Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hope the herbal combination continues to help Tipper out. That would be a relief for both of you.

good luck tomorrow. I hope you get positive news on your own behalf

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

i was just about writing the same thing as sharlene did.
i hope you are sound asleep by now, and have a safe trip to the doctor.
and no more thunderstorms!

Hi Everyone:
I just got home and I am exhausted. I will know my test results in a few days. I will have to go back for an echo cardiogram. This Dr.s office has the nicest aquarium see up with coral, starfish, sea anenomies, tangs,and this little creepy crawler guy that look like his two little eyes were glues on,the creeps, and swims. It is very relaxing to watch in between stuff. At a certain point they let you go eat and come back. The food there is horrible, so I got some toast and coffee.I had to run to the pet store for Fromm's. Then came straight home. Good thing as it is getting black out.Tipper was screaming, and crying for me like I left her for a year! She started to do the Jack Russell jumps and I had to grab her in mid air to stop her.Tipper has so much mucous, I need to consult Leslie on what I can give her in addition to Chlorine her a mine, it is not doing enough. Last nite I was awake all nite. Never slept a bit, as every time I have to be up like at 4am I cannot fall asleep, so I was observing Tipper having tremors, and she got up 6 times because of mucous, licking and sticking her tongue out to clear her throat. She needs her rest so this has to get under control. Surprisingly she allows me to put her eye drops in!!!. Saline solution up her nose would help, but that will never happen, so I need another solution so if anyone knows one I would appreciate it. Thank you all for thinking of me today. I am going to lay on the bed with Tipper as my legs hurt from being in the car so much. I will post later on or tomorrow. Blessings
Patti

Glad you got back safe and sound :)and you are in my prayers for good test results.

Did Tipper have tremors last night or just her trying to clear the mucous which I hope she gets rid of altogether very soon.

That's amazing she let you put drops in here eyes ..Good girl! Tipper.

Rest well Patti HUGS to Tipper and you {{{{hugs}}}}}

Glad you are back home safe and sound.

It is funny, in that I was just thinking about dogs and time. I read somewhere once, that dogs can't tell length of time. So, even if you just run out to the store and back, to them it is like you have been gone forever and if you have been gone forever, then it is still like you have been just out and about.

I hope your reports all come back good. drat about the mucus. Does benedryl help with that?

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

i hope you can catch some sleep tonight and have a quiet day tomorrow.
how is the weather? hope you can have some walks in the sun tomorrow.

Hi Patti,

Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you and Tipper. Dont tell my Zoe she could not tell time- just like Tipper- they have a built in alarm clock I think.

I do hope you get some rest tonight and that Tipper does as well. Could you put Tipper in the bathroom and run the shower so she could breathe warm steam? They say allergies will be really bad this year so it could be contributing to Tipper's discomfort. My nose has been running all day- out of nowhere.

hugs to you both

True Dat Addy. I know Molly knows exactly when it is time for her walks and her dinner. :) She is at the door before me.

:) Sharlene and molly muffin

Patti,

Chris and I are on our way to Warren, Ohio this week to visit his family.
Are you anywhere near there?

Hi Patti hope you and Tipper got some rest, and you are both feeling brighter today, x

About the extracts - you want to know what the solvent is that made the extract first. If it is an alcohol extract, I would not use that with dogs. If it is a glycerite extract, that should be fine. I haven't used a glycerite of either of these so I can't compare the effects between that and the infusion (tea) to say which worked better for us. I am trying to get the formula worked out to start some glycerites so when they are done and I have had opportunity to use them, I will have a better idea of which works better or if they work about the same. I do know, using the dried herbs will be less expensive than the extracts....more hassle for us but not as costly. ;)

About the mucous....did there seem to an increase in this after using the herbs? Watch her when there has been no need to give them and see if there is any possibility the herbs are playing a role in her mucous production. She may be sensitive to one or both of them instead of allergic, or be having a mild allergic reaction after all, presenting as increased mucous. ;)

Hi Everyone:
I don't feel like it but Tipper has laser therapy today. I used Benadryl on her this morning, she sounds like she is gurgling and blowing bubbles at nite she is making real congested sounds. Her current and I his time is not handling it. I am wondering what else they have to clear up mucous?? I will research it. This is waking her up many times a nite to try and clear her throat. With trachea problems and this mucous, she is struggling to breathe and that is not good on her heart. I don't remember a day since she started with Cushing's that I have not had to fight some battle!! It wears you down. She also has an Adequan shot tomorrow which I am glad, before her trachea starts up bad. I just can't get a break here, and need to finish this house cleaning. Maybe I will get on it tomorrow after the vets. The doggies have walked twice and it is going to be a nice day, but thunderstorms tomorrow!! I will be giving her storm meds. It's a shame,but Tipper is sleeping, probably from the Benadryl. She must really have allergies acting up under all this other stuff. Nothing from the IMS yet I am still waiting!! She may be off until Wednesday as she works a few days and is off a few. I am absolutely wiped out today as my knees are killing me from sitting in the car too much. Blessings
Patti

Aww...poor Tipper with those allergies! Hope the benadryl helps her feel better. I would think that benadryl should help to dry up that mucous that's in her throat at night, doesn't it help at all with that?
Did you go for the laser therapy today. Hope you don't have to contend with thunder storms tomorrow...I see rain off and on her at the end of the week.
I'm waiting for the vet to call so I can pick-up Trixie from her acth test! Can't wait to get her out of there! Hope that tonight Tipper has a good night tonight and that you both get some good sleep.

Barbara

How did therapy go today? Sorry you are feeling so poorly yourself. This stuff takes a real toll on the human body too. It's all so stressful.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Everyone:
Tipper is taking a rest. Barbara yes the only reason I give her anything is to get rid of the mucous, it has to be post nasal drip. She keeps waking up many times a nite opening her mouth wide, and sticking her tongue out to clear her throat. She has never been a hacker, but has done so a couple of times. The eye Dr. Is the one that said it was seasonal allergies. She slept a little this afternoon and I heard no gurgling sounds, so if she is good tonite, then we will use the Benadryl instead. I noticed between the products a few differences so we shall see. Tipper needs no more problems for me to handle, we are both sick of problems. As I type this Deloras wonderful family is raiding her house again. It just makes me sick what all these people are capable of. Tomorrow is bp and Adequan shots. It is never ending, but the most important thing is it helps her, and that's all that matters at the end of the day. She was touchy today at laser therapy, I think her rear leg is bothering her a little so that will surely help it. The laser therapy has enabled her to continue to exercise, and I feel that is helping her to physically cope with all this muscle wasting etc. Blessings
Patti

exercise is good for cush dogs indeed, to stay in shape.
i know it has helped ian a lot to get back in shape.
and it is good for me too!
have a safe trip tomorrow and good night.

(((fingers crossed)))

Hi Everyone:
Well we are back from the vets. His office was empty today and he was in a very good mood. So I took advantage of his free time to discuss Tipper's issues. First
we discussed Tippers tumor. He got out a ruler that has centimeters on it. He showed me by drawing the exact size that Tipper's tumor was, then showed me on top of that drawing the new measurements. It was so small the lines were practically on top of one another. He said it is so hard to put that mprobe in the exact position it was last time that this tumor could actually be the same size and this is just human error. When you see the drawings it really makes sense. He said if it ever got to 3.5 cm then we are talking get it out, or rapid growth at the next ultra sound. So I am going to wait and see what the next US shows, if it has increased substantially then I will talk to the surgeon. For now I am staying put. I did talk to him about the Artemix Iraklis used and he is interested in it. Then we discussed Tipper's storm mixture as he is into Eastern Medicine and herbal uses. He looked both herbs up and said there is absolutely no side effects to the herbs, and the passionflower could be made stronger if needed and she can have it up to 3 times a day. It will not interfere with any of her current meds. I also discussed then benadryl vs the chlorphenarmine. I will probably stay the course with Benadryl as it appears to have done a better job when she is sleeping. I have to get some in tablet form. With Tippers breathing issues, and tracheal issues it is hard to syringe things into her mouth, and I do not want anything getting aspirated into her lungs. I have always kept the liquid as in the event of an allergic reaction it is absorbed faster than a tablet. She can have 25 mg at a time so I will have to see what the tablets come in. I gave Tipper some of her storm meds before we left for the vets as it was raining and thunder is supposed to be starting. She is taking a nap in between walking. She usually never walks in between rain, and this surprised me. So we are ready for it, I feel better knowing we have something in our arsenal to deal with this. I am waiting for the IMS and my cardiologist to contact me as neither have. I may try to clean one of the remaining rooms left to spring clean, I will have to see how much energy I can muster up. Than goodness no more appointments until my Dr.s appointment in Pittsburgh next week. Blessings
Patti

HI Patti,
I'm so glad that you are able to put surgery on the back burner for now. It's good to know that there was barely any change on the tumor! I would hate to hear that Tipper needed to have surgery now so I'm glad this is something you don't have to think about for the time being.
Hope the storms stay quiet..I know the rain is headed this way and due late tonight. Hoping Tipper has a quiet night and a good sleep.

