Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
Tipper is laying around and sleeping, not like herself. I got a call from a vet tech saying the Dr. will get with me he is extremely busy in meetings . I told her to tell him I understand people are busy so why did he not call me after hours last nite??? She had no answer so I told her to tell him I am expecting to hear from him today, if not don't bother calling me at all. I have had enough. Just like a cush mom I know something is going on with Tipper she has been off all week now and I have been saying it. This is not like her to be so inactive and laying around. Someone best get on the phone with me if they know what is good for them, or he can kiss my business goodbye. Today is my Chance's 13 birthday. He is so sweet he and Grace would have been fabulous friends, too bad it did not work that way. Gave him a small amount of tuna for his birthday and I am going to take his pictures now. Blessings
Patti

Hallelujah:
I guess the vet thought over what I said, he just called and I balled him out. He agrees it is her thyroid but gave me some crap story about starting her on a lower dose that they do not do that. _____ is all I can say as I have thyroid problems and know that too much right away causes problems after going thru several specialists, they agreed with me that my problem was starting at too high of a dose. I told him how Tipper has reactions to things unlike other dogs and I want to go low. I told him she has not been well the last few days and I can tell she is off and something is wrong. I said if the results are not in by early next week I want to start her on a low dose, he seemed disinterested and ready to hang up and go home so I think he needs me to enter his private space to tell him what I am wanting to do. I stopped listening to these quacks quite a while ago and when I know different on something he is not going to change my mind. I will only start her low until we see how she reacts to the drug, and if he does not like it tuff beans for him. I cannot have her heart racing when she already has heart problems-where is the caution here??? At least he called back so he knows I mean business. Just let him try to mess with me about my Tipper and he'll be getting slapped up side his head by a cush mom that's had enough. The operative word here is Tipper and you don't mess with my dog, cause I won't put up with it ,I will come for you and your first and second born. He needs to go to continuing education for antiquated vets past their time. I wonder sometimes how many other dogs and peoples lives he has screwed up with his incompetency??? More than that how many people have put blind faith in him and believed in him??? Took some head shots of Grace and sent to the rescue. She was not co-operative and put her head down every time I was ready to snap a pic, it was too funny. She is adorable and does such cute things I cannot get over her. It is still coming down here, so we are getting bombarded with snow. Tipper wants to rub her ears in it!! Blessings
Patti

hi patti, did your vet give you a call already? maybe he can email you.
this is the way i communicate with my vet practice now. they can easily mail in between things i think. but i am a client since i was a kid with my first pet mouse, so no complaints about this small practice.
i received a flyer that they will be on call 24/7 now, so no more visits to a strange vet! my vet practice is only a 5-10 min drive.
maybe tipper is tired during the day because she does not sleep at night?
hopefully somebody will fall in love with graces picture and take her home.

oh, i see we posted almost at the same time. i got flynn's thyroid results back in 2 days. i think the vet wants to wait for the results before he decides which dosage tipper will need.
they are always afraid to make a mistake.
if she needs them, you can start on a lower dosage without mentioning it to your vet.
is there an other vet practice in your neighborhood?
my experience with animal/human doctors is that they do not want you to tell them what to do.
i always ask them politely if they also think it could be this or that. sometimes i am right, sometimes i [the internet] am wrong.
we need them for our pets, so i try not to out-class them. they really don't like that...............

