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Thread: Lucygoo - Pit. macroadenoma, endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery, trans-oral approach

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    388

    Default Re: Help!

    Hello all...
    We'll be going to the specialist tomorrow, so I'm getting her records from Los Feliz (Her regular vet) in the morning to take over there....I'll post as much as I can then, and get copies so I can post later when I have time.

    Lucy actually nibbled some ground beef I cooked for her today....not much, but a little...she's so funny. She takes a little bite or two and then looks at me, like.."See? I'm good!" I tried the Nutri-Cal a few times today, and she wants no part of it yet. I'll try it again later. Today I got cottage cheese, sweet potatos, eggs, tuna, fresh parmesan, and the lean ground beef my vet told me to try. She also told me to try pasta...we'll see how that goes. And thanks Leslie for all your suggestions...and thanks to everyone. You guys are the best

    I'll post as many results as I can tomorrow....

    Thanks again,
    Gina and Lucy

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    2,832

    Default Re: Help!

    Wow Lucy,
    Dinner is lookin good, what a buffet, maybe I'll come over and have some. Will that be red or white wine?
    Keeping good thoughts for your Lucy.
    John (Roxee's Dad)

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    So California
    Posts
    348

    Default Re: Help!

    Quote Originally Posted by Lucygoo View Post
    Lucy actually nibbled some ground beef I cooked for her today....not much, but a little...she's so funny. She takes a little bite or two and then looks at me, like.."See? I'm good!" I tried the Nutri-Cal a few times today, and she wants no part of it yet. I'll try it again later.
    Nibbling is good. It is a start. With the NutriCal, you can smear it on their tongue, teeth, paws or whatever and they have to lick it off or swallow it. That is much easier than force feeding with a syringe. It has all the vitamins they need.

    I have heard of Dr. Dave Bruyette. I believe he is a friend of one of Sachi's vet. He also was involved in the clinical studies using Anipryl for treating cushings and has done other research and papers on canine cushings. If he is not able to figure out the neurological aspect of Lucy's problem, perhaps they will have another specialist there to consult.

    I am praying that you receive some answers and that Lucy's problems are easily resolved.

    Will be waiting to hear about your visit.
    ~Mary Ann

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Norfolk, VA
    Posts
    68

    Default Re: Help!

    Gina,

    I've been reading your thread and so much of what you have written sounds all to familiar. Try to take good care of yourself because Lucy needs you to be okay. I sincerely hope you have some positive answers soon.

    Lyn

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    15,292

    Default Re: Help!

    Here is a recent video interview with Dr. Bruyette in which he discusses trilostane dosing and monitoring. So we all can "meet" him this morning, right along with you and Lucy.

    http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com.../detail/567360

    Marianne

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    388

    Default Re: Help!

    Hi all...wanted to post results of last stim test in Feb. before we have to leave.
    Not sure what I'm looking at here so bear w/me.

    Cortisol 1 - 1.0 ug/dL

    Cortisol 2 - 4.1 ug/dL L

    Time 1 - 400

    Time 2- 500

    Looks like they're pretty normal, as well as all her other blood tests...will see what Dr. Bruyette says today. Hope this helps...
    Thanks,
    G & L

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    388

    Default Re: Help!

    Hi everyone...

    We just got back from Dr. Bruyette. He's pretty sure it's the pituitary tumor growing. My choices are as follows:
    1) MRI (to find out what's going on)...$1,500
    2) Radiation....$7,500 to 8,000
    3) Medication to kill tumor...which works in about 40% of dogs, depending on the tumor.
    4) Surgery (depending on where the tumor is, etc.)....Free at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. Dr. Bruyette is involved in some kind of study
    5) Palliative care ...to relieve symptoms somewhat of brain swelling, etc. for about 3 months.

    I went ahead and made the appointment for MRI on Monday...he said it's perfectly safe and they put her out first...and then at least he'll know where to go from there. I'm still debating it, though. I can always cancel. I already told him I definitely don't want to do radiation, A, because of the cost; and B), it sounds dreadful for the animals

    I'm thinking more along the lines of surgery or medication...he said they've been doing the surgery in Europe for a while now...that's the way they treat Cushing's dogs, they just get rid of it. Although I hate putting her through that either, but I just don't want her to decline and suffer. (Not to mention the fact that it wouldn't cost anything.)

    Dr. Bruyette said what's happening is the pituitary tumor is pressing on the part of her brain that makes her hungry. And it's just going to keep growing.

    What would you guys do? I don't want her to just starve to death. Am I putting her through too much? Should I just let her be and see what happens?

    He told me to just stop the trilo all together for now....he said at least the higher cortisol will help with appetitie (maybe) and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

    Okay....any feedback is much appreciated!

    Thanks,
    Gina and Lucy

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Fairfax, VA
    Posts
    568

    Default Re: Help!

    I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with your thread (and I know, I'm kinda just rambling)...

    I wonder, what are the chances that this (quote) could be the case? And how could one know this at this point?
    Quote Originally Posted by Lucygoo View Post
    Dr. Bruyette said what's happening is the pituitary tumor is pressing on the part of her brain that makes her hungry. And it's just going to keep growing.
    The stim test results look great - have they been this good for a while, or is this post level lower than she's ever had? Is it possible that she just needs a higher post to keep her appetite?

    I don't know enough about what an MRI will do - does it only help if you are willing to do radiation? I'm guessing it would help if you're up for doing surgery - and if you can have the surgery done for free, I would consider it only if you believe she's strong enough to endure it and there is a good chance that it will work.

    I hope others have some good advise for you.

    -Susy

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    15,292

    Default Re: Help!

    Dear Gina,

    Even though I am sorry to hear your news, I'm afraid I am not surprised. When I posted to you earlier about this possibility, I did not tell you that my own Cushpup was lost to me due to what we assume was an enlarging macrotumor. And your description of Lucy's behavior is eerily similar to what we went through with him. We did not have the chance to even proceed to an MRI, so we do not know for certain that was the problem. But that is our best guess. He went into an abrupt decline and stopped eating and drinking altogether, so we were forced to make decisions rapidly. For a combination of reasons, we decided not to pursue further diagnostics or treatment.

    However, just to let you know, we did have a few members on our original website who chose to pursue radiation treatment with varied success. A couple of dogs did very well; one did not do as well. One downside to even succesful radiation therapy is that, even though the neurological problems resolve, the dogs often ultimately need to resume Cushing's treatment -- the Cushing's itself is not cured.

    I will say this to you, however. If you do have the MRI and it turns out that Lucy does have a macrotumor -- if it were me -- I would give serious consideration to finding out more about the surgery option. Would it cure the Cushing's? Depending upon what is involved as far as risks and recuperation, etc., (in other words, how hard it would be on Lucy), you may be very lucky to have it offered to you as an option.

    My own experience was that it was quite heartbreaking to watch my boy decline with all the neurological problems -- the confusion and stumbling and loss of appetite. Depending upon the progression, I do not think you will want or be able to allow that to continue for long. And since Lucy is a "big" dog, she already is approaching the last years of ner normal lifespan. So if the surgery itself would not be traumatic for her, it may be worth the gamble (even if it is life-threatening) to give it a try. But you will need to know a lot more about what is involved before making that decision. And we will surely want to know, too!

    So please do let us know what you are thinking and what you find out, OK?

    Many (((hugs))) to you and Lucy at this very difficult time,
    Marianne

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    2,832

    Default Re: Help!

    Hi Gina,
    I cannot offer any advice. But I promise you my thoughts and prayers are with you and Lucy. Give her a big hug from me and my gang.
    John (Roxee's Dad)

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