Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Hi Kathy,
Yay for the slippery elm bark!! How great that Buddy is getting great results all around! :D Couldn't be happier to hear he is feeling so well. What a great start to your summer break!!
Your 75 degrees plus nice breeze sounds great...we have the 3 "H" week here...hazy, hot, humid. ugh.
:) Barbara

Soooooo relieved it is working. Glad you had the poll on it because who would have thought with the allergy issue that it would work? Way to go mom. Great call and I'm so glad to hear he's doing so much better. Kim

Kathy:
I couldn't be happier that your precious Buddy is doing so well. After all the hurdles you two climbed over you deserve this. Your summer vacation, and Buddy's health issues letting up will make the summer so much sweeter. May you and Buddy continue to be blessed.
Patti

HURRAH, it does make sense. I have allergies, sinus issues, asthma and Gerd. When the Gerd is bad, my sinus issues are bad, the acid goes up into my nasal passages.

I just heard back from the neurosurgeon (via my vet)who is running Buddy's prednisone/trilostane trial. She is very pleased with his progress. She said that the combo is not effective for all dogs. That is why there was a three-week trial period. Buddy's Prednisone has been weaned as low as it can go in order to control his neural symptoms. He is now taking one half of a 5 mg tablet once per day. As neural symptoms start to return that dosage will have to be increased accordingly, still maintaining the lowest possible effective dose. Neural symptoms will return as the tumor continues to grow. My vet has been advised to keep him on his current Trilostane dosage of once per day with breakfast. Once per day dosing allows the cortisol to rise somewhat throughout the night. That could help slow down the tumor and still partially control Buddy's most bothersome Cushings symptoms. There is a delicate balance between controlling the Cushing's symptoms with Trilostane and adding the prednisone. It has to be monitored very carefully. Buddy's trusted vet will be gone most of the month of July,so I had to get the results of his trial and RX filled this week. I am distressed at the fact that his vet will be gone so long. He's the only one at that place that knows anything about Cushing's. He was gone when all of this started with Buddy and things were really screwed up then.:p If they don't know about Cushing's protocol,I can't imagine they know anything about macro-tumor treatment either!:o Thank goodness I have all of you to keep the quacks in line while he's gone!;) Unfortunately, Buddy may need some of those quacks.:p
Update for today: Stomach and allergy symptoms have settled thanks to SEB. I love that stuff! :D The house behind us has a parrot. It is kept in a screened, family room area. Whenever Buddy goes out to the backyard to take care of his business, that bird squawks loudly on purpose! I didn't realize this was happening because I was working. The bird squawks and Buddy forgets what he's out there to do and runs up and down along the fence barking at the bird. It is hilarious!LOL This will repeat several times. Buddy will start to sniff and as soon as he's ready to pee, the bird will squawk again. I don't know how that parrot knows, but it does. Talk about cheap vacation entertainment! LOL:D
Kathy

hahahaha, that is hilarious!!! That bird has Buddy's number alright. hehe I bet it's having a great time. :)

Kathy, you are the best thing Buddy has going for him. Sure it would be better if his vet was around, but he sounds pretty stable and I'm very much convinced that anything that goes on, you will have researched it and be ready to tell any of those vets that get it wrong, exactly whats what, because you are smart and you are Buddys knight in shining armor.
We are all right here, ready to jump in and back you up however you want, any time you want. We're all pretty hand as research assistants if ever needed too. LOL
hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

Thanks Sharlene,
You are a gem!:) My vet is going to be retiring eventually. He has been saying it for years. I really hope that he lasts at least as long as Buddy does. I know that he has a right to take time off, particularly in the twilight of his career. He has earned a slower pace. I know that in my head. But my heart tells me to lock him in his exam room and block his parking space in case he break out. :eek: You do what you have to do Sharlene!;)
Hugs,
Kathy

Okay, if that is the plan, you can use my car to block the any extra spaces too. :D :D

huggers,
sharlene and molly muffin

Oh Kathy, I am so pleased to read your report! You are doing such a wonderful job of taking care of Buddy and of advocating for him. He is such a lucky little guy to have you for his mom! And you both are really being pioneers in braving the trilo/pred treatment combo. I have a feeling that you guys will be a great help to other folks who end up facing this same journey!

Sending many hugs and belly rubs,
Marianne

Hi Kathy,

What a great report to read this morning! I am so glad this approach is helping that sweet boy and hope it continues to for a long time to come. It sounds like Buddy is feeling pretty good and is enjoying his newly discovered lizard disguised in bright feathers. :D That's funny....I can just see him telling that bird to mind it's own business so he can take care of his! :p

We have a thread in Everything Else about macroadenomas that was started by one of our members who dealt with the same thing in the hopes that others who come after would share their experiences to help others who come after. Since this a pretty new treatment approach, Buddy's story could really help someone else if you wish to share on this thread -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/show...t=macroadenoma

We would still want you to keep this thread going but the macro thread contains only info on macros from different experiences, offering a lot in one spot to those looking for info. ;) You may find something there that will help you as well.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang