Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

That is wonderful news Kathy! whoo hoooo!!!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi all,:)
I am manic when it comes to flea control. I live in an area where fleas are everywhere!:( The last two times I have taken Buddy to the vet, he has picked up a few fleas and brought them home. Buddy has flea allergies which quickly turns to flea allergy dermatitis. It only takes one flea before his skin is a real mess and he's miserable, scratching incessantly. I always bathe him right after the vet, but fleas continue to pop up here and there. I have used frontline in the past and that worked well. I pretreat him with Benadryl which he's taking right now for allergies anyway, and then I apply the frontline about an hour later. I follow up with another dose of Benadryl in the morning. I am concerned about using it now. He has so many allergies and his head tremors just stopped 8 days ago. He also takes Trilostane for Cushings. It's the treat or not to treat dilemma? If I treat with the frontline that will keep flea allergy dermatitis away, but I don't know if it will affect his other conditions. Any suggestions?

Fleas are terrible!! Had a bout with them last year!! And if ingested can cause tapeworms! :eek: So I would suggest treating if fleas are seen. Hope those pesky buggers are gone soon.

Love and hugs, Lori

Great news..no tremors!! Glad to hear Buddy is still going great!
I too have a dilemma about flea/tick control. I had blamed Frontline for the bouts of bad gastro problems Trixie seemed to have in the summer when I used it...so I stopped.
The vet really didn't believe that Frontline had been the issue, but the timing just seemed to say otherwise.
We don't really have a flea issue much here but ticks can be a problem. I have the old fashioned type of flea/tick collar which I use when she's out in the park or the country but right now on medication I am so fearful to use anything! I don't think the collars are all that effective but I really don't want to use the topicals now.

I did give her the heartworm medication after I asked the vet if it was ok, I was so nervous but thankfully there was no problem.
Don't know what I will do about flea/tick control. Right now I am giving her the once over tick check when we come inside from outside..easier now that she's got a summer shave. Guess we'll use the collar when she's outside..I don't leave it on inside though..always afraid it's going to irritate her.
So many things to think about! :eek:
Barbara

Hi
Just checking in to say hello and wish you a happy belated mother's day!Was catching up on a few threads and so happy to hear that Buddy has not had any furthur head tremors.That is such great news!!:).

Both Fella and Grace got fleas last summer.I hate the Frontline,it just seems so toxic so I didn't use it for a few years and we were lucky.But last year,they both got them-disgusting!!What a job it is to get rid of them!Those little critters are persistent.I now of course use Frontline again on Grace.

Glad to hear you and Buddy are having better days!!
Hugs,
Patty

Thank you all for your input. I don't like topical flea products either. Yes, they do seem very toxic and Buddy has so many allergies. I am also worried about the head tremors starting up again. I was not aware that ingesting fleas could cause heartworms. Thank you Lori for that information. Since Buddy has come home twice from the vet with a few fleas now, they obviously are a problem in my area. It looks like I will have to use the frontline and am very nervous about it. Thanks again for your help.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

I switched Boriss to the Comfortis chewable tablet for flea & tick. I am crossing my fingers that it works this summer. So far the last couple of months it has worked good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Budster's Mom

I was not aware that ingesting fleas could cause heartworms. Thank you Lori for that information.

---

Fleas when ingested can cause tapeworms, I believe mosquitoes are the pests that cause heartworms.

When I adopted my boy, Bear, he was 8 months old and full of fleas and tapeworms. :eek::( It did take us a bit to get rid of those pesky fleas.

I broke down and treated Buddy with Frontline. I pretreated him with Benadryl first, because he has so many allergies. He hasn't had any head tremors since a week ago Monday.:D I am hoping for the best.:o

State testing ends this week!:D I plan on taking Buddy for his ACTH Test on Monday or Tuesday. I have to call the vet and find out what day she will be there. I finally wore her down enough to where she will do his ACTH test not fasted. I do have to stay to make sure the test is done correctly, within the proper time frame. Cushing's wise, he is doing very well. His hair is growing back on his stomach following his ultra-sound and his skin is starting to pink up some. Rear leg weakness is the only Cushing symptom that remains. Even that is somewhat better. :D


Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

I used to use Frontline but it seemed to lose its effectiveness and our vet at the time told me they had weakened the formula for the public but the one the vets were using was the original strength - which is why his spray would work but mine didn't. :rolleyes:

We now use Advantage Multi which covers heart worms, fleas and many internal parasites. It doesn't help with ticks, tho. I hate using these things but we are sort of in a hard spot in some of the areas we live in - we either treat with harsh chemicals or allow our babies to be exposed to some terrible diseases. :(

Hi all,
I gave Buddy Frontline after dinner last night. This morning shortly after getting up, he had a head tremor!!:( I don't know if he had any during the night. 8 days without one, then Frontline, then tremor.
Coincidence, I don't know. :(:( The tremor was short, only a minute or so long. He was nervous and clingy after the tremor, but ate his breakfast normally and had his Trilo and Benadryl. I had to leave for work shortly after that. So now, I am at work worried again.:(:(

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

oh no!! Did you give it to him last month? makes me wonder if it is related & causing the tremors. Some dogs are SO very sensitive to that stuff.
I can just open a pack to put on my healthy dog & Boriss smells it & goes nuts. He is so sensitive to it. I stopped using it on him. It doesn't seem to bother my other dog Pearl.
I know you are at work stressing.. :( I just hate that feeling & knowing you can't be there with him.

I hope Buddy is doing fine after this morning's tremor. Is this the first Frontline he has had in awhile? Since the tremors were happening prior to the Frontline yesterday it's probably unrelated...but it's hard to know. I'm sorry Buddy had this tremor after days of none! Of course you're worried, but remember he ate fine and has probably had a restful day while you're at work. I hope when you get home that he is doing just fine.
Barbara

No, he hasn't had any Frontline for over a year!!! :( I wish it was a simple as that.:( yes, I am a wreck at work today. I have 3 more hours before I can go home to check on Buddy.:( Counting minutes.... :(

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hey Kathy

Just checking in, hoping you are home now and our lizard hunter is doing ok?

Let us know when you can....

rubbish this happened again. Is a coincidence that it happened after that frontline application!

Big hug

Mel
Xxxxxxxxx

Dang it Kathy. :( There just has to be something triggering these blasted things. I don't know what though.
How is he? Hope you are home with him.
Thinking of you both

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I don't have a clue as to what is going on!:(. Buddy was lying in his nest bed when I got home from work and was having a tremor then. He looked at me with his big, sad, brown eyes as if to say make it stop! :(:(He came out a few minutes later and was ready to eat his light lunch. I've been feeding him three times a day. That seems to have helped his stomach settle. He seemed fine then. He ate normally and headed out into the backyard to hunt those pesky lizards, and yap at the birds. Now he is on guard duty in the doorway. He is acting perfectly normal??? I don't get it!,:confused: Today was the last day of two weeks of state testing. I am seriously thinking of getting a sub for tomorrow and staying home to monitor Buddy, then taking him in for his ACTH Test on Saturday. His vet will not be in tomorrow, but will be in on Saturday. She is willing to humor me and do the test the way that it should be done. The correct way!. They are still doing the ACTH test on a fast as a matter of course. I haven't been able to change that!:(All I can do is make sure that Buddy's test is done properly. If I don't take off tomorrow, then I will monitor him this weekend closely and take off Monday instead for his ACTH. That actually might be better. He is doing so well with all of his Cushings symptoms. I just can't get a handle on the head tremors. I am also feeling guilty because they started the morning after I gave him the frontline.:( What a bummer!:(

Thanks for all the well wishes and the kind thoughts. You guys are really like the sisters I never had. I only had two stinky brothers who can't quite figure me out! :D:D LOL . That is actually okay because I can't quite figure them out either.:D LOL

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

I don't think it was the frontline - obviously something is going on and to be honest you might have to go to a specialist to figure it out. I can't remember if you were able to video it or not but please do. And share it with your regular vet and start documenting when they happen date/time.

