Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Everyone:
Thanks for the suggestions, but if I turn the tv off Tipper immediately jumps up. I got some more on tape yesterday. I am going to take the sdhc card to Walmart and make a disc, as when I moved I misplaced my software and usb cable for my camera and therefore cannot make my own. I can only make this a few minutes long as the Dr cannot sit there for a half hour and watch this. Tipper has not been acting herself the last two days, I just can't explain it, but she is not doing so hot for some reason. That hospital trip really took its toll on her. She has been going to bed early as I guess she is tired from all this, and waking me up at 6:00 am. Oh well that's ok, as long as I see her happy face in the morning that is all that matters to me so I will just handle the early hours. It is amazing but after going thru this with her, I feel 10 years older. I think this disease is equally hard on the care givers. It can sure wear you down. The mental part of it is the worst. The best thing though is all the Cush moms just keep on going! God Bless You All and all your babies.
Patti

Just nipping into say I will be thinking of you both while I am away

Will try and check in if I can, will be back Tuesday morning your time.

Big hug, kisses to Tipper

Melxxxx

Patti, I hope that you had success capturing Tipper on video. Praying for answers for you too and that it's something easily resolved.

Hi Mel and Valerie:
I got a few more minutes on the video last night, but Tipper was real edgy as we has rain. Got up this morning to low 40's temps so this is Tipper's kind of weather. Hoping it does not rain all day so she can get out in the cool and enjoy it. Last night my battery in my smoke alarm went and it started the loud chirping sound. Tipper almost had a nervous breakdown from it. By the time I got it changed she was panting and shaking so bad she could not stop. Don't get me wrong I am thankful for the Vetoryl saving her life, but the side effects on her have been a lot to handle at times. In her good old days when she was well she would have jumped at the ceiling trying to kill the alarm, and was able to jump straight up to 6 feet. This drug has really changed her personality, and has made her frightened of every sound. I just feel bad that she has to deal with being scared out of her mind with noises that she normally wouldn't even care about. One thing everyone knows about Jack Russells is they fear nothing, so this is really hard on her. She still does her springy Jack Russell jumps at times before I can get to her to make her stop, but they are a far cry from the ones she did before. I am attempting to spring clean as I take Tipper in the room I am working on, so I can watch her. I take breaks and play ball and talk to her in between cleaning. Someone has to do it and I can ill afford to pay someone so I am elected for the job. Before she got sick I would take 1 week in March and do it all. Firstly, I am too exhausted any more to do it all in 1 week, and secondly I cannot take a week away from her. You do what you have to do in this situation. At least I am still doing it and it will eventually get done. Hope you all have a good weekend. Blessings
Patti

Patti,
I hope you both are able to have a much calmer night. Darn smoke alarm. I had that same problem a few weeks ago. One of the smoke alarms started chirping in the middle of the night and I couldn't figure out which one it was. It would stop and start again. It was maddening!:eek: I am glad that you were able to get a little bit more video. I hadn't heard of Vetoryl making dogs more scared or timid. That is so unfair that both of you have to be put through that all the time.
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Patti,

how long has Tipper been on Vetoryl? So far, I don't see any change in Daisy's personality.

Hoping for a more peaceful night. We have had a few days of thunder storms lately.

Kathy and Valerie:
Tipper seems herself today. She got up at 5:30am rearing to go. She has been on Vetoryl since last August. My only regret is the muscle contractions she gets at night, and they are worse than they were, and the personality change. She needs this drug to live so I am thankful for that. Her initial symptoms were so bad that she could never go untreated as she would have been really miserable. This drug has allowed me to keep her going, and that is wonderful. I had to go out last night and cover all my plants that came up as we had frost. I am leaving them covered as it takes me an hour or so to do it, and it is a lot of work. We are supposed to get a frost again tonight. Tipper is loving the colder weather and wanting to walk all the time. As she lay there sleeping last night I couldn't help but cry over the condition of her body. She was so muscular and strong, and now she is so boney and losing muscle. I am not uderstanding why she continues to lose muscle, as her cortisol is controlled?? I was under the understanding that if the cortisol was controlled that would stop the muscle wasting?? Can anyone speak to that?? I walk her as much as she will go, and if I didn't her back legs muscles would probably be gone as they are getting down there. I don't know what else to do to keep her muscle that she has. Evidentally just the walking is not doing it? If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Blessings
Patti

I am so glad that Tipper had a better night and is feeling more herself today.:) I don't know much about the muscle wasting thing with Cushings. Buddy used to be very muscular, and now he isn't. He is wobbly when he runs and can't always get in the doorway by himself. We have a ramp that he used to run up and down to get to his window for guard duty. He no longer can get up and down the ramp by himself anymore, so we've had to take it down. I put the ADA ramp up when he no longer could jump up into the window. Now the only place he can see to guard is looking out the front doors, weather permitting. :( His muscles have definitely wasted away and it's very plain to see.:( His lizard hunting has not suffered. He now make short sprints. He can still catch those suckers. He just wears out sooner and has to come in to rest. I can't walk him much in the neighborhood the way that I would like because of seasonal allergies. Invariably he will start wheezing due to something or another and I'll have to carry him home. Yes Patti, It is heartbreaking seeing their muscles go and not be able to do much about it. Maybe someone will know more that can help us both.:) Our angels are Brillant, aren't they?

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

Daisy has lost muscle mass too. I walk with her whenever she wants to and play, etc. I don't know if there is anything else that we can do. Exercise is the only way that I know of to retain muscle.

Maybe the vet can recommend a supplement?

Kathy:
I always go into Buddy's pictures and look at all his outfits, he is just too cute. My favorite in the Count Budola. The pose he made in this picture is awesome. We had the wind pick up here like 40 miles and hour and I am glad I left all the covers on my plants as it is going to frost again. I wish I could keep Tipper forever. There are certain dogs you have that you just cannot ever think of being without. Blessings
Patti