Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
The babies are all taken care of I was taking Tipper potty, and trying to stay upright and not move my head, and Tipper goes into a vestibular spell. Can you believe this. She started circling and I got he before she went down. She is OK now, it scares her and thank God her head never stays tilted like some dogs. I fed all the babies and did the dishes and Tipper and I are on the bed resting. I have an appointment first thing Tuesday morning with my Dr. In Pittsburgh, so I made arrangements for Tipper to be watched. Monday I have to go get her Vetoryl as I was unable today. I decided to tale Tipper for her blood pressure then instead of Wednesday when she gets her thyroid test as it is at 12 noon and there will be too many dogs there and she will get too keyed up. I need a true reading as the last two were high. It is snowing here and cold again. Tipper and Toby are bored again! I feel a little better after I took my pill, but not great. Blessings
Patti

hi patti, is it possible that you are getting the flu? i hope not.
maybe your doctor can prescripe you something what really works against the dizziness.
i hope you can drive your car whilst being dizzy.
sounds like a buzy week for you.
a lazy sunday is what we on this forum recommend you.

Oh no Patti!
There are enough of us here who are sick or injured. You're not allowed to be. xo

I'm glad that Tipper is recovering!

Hi Everyone:
I am feeling better today, thank all of you for caring. Tipper is disgusted with the cold weather and new snow. Normally she would love it, but she knows she won't be walking until the temperature comes up. I am able to walk around today at least. Tipper seems better on the once daily dosing of 27mg. I think she must need an higher dose to knock that cortisol down and once it gets down from the higher dose it must stay at an acceptable level. She is seeming to do well, no crazy hunger at note, and the drinking is tapering off? I just need to really keep an eye on her to see if she is going low. I know when her numbers are lower and she hears a noise, it sacres her more as she doesn't have the higher cortisol to deal with it and panics. That make the spring storms really bad on her as to make her feel OK her cortisol must be at a low level. This causes problems when the thunder starts though. I ordered a dap collar for her, they said it must be tight to work, and she can't wear collars because of her tracheal issues, so I hope this
has something stretchy on it so I does not hurt her neck?? She is acting better on this dosage, if it would just not make her go low, everything would be OK. I contacted the people that have Grace. I told them to try some catnip with her, as I never did. They said they had gotten her some and she had a ball with it. They saidnat nite she jumps up on the bottom of the bed, and that is where she sleeps. I asked about her diet, but they ignored that question, which in itself is an answer. They said she is so lovable and sweet they cannot get over how nice she really is. I still miss her terribly, and spend little time in that room because of
it.I am glad she is being taken care of and loved, but still miss her and wish she was here. I hope to be up and about more today, but take it easy. Tomorrow we go for blood pressure in the morning. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well the temperature went above 32 so I managed to drag myself around the block for Tipper's sake. She was so happy as the sun is out and it looks beautiful. She wanted to keep going, but I couldn't. It did make her happy though, and that is what I want to see. As long as she is doing well and she is happy I count my blessings. I need to get Toby a hair cut he looks like a shaggy mop. His hair grows so fast. The cats are in the cat room sunning themselves, and Elvis just had some green beans, so the critters are happy. I hate that ride in the dark at 4 am on Tuesday morning, but I need to see my Dr. The earlier I go then quicker I can get back. I just cut some more of Tipper's hair and I noticed something dark red by her koochie. I guess I will have to investigate, but going near that area could be dangerous! Blessings
Patti

aha......, you have to wear thick gloves to look under her tail.
the vet can have a look as you are in for the bp tomorrow i quess.
she will bite him then instead of you.....
hopefully tipper can stay on 27 mg a day doing fine without all those tests.
glad that grace is much loved by her new owners. as long as her new food does not make her any fatter, so be it.
i once sold a pup to friends of mine who love this dog dearly, take good care for him except for the cheap food. lots of canned food brr.
i know they are all picky eaters, so is ian, but i stopped talking about the food subject.
last month he got an intestinal cancer operation. [because of the bad food?]
but he recovered very quick from it. i hope the specialist had a talk about the food choice with them after this event. but they will not tell me if he did.
take good care of yourself and sleep well.

