Flynn 11 y/o Foxie Cross - Right adrenalectomy- Good Bye Flynny We will miss you

Hey, our boy is tough! I know you'll be keeping an eye on that node. Thankfully, it was found while still tiny. Xxxxxx

Why is there always something to worry about. Hope you heard something back today.

Xxx

sending love and kisses and hopes the new node is nothing to worry about

Hi
Yes I have heard back again today from the IMS ...

My question: I am concerned about that target nodule too. My understanding was they are hyperechoic in core and hypoechoic on the rim but Flynn's is the other way around?

His reply: Yes this is opposite to the target lesions that are described in the literature. That obviously raises the question of whether we can call this a true ‘target lesion’. I will check with our radiologist!

So waiting again to see what the radiologist says about this. He did recommend we rescan in 2-3 months to see what is happening. I think I will go for the two month!

Plus local Mike is back from leave and he has emailed too wanting to call tonight and catch up, but I am going out to dinner soon, so unless he calls in the next hour that will have to be later in week x

This just won't do for my Flynny boy! You have both been through so much! I know you are on top of it Trish. Hugs to you my dear and butt scratches for the main man. Xxxx

Typical, so Flynn has the opposite of most pups! I guess we need the radiologist to tell us what that means, more waiting!

Hope you had a nice dinner and are having sweet dreams. Catch you soon

Mel
Xxxx

Boy, our Flynn loves puzzles, huh? So much so he creates internal puzzles! :D Hoping this new node is nothing to worry about, sweetie.

Waiting along with you Trish for more explanation. I too hope this is nothing to worry about for our little man. I hope you had a nice dinner out.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper xo

Oh Trish that's a bummer, but just typical of Flynn not to be normal:eek: I too would scan in 2 months hope he is still well. How was your dinner

Enjoy your dinner. Maybe you can catch up with local mike tomorrow or the next day. Flynn loves a mystery eh. :) I'd probably do 2 months too just because. I hate unknowns, drives me up the wall. Maybe it is a part of the patience gene.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I hope you have a blast this weekend Trish enjoy I,m a little jealous :p

I'm totally jealous! LOL Nothing little about it. You have to have an amazing good time for All of us who can't be there too.
Rock on Trish!
Flynn will keep the home town safe while you are away and keep an eye on dad and mum I bet too.

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

I'm totally jealous too! As I mentioned in an earlier post, Bruce is one of my lifelong faves. You will have a great time Trish, The Boss never disappoints!!! :D

Big hugs from me and Jasper

Hey you

Hope you got your rock on and enjoyed the weekend..?

Just checking in to see how you all are?

Mel
Xxx

Looking forward to the concert report!! Bet you're having a great time!! :D

Barbara

They just showed a clip of the concert on our national news.:):):)

Okay, we want a full concert report. That way we can live vicariously through you.:D

How's the main man doing? Any more news? Xxxxx

Hi all!

We are back! Flew home this afternoon, man I am pooped!! Work tomorrow too... STINK!!

Anyway, was a fab long weekend, lots of fun, shopping, lunches, dinners, girly drinks and of course "The Boss".. this is the song he opened the concert with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6VToqhUd-0 he covered our much loved NZ singer Lorde with her recent hit song Royals! Wow that girl is only 17 years old and to have her song sung by Bruce was just amazing, what an honour for her.

We had read all the reviews of the Saturday night show and were all keyed up for our show last night, but he changed it all up a lot and for the first two hours I would have been lucky to know four songs and that included Royals :rolleyes:! Most must have been from albums I did not know, the 2nd half of show had a few more oldies but I have to say I was a bit disappointed not to hear Born in the USA, My Hometown or that River song... boo! Still, he has so many songs he could probably do several concerts and not repeat any :eek: He dedicated a lovely song to Christchurch people and city, called Rise Up or Rising or something and that was really good! Even though I did not know a lot of them you had to be impressed with the band, they were so professional and we really loved it! He played over 3 hours, boy has he got stamina for 64!

