Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

due to a technical failure, no internet last night.
playful dogs are fun to watch indeed.
we do play football.
how is the weather today?
no more thunderstorms?

Hi Everyone;
I am getting increasingly worried about this swallowing at nite that Tipper does. She gets up out of her sleep and starts swallowing a lot and it sounds like she has a mouth full of water, I can hear her swallow it. It does not sound like the sticky mucous sound. She has so much going on with that trachea that it is scary not to be able to figure this out. She slept ok last nite after moving about several times. I noticed her breathing was more labored and her sides were really heaving, and she had that whistling noise like her airway was compromised. I was going to try the Vicks on the Kleenex in front of her nose, but she got up and went in her crate. I was going to follow her and try it so I opened the jar and she came out of her crate with her nose in the air smelling and went back in. She could smell the Vicks from me just cracking the jar open, so she was watching me and would not let me put anything by her nose that smelled as awful as that! I am having some arthritis pain this morning in my knee and hands, just not feeling like doing too much today, I hate when I wake up and already feel bad before I even get out of bed. I already walked the dogs and need to get moving a bit and get this knee going. I think there is still garage sales today, so I will keep the doggies busy with something. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Tipper went on the porch again today for a short while. She has been doing that swallowing a lot today, and a while ago she had a bad honking episode. I kept rubbing her throat, and it lasted longer this time than any other time. It is so scary when she cannot breathe, for her and me. I did not realize it became warm in the house today, as I had the heating pad on the pain in my chest. Tipper started panting, and right away I thought oh no cortisol rising. As soon as it cooled off from the air she stopped. She has been doing good at nite and not hungry thank goodness. My elderly neighbor came over to show me his daughters lab, Tipper went crazy. He didn't realize this when he decided to bring the dog over as he is old, so I just hurried him off since Tipper does not need riled up. It got very hot here today and no sign if rain so I hope Tipper sleeps well. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,

What do you think it is Tipper is swallowing? I know with my sinus problems and allergies I alternate from having thick mucous stuff to sometimes having this liquid stuff just pouring down my throat, it is gross. I wonder if that is what is happening to Tipper?

Zoe always breathed better with the air on, even when the house was not that hot to us. As soon as we would put the air on she would breathe so much better.

Sorry your arthritis is acting up. I noticed since I have been bending over so much to do gardening, my hips hurt. Never had that before:rolleyes: I must be getting old.

Koko went to his first street festival and was the star of the show:)

I hope you have a restful quiet night.

I wonder if the heat was bothering her enough to cause her to pant if it was also bothering her throat? (mucus)

Well I'm sure it was a beautiful lab. But yea, can't see Tipper being thrilled at another dog around you.

Do many or any of your neighbors have dogs themselves?

Hope you have a good night. We had a lovely day here today.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Addy:
I think it sounds like what you are saying some type of liquid going down her throat. I have been giving her two Benadryl one morning one evening. When she sticks her tongue out and keeps doing that and opening her mouth, I think that is the sticky mucous, I can hear her tongue moving in her mouth and it sounds sticky. But when she does the swallowing repeatedly it is lime she has a mouth full of water. If this is not her sinuses where else would this be coming from and what could it be?? It really worries me. There are some other neighbors here who have small dogs, but not too many, Tipper was just at the TV because National Geographic was shoeing the wild dogs of Africa and she is barking at them and charging the TV. When they go off the screen she looks beside the TV to see if they are there, which I thought was pretty smart on her part. She does sleep better with the air on. Addy did you ever ask the Dr. what the fluid is? Is there anything you take to make it go away?? I feel sorry for her it is either the swallowing, or the storms, or her breathing that keeps her from resting well, that is why I try to get her to lay down in the late afternoon an d rest a while. She is doing the tongue sticking out, and I can head the stickiness in her mouth as I type this. Wish I could get this managed. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
We sure as anything after I got the previous post typed yesterday I went to take Tipper to potty and she had a vestibular episode. It was not as bad as some of them have been, but really???It scares me for two reasons. I am afraid that her head could stay like that as it has with some dogs, and that the list of things going on with her is getting so long. This baby cannot catch a break. She did rest some last nite but was up moving about with that swallowing and sticking her tongue out. She is not sleeping all thru the nite as it is always something waking her up and disturbing her rest. I have walked the dogs this morning already this morning as it is to be a hot one and I can feel the humidity rising. Tomorrow is laser therapy, so much for the break in appointments. The time seems to go so quickly when you get older. These months and weeks have just flown by. That's ok as Tipper does better in winter anyway. Hope you are all enjoying a day off form the rat race. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,

