Skippy has passed; 12 y/o Yorkie with likely pituitary tumor (Trilostane)

Just received a call from Purdue: Dr. Scott-Moncrieff, the head of Purdue's clinic and an endocrine researcher-practitioner will see Skippy on March 21st! My local vet made this happen! I am in disbelief but very grateful.

I'm glad to hear the local vet was able to arrange that office visit with Dr. Scott-Moncrieff! And will be waiting, anxiously, for his/her opinion. You're doing a really great job and I pray that you will find the answers that will help sweet Skippy.

Hugs, Lori

Lori, Dr. Scott-Moncrief is a female. Her full name is J. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff and she is a super star who wrote the entire chapter on the Thyroid Gland in my Fourth Edition Canine & Feline Endocrinology textbook. Congrats, Carole, for having a vet with connections. I'll be very interested in hearing all about your consult.

Glynda

This is awesome news!!!! Hopefully some answers will be forth coming now with this specialist.

Very impressive credentials

Carole i just read through your whole thread and i feel you pain and frustration. But its great news that Skippy is now scheduled to see this specialist who sounds awesome so i look forward to hearing what she has to say. Ill be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!

Laurie

Laurie,
Thanks for your kind words of support. I am trying not to approach the future with raised expectations of anyone. I know now there there are no miracles but I'm determined to give Skippy the best shot that I can afford to give him, as you are doing with Charlotte. This disease is all consuming.
Glynda and Sharlene, thanks for your endorsement of Dr. Scott-Moncrieff; the appointment has risen to the level of notice of the IMS who saw Skippy last week. He called last night very concerned that Skippy is now Addison's and when I told him of the appointment on the 21st, he was adamant that Skippy couldn't wait until then. He asked me to bring him in at noon today for a look and a baseline blood draw. Then he said he wanted to do another Stim. I agreed in the vain of caution I guess. Skippy is the same but not willing to eat unless food is richly doctored. Thanks everyone...

Oh gads, I hope he isn't Addisons. When do you get the results?

Hi Everyone,
Skippy spent his afternoon at Purdue yesterday. They called today:
- Stim post test: 10.2 No Addisons! The Stim was after 4 days back on Vetoryl.
- They found swollen glands in Skippy's shoulders; no lymphoma but they want to check further for underlying disease especially they want to look for melanoma in his lumps and especially in his mouth!
- Blood panel and CBC okay except that his liver enzymes were a little more elevated than in December.
- The IMS who saw Skippy consulted with Dr. Scott-Moncrieff who will review Skippy's tests, ultra sound and history before she sees him. She (Scott-Moncrieff) said if the trilostane wasn't working then stop the drug and they will evaluate further.
- THEN TODAY - Skippy has taken three long walks without resistance or turning around; tonight he actually ran for a ball, jumped around at length for a chew treat and has significant glimmers of the Skippy of old. I have taken him off all meds except the Vetoryl but will keep him on it for the next two weeks (they didn't change the dose from 20/20). He is reluctant to eat without significant enrichment of his food, but only in the morning and has lost a couple of pounds. (Good if no malignancies)
Is it possible that the Vetoryl is working after all this time??? I have a glimmer of hope at least for a moment. I will get copies of his tests and post shortly. Thanks,

Tremoring has subsided except in bath and car to Purdue, but not on return. Tiny tremors sometimes during the day.

Awesome news! So happy to hear no Addisons! Its also great to hear his tremoring is subsiding. I think thats what bothers me most about Charlotte, sometimes the tremoring is so bad and she looks so pathetic. But it sounds like overall he is feeling much better and that is so great!

Laurie