It could be something neurological, could be that the pituitary tumor (that is cushings) is located in a spot near the brain and periodically interferes, it could be that it is a macro vs a micro tumor (meaning it grows) but I would have it looked into. Again don't be upset if your local vet is clueless because these type of things are probably left to specialists to figure out.

I don't mean to scare you but it's happened enough that I doubt they go away until you figure out what is causing them. Since you mentioned he seems to be in pain and dumbfounded when they happen and gives you 'that look' I think that is your cue to check it out.

Kim

Yes, I videotaped the tremors on two occasions when they were happening before. I have been documenting them from the beginning as to date, duration and time. I emailed the neurosurgeon who did Buddy's consult over a week ago. I haven't heard anything back.:( Yes I will talk to Buddy's regular vet about the tremors when I get his ACTH test done. I don't think she will be of much help. Thanks Kim for your insight.:)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Oh Buddy. Is it possible to make an appt to go see the specialist that saw buddy before? Do you think they had any idea of real cause? Is there some place else you'd want to take him? Buddy has allergies and all and cushings but seems to be responding well to treatment and healthy over all.
I wish they would just stop. Did they think these were seizures of some sort?
I know I have tons of questions. Sorry. Lol
Hugs
Sharlene

The tremors had stopped before we went to the neurologist. His neuro consult was to determine whether he was stable enough for Cushing's testing because of his rear leg weakness. He was having a really hard time walking at that point and had been so sick. The head tremors that he had when he was ill, were not a factor then, because they had stopped after his vomiting and weakness emergency several days earlier. They didn't resurface until about a month later. He then had one or two a day for three or four days. Then they stopped again. Another eight days went by with no tremors. They started again this morning.:( Yes, the neurologist was very thorough at the time. She lectures all over the world, so I'm sure she is excellent! She works at a specialty pet center. It is very expensive!!!! She quoted me over $3000 for one test! I don't have that kind of money! I am still paying off the bills from the last emergency and Cushing's testing. Tears flowing. I can't say anymore right now.:(

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

OMG when I said specialist I didn't mean you had to go to the world's most expensive one! That is insane. You should have access to many other very fine IMS that don't start off a session with a recommendation for a $3k test. I feel just awful for making you cry. Maybe Glynda knows someone? Kim

Hey Kathy

Nipping in to give you a hug before bed. I know it's tough right now, I had so hoped they had stopped. I wish I could offer some practical help or advice but I do not know enough.

I know all dogs are different but I will share that I never saw Tia's head just tremble always all of her and as you know she had a macro.

I guess maybe she is suggesting a CT, maybe you could get that somewhere cheaper then she could look at the results

Take care sweet

Mel
Xxxxxx

I paid like $2000 at K State Univ's hospital for an ultrasound, an MRI, a cat scan, blood testing and kenneling/food doc visits for 2 days for Annie. There's an alternative for you somewhere I know. Kim

Kim,
They quoted me $3500 for an MRI alone!!:(
I could manage what you paid. I could even manage a little bit more than that, but that's about as far as I can go!:(

I documented every head tremor (that I was aware of) since they started. Here they are:

3-3 -3-6 During emergency, when very ill. Off and on during those three days. Very weak at the time. Difficulty standing and walking.
4-30 (Tues.) 7:30 AM - lasted 2-3 minutes
5-3. (Fri) 6-7 PM - off and on for about 1 hour.
5-4 (Sat.) 5-6:30 PM - off and on for 90 minutes
5-5(Sun.) 7:30 AM - lasted almost 4 minutes
5-6(Mon) 4:00 PM - lasted about 5 minutes
5-16(Thurs) 7:15 AM less than 1 minute
(Thurs)1:45 PM Tremor when I came home from work. Stopped
Shortly thereafter.

