Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Hi Kathy,
Is that the same place as the imaging center of san diego? I was looking for another option in the area, and that was the only one that kept popping up. Seems they try to get all the local GP's to send to them for imaging. Suppose to be a great place, but yowser, that is pricey. I say that based upon just looking at another thread, who had a macro and imaging done for 1,322.85, also in California, Fountain View maybe. So I think they are out to lunch with this 3147.29 pricing. Also, that dog, Tessie had radiation therapy and went on to live for gosh, quite a bit longer, passed at age18 years from kidney problems. (common once they get up to that age I think).

Yes, I'm going through reading threads on macro tumors, etc. We actually have quite a few on here and I thought maybe some would give ideas of what has worked, what hasn't, etc. I've only gotten through a couple, but that is because I'm starting at the beginning and reading all the way through.

HUGS,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
So, pffffttt..on that price. hmmph too.

I am with you guys ridiculous amount of money!

That's what I love about this place, Sharlene you rock for doing that for Kathy and buddy

Hope you guys are ok? Did any lizards dare to come in the garden?

Mel
Xxxxx

Sharlene,
I don't think there's much point in getting an MRI done at this point. I wouldn't be opting for radiation therapy anyway, as I wouldn't want to put Buddy through that and it's too expensive. So there is no point paying for an expensive imaging just to verify what the docs already suspect. Would have helped to know a couple months ago before the neuro symptoms started to escalate. Now, I just want the docs to start treatment by adding the correct dosage of Prednisone, and we go from there. I called my vet's office to see if they received the email that I forwarded from Dr. B last evening. I haven't heard back. I am not asking for a response yet, I just want to know if they got it. If I don't hear this week, I'm going to run copies of all of it and hand deliver a written copy to them early next week. I can certainly be a squeaky wheel when I have to be.

Hugs,
Kathy

Kathy
I was just going to add my 2 cents worth but as I went back and read your last post,you pretty much summed it up the way I felt as well.But I love Sharlene's pffttt!:).I felt the same as you when my Golden Kelsey was suspected of having a brain tumor.She had been hospitalized,bill was already up to 5000 and they wanted to do an MRI to confirm tumor which at that time was a few thousand.She was recieving prednisone while hospitalized.I really struggled with having it done vs not but it was my friend who talked me throught it and asked if I had it done and it did confirm a brain tumor,what would I do differently?And the answer was nothing,I would continue with the prednisone.Awful that everything is so expensive but sometimes you have to pick and choose what's really needed and how necessary it is to have it done.I know I'm probaby stating the obvious,but just make sure they add some sort of an antacid to proctect his GI tract.The genius's at Angell did NOT have Kelsey on one and she had a GI bleed.I'll insert one of Sharlene's pfftt here!:D.

I knew you had basically ruled out an MRI and radiation already.
Think of it more as an indignation on the behalf of pet owners in your area, who are faced with difficult decisions that should not be compounded by outrageous price gouging on top of everything else. :mad:

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sharlene,
You Go Girl!
I would have tried to figure out a way to pay for an MRI at the time of Buddy's neuro consultation, if the cost wasn't so high!!

Neurosurgeon/Vet Update....
My vet just called. He received the email that I had forwarded to him with Dr. B's recommendation. He had just talked with the neurosurgeon from the specialty hospital that had done Buddy's neuro consultation and was faxed her evaluation. She is still recommending an MRI, but realizes that isn't going to occur. He asked her about the Trilo/Prednisone drug protocol for treatment of Macro-tumors. He had heard of it before, but did not know the protocol or dosages and had never tried it. She advised him to put Buddy on a two week trial of Prednisone while monitoring symptoms, then re-evaluate at that time. I will be picking up the RX for the Prednisone tomorrow at my vet and taking it to Walmart or Costco. I get Trilo from Diamondback, but don't need to order such a small amount on-line. The dosage is something like a half of a 5 mg tablet twice a day for a week, then a half of a 5 mg tablet once a day for the second week. I will post the exact dosage after I get the pills tomorrow. My vet is going to be gone a couple weeks in July, so he wants to start the trial right away so he can find the dosage that works the best for Buddy. We might have to tweak it a little until we find the correct dosage. It is a little like trilostane in that way. He said that he wouldn't feel comfortable attempting this at all if I wasn't so knowledgeable. I am knowledgeable because I have all of you!;):)

This is great news, we are so glad you did all that work and follow up :D

We will be keeping everything crossed, fingers and paws that this works out for you and Buddy. :)

You are a wonderful mom :D

I'm glad your vet is on top of everything Kathy. I hope the med combo works out just right for Buddy. I bet your vet is impressed by your knowledge!
:) Barbara

Kathy:
I am so happy that the Dr. is working with you to help Buddy. We are saying prayers that this helps Buddy, and that he has no more tremors. God Bless
Patti