Hi Everyone:
I just read an article from Long Beach Animal Hospital stating that dogs with Cushing's disease and or heart disease must have a conservative dose of thyroid meds. Proving again this vet does not know what he is talking about. This really burns me. I am contacting the Cardiologist tomorrow and having her send him a message concerning this. Also too much of this for the dog can cause diarrhea. I will go to his office armed with info. This makes me sick he just does whatever he wants to without researching anything. This might be standard operating procedure with dogs that don't have Cushing's, but he should have checked this out knowing about her heart and all. Just too much work for him. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Another nite with Tipper up a lot. Every time she gets up I am up and nervous as to what is going on with her. She has had several honking episodes with the trachea the last week and she gets so frantic that she cannot breath and goes crazy while I grab her and rub her throat and talk real calm to her. I am so scared when she does this something will happen and her throat will not open back up. Also while reading about the thyroid it said this can cause the nerve in that area to become paralyzed and make her trachea not open back up. Please don't think I am harsh on my vet as this dog means the world to me and I am tired already of misinformation from him that could cost my Tipper her life. I am fed up with his cavalier attitude when I see her struggling to make it and I know sure as anything something is wrong. Mark my words this thyroid panel will come back with bad results and I am calling the cardiologist today to have her message him. I cannot email him because he is so behind the times he does not email, I must send him faxes, which I do and keep copies so I have proof of his neglect to perform his duties where Tipper is concerned. We have been at it since the day I had to get into a verbal fight with him about testing Tipper as I knew she had Cushings. He would not do it, and finally when I made him she did have it. I am not bragging, but I have been right about everything so far and he has been really wrong ,and if I would have listened to him Tipper would not be here. So I must do what I need to to protect her. If that means getting into it with him so be it. This dog means everything to me and I will not allow his sloppy practices to kill my dog. I have never been more disappointed in a vet in my life. If I could write RX's etc. I would not even need him. I am very worried that if the test results do not come back by next week I am calling the IMS to get meds for Tipper as there is something going on with her from this thyroid and it has me very nervous. I need to get her started on 1/2 a dosage and get her back to her current level of what normal has been. I am just scared that more and more issues keep coming on the pile and when will we get to one I cannot fix? This vet should be taking the time to research things he does not know or understand and he doesn't. I have paid all this money to him so that I can tell him what needs done? It doesn't even make sense. If he cared about Tipper and returned calls in a timely manner, researched things and gave me concrete answers, and did not care about money, money and more money maybe I would have some respect for him, but the way things stand I cannot help stating the truth about how I feel towards him. So now that that rant is over, I have not heard back form the rescue for Grace yet. We are to get more bad weather this weekend so it may be next week before Grace get to where she needs to be. Honestly I have never had a sweeter cat than her. I have taken some video of her and I to remember her when she is no longer with me. I am so sad for her and I. For now I need to concentrate on Tipper as she had to go to therapy this afternoon and I feel bad as I know she is not feeling well. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
We just got back from therapy. Tipper was really squirming when her back was done, but now in the lower back where before it was in the middle. Don't know what that is about. She is tired now and we are taking a rest. I put in a call to the cardiologist and I am waiting for her to call me back. I am going to have her fax my vet and tell him why Tipper needs to start with a low dose of thyroid meds.Then maybe he will believe me. It is very frigid outside, the roads were ok. The therapist said Tippers leg is doing well enough that she can come every 3 weeks from now on. She let her walk around so she could see her using the leg, and was pleased with her progress. She has been a life saver and always happy and glad to see Tipper. She let's you know how much she appreciates your business, and she did fix Tipper just like she said she would.Thank God for all her help. Tipper is tired and snoring as she slept very little last nite. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti, that is great that Tippers leg is much improved.
I am sorry to hear that you are once again having problems with your vet. That seems to be the never ending story with him. Hopefully you can get Tipper on a low dose for the thyroid and get that done right away. How scary those episodes are when they can't breath. :(
Still no word from the cat rescue huh :( that is sad. You'd think they would be amongst the first to try and find her a good home. What about emailing them again as a follow up? I know you hate to have to do this, it is just going to get so much harder with each passing day and Grace Needs a home she can roam around in and just be herself in. I wish that she wasn't a risk to your other cats, but don't know of any way around that :( Too bad your neighbor guy wouldn't take her. My dad just adored his cat (mine from my youth that him and my mom took when I wouldn't ship the cat to Hawaii, due to quarantine - 6 months!!) and that cat lived to be 21 years old and my dad to 90. Pretty sure they adored each other till the end.