That's all of them!
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hey Kathy, just a thought, his glucose levels are normal and not on the low side, right?

I think I found it under Buddy's chemistry panel dated 3/4/13..

GLU 99mg/dL 70-130 Almost in the middle of Normal Range

Is this what you were looking for. I don't know what any of the numbers mean.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Oh Kathy,...so sorry about these tremors today! Yet...for 8 days prior there are none!? It was probably an awful feeling to see this happen today after thinking and hoping they were gone.
I am glad though that after they pass Buddy is doing all his normal stuff and feeling okay--hunting lizards and barking too, but I know how upsetting this must be for you.
I wish I had the answers and could help take your worry away.
Buddy is going to be okay...in fact he has been doing so well after being so very sick at the start of all this.
Thinking of you and thinking positive thoughts and sending a big hug!
Barbara

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Budster's Mom

I think I found it under Buddy's chemistry panel dated 3/4/13..

GLU 99mg/dL 70-130 Almost in the middle of Normal Range

Is this what you were looking for. I don't know what any of the numbers mean.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

---

Yep, that was what I was referring to, and yes it does look like his glucose is normal.

You see Lori,
I do listen to you lovely ladies when you give me advice. :);)You told me early on to get hard copies of all of Buddy's tests, post them and keep them in a file. That way I will have them when I need to go to various vets. I have done exactly that!:) I don't know what most of the tests mean, but I have them!:p. That is how I came up with Buddy's Glucose level so quickly! It does not appear that he is diabetic.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

You do listen! You video-ed your baby so you can now show it to whatever vet you end up and you also already had the episodes all logged. You are doing everything right - you will find answers I just know it. Kim

Thank you Kim. That means a whole lot!!:):)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

You are an exceptional advocate for Buddy and he very lucky to have you as his mom.

Love and hugs, Lori

Hi Kathy
I hope today is a better one for your boy! It must be so scary seeing him have the shakes. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Least it is Friday today and you will have the weekend with him to look forward too, like you I hate to go to work when they are unwell so hopefully today speeds by if you cannot manage to take the day off.
Big hugs to you super Mom! xxx

It's 4:42AM. I haven't slept much. Buddy has been awake licking at a raw spot on his thigh. He scraped it a few days ago and I was hoping that he would leave it alone. That didn't happen.:( I got up and washed it really well, then put on Bacitracin. It is not at a place where it can easily be bandaged, so I had to cone him. It is small and should heal quickly if left alone. Well, that did it! I can't go I work with him coned and possibly having tremors. That's too much stress for both of us. So, I'm staying home today. That means, I'll have to take him for his ACTH test tomorrow (Saturday)instead of Monday. I can't take off Friday and Monday. I am going ahead and pay for an office visit along with the ACTH, so I can tell them about the tremors returning and show them the video. They will probably be clueless regarding the tremors, but I need to tell them first before looking elsewhere for help. I am stressed and tired and Buddy is miserable with the cone on. Isn't life fun sometimes?:(

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:




I

Kathy:
God Bless you for having to work during all of this. I am sorry Buddy has to have the cone on. That darn thing is miserable. I stopped using the cone with Tipper a while back because of her trachea. I got one that is soft with no rim, the other one digs in their neck. You blow it up. I think it was on Amazon. I definitely would be showing them the tape with Buddy having tremors on it. Tipper is really getting the muscle contractions at night worse than before. I wanted to video her at night doing this too, and making the bad breathing noises, but it is too dark and she won't sleep if it is light. I have to figure something out- may have to resort to night vision ha!!. I hope this stops for Buddy as I know how sick it makes you feel when it happens. God Bless You Both.
Patti

oh my gosh Kathy. I too wouldn't ever want to make you cry. Sweetie, it's time for a great big HUG