We wanted some Americana to wear to the show, my friends knew of a USA store lol... (who knew we had one of those in NZ :) )so off we went on the way to the concert to get a bandanna and we ended up getting stars and stripes head bands too ohhhh and a glow in the dark red white and blue necklace. There's a pic on our album with how silly we looked http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/albu...pictureid=6349 :D BUT even better they had American Candy and I bought butterfingers and junior mints (eating these RIGHT now) AND Fritos :D We didn't forget our UK friends Mel and Tracy, my friend Christine was born in England and emigrated when she was about 7 so she remembers and likes UK lollies and we have a store called the London Lolly Shop in the middle of the city, she stocked up! But gawd they were disgusting, we decided they were made at Hogwarts out of "eye of newt" or some other dodgy ingredients :cool: So I have to say the USA lollies won the international lolly off competition!! :D:D:D

Flynny was very excited to see me, jumping all over. But I noticed he was panting more than usual and sure enough when I took him for a walk he had a cow pat poop :(, I had wondered if he was a bit off when Mum said he did not want to take his little ball of meat with his pills inside this morning, he never refuses that. He hesitated tonight just a little before eating it all. He is due UPC and BP but not going to do it, as every time in the past when his tummy has been off and I get UPC done it is high. So we will wait until he is 100% again. I had forgotten to take his Metamucil to Mum and Dad's so that might be it. They swear he had no treats he shouldn't have had. I will write to Mike tonight and let him know, we still have not caught up with me being away. Hope all well here, will have to catch up in the next couple of days

xxxxxxx

Oh Trish, I love the pic!!! You girls look so cute with your little headbands!

I was thinking about you almost every minute of your show, I calculated the time difference correctly this time. I had read the review and setlist from Auckland # 1 and saw that they performed the whole Born in the USA album, which has both of your songs in it! I was a little worried whether he would sing those two again since he is well known to really change things up from night to night. For your show they did the entire Born to Run album instead. So probably songs that were not as familiar to you. :( The song he dedicated to the people of Christchurch is called The Rising from the album of the same name. He performed this alot for dedications after the September 11th terror attack.

I bet Flynn was so happy to see you. Sorry his tummy seems to be bothering him. Now has he been talking to Jasper while you were gone??

Well I need to post an update on Jasper, that boy is going to drive me to drink. Glad you are home safe and sound, and hope we can catch up a little more later. I hope you enjoyed your Butterfinger, I love them. So yummy!

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper xo

Ya'll look great and did us proud over here! :cool::cool::D:cool::cool: And to see The Boss - how cool! I bet ya'll had a blast and I'm really glad you had this opportunity.

I hope Flynn is feeling better and was just upset at the change in his routine.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Omigosh, Bruce did all of Born to Run for you guys??? :eek: Trish, you just needed a senior citizen like me along because that is actually the Springsteen album that I know and love best -- I would have been singing my little heart out had I been there!! :)

At any rate, glad you had a great trip, regardless (and you really ought to buy that album because I think you'd end up loving it! ;))

Wow, sounds like it has been all go over there this weekend!

Just quick line to say Hi, been thinking about you guys heaps lately and hoping everything is going well with Flynny. (Sorry haven't done a whole thread catch up - just last page) Tummy issue aside, I hope he is doing well and still raising hell. Give him a big butt scratch from me and down a glass of wine that you can pretend I poured out for you :D

To everyone else (coz Trish's thread seems to be the one to catch most people) hope you are all well and that everything is running smoothly for you too. Take care folks and I'll check in again soon, promise!

Hi Trish and welcome home! I am glad you had such a good time at the concert. I hope Flynn feels better quickly and is acting like his adorable self again very very soon.

I did want your feedback on Snuggles having an MRI with contrast. I am pretty scared about it all. Both my boys are having MRIs done with contrast Wednesday and Snugs is not on any BP meds, so I am pretty frightened about it ..you can answer in my thread if you prefer.

Thank you

Excellent concert report Trish!! :D Love, love the photo and it looks like so much fun!! Wow...I can't believe he did 3 hours...that's fantastic!
So funny about the American snacks they were selling. There was a shop that opened here in the city near me that just sold only British candy and snacks. It's since closed but was really popular at the outset. So far, no New Zealand treats available around here...except Kiwi fruits!! I love those! I'm a fan of Jr. Mints too...in fact just reading you were having some made me crave a box!!

I hope Flynn's tummy is okay..oh these gastro upsets are always causing worry...I hope by now that it's passed and that Flynn is feeling fine.

Barbara

You both look adorable :-)
Very patriotic too!

I'll bet the missing Medimucil is the culprit. Flynn should be back on track soon.

Thanks for the concert report Trish! I loved all the red white and blue. Xxxxx

Poor Flynny, I hope his poop is back to normal today. Xxxxxx

Ahh, the Flynn-man, he's at that age where he needs his daily metamucil. Gosh, my dad was the same way, but a bit older than Flynn. :) hehehe I'm sure he'll be right as rain now that you are home and will get him straightened out.

It sounds like a real blast of a concert and a great weekend. What a way to round out the summer holidays. Love it!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

Hellooo! Thanks for your comments everyone. Yes the Flynn-man is coming right... I think!! He had me out of bed at 3am to let him outside and he did a massive normal poop then another one this morning. I think with his lack of exercise while I was away with Dad laid up and Mum scared to walk him after she had a run in with two Dobermans when Flynn was a young pup when she had to hold him above her head so they could not get him :eek::eek: So his walk last night must have got everything going again. But he only ate half his breakfast this morning, most unusual :confused: while he was eating I thought he paused like his mouth was sore. I have had a good look in there tonight and just maybe a sore spot, really hard to tell. If there is it is only tiny. He has been fine tonight, no panting, loved his run up the beach. Brrrrr its cold though, cold enough for a jacket!! No liking this autumn and its only 4 days in, it has snowed at the ski fields already :eek:

Mike had texted today and he was going to call tonight but he said he was going out for a while and would call after he got home, must have got home late as not heard from him and it is after 11pm now. We are not having much luck at both being home at the same time to catch up lately, I am sure we will soon though and I have my list of questions ready to go :D

Orthopaedic registrar rang today about Dad, he saw him yesterday in clinic when I was on my way back from Auckland so wI as not there. He spoke with his consultants and they want Dad back in hospital tomorrow at 7am for more surgery as the infection looks like it is breaking through again :mad::mad: So I better get to bed as I am taking him in the morning. Nasty things these hip infections, hope they get it this time but they have warned us it can end up being a chronic problem. :mad::mad: again!

Night all and have a great day tomorrow xxxx munching my last butterfingers... when I went to the US many years ago my nieces and nephew were much younger, they asked me to bring Butterfingers back for them as it was Bart Simpsons favourite candy and they wanted to taste it lol... they really like them, so I have saved them some too for a trip down memory lane even though they are now in their 20s/30s! x

One is never to old for Butterfingers. :) :)

Oh fudge about your dad having to have surgery to clean that wound out again. Gads I do hope this isn't going to be chronic for him. He must feel so frustrated being cooped up and not getting his walks too. Just like Flynn, they need to get out regularly to keep up their spirits.

Well, maybe you and Mike will connect today or at least this week sometime to go over everything.

Glad to hear that Flynn is having a good normal poop. Molly has to have that movement to get her going too, otherwise, we are right back at the bad stuff. Shake it out, shake it out. hahahaha

oh lord, you know you're losing it when you're making the poop jokes.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Sorry to hear about your Dad, Trish. I hope this visit will solve the issue and get that infection cleared out.
Glad Flynn poops are getting back to normal and that he's happily running on the beach.
Trixie was a little off in the poop dept. this morning. I did give her some small tastes of completely lean and freshly made raw chopped sirloin yesterday. Guess I just can't give her beef. :confused: It was really very little, she loves it so much. I had just gotten it from the butcher and she was standing there looking at me...I couldn't resist giving her some little bites. Then this morning things were a little on the softy side. :rolleyes: Nothing too bad...her appetite and everything else just fine.
Those Butterfingers will bring back sweet memories for your niece and nephew!! :p

Barbara

Your poor dad! I am so sorry.:o Thoughts, prayers and healing energy headed your way. Those nasty infections!!!:o xxxxxx

Hi Trish,
Just checking in to see how your Dad is doing. So sorry to hear the infection is flaring again, and I hope the surgery went well. He must be so worn out by all of this.

Glad to hear Flynn's tummy is settling and hope that continues. Then Jasper can follow! :) Still waiting with you for more information on his scan.

Let us know how things are going when you get a chance. Sending positive thoughts for your Dad.

Big hugs,
Tina and Jasper xo

Awww Trish,
I hope that they can clear the infection for your father once and for all this time. That poor man!

hmmm, about Friday in your area of the world. So, how is dad doing? Do they think they got all the infection?
Did you have a chance to catch up with local Mike this week and do a run down of whats going on with the Flynn-man?
And yes, how is Flynn? Poops staying good, metamucil kicking in? :)
Hope it's not still cold there? What the heck is that about?!! I mean fall sure, but already? :(

huggers
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi everyone

Sorry I have not been on much, blardy awful week here but still its the weekend now so hopefully it is going to get better, if not at least I will get a lie in. :)

Flynn has only been so so.... he is nauseous in the mornings. He has always taken his Samilyn which he has to have an hour before eating with no trouble, but starting Monday he was not so keen. He has been on it about 5 months. I sort of had to insist he ate it, which he did because he is a good boy but very little reluctantly. Then for breakfast an hour later he was leaving half on the plate. Then this morning I gave his samilyn at 6, then he went for a run around outside and I thought he was looking perkier than the other mornings. Back to bed while I have a cup of tea. He was snuggled in his bed with his blankies, then he started retching and puked it all up, pill included :eek::eek: He didn't even sit up but puked lying down :eek:

I did not give him any brekky after that, dropped him to Mum's and asked her to make him some scrambled egg a bit later in the morning, which he devoured. I have spoken to Mike tonight, he said it might be the samilyn so stop it for a few days and see how he goes.

