Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Eeeek That would be scary. Good thing Elvis didn't know what was going on, or he'd be having something to say about the whole thing. hahahah

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

What we go through for our babies! But we love them and will do most anything for them. I'm so happy for you and Tipper. Most people would just look at you like you were crazy when you cried because Tipper went out to pee in the rain, but to those of us that have (had) babies that are deathly afraid of storms, it's a BIG accomplishment (Dang I'm crying for her!!).

Please stay safe in the bad weather. I know how quickly the rain can turn into floods.

Sending love and prayers,
Donna

Hi Everyone:
Thank you for thinking of Elvis. That sure scared the daylights out of me. I think the assistant that holds the bird in a towel had him wrapped up too tight. The vet kept watching his eyes and tapping him and when he did not breath my stomach hit the floor. He really took a deep breath and gasped and everyone was happy. Even though he has been a little brat the last few weeks biting etc. I know and the Dr. confirmed it is his hormones and mating season is around the corner. He lost some needed weight and was in real good shape other wise. Well so glad I do not have to do it again for 6 months. Tipper was in the closet last nite again so I have resigned myself to her sleeping there for the rest of the summer. When winter comes she knows there will be no storms hopefully and she will ease up. She is having a little trouble with that back leg. I hope she did not hit it on anything last nite while I was gone with Elvis. The dogs have walked and it is to get hot so they will be in for the day. Tipper is doing ok with all her meds, and I am dreading the ACTH coming up in July. She is doing well and not bugging me for food, so I know she is low on cortisol, she just seems to be one of those dogs that do better low. It does make me nervous though I have to admit I am always watching for signs. Blessings
Patti

Donna:
Thank you for thinking of my girl. That is a really major accomplishment for her going potty in a storm with thunder going off! Hope you have calm, good weather this weekend. Our weather in the states seems to be going really haywire. Everyone is commenting on all these storms. Blessings
Patti

Wow, Patti! I see what you mean about Elvis!! So happy that he's OK now! That would have been a heart stopping moment for anyone! :eek:

Sorry, you are having so many storms and rain! :( It's supposed to rain here today as well! Tipper seems to be doing great! I know what you mean about her not going out when it's raining and especially thundering.....Eli never did before either. He would never get wet! Now, for some reason..he'll go out in the rain. (That is when I can get him now, out the door!) LOL

I'm hoping for you that we get some of your rain..surely NOT all of it though!! We could send some over to Iris! ;)

I also use a seat belt harness for Eli in the car when we're out. He can sit and laydown..but you probably have one already. He goes crazy when I pull that out, because he knows he gets to go along..but when it's this hot I hate taking him anywhere. :( Sometimes though, I'll just take him for a short ride to look around and back home again. :D

JoAnn:
Yes I have one of those seat belt halters for Tipper to I try to keep her as safe as possible and this helps a lot even though she is well behaved in the car or anywhere for that matter things can happen. I have her bed in the car really secures also. It will be good for her when we have to go to the hospital as that is a long ride for her. Hope it is not too bad a the dentist today.

Hi Everyone:
I did not imagine this morning that I would be saying this, but it is raining!!! Tipper went outside and a drop hit her on the head and she went into a panic. After going outside the other nite in a storm, I know her cortisol must be lower tonite. She started quivering and pulling out of her harness, but she is in bed right now sleeping. Well I guess I can add ESP to her list of attributes as as soon as I finished typing the previous sentence, she got up and went in the closet!! I have been trying to trim those furry feet of hers, and she's not having it. She looks like a mini Clydesdale with those feet. Elvis is fine today and even acting like his sweet self. Tipper is doing very well with her hunger, there are no issues at nite like when she would just beg non stop for food. I am thankful as that is very hard to deal with, and hard on the dog. I am hoping she can stay on this current dose, and that her blood work is good. I am thankful she is as good as she is with having two tumors. Hoping for sunshine when we wake up!
Blessings
Patti

rain...really? ha, ha!
the farmers overhere are in need of some [a lot] so, send some this way!
hope there will be sunshine next morning. so all of you can take a sun bath.
i missed the news, so i will watch it online to hear what our weather forecast is.
today was 20C. so, very good for walking cush doggies..
sleep well all of you!