I dont know that I can help solve Tipper mucus problem other than to tell you what happens to me and maybe we can think about how that might apply to Tipper. Everything comes from my sinuses. I try to keep the thick mucus at bay with a nasal steroid spray, heat applied to my face for five minutes and extra strength Mucinex and an occasional decongestant. I cannot take any kind of antihistamine as it dries everything out too much then blocks up my sinuses. When my sinuses are blocked up I tend to have to breathe out of my mouth and I breathe harder and am more short of breath.

What happens to Tipper when you do not give Benadryl?

Is it possible Tipper now has a sinus infection? I get chronic sinus infections and the allergy spray I use can also cause them.

So that is why I wonder could she have a sinus infection? Benadryl does not help all dogs and you may have to try a different antihistamine as long as it is compatible with Vetoryl and as long as it is not making her sinuses worse.

Maybe I will have to go back to the other antihistamine the IMS prescribed?? Does this happen more at nite to you? She does not seem as affected when she is not laying down. What do they need to do to see if she has a sinus infection, as I am sure they need something to culture?? Thank you this may be what is bothering her. I wish they had something like the Mucinex for dogs, because I know Delora used to get it really bad and said the Mucinex helped break up the mucous. Blessings
Patti

Oh Patti I am sorry to hear about Tippers vestibular episode and her congestion. I hope both resolve quickly. Have you had a chest Xray done lately for Tipper?

I hope and pray her issues clear up fast!

When my daughter's pom was having sinus issues because of bad teeth, they flushed his nose with a saline spray and put him on antibiotics. The antibioitcs helped the teeth and helped his sinus issue as well. When they flushed his nose green junk came out.

We will have to research this or you can speak with your vet about it.

Hi Patti, I'm so sorry that Tipper and you are not doing so well. :( I only know for a sinus infection I always have to take an antibiotic, if that's what is wrong with Tipper. I know with me whenever I have a sinus infection my sinus' drain backwards and always screw up my already defunct lungs. :(

I hope today is a better day for you both! :)

As for your comment; " The time seems to go so quickly when you get older. These months and weeks have just flown by." ....tell me about it!! :eek: :( .....Ain't it the truth!! WAY too fast for my liking!! :mad: Eli and I seem to do better when it's warmer. ..I can breathe at least in the warmer weather....Eli does pretty good too. In the winter months I have to have the manager take Eli on longer walks for me. I can't breathe in the cold air. :(

Hugs, Jo Ann and Eli

Hi Patti, From what I could read....and saw a video on a Youtube...about a yellow lab having vestibular episode there is no known cause or cure for it. Which sucks. It seems that some older dogs just get it. You just have to wait until it's over, I guess, like a seizure. The dog in the video was 13.5 yrs old..but healthy otherwise. The dog in the video the owner said took a few days for his dog to get over it. I followed the video and the man's dog got over it ..by the 3 mo video...you can follow it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcX0-UWig1s

Here's the video.

Hugs, Jo Ann and Eli

i really hope there will be no thunderstorm tomorrow in your area.
we do have the same weather overhere.
does tipper still need laser therapy now her back leg is better?
i do suffer from the same mucous thing as tipper does and have not found anything that works 100%.
hot and humid does not help indeed.
i hope you both have a quiet night with lots of sleep.

Patti, do you think a room humidifier would help Tipper?
The reason I asked about a chest Xray earlier, was to make sure her lungs are clear.

Hi Patti, I hope you and Tipper had a good night. Although, I'm worried you've not posted anything yet. You're usually here before me. I hope all is OK with you all. The weather here this week is going to be nasty thunder storms all off and on all week. :( I hope they're not up your way. They don't really bother us...I just think we need more sunshine. :D

I'm hoping for a good day for you and Tipper and the other babies today!

Hugs, Jo Ann and Eli

Hi Everyone:
Everything is ok we just got a late start, and I wanted to walk the dogs as the humidity is rising. Gee I do not think a humidifier would help in the air conditioning as it removes the humidity from the air. I may opt for a chest Xray and see if we can get some kind of culture to see if she has a sinus infection. It has to be something to do with the environment as it was not his bad in the winter time. She may have allergies working on her and sinus problems. I think this mucous etc. could be why her breath is not so good anymore. I will get her teeth checked too as she used to have them cleaned every year and because of the Cushings she has not had that done. I brush her teeth every day though. She slept ok last nite and when the rain started she ran in the closet. It was just lite rain and no thunder yet. It is supposed to get worse as the day goes on, so I will be giving herbs again. We have laser therapy so that will break it up a bit. She has been having a little uneasiness with that back leg this week so she needs this laser time. I changes her antihistamine form the Benadryl back to the one the IMS told me to use Chlorpheneramine. So I will see if this helps, maybe it needs to be a stronger dosage?? I think I will email the IMS and ask her, and tell her what is going on with Tipper. I like to keep in touch with her medical team anyway. She ahs more specialists than most people, but I love her and that's the bottom and only line. Blessings
Patti

Patti & Tipper
I am sorry to read that Tipper is having breathing problems. I know all to well what it is like to hear your pup struggle to breathe. Maya gets what I call snot explosions and snot will come flying out of her nose and she will be congested for hours. Benadryl does not work. I use Reiki and work with her for as long as she lets me and sometimes I can get it clear and sometimes I can't. Sending healing energy your way for both you and Tipper.
Thank you for your post and trying to get me to be less scared of Trilostane. I have always been more Holistic minded and will try less toxic choices before I go that route. Please remember that Maya is only 6. Other than the ALP and the LDDS she seems her normal self to me. If this is a slow progressing disease then I will monitor her until it gets to the point that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks of treatment. Until we do the ultrasound I just don't know where she is in the progression of Cushings.
I haven't been reading threads for the last two days. I just don't have any tears left and it makes it hard to be optimistic. I find myself checking join dates and dog ages and how long they managed the disease. Reading about moments of hope that lead to despair and the desperation is heart wrenching. I just need to stay calm and wait for Fri.
I hope Tipper Is doing better today. You are in my thoughts.
~ Angelique Maya & Griffy

Hi Patti! There you are! :D Glad to hear you and Tipper are OK as can be expected. I know you are doing all you can to help her. Yes, a humidifier..a doctor told me to get one once. (although, I never did)....but that could help as well. And calling or emailing the IMS is sure a great start today!! :)

Eli is still hanging in. No new problems. He's eating us out of house and home though! :eek: When he's not sleeping, he's laying by his food dish! :rolleyes:

Hugs, Jo Ann and Eli

Hi Everyone:
Well it is very hot out and Tipper is passed out on the bed. We are home from laser therapy. Tipper kept squirming around today like she was uncomfortable somewhere. I hope this resolves it. I saw storms down south, and some tornado warnings. We are to get a storm late tonite. Tomorrow we have blood pressure. I want to see the vet about the Chinese herbs, and if Tipper could have a sinus infection. I tried to no avail to get an appointment at this pain clinic for this chest pain. I have a referral from my Dr. but they won't accept it, they want their own referral form filled out by my Dr. What a bunch of crap, I guess they don't need new patients as they were very difficult. I hope my Dr. does it quickly as I have the heating pad on it now, it has been a real bear! I made my appointment for blood work and echo cardiogram June 5th so I will get the dog sitter. It is only about 12 miles away, so not too bad. I can't believe it will be coming time for Tipper's ACTH already in June. I so hate doing that to her, it really gets to me. I am having trouble even moving my left arm around from this pain, so I think I will lay down with Tipper. Blessings
Patti

Awww Patti, I hope that you and Tipper both get to feeling better soon. It's just so hard dealing with everything you and Tipper have going on at the same time.

I'm no help on the mucus breathing situation obviously, but it makes sense to have her sinsus checked out.

