Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Patti,

You and Tipper have really been on my mind the last few weeks. I got a new little foster Chihuahua who has serious breathing issues. She had pneumonia when I got her and possible collapsing trachea. Her breathing was downright terrifying! The sounds were unbelievable. She would have frequent episodes of literally trying to climb to heights for air - instinct makes us reach up for air as if we were under water. So pitiful to see. Further testing has sadly shown the trachea is severely compressed due to a large mass in her chest pressing against it - it is inoperable. :(:(:( My gut is telling me we got to her much, much too late to help this mass in any way shrink to provide her some comfort...but we are trying. Her vet is giving her Adequan shots to strengthen the tracheal rings in the hopes they can then push back against the mass, opening her airway a bit more. Josie's xray plainly shows a clear tube from her mouth almost to the point where it splits into the lungs - there it disappears. You can see where the mass has pushed the tube way over to the side and has compressed it to almost nothing - it was a very, very thin line at the largest points no wider than a pencil lead. :( If what you are seeing in Tipper is in any way like what Josie goes through, my heart goes out to you both. It is heartrending to watch and hear.

I hope you soon find someone who will listen to you and can offer some help for sweet Tipper.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Patti,
I am glad to hear that Tipper's breathing was a little better last night.:) I hope you were able to get at least a few minutes respite from all of this yesterday. Sending you strength for your journey ahead.
Hugs,
Kathy

Patty I was just thinking. Have you tried putting a cool spray humidifier in the room where Tipper sleeps? Having a little more cool moisture in the room might help Tipper breathe better?
Hugs,
Kathy

HI Patty, I know how frustrating it can be contacting vets. Believe me I have had my own trouble to over the past few months, I now get my local vet to liase with the IMS as I never heard back from her after my last email. But she did answer him. So maybe you could lobby him to ask her your questions too. Your IMS sounds like when she gets into action she is very good so I hope you hear from her soon and I am pleased to hear Tipper is having quite a lot of good nights. :)

Kathy & Trish:
I heard from the IMS. She was not nasty this time!. She did consult with the cardiologist about Tipper's heart murmur, and the Cardio Dr. said it is so miniscule that it would not be causing this breathing problem. She said feel free to seek out a second opinion. So I am basically back to square one. Tipper had an ok nite and the breathing was not too bad. That is about 3 nites now that she did ok. I noticed yesterday when trimming her hair that the fat around her neck that was sort of hanging there before is pretty much gone now. However that does not mean the fat inside pressing on her trachea is. These dogs are muscular in stature, and she had neck muscles like steel before all this. The Cushings turned it into fat, and now that is even going away. This disease is the pits. I can feel all Tipper's bones now especially when I lift her. Yesterday when lifting her she made a groaning noise, I am wondering with no muscle or fat left on these bones if that is hurting her when lifting her. Maybe I will have to think of an alternative method that is easier for her. Anyway I will consult with my Vet and see if he can possibly help me. The IMS cautioned me on the muscle relaxers as they are narcotic, and Tipper is allergic to so many things. I just don't know which way to turn. It is very humid today here and threatening to storm, so I better take Tipper for another walk while I can. I am going to get out the cool air vaporizer Kathy and try it- it can't hurt and maybe will help. It did seem to give her relief in the winter time. Thank you for the help God Bless Us All and all our babies.
Patti

Patti
Just checking in to say hello and catch up with you and Tipper.I'm so sorry you are going thru this as it must be just heartbreaking to see Tipper struggle so much and get very little support from your vet.Hopefully the vaporizer will ease the symptoms.Thoughts and prayers sent your way.
Patty

Patti,
Well, at least the doc wasn't nasty. ;)A second opinion is probably a great idea. It is obvious that she has hit a brick wall and can no longer help. It's possible that she just doesn't know. Fresh eyes and perspective may be exactly what Tipper needs.
Sending mass hugs to both of you!
Kathy

Sending hugs and prayers to you and Tipper!!

Patti,
Kathy might be on to something since Tipper does better in the Winter.
I'm glad that the murmur is not the likely cause of her breathing problems.

Hoping that things improve soon!

Hi Everyone:
I think the problem with the IMs is that her ego is so big that she just cannot and will not admit she may be wrong. I just got back from the Vets. He was not in yet as I figured, so I typed him a note with all the reasons I think this IMS is wrong and gave him the second copy of the DVD and asked him to review it, and have the younger Dr. I like in his practice look at it and give me both opinions. Wow if my old English teacher saw these run on sentences!!He will probably throw it in his car if I know him and never look at it!! I am hoping against all odds that is not the case. Last nite Tipper's breathing was not too bad again, that is a few nites in a row. I wish this would keep going. There were times when she did start into the chest heaving and wheezing, but it was not constant like other times. I will keep at this until I solve it, my Tipper deserves to lay down and sleep without struggling to breathe. If I could just get this under control I could deal with the daily Cushings stuff on a better level, and not be scared to death that every time she lays down she is going to stop breathing. It is a nice day here for my girl to walk and enjoy the outdoors so I am signing off. God Bless
Patti