other cushing type symptoms doing?
What has your vet said about the behavior that you have noticed?
When the ACTH test is done, there are quite often various symptoms seen that do not manifest themselves at other times. This is in direct relation to the test. They usually go away in a day or so though according to those who are going through testing right now.
I would mention this to the vet too and see what his and Dr. Petersons take on it is. Really if there is any doctor in the world that you want to have interested in your case, if is your specialist.
I think what you need is a heart to heart talk with your doctors and see what they think.
I know it can be very sad when things are not going well for all our babies on here. It is so very heartbreaking some times, but for myself, I cry it out, sometimes a downright big bawl session even, and then go on to offer whatever support we can. You know we totally understand that some days can be made worse reading everyone's thread and so, I'd suggest that you limit yourself to what you can. Your own thread for example or just a few others. We do not want you to be more upset to come here. We want you to feel supported in whatever decision you make at any given time and to help you if you have questions that someone here might have the answer to.

BIG HUGS, we will all get through this :)
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sharlene and Molly:
Thanks for your support. I have days where the crying just comes on me numerous times a day like it will never stop. I have stayed away from my neighborhood in general as they do not understand when I break down, and I don't want to keep explaining my situation to them. I feel like an idiot walking down the street crying. It seems when it is about an animal, people think your behavior is out of line cause "it's only a dog." I live and breath this dog and have for 10 years, so it goes up my spine when someone says that. She is the reason I keep going. She has held me together thru my Lupus ups and downs. So rather than have people try to make you feel bad about crying over your dog I have chosen just to do walks with her and skip the neighborhood chit chat for the time being. Then if I break down, only I see and hear it. I don't know I have a soft spot for all creatures, and always have since childhood. I am hoping against all odds that my Tipper does not have a macro tumor. I pray to God many times a day to take this awful disease from Tipper and heal her. I still believe in miracles, so hopefully this is one miracle I will see in my lifetime. I wouldn't even ask to have my Lupus healed, but I would ask for my dog instead. It is hard to keep this off your mind, even when others tell you to stop thinking about it. How do you turn your mind off? You simply can't. I do try to keep busy, so I don't go crazy with this. When something you love so dearly can be gone in the blink of an eye, it is hard to come to terms with it. If I could have just one wish it would be that this terrible disease was irradicated, and everyone on this forum got their babies healed. I am praying for us all.

Oh sweetie. :( Hugs. I know this is hard. I bet there are some of your neighbors that have dogs too that feel deeply for their own dogs and would be understanding of how upsetting this situation is for you. It would be so helpful to you to have some support people around that you can walk and talk with and who will just share that tear or two with you when needed. Please don't distance yourself from friends and acquaintances. Just do what I do and don't go into the details with those who aren't as empathetic as others. You know, "well, the situation is still very worrying" type answer and share with those who are understand.
I hope you are having a good weekend and sharing a few laughs with Tipper. Just as it can be worrying when they do weird stuff, it can also be funny sometimes, and we have to often find the humor in the worst of times to get through. :)

hugs,
sharlene and molly muffin

:( I know how you are feeling. I am so happy about Boriss's progress. But, in the back of my mind that ugly Macro word pops up & I have to force it out.

It is SO scary to think about. I am trying my best to live in the present with him. It is hard & I have cried myself to sleep a lot. I am sure everyone on this board has done the same at one point or another.

I wish people weren't so insensitive. You just have to ignore the ones that don't understand.
I am glad you have us. I would hate to think you are doing this all alone.

When I am really getting upset about this disease or thinking about the Macro I just pray for God to give me peace.

I hope you have a good day with your baby. :)

hugs