Barbara

That's good news! Patti I am so happy that it grew so little and surgery is not to be considered at this point, I am sure you are so relieved! I am glad the benedryl is helping Tippers congestion and hope it takes care of it completely.
I hope you hear from the IMS soon but in the meantime..
Rest up and relax a bit now and smile :)

That's good news!!

Ι have some PDF files on Artemisin/Artemether/Artesunate.

How should i send them to you?

Hi Patti, glad you got some good news from your vet finally on something! LOL Great to know that the herb mixture is a winner and can be given more often If needed. Also that the worry for surgery can be put on the back burner hopefully for a long time, so long that in fact it never becomes an issue.

What is the size of Tippers tumor? I know you said it increased by only .31 which is very little indeed.
Mollys tumor is 1.30cm x 1.26cm. Do they think Tippers tumor is secreting cortisol too in addition to the pituitary tumor or do they think it is just perhaps a nodule non functioning on the gland?

It sure does take a wallop out of you doesn't it. Try to get some rest, enjoy the walks between rain and hopefully NO thunder. :)

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Everyone:
Now I am back at the upset stage. The IMS just answered me and most of the answers were what I expected except this one. I asked her what were the chances of this tumor rupturing? She said you never know it could embolize, or rupture and I could lose my Tipper and could I live with that decision?? That made me sick at my stomach quite frankly. Also she said the Dr. that owns the hospital that would do the surgery has done at least 300 of these operations. I need some guidance here as I am right back to worrying now. The smaller the tumor the less chances of problems. She said if this tumor is active removing it could help control Tipper better. Blessings
Patti

the woman with whom i share the vetoryl went to the veterinarian university in nl. with her cush dog to have a ct scan to determine if she needed an operation.
depending on how the dog is actualy doing, they do not operate under 2.5 a 3 cm. as long as the dog is doing fine.
surgeons always want to operate, that is their job.
i do not like the way they scare you like this or doing a guild trip on you for deciding not to operate tipper before you know the numbers of the next us. tippers tumor is groing very slowly so far.
she is feisty and can handle long walks, so she is in pretty good shape for her age and illness.
so i think your vet was right about the 3 a 3.5 cm. at least it is also the dutch scale. [this uni is famous for their cush knowledge!]
hope this facts can give you some hope that tipper does not need an operation right now.

Well I am not impressed with that IMS's wording. I'll ask my IMS when I talk to her about this very same thing.

I'm not inclined to do surgery just yet either. Trish's Flynn has a nodule on his remaining adrenal gland too and it hasn't grown or changed in over a year. Tippers has changed a very small bit, if at all.

I don't know what the answer is Patti. I wish I did. As you know, I'm in a similar situation and I don't know what to do either. Right now I am thinking two things, that it is small enough that I can wait and redo ultrasound in a couple months and see if it is changing and it is small enough that if I were going to operate, it is less risky to operate on a small tumor than a large one.

However I still can't accept the possibility of she might not make it out of the hospital and you have to be right in your head and your heart, that the decision to operate is the right decision for your baby. I'm not there yet. I might be and who know, I might not be, might not ever be, I just don't know, but I Do know, you don't go into surgery unless you are sure it is what is best, or if anything goes wrong, then the devastation would be unbearable.

So, that being said you cannot let any IMS or anyone guilt you into doing something that isn't right in both your head and your heart. If you determine that this is what you think is Tippers best chance, then you have to come to terms with it prior to doing any surgery and make sure you are at peace with the decision before going forward.

I don't say any of this to discourage you or point you in any specific direction, because I'm probably the least best person to choose for anyone being in the same boat myself. I do say these things because based upon the time that I have known you and the bond that I see between you and Tipper and how very heavily, your own health and well being is tied to hers, I would not want you to do anything for other than the right reason and if that decision is to do surgery, then I would want to know that you are absolutely okay with having made it.