Wow Patti - I'm just catching up on Tipper's thread. Here in NC, we have had more storms than I can count, but nothing like what you've had. Luckily, Chloe isn't scared of storms - when it thunders, she barks back at the thunder! That really was a scare with Elvis, so I'm glad everything turned out OK.

Sounds like Tipper is doing pretty well, so that is always a blessing. Keep doing what you're doing, because it seems to be working!:D

Good morning Patti.

We had another storm yesterday afternoon. Sammy had the two outside and there was a really loud thunder. He said Tank jumped and ran for the house. Scared the heck out of him, but not Tanzee. I told him not to act like it is a big deal. I don't want to start that with him.

I'm keeping all the flood victims in my prayers. It's a horrible situation to be in. I even dreamed about it last night. Just terrible.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. Sending love and prayers.
Donna

Hi Everyone:
Yes, I know what you mean Donna I make sure when Toby barks at the thunder not to even recognize it, but it does stir Tipper up more. From going out in a storm and going potty to getting in a panic from a raindrop falling on her head and going into panic mode Tipper had really run the gamut the last couple days. I think her cortisol might have been low. Yes I do not want another dog scared of storms, that would be maddening with what I have gone thru with Tipper. Toby will go out on the porch when it is storming really bad and he could care less thank God. Tipper had a good nite and the rain here has stopped so they got to walk. I am having a time with this pain stabbing me in my chest this morning, so it is starting out slow. I cannot wait to get to this pain clinic and see if they can give me a nerve block. That will be heavenly! I am thankful for all these days Tipper is doing well, it has made me live in my little bubble again. The next ultra sound is slowly creeping up on us though. I hope everyone has a good weekend with their babies and everything is good. Blessings
Patti

I sympathize with the storms and I am so happy the medication is helping Tipper. We have had rain every day for so long, we cant even cut our grass, our yard is flooded and so wet.

Hopefully, you will get some relief from the nerve pain. It tires us out living with chronic pain.

hugs

Mother Nature is not being kind this year - I can't believe the terrible weather we've had, from ice storms to flooding and tornados - there just doesn't seem to be any respite. I just pray for everyone affected.

Patti, is it possible that something else happened at the same time as the raindrop which scared Tipper, especially since she had been doing so well? It could also have been where it landed?

Dear Patti
Another thing you might try for Tipper is a thunder wrap,Amazon has them cheaper than PetSmart or Petco. I use it on Arial. It is supposed to help with fear and anxiety. You could always go to the store and try one on then purchase on line. And there are all sorts of natural remedies, Rescue Me for Dogs.
Hugs Sonja and Apollo

I am not sure if it's where the raindrop landed or not. I think she was expecting to go out and not be scared as it was sunny when she came in. I think it was the element of surprise. She was not expecting rain, and it put her back in that bad place. She may have been running lower on cortisol too?? The dogs have walked three times and it is getting dark again. Tipper is taking a nap, and I am taking a break with her. Toby is out cold. I have always given Tipper a nap just like a child since she was a puppy. JRTs have endless amounts of energy, and she would wear me out, so I would lay down with her every day and nap. She has never forgotten it and does it to this day. Toby is glad to lay down and take a nap too. We have no appointments until Wednesday so I can have a break from running. Iam taking Tipper to see Delora tomorrow. She just loves Tipper to do tricks for her. It will brighten up her day, and next time I will take Toby. Hope this is just a lite rain and that the thunder doesn't start. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
It cooled off so I took the dogs out for bubble blowing. I hope the storm passed us as it looks ok now. We have a lot of little gnats outside in the grass. That is why I prefer Tipper on the porch, Toby uses Front line and I do not use anything on Tipper. I know Front line is for fleas, but nothing goes near Toby when he has that on. I had spoken before about the grey cast to Tippers hair. Today I noticed the inside of her ears, the lower portion has turned black. It used to be pink, I wonder if that is the Vetoryl. Has anyone else experienced their dogs hair color change while using Vetoryl? I kinda think it's the drug. Tipper is still wheezing, and had mucous in her eye again today, I am guessing on the days the pollen is bad. Tomorrow after I visit Delora, is bath time for these babies. Just trimmed all the kitty nails, so they are good to go too. Toby needs a haircut, but after the last scalping, I don't know. Blessings
Patti

In case it helps I found the following suggestion for keeping Summer nasties at bay:

Add 1 cup of water to a spray bottle, then 2 cups of distilled white vinegar, then two spoonfuls of vegetable or almond oil.
To make a repellent that will also deter fleas, mix in a few spoonfuls of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil. Spray onto the pet's dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas including eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals.
Apply once per day if dog just going out to do it's business.....