Hang in there Patti. Hope you get some responses today or tomorrow at the latest.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Everyone:
Well the cardiologist just called me and could not believe my vet would not give Tipper 1/2 dosing on the thyroid meds. She is going to talk to the IMS and they will contact my vet to tell him that Tipper must have a lower dose than a normal dog. They will call me back on Monday to go over everything. These are specialists in a hospital and they call back the same day, what is my vet's problem then??? I am so glad they are telling me the same thing. I knew she could not have a full dose and make her heart race. Sometimes I wonder how he got licensed??? I emailed the rescue again this morning and have heard nothing. I am getting attached to Grace, you cannot help it she is so sweet. We just got a weather bulletin that we will be going to 20 below 0 and in the teens tomorrow. Great I have to take Tippers urine to the vets in the morning. Blessings
Patti

Yay for the cardiologist! Now on to getting your vet on board with this treatment plan.
Well, when it comes right down to it, this is what the specialist are there for, to keep the vets on the right path.
Too bad they haven't gotten in contact with you about Grace again. Did you send them the pictures you posted here too? Those are just adorable!
I love how big she is and so loving. Hard to imagine that a Resuce wouldn't be able to place her in a good home.

It's going to be cold here tonight too. :(

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

Picture alert I added to Gracie's album she is a cuddle bug, and a big one at that.

She's just gorgeous. Someone surely would want such a beautiful big hearted purring cuddle bug. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

the weather does not sound good again! but tippers leg does!
if it was not for the weather you could make longer walks again. i think tipper would like that very much. she sounds somewhat depressed.
isn't it an option to take grace to the rescue, so she can stay there and people who are interested in her can see her in real life?
so they can pet her and fall in love with her.
if the relationship with your vet is so bad, maybe a change to another clinic will benefit you and your animals. all the stress sounds bad for you.
it is cold and raining and i have to walk the dogs for the last time before going to bed.
and patti, i hope you and tipper sleep well tonight.

Patti, I'm so glad that the laser is helping Tipper.
Boy, your vet in an A #1 jerk! Thank God for the IMS vet and cardiologist. Maybe one of them can recommend someone else for you?
Honestly, it's too much to have to second guess and argue with that pompous fool like you do.

Hi Everyone:
I am going to lean more on the IMS and the Cardiologist with Tipper I am not wanting another stand off with this vet. On another note the rescue emailed me about Grace and they have me really fired up. I sent them her head shots and they replied with could you tell us if she is 100% Maine Coon? That really set me off as they seem to have forgotten my mission here. They wanted me to ask the people where she was! where they got her!! I emailed them back telling them that firstly if someone wants this cat it will be on Grace's own merit, that she is sweet and loving and deserves a good home not whether she is 100 % Maine Coon or not. Also that she has just had 500.00 worth of vet care done and what do they want for nothing??? I am really irked with them right now. I want someone who wants Grace because they love her not because she is a Maine Coon. I am not messing around with this crap. On another note Tipper was up a lot again last nite and drinking water. She was laying around again very unlike her. I am hoping her results are in early next week. I did not take the urine this morning as it is 0 degrees here. I will take it when it warms up or when I do her BP again. I am waiting for a call that Tipper's chicken is in. She ahs just been off lately and not feeling well and cranky. I know it is her thyroid and I hate seeing her go thru this. The cardiologist and IMS are not in until Monday. I have not heard back form the neurologist and will call him today. No one wants to see their baby suffer needlessly. I hope we get thru the weekend ok. Between this vet and the rescue I am about to blow a gasket. I need to order Trilostane for Tipper now too and Luckys and her Ursidiol is needed so here goes some more money. Where oh where is that illusive money tree?? Blessings
Patti

I hope she feels better and you are able to fix the thyroid meds. You always know what is wrong with Tipper so I know you will stay on top of it until it is resolved.

Hope the weather has gotten a tad better, ours follows the same pattern, a tad warmer so we get snow and then the sun comes out and temps plunge below zero.

