Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Sending hugs to you and Tipper, this disease is so bad...Simba used to snore really bad but lately it's getting better, I hope the meds are working I guess, you just never know....hang in there hon

Valerie:
That is one of the things I was looking into, but instead I was leaning towards the pharyngeal mucocele. Since she already has trachea issues I thought it could be this particular mucocele. I am going to ask the Vet about this. If it is in her throat I think she has to have anesthesia and a scope. This is so scary I do not know what to do. I do know she is always swallowing, especially in the morning, she sticks her tongue out like a snake over and over again, and keeps swallowing like she has some fluid or mucus in her throat. What kind of symptoms does your dog have and what are they going to do about it? Prayers to You and your baby.
Patti

Letti;
Thanks for stopping by. I am just soooo tired of all these issues from this disease. It just makes me ill thinking what my poor girl has had to endure. I know she is aware of things happening to her, as when I leave a room she comes running to find me immediately. She knows if she has a problem that I will always help her. I just feel terrible for all that she has had to endure. She is such a wonderful dog she doesn't deserve any of this. If I could be granted just one miracle from God it would certainly be that all the poor unfortunate dogs suffering from this disease would be cured. This disease not only robs you of your wonderful companion, it also takes its toll on the caregivers as well. I feel like in this short time I have aged 10 years. I don't care though, as I will forge on for my precious Tipper's sake. God Help Us All and our babies as well.
Patti

Mel:
If it's not one thing it's another. it just seems to wear you down, so I know how my poor Tipper feels. Wednesday will not come soon enough for me to get the Vets insight into this. We are buried under 9 inches of snow right now that came last night. I am so glad I do not have to take Tipper any place today as our roads are really bad. How are you doing with everything. I pray every day that God will heal your heart. This disease is so destructive on the soul. Some how, somewhere, someone has to start researching this disease and find a cause and cure. Too many dogs are being stricken with this. We need a permanent cure, not just putting a bandaid on the disease with drugs. It would seem there is no incentive for anyone to study this, and I don't understand that. This has caused such tremendous heartache for so many, it needs to be irradicated. The research maybe too late for our babies, but could help prevent future cases. I am going to start looking into where you go with this idea and who can help to get something organized to do something about this disease. Knowing that my Tipper could lose her life to this infuriates me to no end. God Bless Us All and all our babies.
Patti

Hey Patti

Just checking to see how you and Tipper are today? hope some of that snow has cleared up, we had a lot this morning, Boyce loved it

Big hug

Mel
Xxxxxxx

Patti, I agree with everything you said. They need to work on finding a cure. This thing is horrible. It does take a toll on us mommies. I feel like I have aged so, so much too. My heart is so broken I can't stand it. I feel like I am going to need some professional help sooner or later.

Scoop does that same thing you were saying about the sticking his tongue out and like he's licking his upper lip or nose and then swallows. He did it quite a lot, now not quite as much. It is like he has a snotty nose or mucus. Then he would open his mouth like he is gaging. He does this other thing that seems like he has a snotty nose. Almost sounds like he is trying to blow his nose.

You are such a great mom to your Tipper. Hugs to you both.

Hi Everyone:
I may not be able to post too much depending what happens next week. I am searching for hospitals that do not have negative reviews against them. It seems to be an impossible task. Tipper may be facing surgery for a pharyngeal mucosele. I am going to discuss this with my Vet on Monday, as I am not going to the emergency room not knowing the surgeon etc. I hate to wait any longer because this can close off her airway. I am positive this is her breathing problem. It goes along with tracheal issues, and windpipe damage. The funny noises when she drinks, the labored breathing. the sticking out of her tongue trying to clear her throat, and the excessive swallowing I am sure are from this. I reasearched this until I was nearly blind from reading. They need to put her under and run a scope in her throat to determine this. I talked to the Dr. at Dechra and he said as long a her blood work etc was ok and she is stabile with the Cushings to go ahead. I need to move on this, but be cautious as this is a delicate operation if she needs it done. This can close off her airway at any given time. I am trying to contain myself until Monday to get things arranged thru my Vet. I need him for referrals etc. Other wise he is pretty much useless. I have complained to him about her breathing for months, just like with the Cushings when he ignored me, and she did have it. I am the one who made him test her and told him she had it. Oh well that is in the past now, I cannot change it. This is a salivary gland in her throat that becomes full of fluid when damaged and grows. It has to be taken care of or it will close her throat off. I am so terrified I cannot even articulate it. I am scared this operation could be the last time I see her, and if I do not do it, she may suffocate from this gland. I am going to spend all weekend doing things with her. Then get the Vet moving on Monday. I am hopeful we can find a hospital with an excellent rating, and excellent surgeon. I am sure the cost of operating will exhaust what I have saved for her treatments etc. and I am worried where I will go from there. I may not be able to answer all of you all the time so please be patient as this is a lot for me to digest. Please I am asking all of you to pray for my precious Tipper. Thank you and God Bless You all and your babies.

