Buddy, The Mighty Lizard Hunter - Suspected Pituitary Macro Tumor

Kathy:
Has Buddy ever had any kind of inner ear or balance problems? Is it only his head that shakes? Have you ever seen any other part of his body do these tremors? I know what you mean about them be distant with you. After our trip to Pgh. Tipper is like avoiding me. I think it is a side effect of the Vetoryl, and have heard a lot of others say this about their babies. All these darn procedures are so expensive, and you could spend a fortune. It's one thing if money is no object, then another if you struggle to get your dog the care it needs like the majority of us. Could you call an internal medical specialist and inquire about their fee to see him, and if they would need a neurologist what would that cost. Maybe you would decide to go right to the neurologist. I know it is like 150.00in Pgh to see the IMS. I think I would be shooting for a neurologist with a CT scan if you can swing it. The CT scan here is 900.00 which is like the cost of a human getting one. I hope you can get Buddy some help he is so darn cute.
Blessings
Patti

Kathy:
There are 3 board certified veterinary neurologists in San Diego at the Veterinary Specialy Hospital 858-875-7500. Maybe you could inquire how much a consultation is? Don't know your age bracket, but ask for any discounts available to seniors etc. Blessings
Patti

No Patti, Buddy has never had any kind of inner ear or balance problem. He did have difficulty standing and walking when he was so ill, due to his real leg weakness. Yes, it is only his head that vibrates. It doesn't really shake, it vibrates, like one of those remotes they give you at a restaurant when your food is ready. It is a stronger vibration than putting your cell phone on vibrate. I did video the tremors on two occasions. You really have to look close to see the vibration.

Love and hugs you and Tipper,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Patti, veterinary specialty hospital was where I took Budfy for his neuro consultation. They were excellent! However they were very, very, very expensive! They wanted $3500 for just one test, which was an MRI! Buddy's Neurology consultation was $130, which was reasonable for what they did. However, I can't afford to go there for for tests or regular treatment. Thanks for trying.:)

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy

I think by focusing on neurology you may be missing out on other alternatives and that a neurologist would go thru all sorts of tests within their 'realm'. There are internal med specialists that aren't neurologists and frankly I think they'd be looking at the bigger picture. For example you have cushing's you are dealing with and you need someone that understands it. I wouldn't shop for a neurologist - I'd shop for an internal med specialist that was more of a generalist and if I had to pick a specialty it would be endocrinology due to the cushings.

Kim

Yes Kim, That makes perfect sense. First and foremost, Buddy needs a vet that knows Cushing's well. That would be an IMS doctor or an Endocrinologist. Finding a good reasonably priced IMS is what I need.
It won't do me a lot of good to go to a neurologist who is not up on Cushings. Yes, Buddy could have a macro tumor that acts up periodically. I don't want to think about that, but it is possible. That would definitely be Cushings related.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

I went to a couple of neurologists for myself years back and they were very intelligent but focused strictly on nerve issues. My diagnosis was wrong and they never caught it. They just did the tests and charged me. IMS vets go through extra years of training and know a whole lot more about difficult diseases. Have you gone to our link to find one in your area already? Sorry I can't remember. :o:D:o Kim

No, I am not aware of a link to find an IMS. Buddy is having his ACTH test tomorrow. He is also going to have an office visit so I can share his tremor videos and log. I don't expect them to know much. I will ask them if they know of a good IMS that is reasonable. They are the ones who referred us to that very expensive neurologist, so my hopes are not high! No tremors today so far!! I have been home to monitor all day. Could the Frontline have started them again? It is possible, but I doubt it.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Kathy,
Here is the link for finding a specialist. You are looking for a small animal internal medicine

Just put in your state and you should get some results and see what might be around your area.
How is Buddy doing today?

Hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

I didn't even think of it, but Sonja might not a reasonable priced good IMS in your area!

Sharlene

Yes, I did think of Sonja. I do have her email address and phone number. She contacted me before to offer assistance. I'll see what happens tomorrow first, then maybe contact her this weekend.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Glynda lives in Ontario, CA. Here is a post from her to another member regarding the IMS she sees:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lulusmom

I see that we are neighbors. I live in Ontario, previously Rancho Cucamonga, and have made that drive to VCA in Fountain Valley many, many times in the last seven years. Dr. Moore is my Lulu's specialist and was my Jojo's until he passed away in June. I adore Dr. Moore and think he's one of the best specialists in So Cal so I'm really happy that Bondo was seen by him. He knows about us because I told him we are an experienced support group and I believe I even asked him to send pet owners our way if he thought we might be able to help. Apparently he's taken a look around and discovered I wasn't fibbing. :D Dr. Moore has seen more than a few of our k9c dogs over the years....

Glynda

---

I notice that the link didn't show up... so here it is:
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182

Note type in your state and you'll see plenty I assume. Not sure how often they update but I know it isn't 100% so there are more out there. Kim

Sharlene,
You sent me a message saying," here's the link to the IMS specialist" but there is no link on your message? Did you forget to attach the link?

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

:D Look above :D

I went to the link and it's not coming up with anything. I typed in the ZIP Codes for all of my surrounding area and there was nothing. I must be doing something wrong, because we have a lots of vets here!

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Only type in your State, nothing else, see if that works :)

It worked! I found an IMS special specialist about 20 minutes from me in neighboring San Carlos. His name is James Bower and he's the director of the VCA Holly Street animal hospital. I visited their website. They have a coupon for a Free first pet exam. I may not get to see the specialist for free, but at least I would be able to check out the place! It's a win, win!! Yeah! :D:D::):). So now, I have a place to start. I am still doing Buddy's ACTH test tomorrow at his regular vet, but I will be checking out Dr. Bower very soon! Thank you all so much!
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hi Kathy,
You and Buddy both must be very tired...sounds like last night was not a great night of sleep for either of you.
I am glad to hear you could stay home with Buddy today so you could monitor him. Great news that today was free of tremors. :) I know it's still a worry though.
I hope everything goes smoothly at the vet tomorrow when Buddy has his test.
It's great you found an IMS nearby. Maybe this vet will be the magic ticket to get some answers on these tremors, and hopefully with reasonable fees.
Are you able to take the cone off of the little guy yet??
I hope you and Buddy will get some decent sleep tonight. Looking forward to some good results from the test! :)
Barbara

p.s.
I searched through the old posts on this board and someone also recommended Dr. Hart at Vet. Specialty Hospital in San Diego for Cushings. This hospital gets really good reviews online. I imagine you already know about it though. Just wanted to mention in case you hadn't seen the post on this particular vet.

BUMMED! The IMS vet that I found is NOT NEARBY!! I assumed there was only one San Carlos in California. I was a very wrong. :eek: The vet that I found is in another San Carlos, California. That city is all the way near San Jose in Northern California!!! I went and tried to map it. OMG!!! Back to square one. I am exhausted and deflated again!!:(
So, ACTH test at the regular vet tomorrow. I was home all day. Buddy did not have any head tremors today! :confused: He is still bummed about having to wear the cone, but otherwise okay.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

What about the one that Glynda uses, is Dr Moore close?

Barbara,
I have been to the vet specialty hospital. That is where I got Buddy's neuro consultation. It is an excellent hospital, but very expensive!!! They wanted $3500 for one test, which was an MRI. I cannot afford that place!! I don't have that kind of money, and I couldn't beg borrow or steal it!:(. Thanks for checking. I agree with you though, they have top notch doctors and all the latest toys.
I need to find someone qualified for a more reasonable price. I hope there is someone out there.:(

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Dr. Moore is in fountain Valley California. That is about 100 miles from me. On California freeways, That is several hours of driving one way, In very heavy traffic. I work about 4 miles from my house and do not have to take any freeways to get there. I'm not a very good freeway/traffic driver. I tend to panic on freeways that I don't know well.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

ugh...that's a shame about the location of the IMS vet! So disappointing. I thought you probably knew about the Specialty Hospital but just in case I wanted to mention Dr. Hart as someone on this board recommended him.
$3500 for the mri seems completely unreasonable.
I hope that maybe tomorrow the regular vet can help in some way.
There is still a chance that the Frontline application had an effect.
Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
Barbara

Kathy:
Wondering how Buddy is this morning? I think you mentioned about giving Buddy flea meds. A couple I am friends with gave their Corgi Frontline and he almost died. It did something to his brain. He finally did get ok, but they thought he was not going to make it. I don't give Tipper anymore flea meds or shots. I got the flea wipes from Vetri Science. They have a strong odor so I use them sparingly. Because you put the Frontline between their shoulder blades this somehow traveled to this dogs brain via his spine. Has Buddy exhibited these tremors before the flea meds? He is so cute I can see why you love him so. If my Tipper only had the longevity of a human I would be ecstatic. I have to try to save up again for any future problems. This has drained my resources. Thank God I have medical coverage of my own, and don't have to put out too much to see a Dr. or I would really be in a quandry. I wish the businesses where people work offered pet insurance at group rates so more people could afford it. This can really hurt you financially. At the hospital where Tipper went an MRI is 900.00, so it is outrageously expensive where you are. I hope and pray you can find a solution for Buddy. Blessings
Patti

No Patti, Buddy hadn't had frontline for over a year. Yes, Buddy has had head tremors before. They started again the day after I applied the Frontline. The frontline may have aggravated it, but it did not cause the tremors in the first place. Something else is going on.:(
I am exhausted, but I'm taking Buddy in for his ACTH test later this morning. I fed him his breakfast a little early. HIS ACTH needs to be done 4-6 hours after his breakfast. I like to plan it closer to four hours. Buddy is fine this morning. No head tremors since Thursday afternoon. Thanks for asking.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hi Kathy,

Sorry that I forgot the link after all that talk about it. arggghh..
But there were over 200 IMS specialists so there must be one nearby. I mean, you are in San Diego right? Huge city, must be specialist. I'm on a google mission for ya.