We are all so done with this winter, makes it hard to stay in a good mood, doesn't it?

I must have missed a posting or two...I didn't know Tipper has low thyroid. Is that new? I have that too...I've had all kinds of Thyroid problems!
So, you are starting Thyroid meds now for Tipper. Happy to hear the leg is better though. Hope it keeps improving.
What is the deal with the cat rescue!!?? All one has to do is see the photo of the cat!! She's beautiful!! She has all the traits of a Maine Coon and better yet she's Calico!! Why would anyone who is looking to adopt the cat need anymore than seeing the photo and knowing the cat is in good health. You're right..they should just want her, no matter what breed she is. People stink sometimes! :mad:

Barbara

I have to agree Barbara people are stinkers some times. Tipper's thyroid is new. It is a result of the cushings. Working on it right now to get her straightened out though. That is why all the weight gain when here I am counting nuggets of food!! I need a secretary to keep track of all of this stuff going on with appointments and all. I just feel bad my vet is terrible and I hate my dog suffering because of his stupidity. Blessings
Patti

It is just such hit or miss with these vets! I was lucky this time...both my vet and the vets at the Animal Medical Center..(which is an amazing place!) were helpful and available...most of the time this is not the case. Thankfully I felt like everyone was helpful this time.
I hope you get the thyroid worked out. A sluggish thyroid can pack on the pounds in humans...I imagine it does the same with animals. I had the opposite problem too...I had Graves Disease..autoimmune over active thyroid...with that I lost so much weight, which was not so bad but it came with a whole list of unpleasant symptoms too. Had to have a radio active treatment to turn my thyroid the other way...ugh..then you gain weight, amongst other issues. Not fun.
I hope you can work out the dosage for Tipper. Whatever this was with Trixie took off weight...I think she probably lost a pound and a half. I didn't want to stress her by putting her on the scale when we were leaving the hospital yesterday, she was already in a bad state. Doing very well today though. Hope you have a good weekend with all your babies.

Barbara

Patti,
Thank God for the IMS and cardiologist. I'm glad that you're cutting the vet loose. He's a useless money pit with a bad attitude.

Shame on that rescue organization! Might be worth contacting another one.

Hi Everyone:
Just heard back from the cat rescue and she was apologizing a little to late I am afraid for me. I have decided to fax a letter to my IMS about Tipper and ask her what she thinks of Grace passing this to my boys. I started playing with her this afternoon and gave her a mouse toy and she has never had toys and I got her playing. She was running her huge butt around the room batting the mouse and chasing a teaser toy. She is adorable and I am so torn on her being here. I cannot put my boys at risk but see her thriving even in this room. I will see time will tell. Tipper is sleeping again and I am not liking this I got copies of her blood work and her Lymphocytes are low too. He never told me that either. I need to really go thru them good and see what is going on. Blessings
Patti

well I'm glad at least the rescue organization apologized. Guess they came to their senses. Is there a chance that what Grace has would not pass to your cats then? I wish she could stay with you...I know you can't risk your babies though. I just think how you ended up with her was her lucky day.
Hope it all works out the best way possible.

Barbara

Grace sounds a lot like my Gracie. They're so much fun!
I hope that it all works out.

Hi Patti,
It's a good weekend to stay in, do some cooking and play with the animals.
Too bad that rescue had the wrong focus. Surprising when it's a rescue. You'd think they would care more about finding a good home than breed. sheezzz

Poor Tipper. I hope she can get her thyroid meds and feel better soon.

Hang in there. You're doing good job and I think you're tired. You've been fighting these battles for a long time now. It would exhaust Hercules himself.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

We all would do anything for our furlets and I think that great strength comes through the fights. That's what makes us all so understanding. You're not alone in the fight, you have us..
I shudder to think of the outcome for Daisy had I not found this forum. Hugs.