Hi Everyone:
Well today was a complete waste. There was a dog in the kennel barking his head off, so there was no way Tipper would have a normal blood pressure after hearing that. I did however get the Vetoryl she needed. She is acting real funny this morning, very subdued and distant for some reason. I am getting things in order for Tipper's sitter and getting all my stuff together to go to the Dr.tomorrow. I just hate that trip in the dark on these country roads. I have been meaning to ask this question of everyone and I keep forgetting. Tipper being a Jack Russell las ears that fold over in the front. They have been like that her whole life. Last year I noticed them standing up straight. They never go down anymore which is really odd after 12 years. What would cause this at this point in her life? When I put them down it's like they have to go right back up. Could this be some sort of nerve damage?? It is no big deal, but very perplexing. Blessings
Patti

Sorry that Tipper couldn't get the BP reading today. Molly gets freaky if she hears other dogs barking too.

How is Tippers hearing? Don't they hold them up usually to capture sound better or when something interests them?

Good luck tomorrow. Drive safe. Hopefully the weather will be good for traveling.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Oh I forgot I was going to ask how Tipper's attitude has been for the rest of the day?
Might she just be feeling off today?

hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin

i am sorry that your trip to the vet was a waste of time......grrr!!
i have no idea about her ears. i think that in case of nerve damage they would not be up again but hanging down instead.
have a safe trip to your doctor tomorrow and i hope he has good results of your bloodtest.
was it difficult to find a sitter so early in the morning?

Hi Everyone:
I made it home with no problems. Tipper was crazy when I got here, crying and trying to do her Jack Russell jumps. She just does not want me leaving her. Well the good news is that my Dr. said there is am virus going around that attacks you inner ear, so that is what I have. In feel good, but if I move suddenly or look down I could throw up easily. He wants me to get am stress test. I will have to get it set up. Also the Dr. called about my kidney stone and said I need a repeat ultra sound in 6 months to see if it is has been dissolved. I saw the weather and we are in for a real nasty storm tonite and tomorrow. Great as Tipper has to go to have her blood taken for the thyroid test. We are to get ice,accumulating snow, real bad wind etc. Sounds like another nice day. Tipper is acting funny again today, I can't put my finger on it, but will investigate .Last nite she was wheezing very loud, in fact so loud it woke me up. I did not have the vaporizer on, maybe that was the reason. I run it every nite for her as it is very dry in here. Tipper got to walk so she is taking am rest and I will lay down with her as I am beat. 5 hours in the car is too much for my body now as it kills my arthritis. I hope we can do a blood pressure tomorrow, she needs one to see if her pressure went down. Delora my neighbor lady loves donuts, so I stopped and got her a special one at a really good donut place. I am sure it made her day! Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Just resting up a bit, Tipper is tired after her walk. I must go out in this storm tomorrow as Tipper will be out of Soloxine. We are getting warnings now. This is all to start tonite as we sleep, at least I hope we sleep! She has really lost weight from only a month. Every time I think of it I could slap my vet silly. I am missing Grace a lot today, as I went into the dreaded office today. Her not coming to greet me is crushing. I called the pharmacy in town, in case it is really bad out I figured I could get some Soloxine from them. Wrong!! They do not carry it, so I must get it for Tipper at the vets. I am home with all by beloved babies so for that I am thankful. Blessings

Be careful out in that storm, it's suppose to be a real doozy. We should get it starting tonight too and then through tomorrow. I think it should start about 3am here, so probably earlier where you are.

You've mentioned Tipper is acting funny before, what do you think is going on? Funny how?

Glad you went to the doctor, but year, that is a long drive to go to the doctor!! yikes!

Be safe out there in this mess tomorrow.

hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin

glad you made it home safe in this weather. and another drive to the vet tomorrow. can't he ship the meds to you or give you enough for 3 months or so?
hope this storm will be not as bad as it sounds like.
we are so spoiled overhere this winter..........

