Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Hi
Just checking in to say hello and hope Buddy is having a good day and back to his lizard hunting soon!:)

Thank you for checking on us Addy,:)
I, like you, have had very little me time lately. I get your bathtub story;). I've been going to work and then straight home, getting little else done. I worry about Buddy constantly while at work. Today was day two of state testing. I have another eight days to go!:eek: On the upside, Buddy has been lively, alert and downright spunky, Since I got home. His Cushing's symptoms have all faded away,except for his rear leg weakness, which is better. He hasn't had any tremors that I am aware of today. :D. So far,so good, for today.:)
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

I only have a minute but what Leslie said really has me wondering if Buddy is not having a reaction to something . It would be something other than the vetoryl. Do you know how long he has been doing this and is there anything that can be ruled out? Allergic reactions can cause the tremors in the head especially.

Hang in there.
Big Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

The tremors started when he got so sick before I found out that he had Cushings. As he recovered, they went away. They returned about 2 months later, last Friday. Buddy is on a limited ingredient diet designed for dogs with allergies. He has been on that for a few years. His "cookies" are kibble from his basic formula. There are no exceptions! Buddy drinks filtered water. We have a reverse osmosis drinking water system. I am not cleaning with anything new. I steam clean or use vinegar. There are no pesticides ever used in the backyard. I bathe him using hypoallergenic pet products. Buddy takes Benadryl, and he was taking that before. Trilostane and Pepcid have been added since then. I vacuum his sleeping areas every day sometimes more than once a day. His bedding from his little nest beds are washed every couple of days. I use perfume free/dye free/hypoallergenic, laundry detergent.
I don't burn candles, spray perfume, or other aerosols in the house. I like candles and have lots if them, but don't burn them because of Buddy's allergies. Yes, Buddy Has so many allergies, I can't even begin to pinpoint them all! Yes, his head tremors could be tied to allergies. All I know, is the panic that I see in his eyes when they occur. He is helpless, frightened and so vulnerable. It breaks my heart.
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Well fudge. That doesn't sound likely then. :( An allergy is at least a known element that we can try to control. Okay, putting the thinking cap back on.

It's just not acceptable that we can't figure out the cause and get them stopped. LOL Yep, I'm full of optimism.

Hang in there mom!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

We could all sleep in buddy's bed :D

You are a great mom to him, any news today on the email front?

Big hug

Mel
Cccx

Thanks for checking on us Mel. No email response as of yet:(
Drum roll please:D...... No tremors when I was home yesterday and none so far today since I've been home from work!!! Knock on wood!!:D Buddy has been acting happy, energetic, and adorable as ever. :D Cushing symptoms are still under control. YAY!!
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hi Kathy
So happy to hear no tremors for Buddy today!This may not be of much help but thought I would pass it on to you.I came across a blog about head tremors,most of the owners who wrote in had bulldogs and boxers.Most of them visited ED,MRI,neuro consults,and no real cause was found and were diagnosed with idiopathic head tremors.They too were frightened and at their wits end.A few wrote in to say that a "licking reflex"(offering peanut butter or honey)broke the tremor,a good few said that low calcium can cause tremors and they added yogurt to diet and saw decrease in frequency of tremors.They almost all noted that the tremors occurred when dog was most relaxed(just waking up in am or getting ready to sleep)though a few said they occured with loud noises or stress.Some tried distraction with toys,etc which worked for some of the dogs.

With all of Buddy's allergies,none of these may work but fig I would pass it on.Hope Buddy and mom have a peaceful night!!

Hi Patty,:)
Thank you so much for the wonderful suggestions. I have to be careful with any kind of food distractions due to allergies, but there are some great ideas to try. I always learn so much More from others who have actually been there, versus experts giving theory only. Any and all suggestions and ideas are greatly appreciated!:) I love it when other family members pop in to offer help and suggestions.:)

Love and hugs to you and Gracie,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Kathy
I know-so many vets never think "outside the box" or immediately discard an idea or theory you may have because they haven't "seen" it or it isn't "proven".They drive me crazy sometimes.Truly the best advice I have ever recieved has been from other dog owners.
Hope your baby sleeps well tonight.
Patty

Yay, so happy to hear no head tremors today, way to go Buddy!!!

A tremor free day is a good one. I wish he'd never have a single tremor ever again. :)

hugs Kathy and scritches for Buddy
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thank you for our own personal cheer squad!! :D I love it and all of you!:) No tremors yesterday or today, so far!:D To be fair, there could've been some while I was at work, but NONE while I was home!:D Tremor free days are not only good days, THEY ARE GREAT DAYS!!!!!:D
Hugs to all our heavenly angels,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hi Kathy,
It's great hearing that Buddy had no tremors today and that he is feeling so good!! Excellent, excellent news!!! So glad to hear he is doing so well and being super cute to boot!! :D
Barbara

Wonderful!

Kathy:
That is such good news about Buddy. It makes my heart happy. It was terrible to know he was having so many tremors with his head. I hope for you and Buddy he continues to improve. God Bless You Both
Patti

yay no tremors!! Now lets keep them away again today & forever. yay Buddy!!!

WOOHOO!!! Way to go Buddy! :cool::cool::cool:

Hoping for another tremor free day!!!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Me too Sharlene!!;) This would be day 3 if Buddy makes it!:o
Hugs to you and Miss Molly,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

OMG!!!:eek::eek:
I just called Buddy's vet to see if they do ACTH testing on Saturdays. THEY ARE STILL INSTRUCTING ME TO FAST HIM BEFORE THE ACTH TEST! So obviously, they have ignored all of the data that I forwarded to them. Even after I called Dechra myself and related that information!! Clueless!!! :eek::eek::eek:

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Good lord!! Save us from ignorance.
So would they do the test in say? :).