Patti, I'm so glad you thought to ask your IMS about Grace and the extent of the danger to your boys. I am keeping all fingers crossed that maybe there is something that can be done to protect the boys and allow Grace to remain. I've been holding off on looking at her new pictures cuz I knew I would love her if I looked. But I couldn't resist and I do love her, of course! :o

That rescue gets a huge zero in my book. :mad:

i am very tired because of the flu and the rain all day overhere.
i hope you will have a quiet weekend and lots of sleep!

Hi Everyone:
It was a really bad nite with Tipper. She was up all nite for the 4th nite and out of bed at 5:00. I am exhausted and cannot do this much longer. She needs some meds now. I am calling my vet on Monday morning and telling him if he does not give them to me I am calling the IMS and having her send an RX to the drug store. This is making her suffer needlessly and me too. I think I will get her urine Monday morning and drive there in person. He needs to understand we cannot keep this up. I played with Grace this morning and it is going to take the strength of Hercules to give her away, she is so pitifully sweet this is killing me. I am so worn out from no sleep I need to get in the shower and wake myself up if possible. This is going to be a crazy day I can tell. Blessings

Hi Everyone:
The vets office just called to confirm an appointment Monday morning. How could I be this lucky??? She has to have her Adequan shot. I will discuss the meds while we are there. She is tired and laying around this morning and I am too. I am going back and forth about Grace what a situation. At least I am glad for one things that I was at the right place at the right time or she would probably be dead somewhere outside. SO I saved her and she is safe and warm, but where we go from here only God knows. Blessings
Patti

hi patti, the flu is killing me so this must be a short reply.
i hope everything will work out fine for you and your animal friends.
i have to go to bed now.

Hi Everyone:
Another really bad nite for Tipper. She was up and down all nite. Last nite she kept at me for more food. Then she finally went to sleep after I gave her the melatonin. I read it is good for seizures and I read it is bad for seizures so what the __ do you do?? Well she slept a bit then she was up roaming around and I could not sleep. This went on all nite. I could strangle my vet for making us suffer like this. I will be there first thing Monday demanding these drugs to help her, I will not leave without them. She was up for the day at 4:00 and I am dead. I am actually dizzy from not enough sleep and sick at my stomach. I know she cannot help herself, but my vet could have prevented all of this. She is drinking tons of water too, and ravenous and her cortisol is low so it is not that it is the thyroid, I would be my life on it. I will have meds come Monday or you will see it on the news that Cush mother strangles her vet. I have heard nothing from the rescue for Grace. I need to get her out of one room so after I talk to the IMS I will reach a decision on what to do for her. Tipper needs to be my focus right now as she is really suffering from this. I am ready for a fight on Monday so he better look out. I do not like to see my Tipper in distress and this is all his fault. Blessings
Patti

I'm so sorry to hear Tipper isn't well and your vet is leaving you hanging. Is there another vet near you, you can see instead of this one?

I am praying Tipper feels better soon and your vet calls immediately.

Hi Patti,

I hope that you can get the meds for Tipper and that they make a difference for her and for you.

Sorry that you haven't heard any more from the rescue about Grace. Lets see what the IMS tells you about the risk to your cats.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Everyone:
I forgot to add to the scenario of Tipper not feeling well that Tipper is not like you average dog when wanting something. She actually scratched me badly in the face this morning for me to get up at 4am. She did not mean it but she is so tenacious that you will not sleep or do anything when she wants something. She digs at you, jumps at you, scratches at you barks, digs the carpet, keeps drinking more water if she gets no food. You just cannot tell her no or lay down it won't do when she is in this state. She used to listen so well too. This has turned her into a crazy dog. I feel so bad when she does all this, it makes me cry. I just cleaned the house as I will never get it done if she keeps me up one more nite. I am with Grace for a while now. I am hoping I can figure something out on her behalf without jeopardizing my boys. Chance is 13 and could not handle any health problems now. Wish I had a huge room all to itself that she could be in and look out the window and maybe that would suffice for her, but I do not. It would have to be my cat room and my boys know that is their room. Blessings
Patti

Patti,

I have to say this but you might need to crate Tipper at night so that you can get some rest. It might also help to retrain her out of this scratching behavior which is not good. I know that it sounds mean, but honestly it will bother you more I think.

I have to agree with Valerie on this one. You need to get some rest whether Tipper sleeps or not. If not at night, then during the day. I know that it is hard. Buddy went several weeks without resting well at night. I couldn't sleep either. I was beyond exhausted. You need to find something that works for both of you. I laid on the floor many nights right by Buddy's bed, so he could touch me. That helped him settle and rest. I would crawl back in bed after I was sure he was asleep. Sometimes he would settle quickly. Other times, he couldn't settle at all, so I would stay on the floor all night. If crating Tipper is the ony way you are able to get some rest, then do it. She probably won't like it, but she'd be safe. XXXXXX

i do agree with the others on crating tipper or let her roam the room if she wants too. why is it that she has to stay on the bed? can't she sleep on a doggy bed/stretcher or something like that.
my flynn had a very low thyroid level, but never showed any of this behavior.
we are all worried about you. what if she e.g. damages your eye when scratching your face? we know you love tipper very much, but if you collapse, who will take care of them all?

Hi Patti,
Does this seem to be "off" behavior from Tipper? That just doesn't sound good to me, that even not meaning to that she would be so aggressive towards You of all people.
You know that we all worry about you and Tipper.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Patti, I am going to add my voice to everyone elses. I don't post a lot on your thread, but I have been reading along. I am worried about you, and Tipper seems to be changing somewhat in her personality.

If her getting up and down off the bed is an issue, have you thought about just putting your mattress on the floor (getting rid of the bed frame) for a while, just so she can move around and you can try to sleep without being up too?

Hi Everyone:
This is a late post as I had to sit with Tipper for a while after getting home from the vets. He asked me how things were going and I just burst into tears. I told him Tipper is really off. All of the behavior she is exhibiting are symptoms of thyroid problem, including the personality change and aggressive behavior. I told him I did not want to wait for the tests to come back from Michigan and that I wanted him to start her on thyroid meds at 1/2 the normal dose. I gave him all the reasons why the 1/2 dose and he looked at me and very smartly said "don't school me in thyroid I am an expert." I said well in that case why did you not see this coming from the last 12 blood tests done?? He said "I have gone along with everything you have wanted, but I am not giving medication to a dog that does not need it ." I said what about all the other things you would nto help me with including the Cushings I had to fight with you to get you to test her as you blamed it on a hundred other things, and I was right wasn't I ??? He was quiet, I said what about the Reticulocytes I was right about that too, what about the tracheal issues I was right about that too, I said I can go on and on. I said do you actually think knowing how much I love and protect this dog I would ask you to do something to harm her? He said "No" Then he said he would call Michigan to see if they could tell him anything, and a tech called him in the back room. He came out holding the test results from Michigan. They were there and no one told me!!! She has low thyroid function, and he did not even look at my face when he said it cause he knew what I was going to say. I told him I wanted a half normal dose of Soloxine for Tipper and he agreed. I showed him printed in black and white from Long Beach Medical how you cannot give a full dose to a Cushings dog. He had an attitude as the girls in his office saw he was wrong and I guess that embarrassed him. Too bad I thought just give me the medicine and let me get away from you before I haul off and slug you. Tipper was up all nite last nite, panting, drinking, and whining which she never does. I made up my mind this morning I was bringing home meds no matter what. She was so riled up in his office I even forgot to get what her Bp reading was as I record it when I get home on her chart. I will call later. I gave Tipper her first dose at 10:00 so she is past the time if she was going to be allergic to it thank God. I will see how this goes in a few days if she is able to sleep and calms down. I also told him her pre number on cortisol is low and it might be nice if he called Dechra. I will post the rest late as I want to keep and eye on her. I am waiting for emails from the neurologist, IMS and a call from the cardiologist so it should be a busy day for me. The roads were bad this morning too and it is snowing a fine snow. Blessings
Patti