Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Hi Kathy,
I am so happy that you are already seeing an improvement with the prednisone, I hope things continue to improve!! :) When Jasper was on higher doses of prednisone, his drinking and peeing increased quite a bit as those are side effects. I know you are watching for those things, and while not ideal, they are manageable symptoms. Jasper's water intake has never really normalized, but I have adjusted. You are doing a wonderful job with Buddy. I have not been able to post much lately but read daily, and you and Buddy are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs from me and Jasper

Kathy:
Tipper and I are over the moon about the improvement in Buddy with just one dose. We are hoping he can stay at an even keel now and not have any further issues. God Bless you, you are doing great with Buddy. He must be thrilled that some of those nasty symptoms went away too! Blessings
Patti

Kathy:
I forgot to tell you Tipper said the reason there are no lizards is they heard Buddy was getting better and they high tailed it out of there!!

Thanks for your well wishes wishes and support. :) Buddy is up and running around all over the place this morning. :) He is running straight and not wobbly like he normally does and is yapping at me for breakfast. :pHis neural symptoms have vastly improved. The prednisone does seem to be helping with his mobility. I think it is making him itchy because his paws were damp this morning. He licks at them when he feels itchy. I'm going to continue to give him Benadryl for his allergies. I am hoping that will help with the itchiness. I don't want to have to stop the prednisone so soon, particularly when it does seem to be helping. I have noticed that he is drinking more water. Any thoughts, pass them along. I will keep you posted. Thanks Angels;)

Hugs,
Kathy

Hi Kathy,

That is so great that the neurological symptoms have improved after just a dose and continue to do well. I'd think that is a good start to the trial. I don't know if that means that there was only slight pressure "inflammation" around the tumor or what. That would be interesting to see what the specialist/vet thinks about that. Since I'm on the optimistic bandwagon though, I'm going to just take it as a good sign over all. :)
I was just reading this morning that diluted pure apple cider vinegar, diluted in water, to soak their paws in, is something that can be used for itchy, allergic symptoms with dogs.
Another thing I came across and I don't know why I hadn't seen it before, is that cortisol affects the insulin levels, absorption, etc and that one of the signs mentioned with cushings is the possibility of fasting hyperglycemia. So by feeding Buddy the smaller meals, more times a day, you could be really getting a hand on controlling that, which would make the tremors probably related to the hyperglycemia and hence, less of them as that is now controlled.
Who knew! You learn something every day it seems on the forum.
Just stuff I came across, that you probably already know, but if not, thought would be worth sharing with you.
I was actually looking for calcium deposit information at the time, but you never know where you'll end up finding information at when searching about and reading these things.
I hope you have a lovely Sunday. Sounds like Buddy is going to be keeping you on your toes today, full of energy the little mighty lizard hunter!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sharlene, thanks for the information. :);) I have been doing a lot of research too. There is so much to learn. Please feel free to pass on any and all information you have. As with regard to soaking the paws in cider vinegar, do you rinse them off afterward? Does the soaking stop the itching, or just make their paws tastes bad so they don't want to lick them? I've seen what buddy licks, cider vinegar is not going to stop him!!!:eek: Concerning the head tremors, none for 15 days now. The longest he has gone between tremors is 10 days. It looks like they are related to his reactive hypoglycemia. He hasn't had any head tremors since before his bout of hypoglycemia. Smaller meals more often, does seem to be doing the trick. There certainly appears to be a tumor, because the improvement in Buddy's neural symptoms is phenomenal! There was obviously enough swelling to interfere with his ability to stand, walk, and move. No face plants since he started on Prednisone yesterday. He is happy and all over the place! The mighty lizard Hunter on steroids, those lizards better watch out!;):D

Hugs,
Kathy

I think that is awesome about the neurological symptoms. Just fabulous. Just that it corrected so quickly, it seems that it must have not been so much inflammation or it would have taken more days to go down. I hoping that it "might" mean that it isn't as big as originally thought and it could just be that the placement of it is very inconvenient for the nerves that any inflammation would press on. Like I said, I'm on a major optimistic role today. LOL

No you don't rinse. You use a diluted amount in water, and the properties of apple cider vinegar seems to be that it immediately reduces itching. You can also use it after a shampoo, also diluted and never full strength and rub into skin, massage in I'd guess or use with a spray bottle (don't get in eyes) and same thing, it reduces itching almost instantly upon contact from what I have read.
Look up apple cider vinegar dogs. I found a couple different pages.

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thanks Sharlene, I'll try it. With regards to cortisol levels and insulin, I think it would be a good idea to feed all our Cush pups smaller amounts more often, if possible. That could help protect them from getting hypoglycemia in the first place. What do you think!! I hope you Sunday is truly blissful!

Happy dog, happy Sunday, eight work days to Summer break! Life is good!:D:D

Hugs,
Kathy

Hi Kathy,
Since it is a risk, yea, I'd think smaller meals more often could be a good idea.

I agree, blissful Sunday :)
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Those lizards must have wised up. Maybe they clocked the one joining the graveyard last week :eek:

I am so pleased that things seem to be progressing in the right direction, no tremors and better walking. That is great news

Big hug to you and kisses to Buddy

Mel
Xxxxx