Hi Everyone:
Hey that sounds like a great idea and natural too, to keep critters away from Tipper. Maybe it will keep her from licking her legs so much now!! I am going to get those ingredients and make up some.
I will have to check Tipper's skin with it first to make sure she is not allergic. Maybe I can even use it on Toby as I do not like chemicals at all. It was quiet here last nite and Tipper did her usual went to the closet. I have walked the dogs and it is heating up already so the temp. is probably going to be up there today. I will be taking Tipper to see Delora this morning. Lot's of germs in there and with Tipper's immune system compromised I will just hold her on my lap the whole time. Delora just loves her and it will make her day to see her. I never put Tipper down on any floors anywhere, especially the vets. I will bathe the dogs anyway when I get home. Tipper slept in a whole 15 minutes this morning!! We are almost at the end of June, how the time flies. The people that have Gracie sent me beautiful pictures of her with a harness on sunbathing on their deck. My God she is so beautiful, every time I see her pictures it makes me cry. Blessings
Patti

Good morning Patti.

At least you know Gracie is loved and well taken care of and that should give you some peace of mind. It's hard not to worry though.

I'm writing that recipe down too. I think with the peppermint or citrus oil they will smell nice too! It was 94° here yesterday and the yellow flies and gnat are already bad. Sammy keeps our grass cut really low. Once a week in the summer months. He says it keeps critters and snakes away. I hate going out because those dang gnats bite me on my head. Hey, I just might spray myself too!

It was a beautiful day yesterday, but late afternoon we had thunder, no rain, just thunder. Tank jumped a few times and I told Sammy not to say a word.

Take care.
Donna

Hi Everyone:
I just got back from seeing Delora. It makes you feel good to make an elderly lady's day. She was so happy to see Tipper. She told me yesterday someone brought 4 small dogs and let them loose to run and go see the residents. I cannot do that with Tipper although everyone wanted to per her and wanted me to let her down. I told them she is not well and I have to be careful of where she goes. So I will do the baths now and everyone will be cleaned up. It is nice and sunny so I will let them on the porch for a while to dry in the air since it is really warm. Donna I thought the same thing when I read those ingredients as the citrus and peppermint I bet does smell good on them. Have a good Sunday everyone. Blessings
Patti

I love places that let you bring your pets! It's good for everyone and gives the pets something new to experience.

Hi Everyone:
It is threatening to storm and I was trying to catch up from this morning. I am having to watch the sky and the weather with Tipper. The dogs both walked this morning because it is really hot and humid so they are in for the day. I hope I do not have to medicate Tipper. I am going to go over a few more things next week with my vet about her operation that I thought of. I have so me socks I bought her that are really tights so I am glad I have them to go over her legs, and to keep her from scratching. We are still working on the perpetual haircut. She slept in the closet again last nite, so I have resigned myself to knowing she will do it until winter. Now today she heard some lawn mowers, but they did not seem to bother her, I am assuming the cortisol was higher. I am having to go to the bank so I will post later. Blessings
Patti

Wow thundering like you would not believe! Tipper sat here until this big loud rumble shook the house and she ran in the closet. This is supposed to go on all nite and tomorrow too. I am so thankful she has these meds as I don't know what I would have done with day after day of storms. She is just resting in the closet, no panic so that is good. Hope everyone stays safe in yet more bad weather. Blessings
Patti

Wow - it seems like there is no respite from the storms. Is it usual for this time of year?

It's so kind of you to take Tipper to visit Delora. Our UK neighbour developed dementia so we used to take Hamish to visit her every morning and evening (so we could see how she was doing) and she used to give him a treat (we'd take bags of charcoal bones for her to give to him). She often forgot our names, but never Hamish's, and we'd often have to remind her where the bones were, but she was always so pleased to see him.

I have never really seen it like this ever. The thunder was so loud and so much lightening. Toby did start to bark, but decided to nap instead. Yes my old neighbor Delora has it hard, so I just try to do nice things for her if I can. She loves my dogs, especially Tipper. It probably made her whole day. Tipper is still in the closet, I am not wanting to look in there and get her going, so I just wait and hope all is good. It poured just sheets of rain, you could not see out the windows. What are charcoal bones I never heard that before? Blessings
Patti

Thinking of you and Tipper. Glad these meds are helping her. Even with these bad storms she seems to be reacting better.

It's true, people will remember animals sometimes when they won't remember anything else. My dad had Alzheimers and he didn't recognize my face, but he remember his cat Stompers name and would ask about him.

It's a good thing to take Tipper to visit her.

Yes I know, I couldn't resist I'm peeking in, after working over time today.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Just dog bones that include charcoal, which is supposed to help with gas :D
These are the ones we now get for Henry (although they are on hold for the next few weeks)
http://www.sportmix.com/dog/biscuitsCharcoal.php

Tipper does get gas at times from the Fromm's. She never got it as much with her other food. Well we had one heck of a storm, and it just started up again. Tipper went out twice and went potty. She was not shaking, no panting, and was not crazy nervous so this is a good thing. She even came out of the closet on the bed for a while, but now went back to go to sleep. I am so grateful that she can be calm during this. I am worried when this wears off in the nite and the storm is still going. This is just such an improvement that I think she is feeling more confident she can handle the noise. It will also be going on tomorrow. Oh well good day to clean. Blessings
Patti

Way to go Tipper :D :D :D

Good morning Patti.

We are having those dang storms too. If the thunder starts off rumbling, Tank is ok, but if it's a very loud one he jumps and barks. We don't say anything though. I certainly don't want a repeat of Tia and storms.

I'm so happy Tipper is adjusting to the storms. I think her safe place (the closet) is helping her too.

Have a great day.
Donna

Hi Patti,
I am happy to hear Tipper is handling storms better, that's wonderful! I hope she continues to improve with them.

Hi Everyone:
Well I just gave Tipper the one pill around 4pm yesterday and she seemed to do well with that for hours. She finally laid her head down in the closet and slept. The storm lasted a long time and there was another tornado, but it was not close to us thank goodness. We had terrible wind, and it rained all night, but finally in the early morning hours the thunder quit. It is dark here and the dogs have walked. Part way thru the walk the rain started, but just really fine, Tipper was ok and kept walking. It is supposed to get stormy again tonite when a front comes in. I may have to give her another pill. Last nite when the thunder kept booming I could hear Elvis moving about in his cage. Then we had a real loud boom and he started singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! It was too funny until he kept repeating it over and over. I think he was nervous as I cover him at nite and he could probably see the flashes of light through his cover from the lightening. Our power went out, so thank God I invested in the generator. We had power and no one else did. It makes me feel bad sometimes especially in the winter, but I was already warned by the installer not to run any extension cords to the neighbors as it would cause trouble for me. I received this huge packet from the pain clinic they want every bit of information except my first grade teachers name. This will take eternity to fill out. There are warnings highlighted on the front about what happens to you if it is not filled out properly, if you are 15 minutes late, if you expect pain pills on the first visit, so on and so forth. it was a real turn off to me, and who is the judge of filled out properly?? I am beginning to sense a place that keeps you coming back for a steady income. That is exactly what I do not want. I also do not even want to take pills and normally refuse them. So I already do not have high expectations of this place and may decide to go to Pittsburgh. I don't want to put someone's daughter thru college, I just want a nerve block. If that is not possible where this is at then so be it I will have to live with it. Tipper is snoring away after her walk, so I am going to try and get something accomplished in here today. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
I have been mulling this over for a few weeks and want to throw it out there. One of the reasons I have not chosen to remove Tipper's adrenal tumor was because
she also has a pituitary tumor and would still not be cured. Because her numbers and doses have run the gamut. Since she had the ct scan and they said her tumor on her pituitary was not able to be seen and so must be extremely small. I have been wondering if even though her testing pointed to pituitary, if it is possible she does not even have one there? Could it be possible I am just dealing with an adrenal tumor, and it is secreting. Is this why she has been tricky to manage? This thought has been going on with me and no one has ever told me they even saw the pituitary tumor on the scan. Could it be because there is none?? I think I will be sending a letter to the IMS asking about this. I need to know the answer in the event July's ultra sound shows more growth. I guess I am just wondering if it is probable she was misdiagnosed?? We had a lite rain start earlier and it is dark out, I am holding off on meds for Tipper. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti,