Had a down pour here, lasted 5 minutes, all gone now. :) Suppose to be clear tonight, which is good. I hate night thunderstorms with molly and if hubs is gone, then it's double hard to deal with. Sorta like you do all the time. :)

Hang in there!
hugs
sharlene and molly muffin

Hey Patti, Lori just posted to someone today about Dechra's literature stating that congestion is a side affect of Vetoryl.

i am sorry that you are in so much pain and that the pain dr does not co-operate well. all because of the paperwork?
it is hot and humid overhere too.
that does not help with my sinus problems too.
hope you both will feel so much better tomorrow!

Addy:
I saw that but I am wondering if it is that or the sinuses? I will have to get her checked out next week to make sure she has no sinus infection, if she does not it may be the Vetoryl. Tipper is experiencing a lot of side effects from the Vetoryl if it is in fact the cause. Thank you
Patti

Morning Patti! I hate hearing you and Tipper aren't doing doing so well. :( It was the same thing here in KY trying to get some relief when I broke a rib coughing. I couldn't believe a real GP doctor in this little creepy town couldn't write a RX for a lousy pain pill! :mad: It drove me nuts! That's when I had to drive the 40 miles to a specialist to get anything....and then he referred me to the pain clinic in the same building. No paper work there. :D I lucked out..but boy I was doubled over like for awhile until I got that far. They sure can make a person mad....and drive you nuts!! :eek:

I'm sorry Tipper is not feeling well either..I hope today is a better day. They did call for storms in the "viewing" area....they just happened to be above us! :rolleyes: So, we didn't get any rain at all! Just partly cloudy!

Praying for a better day for you and Tipper!

Hugs, Jo Ann and Eli

Hi Everyone:
Well the vet was not in so I could not ask anything about the Chinese herbs, or the sinuses. I will have to do it on her appointment next week. Tipper had her blood pressure which was a waste because she was already worked up knowing a storm is on the way. I wish I could just calm her somehow. She was up and down last nite too as you could feel rain in the air, making her nervous. We have no more appointments until next week so I can catch a break here. I am not feeling it today! I am making beef stew so I can lay off the cooking a few days. I need to get Tipper's next Ultra Sound scheduled today. Her next ACTH is July 9th so that still gives her a break from it. I really don't want to do it then either, but her pre is probably going to be low so I have to. She had her anal glands cleaned today too as they were getting full and bothering her. I hope if this storm comes there is no thunder. Last nite as I watched the weather channel it said storms tomorrow nite with thunder, she knows what storm means and she got up and ran in the closet. I never say that word around her an d always had to stop Delora from saying it around Tipper. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,
I was thinking about your today because my friend from Pittsburgh called me and said they had huge storms there last night. Her husband was flying out from there but all flights were halted due to the severity of the lightning in the area.
Since you didn't mention it in your post I'm thinking this storm bypassed your area...I hope so!!
We are having a cool and cloudy day and it is my preference as Trixie really cannot take too much heat anymore. Yesterday was so hot...we were out for a walk early. She was not in any distress but I can see the heat gets to her much more quickly than it used to. Once we got inside I blasted the a/c for her and she cooled right down. I can't take the heat anymore either!
I hope you can figure out something with Tipper's swallowing issue. Is she licking her paws a lot? Just wondering if she licking a lot of pollen off her paws from the outside. I hear it's especially bad this year. Was she bothered by this same thing in the winter? Wish I knew a solution...I know you do too. I hope the vet can come up with a reason for this or that whatever herbs you try will help out.

Barbara

Hi Everyone:
No storm so far. Tipper is easing up with the nervousness. It is sure hot for only being the end of May! I guess that indicates what we have coming. Tipper stayed on the porch for about 20 minutes as I made bubbles for her. All of this is so worth while just to see her mind at ease, and having a fun time. We used to do
things outside all day long. I love to see her happy and care free. She had a bad honking episode this afternoon, but she did not panic this time. I took her in the shade in the yard, while I planted all my window box plants. I had to hurry as she just can't take the heat, even in the shade. Toby does not like the heat either so he was panting up a storm. Well I finished that job, so now the frost will probably come and I have to cover all of them!! Blessings
Patti

no storm so far, that sounds good!
my dogs and i don't like the heat too.
hope you were able to walk the dogs today.
and have a thunder free night.