How is Buddy today?

Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin

Buddy is awesome today!:). He is been lizard hunting since I got home from work. No tremors again today so far!:D Thanks for asking.

As for the vet, yes I will make sure they do the test correctly. That is why I have to go and stay. I will have to stay every time, like I did last time. Yes, his vet will do it my way, Probably because I've worn her down!:D It's all about the mama bear and her cub! No one messes with this mama bear! LOL. Yes, they'll do the test on Saturday, but I think I'll wait until State testing is over and go during the week. Saturdays are always packed and I don't want any mistakes.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Yay!!So glad Buddy is having a good day and no tremors!That's awesome news.Love hearing good news.Well,this mama bear has to go before my cub eats my dinner!:).So happy for you and Buddy and happy lizard hunting Buddy!

Kathy:
I don't blame you for staying with Buddy. I always stay with Tipper. I don't want any mistakes either. You are agood mom and doing the right thing for your Buddy. I get a kick out of his lizard hunting that is a hoot! God Bless You and Buddy
Patti

Oh Mighty Lizard Hunter, strikes again!!!

Yea, I'd want to stay too. Not the most reliable protocol followers in the world there. Got to keep them on their best game for our lizard hunter!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I think I would hand a copy of the Dechra instructions to the person you spoke with on the phone when I went in so they stop giving out incorrect info. Perhaps the vet is now aware but the communication broke down somewhere along the way. I would also stay to make sure it was done correctly, tho. ;)

Yes Sharlene, When the mighty lizard hunter stays in his bed, I know that he is not feeling well. Buddy made it through 3 tremor free days! Hip hip hooray!!:D The real test will be this weekend when I'm able to be home all day to monitor him.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hooray for the lizard hunter Buddy! Sounds like things are really good...all except for the vet's office. They need to read up on Cushings a bit maybe.
Hopefully when you get to the test day that everything will be done correctly...you'll see to that, I'm sure. ;)
Hope you and Buddy have a great weekend!
Barbara

Does anyone know anything about pool therapy for dogs with Cushings. I had a friend who's dog had knee surgery. She brought him over every day for rehab in the pool for about 15-20 minutes. The pool has solar heating, so it's always comfortably warm, sometimes too warm! If I don't keep an eye on the heat level, it can turn into a Jacuzzi!:D I was wondering if pool therapy would help strengthen Buddy's real leg muscles? His rear leg weakness is his only lingering Cushing symptom. The rest are controlled for now. I have a few concerns. Buddy has allergies. Will the pool chemicals irritate his skin, Causing other problems? I would rinse him off after his pool session, but damage could already be done. Also, would water exercise be too hard on his weak rear legs. If any of you have tried it, let me know if it helped. Thanks,

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Kathy,
since Cushpups have a difficult time regulating their core temp. I'd be concerned about the pool being too warm and Buddy overheating moreso than him not being able to tolerate the exercise. I would think that he would simply stop when he was done.

If Buddy has any kind of cut, sore, irritation at all - I would not expose him to chlorine.

What about swimming in the bath tub at home? Seriously :)

I know someone whose dog had weak hind legs and they fitted him with women's pantyhose in a loop and supported him that way while walking. He was able to exercise more this way and recovered nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trixie

Kathy, These little rubber socks look like they stay on somehow...they are called Pawz.
here is a link for them..they would be great to shield Buddy's paws from the grass.
http://pawzdogboots.com/

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I have several packages of these if anybody would like them. PM me if you are interested and I'll see that you get them. I think I only have two or three medium and two extra small.

Glynda,
Great! I would like to try them. I sent you a PM with my mailing address and contact information. Thank you so much!:)

Kathy

My Zoe is allgeric to grass but not to the extent Buddy is. I did find last year that Betadine Iodine footbath can rinse all pollen and other junk off their feet. You can mix up a batch in a small bucket or dish pan the color of iced tea and simply dunk and swosh and pat dry, no need to rinse and you can reuse the solution for a while. You can leave the pan at your door outside and it does not hurt them if they lick or chew their paws afterward.

Just a thought.:):):):)

Hey Kathy

How are you and the little lizard hunter today?

Hope all is well and that you are having a good day

Big hug
Mel
Xxxxxx

Hi Mel,
We are doing well. Thank you or asking.:) No tremors since last Monday. YAY:D. The weather has been perfect for lizard hunting and there are many this year.


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!:)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Addy,
Thank you for the foot bath recipe. I will try it! :) Hopefully Buddy will not expect a massage and mini pedi with his soak! LOL . The mighty lizard hunter tries to portray a tough guy image. If he picks up one little sticker, he stops in his tracks, lifts his paw, and waits to be rescued. If it's a back paw, he will freeze in his tracks and wait for his rescuer. Don't get me started on the rain. If he even thinks it might be sprinkling, he is not going out there! When forced to go outside, he will plaster himself along the wall under the overhang of the eaves to do his business, then run for the door, before the rain monster gets him!:eek: THIS IS THE MIGHTY LIZARD HUNTER!;):D LOL


Love and Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy

no head tremors - one week today!!!!!!!

Yay!:):):D:D:D
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:)

:cool::cool::cool: Woohoo!!! :cool::cool::cool:

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!