Oh this one has a big list in the San Diego area:

http://www.dogster.com/local/CA/San_Diego/Veterinarians

hmm, is this one in your area?

http://www.californiaveterinaryspecialists.com/

We will find you something, somehow, someway. :)

Read through that first list, see if any are near you, where you live, have what you need. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Thank you Sharlene,
I'm getting ready to go for Buddy's ACTH test. I appreciate all of the help.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

Hang in there... we are all with you on the visit.

hope everything is going well at the vets this morning. :) I'm sure Buddy will be happy to get back home...maybe a little lizard hunting this afternoon? Is he able to be without the cone now? I don't think that cone would make for optimum stalking of lizards. :D
Hope you get to relax at some point today. All you have had the last couple of days is so stressful. Take a break today and try to rest!
Barbara

Buddy only has to wear the cone when he's inside ready to rest, or I'm not able to watch him. That is when he's more inclined to lick at his scrape. It is too hard for the mighty hunter be taken seriously by the lizard population, when your hunter is wearing a cone! :D LOL I can just hear that conversation now!:D. It is all about image! :D Seriously, Buddy hates the cone. Once it is on, he goes straight to his bed and sulks.

Kathy:
Good thing the Lizard Slayer does not have to wear that cone outside. The Lizards might think he is trying out a new technique on them, and is going to sweep them up in the cone! Have you tried soaking his wound in the Betadine. It helped Tipper stop chewing her foot. If they have no open sores I know bitter apple may help chewing, but would more than likely burn an open wound. I hope you can get Buddy straightened out, he is so cute and I love hearing about his Lizard stories. God Bless
Patti

Awww, poor Buddy. I can see how the cone could have a serious consequence for lizard hunters. The lizards would fall over laughing and probably make fun of him unmercifully. tsk tsk, can't have that.

How did the test go and did you talk to the vet about the tremors?

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Or Buddy could be like Molly and just decide it was better to lick than not lick, even with the bitter apple. :( Brat dog will do anything to get to her feet or tail. Hopefully Buddy and all other dogs have more to their taste buds than Molly seems to.

LOL
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Hi all,
No tremors since Thursday Afternoon! ;)
Buddy is not normally too much of a licker. He has a little scrape that he can't leave alone and I don't want it to get infected, thus that dreaded cone. :(

There was more drama at the vet's office today. I hate to have to fight for every little thing that should be done a certain way anyway.
Buddy's ACTH test was done according to protocol, only because I stayed an insisted upon it. The story is much more drama and I'm really over my limit, so I'm not going to go into it. I deal with enough drama just working with the kids at school. They are kids and it's excusable. There is no excuse for adults to behave in such a way.:(

As for sharing the tremor videos and discussing them with the vet, that didn't work out today. It was more important that I got the ACTH test done in the proper time-frame. I can always come back any day after work, and do the other thing. I'll just have to call first, to be sure the vet is in.

I emailed Sonja a few minutes ago to see if she has a referral for a reasonably priced IMS.

Thanks for all your help and support. You truly are angels!:):)

You know if they aren't going to follow protocol for everyone, they should at least realize that Will follow it for Buddy and you. Some peeps are just drama queens about anything and everything. (my phrase of the week from my work LOL)
Hopefully Sonja will have a good possibility for you.
Time to sit down and relax, give Buddy some belly tickles and just enjoy the rest of the weekend.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Sending hugs and prayers for you and Buddy! Poor little man, maybe he could play aliens with his cone and get those lizards with laser blasts from his cone, I can see the lizards shaking in their skin....you still got it Buddy!

How frustrating to have a bad vet day, I hate reading about those. Jeepers we have enough stress with our babies without the ones that should be supporting us the most acting up. Imagine if we were rating them, quite a few would have a black star lately :mad::mad:

Glad Budster is doing ok and has his Mom looking out for him, GO YOU!!! xx

Hey Kathy

It's not like you wrote those instructions, they are from Dechra. Herbert's.

How's our little hunter now? Settled for the night? I hope none the wiser as to the drama that unfolded

Hoping Sonja will know someone good for you.

Big hug

Mel
Xxx