You absolutely Have to be able to accept that you have made the best decisions possible and are okay with any consequences of those decisions going forward. You have done exactly that, every step of the way on this journey and I don't want you to stop doing so at this point. It really only matters, no matter what you decide, that you are at peace with whatever decision you make.

I'm leaning towards monitoring in 3 months redoing ultrasound at this point, based on size, location and my not being at peace with surgical decision right now.

I know this is long winded and I have probably said the same thing in a dozen different ways. So, I hope I haven't bored you to death or said anything to further upset you. Your health cannot withstand much more of this pressure Patti.

Sending you big hugs and strength.
Today you found something that helps Tippers thunder fears. That is a big baby step worth celebrating. For tonight, that is all there is. Another storm to be survived.
hugs
sharlene and molly muffin

Patti,
I would wait and see if the tumor grows or something else changes. I wouldn't rush into surgery. Hugs.

I'm certainly no expert on this but a small, slow growing tumor does not sound like a tumor that would be poised for a rupture, and how often does this actually happen? Is that a common occurrence for a tumor like this? If it were something growing fast or very large..well maybe then it would be more of a possibility.
It seems to me surgery would pose the greater chance of difficulty for Tipper and much more of a risk than leaving this alone for a few months and seeing if it grows or changes in any way.
Trish's specialist just spoke with her about nodules and said that nodules can exist on any organ and sometimes they are just there..small growths that come with age and don't do anything, at least this is what I took from what she wrote..I may not have it exactly as written. Do you know for sure if this is even an active tumor..perhaps it's a benign nodule or growth.
I understand if you ask a vet or a doctor any "could this happen" question that you have to expect the answer will most likely be "it could happen"..because they can never say for certain that something won't happen. If you ask the same questions about the surgery you are going to get the same scary answers. It's a tough decision but the question is, right now which is the bigger risk?
Barbara

Ditto, Barbara.
Patti, you should ask your IMS this question and see what her answer might be this time. What are the fatality rates between adrenalectomy (during and post surgery) and slow growing, small adrenal nodule ruptures and which poses a greater risk to a dog?

Hi Everyone:
Thank you, Barbara, Song, and Sharlene for the input. Please read on Sharlene's thread what I think about this so I do not have to type it again. I am curious who thinks this is the best thing to do and why? Maybe thinking not the best thing, please tell me your opinion, it does matter to me. Tipper slept a lot yesterday and that made me nervous. She never does that, and it seems her rear leg may be bothering her a bit. I had to corner her this morning to get the Benadryl in. Last nite she would not let me do that or the drops. I must go to the store in a bit and get the tablets. It is too be 85 today and I probably will have to turn the air on for Tipper so I must get a new furnace filter in after all this housecleaning I did I surely do not want to blow dust around. I am going to tackle another room today so I will post later. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
The sadness I feel today is just crippling. I was up most of the nite thinking and praying for Leslie and Squirt. Tipper did not sleep well, and was swallowing mucous a lot and clearing her throat. I gave her a tablet of Benadryl but it did not to help for some reason. I think this is the reason her breath started to smell.. I have to find out from the vet next week if there is anything else to get and rid of this mucous that is safe for her. The dogs have walked, and yesterday I had to turn the air on because it was 85 and Tipper started to pant. I am thinking about my trip to Pittsburgh Tuesday and really do not want to go. In have one more room cleaned, and 1 to go plus the cat room. I am so welled up with sadness today it is hard to function. I think I will stay the course with Tipper until the next ultra sound and see what it brings. I surely hate this disease, especially today. Blessings
Patti

Patti, I had to make the same decision for Snuggles, high risk, high mortality surgery or wait and watch with a chance of it rupturing and he bleeding to death God Forbid.
and ofc you know what I chose wait and watch and monitor every 3 months with mri or us. Snuggles tumor is larger than Tipper's I believe and is growing faster than Tippers and is mildly invading the vena cava now.

From what I recall if the tumor is not pressing against the vena cava I don't think there is a chance for rupturing, but I could be wrong but I will get clarification on that for you, me and anyone else who needs to know.

I was told to check his gums and the second I see them paler pink than normal to bring him in immediately. That could be a sign of internal bleeding and ofc then we go right into surgery.