Mel:
Please know I will be thinking of you during this most stressful time. Please pray for my precious Tipper. God Bless you.
Patti

Patti

I will also be thinking of you both. Hope you have lots of fun this weekend together.

I have asked Tia to look out for her too

Fingers crossed whatever it is doesn't require the surgery but if it does I will be with you both in spirit willing tipper on, she still sounds
Like she has lots of fight left so surely that's half the battle.

Remember to try and take care of yourself through all of this

Big hug

Mel
Xxxxxxx

Patti,

Cornell in Stamford CT is phenominal!!! If you can get Tipper there. I would come down and wait with you.

What really gets me is all of the money spent on useless studies that no one cares about (mostly government run), when it could be helping millions of pets.

Hugs!

Valerie:
That is so sweet of you, but we live in Ohio. We are too far away. I am just so consumed with worry that I cannot hardly think. I am trying to keep her close to home as possible, as the trip would be too much of a hardship on her. Thank You for always thinking of us, I appreciate all you are trying to help us with. God Bless You
Patti

This place has good reviews according to yelp but I don't know if this place is near to you or not: Medvet Associates Ltd http://medvet-cves.com I see from their website they have 3 locations in Ohio; Worthington, Fairfax, and Moraine.

Yelp's review:http://yelp.com/biz/medvet-associates-ltd-worthington

Keeping you and Tipper in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and hugs,
Lori

Praying for you and Tipper, i get so sad when these poor innocent pups suffer...and then the toll it takes on the moms and dads too...Keep being that awesome voice for your Tipper, you are a great Mom...hugs to you!!!

Letti:
Thank you for those kind words, I am so in need of them right now. I think I have used a box of kleenex today alone. If I could take this suffering from her I would do it in a nano second. You all give me strength to go on. God Bless You, and please pray for my precious Tipper.
patti

When I get really down, I try my best to just sit and play with Simba, and spoil him with belly rubs....my hubby is no help either, but he never was a dog person so what do I expect...I was in this alone until I found this awesome site, truly these cush parents are the best, and having a great vet helps too, mine is awesome....Here for you!!!

Hi Patti and Tipper.

I hope you are both having a very good weekend and enjoying yourselves.

Okay, Patti, I know this is hard, but you have to back up, take some deep breaths and try to be calm. Tipper is going to read your emotions too. They are smart and can pick up on anything going on with us, which is usually worry about them. Also, for your own sanity, you need to try to find your zen (as my oldest tells me) :)

We don't know for sure Yet if it is this. It might be, but perhaps not. So, lets find out and then do whatever it is that needs to be done. I am hoping that it is Not a mucocele of any sort and that it will be something much easier to treat or deal with rather than surgery.

You do of course know Tipper best, so I'm not discounting what you think is going on at all. Just hoping for something else. *hugs* I hate to see you so upset, even when I know that it is impossible for you to Not be upset. What a predicament.

Thinking of you and Tipper!
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sweetie, big hugs and love and prayers being sent your way. I hope and pray Tipper does not need surgery but we will cross that bridge when and if we come to it. We will all cross it together, okay?

((((((((((((((((((HUGS FOR YOU AND TIPPER))))))))))))))))))))))

aww patti i too just wanted to send my thoughts,prayers and healing thoughts your way for you and your tipper.so sad when we can't get results and answers immediately.i will be watching for your story...just remember you are not alone in this with you tipper,we are all here anxiously waiting...wishing you some peace...patty(milo)meka xoxox

Letti is right. I was down the other day and Daisy was totally in the mood to play which hasn't happened for quite some time. We had a blast for the ten minutes that we played and life was normal for both of us:)

We do what we can and that is all that can be asked of us <3

Hi Patti

This group has shares in Kleenex, you use all you need... Sharlene has boxes of them out the back! I have diagnosed Flynn with a lot of things off the internet, some were right, some were wrong. So please do not get yourself in a panic over this. Are there not many vets where you live? Just wondering as you wrote this one is not much good, can you not get another who is more helpful to you and your Pup? But I do think a trip to a specialist is needed.

I know Flynn had some of those symptoms like sticking out his tongue, lip smacking, swallowing. Turned out he had a bit of gastritis and some losec setteld it down. It could be something like that? My advice would be to to pull back your stress level a bit and not jump to any conclusions but get a good vet/IMS to check things out for you and Tipper, then take it from there AND stop reading the internet for a while, and enjoy the day with your baby not spending it freaking yourself out on the computer... I know sometimes I have to do this as it does your head in sometimes (well it did mine!)