Now that I think of it, Daisy has been off Triostane for a week and she doesn't sound congested anymore! I didn't relate the 2 things but now I sure do!

We weren't hot today at all, in fact chilly. Maybe we can blow some down your way. :) :)

Good to hear that the gang was able to get outside for a bit today. Molly likes to supervise my planting too. :) Until it gets to warm for her, then she'll abandon me in a heart beat and head for the door.

It does make you wonder, all this congestion while on the vetroyl, if it isn't a side effect after all and not sinus infection or anything.

Have a good night
hugs
sharlene and molly muffin

Hi Everyone:
I am busy so I will post later on your threads, but Tipper had a bad nite. Real stickiness in her mouth continually swallowing all nite long. I am wanting to get in her mouth today and see what I can see?? This is getting to the point where she is not sleeping because of this. I waited to email the IMS so I will be doing that shortly and I want to email the cardiologist about that heart issue with Becky's dog passing, that is worrisome to me. I will be on when I get all this done. Blessings
Patti

Patti,
since Daisy has been off of the Trilo for a week now, I can't believe the symptoms that I'm no longer seeing! She wasn't nearly as bad as Tipper, but definitely sounded congested all of the time and I thought it was allergy related.

Is it possible to try another Cushings med? Worth asking about.

Valerie:
Please do me a favor and question the Dr. about that when you talk to them. I am wanting to know if maybe this is from the Vetoryl also. Was Daisy doing anything like Tipper with the clearing the throat and sounding funny, sticky noises in her mouth like her tongue sticking to something? When Tipper would sallow it sounds like she has a mouth full of water!

Hi Everyone;
I needed to walk the dogs, run to the store, and type my letters to the IMS and to the Cardiologist. I am wanting some answers here as this is getting scary with Tipper. She was up a lot of the nite, and when she did attempt to sleep it woke her up with the swallowing and trying to clear her throat. I need to know what this is and get it stopped like yesterday already. This is nerve racking and keeps me awake also. She has also had several honking episodes. I am wondering if she could have a tooth problem, but an infection would have come up in her blood work?? This is really getting to me. Then on top of all this I cannot fax, or email to that stupid hospital in Pgh again. I took it to town to UPS and they could not email it either. Instead of expanding their hospital they need to upgrade that crappy phone system they have. Out of towners cannot even call there sometimes!! I am tired and not feeling well, Tipper got me up at 5am. Some how I will get thru this day too. Blessings
patti

Oh so sorry Tipper had such a bad night. :(

Was there ever any difference in her swallowing, sticky mouth and her cortisol levels? Like when they were a bit higher did she do that less? Lower more? or lower less?

Just wondering about that.

Hope you get some answers.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Sharlene:
I never really noticed, but that is a good question. I am going to have to make an effort to be aware of that. Thank you for thinking of that.

Patti,

She was what I would call smacking her lips, sounding congested (I mistakingly attributed this to the mucocele on her neck and/or allergies).

I didn't put it together until noticing a HUGE change since Daisy has been off of the Trilo for exactly a week now and after reading your recent posts it hit me that she's not doing ANY of this now! I'm also noticing that her eyes are no longer producing a lot of "goop". I felt like I was cleaning them all of the time and this is what made me think allergies coupled with the fact that she's so low to the ground.

Since Cornell didn't find any bacteria present either, I can't say that this was a symptom of her recent illness either so it HAS to be the trilostane!

I most certainly will be discussing this with Dr. Forman.

Patti,
Dr. Forman said that he sees congestion in a lot of Cushingoid dogs but it is almost always due to an underlying bacterial infection which they are prone to. Daisy is on Clavamox and that could also account for the symptoms disappearing. Might be worth a talk with your vet.

Clavamox has to be given with food. I mix it in with Daisy's canned food.

The last few months of her life, Zoe had congestion and goopy eyes. She had never had goopy eyes even with all the severe eye problems.

I did not think about that until Val just mentioned the goopy eyes. I remember wondering why Zoe had such goopy eyes when she never had that.