His tummy has been ok poop wise, but he is itching up a storm again so Mike thinks the culprit might be his allergies/IBD flaring again. He has been on the lamb diet a few months and it might be time to change his novel protein again. So tonight I mixed in a little venison with the lamb as Mike does not want it changed too fast.

I do not like him vomiting at all!!! :mad: He has not done that for a long time. I am still not convinced his mouth is OK so we are going to have another good look in there.

Mike is off this weekend, but wants me to text him Sat/Sun with progress reports.

I heard from IMS also, he had spoken to radiologist who said that target lesions can be hypoechoic centre and hyperechoic like Flynn's is, despite what the literature I have read said. Mike said we are not to worry about it until the next scan, he said Flynn has had a few of lumps and bumps in his liver and none have been raging fast ones so if we need to do anything we still have time.

He wants to recheck BP in next week or so but leave UPC until we get nausea sorted. Next scan to be booked in two months time.

I took him for a run up the beach just now, he romped with a Labrador and a wee dog that looked a lot like Rosie :), wish I had my phone on me to take a pic of them, man it was a livewire! So he is not too bad, so I hope stopping the samilyn a few days does the trick. If he improves after stopping it, I am to leave it a few days. Then try it again so we then know if it was the culprit or not. Have any other dogs had trouble with nausea on liver supplements??

On to Dad, he had his hip washout yesterday. The infection was very superficial and the hip joint was clean which is good news. But he has a large incision again. He looked a lot better today. I hope he heals up fine this time. We are awaiting culture of samples they took to see if we need to add to the antibiotic mix. So he is still in hospital for now.

Work has been busy as too.... so all in all it has been a week to forget :( Will try and catch up soon, maybe tonight after I get back from getting my takeout curry dinner!! xxxx

For anyone interested in links between adrenal hyperactivity and liver masses, the IMS sent me this abstract. Probably does not apply to Flynn as his cortisol has been fine.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma/Adenoma in 94 Dogs: Association with Vacuolar Hepatopathy and Adrenal Hyperactivity
ACVIM 2013
P.A.L. Bento; S.A. Center; J.F. Randolph; C.C. Cortright; S.P. McDonough
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
24828913
In dogs, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCCA)/adenoma (HCA) are slowly progressive, locally invasive, and rarely metastasize. Androgen exposure affiliates with HCCA in humans, as suspected in Scottish Terriers. This retrospective study investigated relationship of HCCA/HCA with vacuolar hepatopathy (VH), adrenomegaly, and adrenal hyperactivity in diverse dog breeds (excluding Scottish Terriers).
Cornell's electronic databases (1992–2012) identified 94 dogs with HCCA/HCA. Signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic features, hepatic and adrenal ultrasonographic images, histologic findings, and adrenal function tests were recorded. Of 33 breeds (4% were small [< 10 kg], 53% medium [10–20 kg], 43% large [> 20 kg] dogs), 38 were males (2 intact) and 56 females (1 intact). Mixed breeds (29/94) and Golden Retrievers (11/94) were most common. Median age was 12 (2–23) yrs and weight 23.9 (6.8–42.0) kg. Clinical features included: lethargy (28%), inappetence (28%), hepatomegaly (27%), abdominal mass (19%), PU/PD (18%), weight loss (17%), restlessness (15%), vomiting (13%), diarrhea (9%), fever (7%), and distended abdomen (5%). Median hematologic parameters were within reference intervals. Median liver enzymes exceeded reference intervals, notably ALP (9x); 76%, 51%, 95%, and 67% had increased ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT, respectively. Hepatic imaging disclosed hyperechoic parenchyma with variably-sized masses (0.5–30 cm; 73% > 5 cm). Lesions were more common in left (39.5%) and right (25.9%) than central (11.1%) lobes; 23.5% were multifocal. Cytology confirmed HCCA/HCA in 27% of aspirates. VH occurred in 83% and adrenomegaly (> 0.6 cm dogs ≤ 10 kg; > 0.7 cm dogs > 10 kg) in 29/43 (67%). Adrenal hyperactivity (cortisol > 22 µg/dL 1-hr after 5 µg/kg ACTH IV, cortisol > 1.4 µg/dL 8-hrs after 0.015 mg/kg dexamethasone IV, and/or > 2-fold increased baseline or ACTH-stimulated androstenedione, progesterone or 17-OH progesterone) was confirmed in 15/22 (75%) dogs; 9/11 dogs (82%) had increased androstenedione.
Paraneoplastic enzyme activities, tumor affiliation with diffuse VH, adrenomegaly, and adrenal hyperactivity (including sex hormones) suggest possible association with steroidogenic hormones. This phenomenon warrants further investigation.

Speaker Information
(click the speaker's name to view other papers and abstracts submitted by this speaker)
Pedro A.L. Bento
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY, USA

Well fooey. I don't like the vomiting either. That isn't a Flynn thing. Maybe it is the Samilyn so withholding and then restarting should tell you that. Still with Flynn, anything off, is a worry. He is pretty good at behavior that lets you know something is up. It's good that he is still romping and playing though, so culprit is more likely to be an outside influence, rather than internal. (at least that is my hope)

Good news for your dad that the joint was clean! That is positive at least and hope no further bacteria is present.

Fudge on a bad week over all though. Those can really do a number on you. Rest, relaxation, girlie drinks and a hair cut or manicure/pedicure are good remedy for getting over a crap week. Works for me anyhow. LOL (off to hair salon tomorrow to take my own advice - gad, the roots are not showing well right now...blech)

Hope you are having a good start to the weekend

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

Sorry to hear our boy is off and hope it rights itself after the weekend. No more vomiting Flynny, so mama can stop worrying. Geez, I hate it too when Koko throws up. I give him a snack before bed now and that has helped him a lot. Zoe seldom if ever did which was always weird to me with all her IBD and helicobacter problems. Does Flynn get a bedtime snack? Maybe it would help settle his tummy in the am if it is not so empty. Just throwing thoughts out there, you may already do that.

Try to enjoy your weekend, glad to hear dad is improving, sorry your week was crud. Hope the weekend gets better.

Hi Trish,
Two times since we started on Denamarin (liver supplements) a year ago Trixie had a vomit epsiode. It was just a one time vomit and funny when it happened the pill came right up, even though she had taken it about 10-12 hours prior. It's a bright blue pill, and fairly large so there was no mistaking it. In fact the first time that happened two of them came up! Of course she takes it every night and this only happened twice so I have no idea if it means anything at all. It does look like these pills take awhile to break down, at least the Denamarin does.
Maybe sometimes something that they ate and the liver supp just don't work together and up it all comes?? That's pretty unscientific isn't it!!? He was hungry afterward and kept the egg down, so that's all good!
I just hate the vomits and even more the vomit/diarrhea combo! Though I like to hear Flynn is running and whooping it up on the beach with a Lab and another pal. If he was really miserable he probably wouldn't have been so active.
I also give Trixie a snack at night so her tummy is not ever all the way empty. A vet who we saw a long time ago recommended this for Trixie.
Happy that your dad is doing well, and hope for continual good news on the hip.
It's Friday at least, the weekend is here and you can put this crappy week behind you!! Hope Flynn is okay and that you both have a great weekend!! :D

Barbara

Hi Sharlene and Addy

He is good this morning :) hopped out of bed, run around outside, waited for me to make his breakfast and gave me a little woof to hurry the heck up then proceeded to gobble it down and polished his bowl! :D:D He is now sitting down playing with his toys which he has not been keen on lately. The only other pill he gets in the morning is his amlodipine and couple of supplements of fish oil and probiotic. I really, really want him on the Samilyn though as his liver is our biggest problem. Will see how he goes for a few days off it, then reintroduce and see what happens. This could be tummy upset with his immune system setting off allergies/IBD. Funny thing is his poops have been pretty good. Time will tell of course.

His routine has been up the creek the last month or two, I have had three short trips away in the last month alone, Dad in and out of hospital and when he is out he cannot walk him. So that may well be playing a factor too.

I am going to shower him in his sebazole anti itch shampoo today, slather him in the neotopic cream and see if that helps the itches. Mike was talking the Prednisone again last night and we would both prefer not to go there but will if we have too.

It's a cool day, so I will take him with Mum and me when we go visit Dad later on and stop off at this awesome little dog park that goes through the bush alongside a river, he loves it there but we don't go that often as it is bit of a drive. I am just so pleased to see him eat his breakfast with gusto that it has started the weekend off really well for us :D thanks for checking in! xxxx