Hugs for you two xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Everyone:
I have to make this short. I took Tipper to the emergency hospital in Pittsburgh this morning. I had to literally hold her head up a certain way all last night so she could breathe. I requested the owner of this huge hospital to see Tipper, as I am petrified of Dr.'s that I do not know anything about. He had absolutely no bedside manner at all, but was truthful, and helpful. He said if he scoped her now she would have to have another with the surgeon and he did not want to put her out 2x. He said he will coordinate it for me, and he thoroughly examined her. He said it may be miserable, but to take her home and I would get a call in 48 hours to take her in. She is to see an IMS and the soft tissue surgeon. They will work on her together. They will give me an estimate when they call me. He felt she was stabile enough to go a few days until the surgeon could work on her. The sad things I saw there i will not go into detail now. I will post more tomorrow as we have both been up for 48 hrs and that long drive exhausted us both. Please pray for my girl, she needs all the prayers she can get at this point. God Bless Us All and all our babies.
Patti

Omg Patti! I so really really hoped that it wasn't what you were thinking it would be.

They are sure she'll be okay for the next 48 hours? Why 48 and not 24? Are they going to do the procedure on Tuesday?

We'll all be here. I hope you can get some rest between now and then.
Deep breaths and big hugs.
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Patti,

I am so sorry to hear all of this. I hope Tipper will be okay. Thinking of you both.

Julie & Hannah

Hi Patti,

What an awful nite for you both! :( And scary as well! I so hope they can fix her right up with no problems whatsoever and your sweet girl is feeling much, much better very soon. You are a great mom....you listened to your gut and acted when she needed you.

Sending prayers and healing white light flying your way,
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Oh my gosh Patti, so sorry to read this! How scary for you. Did they say whether or not they suspect it is a mucocele?? Thinking of you and sending many prayers for you and Tipper. I hope you can get a bit of rest.

Big hugs,
Tina and Jasper

Patti

Sending lots of love, positive vibes and prayers for you both. Sorry that you have had to deal with all this. I so hoped it would not be something

Hope they get the plan sorted out for you soon

Big hug for you and a kiss for Tipper.

Mel
Xxxxxxx

Okay then, we are right here with you ready to go the next step. Right here with you and Tipper. Your gut is usually right.

OMG Patti I'm so sorry that Tipper's condition worsened! At this point, I could deal with no bedside manner as long as they make Tipper well!

If I remember correctly, you said that this hospital is a good one so you're in the right direction now. Crossing my fingers to infinity! Please get some rest and I know that you'll keep us posted!

Numerous hugs for you and Tipper!!!!!!

Patti, So sorry to hear Tipper is having this problem. Saying prayers for your baby girl Tipper. Hope you are getting some rest. Let us know how she is doing.
Hugs to both of you.

Checking this morning Patti before I go to work. Hope you were able to get some rest. How are you and Tipper this morning?

Thinking of you,
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi Patti,

They showed some awful snowstorm heading to Ohio yesterday, I hope it did not end up at your house.

Thinking of you and Tipper and I want you to know we are with you, you are not alone.

Patti, Saying prayers that Tipper is fine.
Sending big hugs to you both.

Patti,

Just checking in on you and Tipper. I hope you both got some rest and you're both doing okay.