Hi Everyone:
It has been pouring rain all nite. It looks like a lake in the yard. The snow will start shortly. Tipper is starting the day off miffed as anything at me. I gave her just a little chicken breast so she could take her Vetoryl she cannot have anything until after her blood test at 12 noon. Both of us will be stressed out by then. She is insisting on getting her food and will not stop harassing me. I feel bad as you know how hungry they are from this disease and this makes it worse. Sharlene what I mean by her acting funny is she is kind of subdued. This is not her at all, she seems real quiet, and not interacting a lot . She is always in your face, and doing something. I guess maybe the blood work will hold any clues. She is just too quiet , and that is not normal behavior for her. I got the Adaptil collar for her, so when spring comes I will put it on her. I hate to be taking her to the vets again, but we need to see what this thyroid is doing, and if her protein is still up. I called our in town pharmacy in the event we cannot make it to the Vets as she will be out of Soloxine, they do not carry it. So I have no choice, but to go get it? I am going to rest today as I am worn out. I may opt to not take her next week for blood pressure if today's is OK, cause she needs a break. She wants her food and she is getting frustrated with me. Oh Lord I have to put up with this until 12 noon??? Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Oh Lordy I had to get away from Tipper as she has been full tilt without her food. I cannot wait to get this over with. I am taking food with me in the car for when we get done so she can eat. The temperature is dropping and the snow has not started yet so maybe we can get there and back before all this starts. Tipper is scratching at my jeans as I type this, she found me hiding from her!! She is not a happy camper today. I hope there are no yapping dogs there today. My goodness massive fire and explosion in Manhattan, hope no one is hurt. Tipper is crying and jumping on the tablet to let me know she is annoyed. God I hope she does not have to do this too often!!! Blessings
Patti

Oh dear. Fasting them is the worst! I hope everything goes well, and she can settle down once she gets her food.

Hi Everyone:
We are home? When we left for the vets it was hailing. At the vets there was a yapper in the back so no blood pressure for Tipper. She got her blood taken and we left. On the way home the roads had gotten so bad in that amount of time they were trechearous. The snow and ice kept making noise on the under side of the car and Tipper got all crazy like when it storms. She climbed over and jumped on me and hung on. Dear Lord she almost made me wreck, she would not move off me. I had to pry her off. It took us really long to get home, and I had to keep one hand on her so she would not jump on me again. She might be sick, but she is strong. She was so hungry she was inhaling her food . We are having
blizzard conditions with 50 mile an hour winds. We have about 4 inches of new snow and it is still coming down. All the critters ate, and went potty so Tipper is resting on my bed and I am sitting there with her. I know the 27mg knocked her cortisol down, as she was in a panic in the car, which is typical of lower cortisol.It sounds like the windows are going to blow in. I made them give me extra Soloxine as I am not liking the fact we ran out today. I need to know I am prepared so I wanted some extra to save for times like this. If I would have left any later we would not have made it home our roads are so bad. Thank God we are safe and inside. I was going to skip next week at the vets to give Tipper a break but she needs an bp and her Adequan shot. I am glad we are home safe and that I have her Soloxine. Her lab results should be back Friday. Blessings
Patti.

Glad you made it home okay Patti. Gosh that isn't good, Tipper jumping on you while you are driving in that mess. :(

We have probably like 10 - 12 in of new snow here and it's still coming down. I had to shovel a path for molly to get to the sidewalk where the grader had gone through and at some points, the snow on each side of the shovel path is higher than her head. She didn't mess about out there long either, it almost blew her and me over. (swimming in snow!) Hope you have a spot for the gang to use outside the door.

Stay warm and safe
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

what an event it was this trip to the vet, brrrr!! can't you secure tipper with a leash or so when sitting in the car? sounds dangerous she can reach you while you are driving the car.
isn't it possible e.g. to take tippers bp in your car, so she is at ease when the vet measures her bp?
i can remember one of the members on this forum did it at home with her dog. she bought one herself.
hopefully next week the roads will be much better to drive on.
hope you both can relax a bit till the next vet visit.
is tipper still very hungry despite the use of vetoryl?