If imaging shows that the opposing adrenal gland is either normal in size or enlarged, that would be a very good indication that Tipper has PDH. If she does not have PDH and it is an adrenal tumor that is secreting cortisol, the opposing adrenal gland would be smaller or even atrophied.

Glynda

Thank you Glynda. The other adrenal is a lot smaller! I am wondering if this is all she has had all this time?? I am emailing the IMS and want clarification if anyone at all has ever seen a pituitary tumor of any size on her. If this is the case she would then be cured if we got rid of this adrenal tumor, so that that does change how things were being looked at before. If no one knows the answer though then we would need and MRI to confirm that there is none. Lots of things to consider as nothing is ever as simple as it seems with this disease. Thank you for you help and I hope you are doing well. We are in for more tornado weather warnings are already coming out. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
Well it is thundering and ready to storm. I have had to give Tipper meds again! This weather just will not give her a break. We are to get bad wind and rain. It looks like swampland outside already. I have emailed Tipper's IMS and asked her the questions in my previous post. I asked her if she had any ideas to help figure it out that are not invasive or costly. It is pouring sheets of rain right now thunder and lightening, the whole deal. I am so sick of this! Tipper went into the closet. She is not in a panic though so I think the meds had time to work. The place that had the tornado last not got no warning their system was not working. It took out 10 houses! Poor people, this year is relentless for storms. Blessings
Patti

The weather is crazy. Today I was at working sitting out in the sun for lunch and 20 minutes away at our house, hubby said it was pouring rain.

The radar showed a storm cell only over our village, go figure.

Patti- are you thinking of possible adrenal surgery?

Patti, thinking of you and Tipper. Is the other adrenal smaller because it is a normal size compared to the one with the tumor, or is it smaller than normal That would be a key I'd think.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Addy:
I am not sure, but if this next Ultra sound shows growth, I need to really think long and hard about this. If Tipper has no pdh then this would in fact cure her. I am just scared of losing my girl, and because no one has ever told me that they saw a tumor on her pituitary on her ct scan, I guess I am questioning the diagnosis. I was leaning towards just watching this adrenal tumor with the ultra sound. If I find out Tipper does not have pdh I am really going to be upset asci could have done this operation 2 years ago when she was younger and had less issues. My mind is jumbled. It's hard for people with families and relatives to understand my plight, but Tipper is all I have and I am worried since this tumor grew for the first time. When you tell me it is getting the size of a walnut, I am worried. I just need to know for sure what I am dealing with. Blessings
Patti

Hi Everyone:
I emailed my IMS and will be waiting for a response from her. I had to end up pilling Tipper and was fortunate enough to get it in her so it could start working before the storm really got going. It was all the thunder and lightening again, and it rained all nite and is still coming down. My babies have to be in standing water to go potty as the whole yard is like a lake. I am not taking Tipper for her BP today as it would be a waste of time with this weather. She did well on with her pill. She even went out when it slowed down to go potty. This dog has been thru so much I have to give her credit she had dealt with a lot. It seems one thing after another sometimes. She is ok this morning with the rain as long as there is no thunder. Toby did bark a few times last nite when the lightening struck something. Elvis was quiet thankfully and did not start his nervous singing in the middle of the nite. We are to get a break for about 2 days and then storms again and 90 degree weather. I am hoping I do not get water in my garage which sometimes happens with too much water coming down too fast. I do not need that clean up as I am barely making it through the house to clean. Blessings
Patti