Julie & Hannah

To All The Wonderful Family On Here:
We have been hit by yet another terrible storm, and so has Pittsburgh. I don't know how I will get Tipper to Pittsburgh when they call as the roads are treacherous. I will have to think of something.
Here is the rest of the emergency room visit info. As I said, I at least had my wits about me to ask for the owner( DR.). I did get him. Unfortunately, I never let anyone take Tipper in a room without me, and since this was a first time for me there, I did not know the protocol. The tech comes and triages the animal without you, gets the Dr. in the room and comes to get you. When I got to the room, the Dr. was putting Tipper's back legs thru range of motion for some reason and I yelped please stop. He said I am done and he proceeded to go over her whole body. Yes I know you guessed it, Tipper is now limping. I could just scream. I do not know why he had to check that when she was there for her breathing. I needed help so I kept my mouth shut, which is very unusual for me. My baby needs to breathe and the was my main focus. So after examining her he said he would get the surgeon, and IMS for her.
What I really need to vent about is my lousey no good Vet that I always tell everyone about. When we got into the treatment of Tipper's cushings I made an agreement with him if he gave me his cell phone number I would never abuse the privilige, and only call in a life threatening emergency, since we are in the country and have no emergency vet hospital. Well the Saturday night that I had to hold Tipper's head up all night, I was so nervous to call him during the nite so I unwillingly waited until 8:30 am. as not to get screamed at. When I called he did not answer. I left a voice mail telling him I need him to call me I have a bad situation with Tipper. An hour later after I had already started to Pittsburgh he called and very matter of factly said ' oh what's up with Tippers." I explained it to him and he said" are you taking her to Pittsburgh?" I told him I was and he said " well let me know what happens." He never even offered me any type of assistance whatsoever. Never even told me what to do, gave me 0000 help!!!!! I swear he makes me want to throw up, I despise him so much. All he cares about is money. At the hospital I asked the Dr. to take care of any referrals, as my Vet was a lousey no goood_______. Yes you can fill in the blanks! He said that mystified him why a Vet would be like this. This Vet has still not even called me to see if Tipper is even alive, and it is Monday morning. I have to go get her xrays as the surgeon wants to see and compare them in the hospital, so I had better not run into him or he is toast. I cannot even imagine being a Vet and not caring about my patients, especially helpless animals that cannot speak up for themselves. I will only use him for tests, and RX'S as I will never trust him. I wish I could just burn that bridge, but I am in the country, so I will tolerate his ineptness for the sake of my baby. I may still look around again in hopes of finding a real Vet.
I was so nervous for Tipper when I got there and went inside I asked if I could keep her in the car with me until they took her for vitals, as she is so terrified of any Vet office after all this. I know these visits raise anxiety, cortisol, and endorphins, so I wanted to keep her calm. They were so nice, the triage tech. came out to the car and took her vitals in the car. She said I will come to get you when we triage her more. She did, the only problem was Tipper jumped in my lap and I grabbed her, and got out of the car to hold her, and closed the door with my keys inside. You know the feeling as the door is closing and you realize what you did and cannot take it back.
When we came out it was freezing, and is up on a hill with the wind blowing, and Tippers coat was in the car. A man saw me in distress and holding Tipper in my coat and came to the rescue. He told me to go inside. He got my door open, and got my keys, and came in and I gave him the biggest hug. His cat was waiting to be seen, and I said what can I do for you, he said "nothing you have enough troubles, I am glad to help you. I don't know what I would have done, as my spare set of keys was in my purse inside the car. I would have had to wait and call AAA. The really bad thing about going to an emergency hospital on a Sunday, is all the grief, and anguish you witness. So many animals in distress, and grieving owners that I wanted to ask the Vet for a tranquilizer for myself. It was mentally like being in hell watching all this transpire. I can appreciate how people love their animals like children, as I know the feeling. Of course everyone always thinks Tipper is cute and looks like a puppy. When I tell them her age they are shocked. If I would tell them mine they would be in disbelief and think I am older as this has aged me 10 years I swear!
So now I have called about getting Tipper's xrays, and of course they have to call the Vet to get his ok!! Somehow I have to wait until the roads get better and go get them. I am watching my girl like a hawk. I went thru any emergency steps I would have to undergo in the event Tipper stopped breathing with the Vet before I left the hospital. I do know dog CPR, but have never performed it in an emergency situation on a real live dog.
All of you who have posted your concern, I am so grateful for having you help me thru all this. It means everything to me to have the support of you all.
Tipper was very restless last night again, and just kept moving around every few seconds, but we did however get some rest. I will let you all know what is going on a we progress thru this. God Help Us All and all of our precious babies.
Patti

I feel so badly for you and Tipper having such stress and worry. we are all here for you Patti, right by your side and holding you close and Tipper too.

When Zoe was first diagnosed with Cushigns, we stopped back at our original vet, who was terrfied at the thought of treating Cushings and really did not want to see us. He felt Zoe's salivary glands and thought they were swollen lymph nodes so he asperated them. Turned out they were her salivary glands, and they have always felt enlarged ever since.

((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))

Oh Patti, it seems to be one thing after another. Thank god that chap could get your keys, the stress of it all is too much sometimes

I really hope that snow clears soon so you can get the info you need. I can't imagine how on edge you must be feeling with all this, I hope you are trying to look after yourself as best you can

Sending big hugs and kisses for Tipper

Mel
Xxxxx

wow is all i can say patti i feel so badly for you two !!! hoping you both get a restful,peaceful evening.....and i also think you have the patience of all the saints above,idk what i would do or say to that heartless vet !!! you just keep being the best mom ever to your baby tipper !!! patty(milo)meka xoxox

Don't you be bothered with that vet of yours right now. Time enough to deal with him, once Tipper is back in good form again. *hugs*
What a really nice guy to get your keys out of the car. Isn't it nice to have a reaffirmation that there are some really good people out there. :)
We're right here with you and Tipper.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Wow, I'm so sorry you don't have a good vet, and what a wild nite for you at the er. So glad that nice man helped you with your keys, sounds like angels are watching over you and Tipper!! Hang in there hon, we are here for you!!!

Crikey, what an awful time for you and Tipper. So sorry to hear about your bad night. Hope you get more answers this week when you get the call back, hopefully the weather will start cooperating. :)