What a great idea Diane! Maybe Tipper's vet would be willing to come out and take her bp in the car!

Patty, they make harnesses that can attach to the seat belt clip in the car. Tipper jumping on you is much, much too dangerous!

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-P...ies/3024191011

http://www.petsmart.com/family/index...goryId=3245635

Hi Everyone:
Well we really got bombed with snow and had gale force winds all nite and this morning. Tipper was on high alert with all the noise, and kept jumping up and looking out the windows. The dogs hurried to get inside after going out potty this morning. Thanks for the suggestions about a restraint for Tipper in the car, but she was in one, and broke it she was so scared. She is very strong. I was worried her pulling it so hard and breaking it would have done damage to her insides. She was really wild, and scared to death so that is just a small example of what will happen during spring storms, and it really worries me. Tipper seems to be doing well on the 27mg once a day. Not too much hunger at nite and seems to be doing well other wise. I will be able to let out a sigh of relief after I see the blood work tomorrow. I was a little concerned about her glucose level going up on the last one as it has never done that, it is still normal, but the high side of normal for the first time. I am making some food for supper for Delora and my other elderly neighbor. Delora loves me to cook for her, and it's not that big a deal for me to do. Now delivering it is!! Blessings
Patti

Patti,
Get a crate for the car. The hard sided kind.
I'm glad that the higher dosage is helping.

Valerie:
I cannot crate Tipper to go and get her blood pressure as she would be cray and the bp would have a false reading. Tipper has to be out in the open she would chew and dig until she was bloody to get out. She ain't your average bear! I have another harness, but she could not lay down with this one, so I will have to test it out. Maybe I should let her drive and me be the passenger???? Are you deluged with snow??? I am so over it!! Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well I delivered my meals to my neighbors. Delora was thrilled with hers and said she would like any left over! She is too funny! I have a great recipe I made up for baked steak. I concocted it many years back with the intent of entering it in a contest. Today Tipper was resting on my bed and it is the first time I saw her tremoring in the daytime. It seems this is getting worse, and still plagues me. We switched things up a bit here today. I was taking the dogs potty, which is basically the only time they are in close proximity of one another. Well Toby went after Tipper to snip at her. I think it scared him to death when he realized what he was doing. Tipper being the alpha female does not take threats lightly and lunged at him. They were both on leashes so I had the last laugh on both of them! Tipper is still giving Toby dirty looks, and if he looks her way she makes a low growl. Both are having a hard time adjusting to the new time. I hope Tipper's blood work is good tomorrow, and no more abnormals. Tomorrow is to be 54 and I will believe it when I see it. It is 17 now. I hope the dogs can walk tomorrow. Blessings
Patti

i hope you can have a nice walk in the sun tomorrow.
and that the outcome of tippers bloodtest is fine so you will have less vet visits.
i have to go to bed now since it is 4.20 am overhere...........

Hi Patti,
Glad that the 27mg seems to be working for Tipper. We never got any snow, though it was in the forecast..but we did get that wind. We had heavy rain and temps in the 50's yesterday but by late last night it dropped over 30 degrees. We've had colder temp days this winter but it was that wind today that kept us from our usual long walk. 40-50 mile per hour gusts and it was hard to be out in it. Trixie was ready to go, go, go...but forget it, I was so cold with that biting wind, no way I was walking to the park. We went two blocks and then back around to the door. Way too cold.
Hope you get some of the warmer weather that's in the forecast. It was up in the high 60's here on Tuesday and you know Trixie seemed a bit uncomfortable when we went walking the afternoon...she definitely does better in the cool air. Makes me worry about how she will be in the summer again. I hope we don't go from this crazy winter right into a hot summer, which seems to happen a lot lately. I'm hoping for a nice cool spring with weather in the 50's for Trixie. Hope you're feeling better after that dizzy spell you had.

Barbara

Hi Everyone:
I will be making some quick posts as I am running to the vets to get Tippers blood work as the bet said her results are in, and I want to talk to him if there are any issues. Tipper was a little restless last nite and drinking more water than usual and had a lot of the wheezing again while sleeping. I need to investigate this wheezing as I have not heard it for quite some time. We are hoping for a 50 degree day for the doggies to walk. Blessings
Patti

Hello there

Do you think the weather could have anything to do with the wheezing a bit like hayfever? Maybe there is some allergens or something which irritate her as it's strange it comes and goes.

Hope she has good results, will be watching out later. I always read your posts even if I don't reply. I like to know how you and Tipper the ripper are doing..

Hugs and kisses to you both

Mel
Xxxx

Hi Everyone:
We are back from the vets. I was able to see my vets notes from when he talked too Dechra. They say after starting Vetoryl test in 30 days and after dosage changes test every 2 weeks. I then spoke with Dechra myself to make sure of this and I repeated this word for word to thewm and they said the vet was correct. So are they putting out different information again than what their insert states?I
don't know the answer. So we will all have to agree to the same thing in order to help others, and which one do we use?? Tipper's blood work was much better than last time. The vet said her thyroid is right where it needs to be and it has corrected her rise in calcium. The all phos went down, but now the alp that was normal went up. You get one fixed and another ones crops up! Also on the last two blood panels I noticed Tipper's glucose inching up. Dechra just told me stress can cause this. Does anyone know if this is true? Here is another bizzare one. Because they say Tipper does not follow the pattern of a typical Cush dog she does not need ACTH tests in 2 weeks after changing her dosage if she has been on that dosage before. Opinions please!! The vet told me the increase in Tipper's water consumption could be from the Soloxine. Anyone know if that is right? Dechra said if is was because of diabetes it would be a more drastic change in the drinking. Is that true? I just know diabetes can go along with this and she does not need anymore problems as we just got the thyroid corrected. Tipper has walked twice and is very happy with the temperature. I hope everyone has some good weather today and gets a break from the cold. Blessings
Patti

Everyone:
Please see Josie's thread and read Lori's post. It clarifies what I said in the beginning. The initial testing is done 30 days after starting treatment and then after each dosage change test 15 days after change. I don't want anyone to be confused. Tipper is resting after her many walks. She is so happy, and so is Toby. Blessings
Patti

Hi Pattie,

I did post this on Josie's thread too, but I'll repeat it here, because I don't think it is clear cut of doing it at 10 - 14 days vs do it at 30 days. I think it depends on what you are seeing in your dog and their reaction to the beginning of medicating. This is the very first test we are talking about after starting a brand new medicine, so I think it has to be dependent upon symptoms if they are going to give such a broad span of days.

This was what I posted:

Quote:

---

I have always gone with the 10 - 14 days for first test. Normally we start to see symptoms decrease at the 10 day mark from what I've noticed here on the forum.
So I think there has to be some subjectivity on when to do the test too. For instance seeing a decrease in symptoms, then I would go ahead and test prior to 30 days, but that is just me. I wouldn't risk going too low. If not seeing any changes then I'd be fine to let it ride out to a longer period of time.

That is my thoughts on the initial testing following starting medication.

---

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

glad that the walks made your dogs happy. hopefully tipper will sleep through the night now. glucose level a bit high is normal for a cush dog.
flynn and ian had this too. [as long as it is not too high.] stress can cause it indeed.
a friend of mine had a dog with diabetes and before treatment she did drink non stop. hugh amounts! people do too. so no panic!
i think a break from all those vet visits will do tipper good. all that stress does not sound good for her. maybe you can skip the first acth test.
saves you a lot of money too.
just relax and enjoy her company.

Hi Everyone:
Tipper and Toby slept like rocks. They had so much fun outside smelling all the grass they can finally see, and all the other critter smells that have been around during the winter. It is already 36 this morning. Yahoo!! The doggies get out again. It does seriously look like rain though.I cleaned the house yesterday so today will be critter day. Toby is due for a trim. I am worried about Delora, I can see her going down hill. It is sad to see, I wish she had made her own choices.Tipper is continuing to drop this extra weight off, which probably is making her feel better. She never had excess weight on before Cushing's. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this dosage will work for her and no more changes for a long while, as she has had enough ACTH testing. Tipper seems to be going into a deeper sleep lately. It has been harder to wake her up when she starts with the tremors, even if I really shake her. This is unlike her as before this
she would hear a pin drop. Hope everyone has warmer weather and gets outside
with their babies. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Tipper has really been at the water bowl today. It is going to be hard to tell now if it is the Cushing's, or Soloxine. It just seems like she is drinking quite a lot. I !at have to measure again. It is very overcast here and expecting flurries tonite. The dogs walked three times today. Tipper is enjoying getting out of the house so much, she never wants to come in. My neighbor Delora was really bad today with her tumor bleeding really a lot. I try not to pry and ask questions, but my God she should be with someone receiving care. It is getting around feeding time for the dogs and Tipper is sitting beside me making grumpy noises to let me know she wants her food. She will stare at you until you get it. I got an email from the people that have Grace. They sent me pictures of her laying on her back sleeping, like she always did here. They had a St Patrick's Day card their faces on these bodies all dressed up for the holiday, and Gracie was in the middle in a costume. It was very cute, but I can not help but cry when I see her. They love her and said she is the nicest cat ever, how well I know!! I am glad they treat her as good as a child. Blessings.
Patti

That is wonderful to hear that Grace is doing well and seems to have adjusted and is comfy. I know you miss her and always will.

ugh, two options for causing water increase is not easy to deal with. :(

They can sure make their needs known can't they. Molly huffs and stares at me when she wants something.

We are under a wind chill warning here and Judi mentioned outside of the forum that they are having a blizzard this mid afternoon! Good grief. No blizzard here, just cold, a few flurries flying around that didn't stick. Hoping that this is the last really cold, cold blast we get, but who knows.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Patti, Maybe all the outside time and walking has Tipper drinking more. Trixie always drinks more when she has more exercise. I'm so glad Tipper and Toby got all that time outdoors and enjoyed it so. It does make for really good sleep. Trixie also had a great time off leash in Central Park this morning...she sniffed every inch of where we walked. There were many dogs out and she loves that...sniffing around at all the "news". All the dogs were very happy with the weather..it was very breezy but not too cold, just right for dog walks. Tomorrow supposed to be cooler but we will be in the park at 8am anyway, I think Trixie likes the cold.
So nice to here Grace's new family seem to adore her. I'm so glad. I know you miss her but thank goodness you found her a good home!

Barbara

my dogs drink more too after a long walk. also during the walk. [river or puddles.] so i think -like barbara] - that this could be the case with tipper too.
great that tipper and trixie and even molly were able to walk today!

Patti,
I'm so glad that Grace is doing well. I know that you miss her dearly. It sounds like you found her another purfect home and you can't ask for a better outcome.

Finally, Tipper and Toby are getting out and releasing energy. Daisy and I went out too. Much colder today.

Hi Everyone:
It was not a good nite for Tipper and I. She was having a lot of distress breathing. She kept me awake most of the nite. In the middle of the nite she did amdojble inverted sneeze and could hardly recover from it, which scared me. When she got up this morning she had a lot of mucus in her eyes again. She has had this before and it seems to go with this struggle to breathe. It is all connected somehow. Then when I was in the bathroom she jumped and hit her leg again. This is so frustrating I cannot even verbalize it. I am hoping no new damage!!.There seems to be a pattern developing that the week before her Adequan shot is due, she has really bad tracheal problems. I am going to ask the vet to up her Adequan dose a tad. I guess that will be the next battle?? He will probably give me a bunch of crap over it and make a big deal out of it. I am not feeling too good after being up most of the nite. Tipper is patiently waiting for the temp to go up so she can walk. This will be a lazy day for sure. Blessings
Patti