God willing Snugs is as good as he is today in June we will have another MRI and depending what that shows the size of the tumor and the invasion, I will have to make yet another decision.

actually I just checked Snuggles tumor is the same size as Tippers 3.2cm,
is Tippers tumor in the left or right adrenal gland? If left it is further away from the vena cava I believe.
Also please remind me what type of tumor it is

Vicki:
Tipper's tumor is on the left side, I think the one they worry about more is the right side which I think is nearer to the vena cava. What a way to have to live our lives!!. I feel like my Tipper is a ticking time bomb! Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well I held off on the storm meds for Tipper, and all of a sudden it came. I syringed it into her and she was mad. I hate to give it and the storm passes, then she conks out. I don't want her sleeping all the time. We did have thunder, and it is still rumbling a bit. I do not want to look in the closet and get her stirred up, so I am taking a rest on my bed and waiting to see if she comes out soon. I hope this worked on her. I gave her and Toby a bath today as it was so hot. I started on her hair cut again. Her hair grows really fast! Got a lot done today and will just do a little at a time like always. I did not clean today as I am just a mess over Squirt. I will be finished soon yeah!! Blessings
Patti

Tipper came out of the closet on her own, not thoroughly convinced that all the noise was over, and seemed nervous, but not crazy like she gets. She went out potty,and is laying on her pillow sleeping now. We are to get this off and on all nite. These meds only last an hour or two I think that's what Leslie said. They do make her sleepy though. I do not want to give her more as I have no idea when the next round is going to come. I just went and checked the ice maker as it started making noise at 3am again and I has to get up and fix it. I have already checked it out soi am not having to get up again in the early morning to fix an ice jam. I hope the thunder stays away and we get just rain. I talked to Delora and she said her feet and ankles are really swelled up and that has never happened to her. They put compression stockings on her, she said they hurt, I told her maybe they are too small?? I know they feel funny, but should not be hurting her. She said she had three blankets on and is freezing. She said she is bleeding badly everywhere. I am surprised she made it this long. Her house is empty now I think. She keeps telling me she can't wait to get home and sit on her porch. Sad situation, makes me so upset to think of her in that horrible place.
Today has been a truly sad day for me, I just cannot shake this feeling. Leslie has had so much tragedy, my heart just aches for what she is going thru. God Bless Leslie and dear Squirt.
Patti

we had a few thunderstorms today too.
at least the herbs do something good for tipper.
were you able to walk the dogs today?
i do know those stockings are not suppose to hurt, but they need to be tight to do their work.
it is not easy to put them on for us nurses.
maybe you can have a walk with delora in a wheel chair so she can catch some fresh air?
so sad that she will have to spend her remainig days this way!
hop you and tipper will have a quiet night without thunder.

We're also getting those storms Patti.
I know, I feel horrible for Leslie.

No storms here, yet anyhow. It has gotten warmer as the evening has gone hon though, so I am just hoping we don't get any and Molly (and us too) will have a quiet night.

Hope Tipper does okay and doesn't need any more herbs. They won't hurt her at least, so if you do get some bad thunder it will be okay. Maybe she'll sleep through the night.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper walked twice already and it is humid and getting hot. We are to get storms all week so I will be a wreck going to Pittsburgh Tuesday and leaving her with a sitter. I will have to tell them to give her the herbs if it looks like a storm coming. Tipper was up a lot last nite and swallowing so much. I am hoping this is mucous we are dealing with and not something else that cannot be figured out by me. It scare me about her trachea and I always think it may be involved making her swallow so much. Both dogs look great from their baths yesterday. I am doing some odd jobs today nothing big as I am not feeling it. I am so down from yesterday, it is hard to pick back up knowing what our dear Leslie is going thru. I got a call from the cardiologist. I have a valve problem and have to have an echo cardiogram. They said the pain I am getting is more than likely form the botched mammogram, that it damaged muscle on my chest wall and ligaments. I am going to contact them and tell them I still am having trouble, and see if they can send me to a pain management Dr. who could possibly give me a nerve block?? Don't know if that is possible where this is located?? I am hoping they can and I can be rid of this constant pain all day long. Blessigns
Patti

Oh Patti, so sorry you are still having problems from that awful mammogram experience. :( I hope they can give you something to help while things hopefully continue to heal.

I'd certainly be contacting the place that did it and letting them know the damage that continues to be an issue for you.

I hope they are wrong and you don't get the bad storms and especially not on a day you are away as we know you'll worry so much about that.

hugs
sharlene and molly muffin