Okay now I'm sure that IMS is wonderful, the worlds best even. But not affordable to most of us. As Kim said there are many IMS that are affordable and that is what we need to find you. Teaching hospital (vet) anywhere around you? What about a Vet ER hospital (that is what I use) a bit more expensive than my normal vet but not out of range of the regular joe. And who knows, your vet Might have an idea too. Not know the protocols of cushings testing, doesn't mean dufus in all areas. So, when you go, take the list of when the tremors started. Seems to have been around the time of the voimiting and weakness. All of which is not passed, but the tremors have not. Which for some reason made me think immediately an inflammation somewhere that is affecting either nerve endings, but that is just my thought (after I got passed an allergic reaction which could still be a possibility). But I think that might be areas to start in.
Reverse sneezing causing my molly to go into a panic and be terrified. She'll come right to me, like, make it stop mom, and I just calm her and pet her till it is over. It doesn't happen often and we can't figure out the trigger of it either, but doesn't seem to cause her any pain. I only recently learned it was called reverse sneezing. Anyway, I digress.
I do have high, high hopes that this isn't causing any harm to him, but does need to be figured out.
So, got your new homework assignment. Talk to vet about tomorrow, see if teaching hospital or Vet ER, ask your vet if they have no ideas for a referral to a good, reasonable priced IMS.
(3000 for an MRI is not reasonable!)

HUGS, you're doing great Kathy!
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Lori brought up something that might need exploring - blood sugar levels. I looked at the times of the shaking you listed and they seem to be mornings and evenings - can you tell us whether he had eaten before the trembling started or not? How many times a day does Buddy eat? I am wondering about hypoglycemia instead of diabetes, tho. Hypoglycemia is the opposite - the blood sugar drops too low. Pups can get a tumor on the pancreas that will cause hypoglycemia because excess insulin is secreted, lowering the normal blood sugar levels in the body. Hypoglycemia is more common in puppies, tiny breeds and working dogs who are overly stressed but can occur in other dogs as well. Unless the sugar is tested during one of the spells, it won't be caught as low more than likely. The next time the head starts to tremble, try putting a little bit of Karo syrup or even honey on the gums and see if that helps.

my ipad timed out and i lost a very long message answering all of your questions!! Frustrated will try later!

Buddy is miserable. :( He won't leave bed because he is coned and furious with me for putting that darn thing on. I stayed home to be with him today and he shunning me!:(

Leslie - most of the morning tremors have occurred upon arising, before breakfast. Most of the evening tremors have occurred an hour to an hour and a half after dinner. Stress can trigger short mini-tremors. Those usually occur during grooming of some sort, or anything Buddy doesn't want done to him. Those stress related mini-tremors occur frequently. Those I have not documented, just the ones that come out of nowhere. Regarding Hypoglycemia, Buddy went for weeks without a tremor, could it be hypoglycemia? His meals are very controlled due to allergies. He hasn't eaten anything different! I am afraid to put anything on his gums during a tremor due to allergies.

Sharlene -I don't know of any teaching vet hospitals in the San Diego area. There is an excellent emergency pet hospital about 15 minutes away. It's about as close to me as his regular vet, just in a different direction. Buddy was sent there during his emergency for spinal rads and a ultrasound. It is more expensive than his regular vet, but not anywhere near as expensive as the specialty pet hospital, where I went for his neuro consult. I think they had solid gold water bowls there, but I can't be sure! :D LOL I don't know if Buddy needs to see an IMS, a neurologist, or both?:confused: I don't think I'm going to come out as fortunate as Patti did with a skilled vet that waves all of her fees!:o

Thank you lovely angels for all of your help. :) I noticed that this forum is approaching it's 4th Anniversary. That wouldn't be possible without you love, help, endless hours of research, support and your precious time, which is priceless. ;)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool: