Adrenalectomy Surgery Questions (Reggie) 11 y/o Shih Tzu

[Barton]

Hi my 11 year old Shih Tzu Reggie has been diagnosed with Cushing’s. He is scheduled for surgery on 2/2/2012. He will be in the hospital for a few days and then home where I am the sole care giver. I am hoping to get information from other owners whose dogs have had this surgery on what I should expect in terms of after care. Specifically:
• Mobility: He likes to jump up on couches stools etc. I am assuming I should not let him do this. Can he use the step to go outside?
• Medication: What sort of medication might he be on and how will it affect his diet/mood
• Diet: Any restrictions? He is on a low fat diet right now just due to age and Cushings
• Health issues: What signs should I look for to know if he is getting better or worse
• Time: About how long before he is back to normal
• After Care at the vet. Will he need a lot of follow up appointments and medicine?
• Advice: Any tips you can provide on taking care of my dog after surgery.
I am asking some of these questions of the specialist who is taking care of Reggie but it would also be nice to know what others have experienced with this surgery and care.

Thanks so much
Reggie’s mom

[Cyn719]

Hi Reggies Mom

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry Reggie has to go through surgery but many members furbabies have gone through this with wonderful results. These members will be by soon to answer your questions. Could you tell us alittle more about Reggies health, when was he diagnosed and is he was on any medications?

Reggie will be in my thoughts and prayers and all of us Cush Angels (thats what we call the members here) will be here for you each and everyday.

Sending you lots of support, strength, prayers and hugsssssss xo

[frijole]

Hi Reggies mom. You probably are well aware that this is a major surgery and one of the most difficult a vet can do. For this reason it should be done by a surgeon that is seasoned at this particular surgery. It is invasive but if successful your dog is cured of cushings and the symptoms. Are you working with a teaching hospital? specialist?

I would recommend you meet with the surgeon and get a feel for his/her experience level with this specific type of surgery. TYpically prior to the surgery your dog will be on specific meds to prepare for the surgery - I can't recall if it is for purposes of sedation or blood pressure or what but it is important.

The main issue after the surgery is to make sure no infection occurs. They will probably keep Reggie in the hospital for several days post op to make sure all is well. They will no doubt give you explicit instructions for care post op.

Hopefully one of our members that has experienced the surgery will chime in. We have had dogs live perfectly normal lives after this surgery. I repeat, the main thing is to make sure the vet is very very experienced. This is not something that should be done by a regular vet or a general surgeon.

Hope this helps and do keep us posted.

[Skye]

Hello
My girl had her adrenalectomy November 28th 2011
left adrenal was removed.
If you would like to call me i will let you know what helped us, and try my best to answer any questions you have. let me know and i will get you my number, and i will tell you the angels on this forum are AMAZING and helped me so very much, the love, care and support is amazing. You are now surrounded by fluttery wings of these wonderful incredible people and you will not walk one step of this journey alone.

[Skye]

Mobility: He likes to jump up on couches stools etc.
No jumping for at least TWO WEEKS, take all cushions off furniture and put on floor, that way they can step on cushions and then onto furniture if they need to. If you are on furniture and have cushion, if they need up where you are, carefully lift, but remember....NO jumping UP or DOWN
His diet should remain same unless the stomach gets bothered then you might want to have on hand for just in case, white boneless skinless chicken breast NO RIB MEAT, simmer in pan or boil, only add water...NOTHING else use water that chicken is in for broth, canned broth even low sodium has salt.....so try to NOT use that. also have white long grain minute rice.
follow up and such.......well it depends.......we went back couple days later....dirreaha happened, she got checked, gave meds, after a surgery like that, guess that can happen, but you dont want that to continue...hers started that morning, by late afternoon it had not subsided so we went in. About 10-14 days after surgery, doctor will probably want to see him, and do a check on him, likely be on prednisone for couple of weeks give or take couple. low dose, slowly reduced giving other adrenal time to respond. would recommed if he sleeps with you...take mattress off frame and put on floor. lol matter of fact we just put ours back on.......lol, i dont think we needed to wait that long, just now got to it. lol, but for 2 weeks very strict on that, and no running playing type stuff either. they may want to but cant. they start to feel better fairly soon, but they have just gone through something huge and need to take it easy. incision is long, but remember they heal side to side not up down. i would recommed blood work to be redone 6-8 weeks after unless of course depending on details that i dont know....needs are different.
is this tumor bi-lateral or lateral?
is it a active tumor?
what are symptons now?
what tests have you have done?
how was tumor found?
what meds is he currently taking?
have you found a SEASONED specialist? this is a MUST i can not stress this enough
is it attached to the vena cava?
how large is the tumor?
is it right or left adrenal?
does this surgeron do flank or abdominal incisons?
is it vascular?
this may answer some of your questions, if not i am here if you need and several others as well.
will be thinking of you and Reggie, i hoped this helped. (((((((((((hugs)))))))

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Reggie!

As Kim said, this is one of the most difficult surgeries a pup can face simply because of the anatomy around the adrenal glands. So it is imperative that you have a board certified surgeon who has a successful track record with adrenalectomies under their belt. Once you are sure of this, the rest will fall into place.

It isn't generally recommended that we make changes at times like this in order to keep the picture as consistent and clear as possible. Example - you change her feed just before the surgery then when she gets home, she vomits or has diarrhea. Is it because of the surgery, or the change in feed? The less confusion, the better. So don't make any changes right now UNLESS your surgeon tells you to. This person will be your "god" for the next little bit - what they tell you, you follow to the very best of your ability.

After-care will seem scary at first, I won't lie. My Squirt has not had an adrenal gland out but she has had a tumor and half her spleen removed so I have an idea of what you are going to face. As Skye said the incision will be long and nasty looking when you first see it. Then you realize that's not bad all things considered. Reggie does not need to jump up or down from anything for several weeks - your surgeon will tell you how long. He does not need to climb steps at all for a while. Ask the surgeon or staff to show you how to pick him up so that the incision isn't damaged in order to take him in and out, up and down steps/stairs. The surgeon will tell you how to clean and care for the incision, if that is needed, and what to watch for that would indicate an infection. Follow the directions you are given, call them if you are worried, keep in touch with us, and I am sure things will be just fine during recovery.

Others who have had this surgery will be along to chat with you soon I hope. I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more about the both of you.

Keep your chin up!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Rebelsmom]

My boy has a pituitary tumor so I can't comment on what you will face, but we are all here for you regardless. Even if you just need love and support.

[Barton]

Hi Reggies Mom

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry Reggie has to go through surgery but many members furbabies have gone through this with wonderful results. These members will be by soon to answer your questions. Could you tell us alittle more about Reggies health, when was he diagnosed and is he was on any medications?

Reggie will be in my thoughts and prayers and all of us Cush Angels (thats what we call the members here) will be here for you each and everyday.

Sending you lots of support, strength, prayers and hugsssssss xo

Hello all and thank you for your responses. Lots of great information. I am at work now but I will post more information later this afternoon when I get home and have access to his information. Quickly I do have a board certified surgeon and have met with him twice. Reggie is also seeing a internal medcine specialist (Dr. Hoffman in Scottsdale AZ) who has guided me every step of the way she is great!. I also have the assistance of a wonderful friend whose dog had cushing's (recently passed). She is the one who told me about this site.

More later and thanks again.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and a belated welcome to you both!

I have no experience with Adrenalectomy Surgery but here is a link to a member's Thread whose furbaby has gone through this surgery: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/show...lectomy&page=9

Love and hugs,
Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Barton,

You certainly do have a wonderful friend, and we all love her dearly.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang