Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

Hi Patti,

I don't know if this will help Tipper or not but I've been noticing some strange positions Josie will get into that seem to help her breath with a bit more ease. So, I have started rolling up small blankets and using some small support pillows I have for her to use. She has them on the bed and on the floor as well as in her crate. Josie will lay with her snout elevated, or lift her upper torso onto a pillow, or drape one of her front paws over a rolled blanket or pillow edge to elevate it - and it seems to help her. She has episodes when her air seems to be totally cut off; when this happens, she looks for one of her pillows/blankets and props in the way she needs to get relief.

You had said her neck didn't seem to have as much fat as before and that may well be helping. Josie weighed 4.6 lbs when she got here and we are working on getting about a pound off of her to help her breath better even tho she isn't really overweight. The less fat she is carrying in her body the less the organs are going to press on each other and that mass, making it easier for her breath to come.

I so hope someone will listen to you and try to find what is causing Tipper's distress. I know how horrible it is for you to watch and can imagine how scared she feels when it happens. :(
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Leslie:
Funny you should suggest that. Tipper gets into funny positions also. I have one of those squish pillows I bought in the dollar store. I sometimes prop her head up on it when she is sleeping and struggling to breathe. Sometimes I notice she lays on the bed pillow and puts her head down off the front hanging over the edge. I did notice also at times she arches her neck while on her side, like a coyote would do if it were howling. It must move something that helps her get air. My greatest fear is that if they do not figure this out, her air could close off and she would smother to death. I would die a million deaths. It is a shame as she is so good during the day, but when she lays down it starts. Is the mass that your baby has cancer, or they do not know what it is? You are a goddess taking in these babies and loving them. They give so much back in return. I wish others could understand how you can love an animal as much or more than a human. I am trying to get some money saved up again in case I need it for Tipper. I exhausted what I had left when she went to the hospital in Pgh. The heartfelt, and kind words you had for Patty really tugged at my heart strings. She is so lost without her dear baby, that I know her pain, and wish I could make it go away for her. It is a shame that you meet such wonderful people on here, and make friends in spite of this terrible disease we all have to deal with. Hope your baby does well, and God Bless you and all the babies you so graciously help.
Patti

I would keep plugging until I found an answer too. What a wonderful advocate you are for our sweet Tipper:) Hugs to you both.:D
Kathy

Hi Everyone:
Tipper had an ok nite last nite. Not too many struggling episodes. I was telling Leslie that on Tipper's xrays from my Vet her said her huge neck muscles had been turned to fat by Cushings. The fat inside was pressing on her trachea. Tipper has become vey boney as I have been saying. I noticed the fat hanging on her neck is gone, so I guess that is the Cushings at work also. I am wondering if it also removed some of the fat inside around her trachea and that is why she is having better breathing??? Could be something to that. It was cool again yesterday, but will be heating up today so I have to get Tippers walking done. Blessings
Patti

That could very well be what's happened and if so, good for Tipper :)

Hi Everyone:
Not too bad of a nite for Tipper, some struggling, but for the most part she did ok. It was cool here last nite, and that helps I am sure. Have to get all our walks in early as it is going to be a hot one. Waiting to hear from the Vet about the DVD I gave him. Had a car problem, took it to a garage near by and he said he fixed it. Paid him took the car home and it started all over. Took the car to a guy that is an expert on these cars, he fixed it right away and said it had nothing to do with what the other garage said was wrong. Don't know what to do about that, or to just do nothing. These people that are out to rob you are disgusting. Long live Tony Soprano!!
Blessings
Patti

I took a car in for an estimate to get it worked on a long time ago. When I came home and told my hubby how much it was, he hit the roof and took the car back to the shop. He came home with an estimate $200 cheaper! That irked me no end and hubby, too. We took the car to someone else and found out the shop we first went to was owned by a fellow from the stone age and he probably gave me that high estimate simply because I was a woman out on the roads instead of home, cooking and cleaning with a babe on my hip! :mad:

Oh I HATE when that happens! Move into the 21st century already:(

This reminds me of when i bought my second new car. I haggled for 3 1/2 hours! I think that they caved just to get me out of there :)

Hi Patti,
Glad to hear that Tipper had an okay night,:) I just had to have my car fixed too.:o We really are at the mercy of the repairman. :o I am not as nice as you when I feel I've been taken advantage of. I would confront repairman who blew it and demand a refund, remaining calm and in control. If the refund was denied, I would file a formal complaint with BBB. See, I'm not as nice as you are!;)
Hugs to you and lady Tipper,
Kathy

Hi Everyone:
I don't want to jinx the situation, but Tipper did ok again last night. I think it is a miracle, after the way she had been struggling. I think it is directly connected to the fat on her neck going away. Whatever it is I thank God she is having some good nites. Some how I think God realized she needed help badly, as I pray for all the babies on here every nite. I hope it continues on this way. Has anyone heard from Mel? I miss hearing from her, but maybe she is busy with work. Mel I's sending out an SOS for you! It is going to be very hot and humid today so Tipper will be inside all day. Just wondering if my Vet will even bother calling me about the DVD next week? I get so aggravated, and disappointed in people that is why I prefer animal friends to humans. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Blessings
Patti