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Thread: Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    Default Tipper - adrenal tumor/breathing issues

    My 10 year old loyal, intelligent, and wonderful Jack Russell Tipper has been diagnosed with Cushings. She is all I have I have no family left. Tipper is like a child to me, and this has rocked me and taken me to my lowest point. She had all the testing done, I have a specialist that consults with my Vet, and she is on 20 mg of Vetoryl. The first day she was on it I saw a big improvement in her symptoms. She is going today to get her bloodwork to see if her dosage is correct. One of my biggest concerns is her breathing. It is especially noticeable at night. It appears she is having more difficulty than usual breathing. She snores, and at times has a throaty sound like dogs do after they have had a tube in their throat for anesthesia. I am wondering if someone could help me and explain what exactly is causing this to happen. I know it is the disease, but what specifically is this disease doing to cause her to breathe like this and snore? She has only been on Vetoryl since the 25th of August 2012. Will this subside after she is on it for a while? I am so frightened of this disease and losing the best companion I ever had. I find myself just breaking down several times a day. If this is managed by Vetoryl will she be able to live her life out? I am so terrified of this disease that I was afraid to look at the side effects of the drug, as she needs it to go on. I am hoping this drug does more good than harm. I love her more than life, and cannot even imagine my life without her. I need some tips on feeding her, and any supplements that are beneficial. I guess the things I should do, and the things I should not do! When Tipper was a puppy she had allergies and they had to use Prednisone at times to control them. This is what predisposed her to this. It is in her pituitary gland. Sometimes I see some neurological signs, she will go in a circle, and wag her tail real fast. She also is doing the licking. She has all the classic symptoms, panting, excessive water drinking, pot belly, hungry all the time. She does not have any skin issues as of yet. I also had her urine tested and it was fine- she is concentrating her urine with no protein in it, and no uti's. Once you start them on meds does this stop the muscle wasting? I thank anyone who can help me in advance as I am terrified of losing my girl. I will post her test numbers after my Vet visit today, as I see that helps.

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    Last edited by goldengirl88; 09-10-2012 at 10:37 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    880

    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    HI!
    Welcome to the group. My dog just started on the meds. Today is his 3rd day. I have also noticed my dog snores more often in the last month since he was diagnosed.

    Since I am so new to all of this I don't have any medical advice. I just wanted to say hello & welcome.

    You will love all the people here & get lots of good advice & shoulders to lean on.

    Hang in there..
    Amy & my sweet boy Boriss (Cushings Diagnosed 8/30/12 & Trilo start 20mg 9/8/12 switched to Vetoryl 30mg 10/8/12)
    Grateful for every day I have with my baby Boriss. I am lucky to have so much love in my life.

  3. #3
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    Sep 2012
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    Talking Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    Thank You so much for the welcome. It is heart warming to know others will care and help you thru this.:

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    alaska
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    95

    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    Hi there, my girl Kona is 10 years old and has never snored in her life until this cushings thing, now she too snores up a storm. I asked my vet about it and she had no answer so, sorry I dont have an explanation for you either but just wanted you to know that it does seem to be related. I find comfort in it now, when I hear her snore I know she is at least sleeping comfortably. Today is her third week on the meds and things are going ok. She is also on the 20 mg daily.

    Hugs, Kona and deb

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
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    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    Hi and Welcome,

    I am so glad members have been stopping by to welcome you. We have a bit of a list fo questions we usually pose, consider routine

    Could you tell us how much Tipper weighs?
    Could you tell us how Tipper was diagnosed?
    Which tests were done and what were the results?


    I am so glad you have an ACTH scheduled. Please let us know the results.

    Dogs are treated with Trilostane to alleviate symptoms and usually, yes, are on it for the rest of their lives. The dose may need adjusting, sometimes, more, sometimes less but does indeed have to be monitored on a regular basis.

    One of my biggest concerns is her breathing. It is especially noticeable at night. It appears she is having more difficulty than usual breathing. She snores, and at times has a throaty sound like dogs do after they have had a tube in their throat for anesthesia.
    I am not sure why this would be. If Tipper had allergies as a puppy, sometimes, when we drop their cortisol, we will see issues that the dog was using the cortisol to self medicate, so allergies could crop up.
    That is just one thought. My Zoe snores, but she has done that loudly with and without treatment.

    I am so happy you found your way here. You will find a wealth of support and information. My Zoe was diagnosed 2.5 years ago. We started treatment with Vetoryl in June 2011. She has quite a few health issues but which makes treating her a bit of a challenege but I am able to do it, thanks to the wonderful people on this forum.

    It will get easier.
    love,
    addy, zoe and koko


    My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

    Memory is the power to gather roses in the winter

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    510

    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    Welcome and hello!!! I don't have any answers for you regarding the snoring and I don't think I have ever asked the vet but Bo (cushings) also snores. Snoring is not a typical thing seen in poodles and my other poodle doesn't snore. Hmmm, cushings related?? Idk but when he is snoring I know at least he is in a deep sleep and resting comfortably. Hope you find some answers.
    Belinda Creel,
    Mom of Angel Bo, My Little Latte and now our newest Toby.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    6,400

    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    All of you are truly wonderful, and I am so glad I found this haven where you can let out you biggest fears, love your dog like you would a child, and have people support you for it. I have experienced "the real world" thoughts like " it's only a dog!" I am a retired account executive, so I am with Tipper 24/7/365. I typed a lengthy answer to the questions you all asked, only to realize my time was up and the message was gone. I have now checked the remember me box, so here we go. Tipper was not actually diagnosed by my Vet, but by me. She had started all the symptoms described in my previous message. I kept telling the Vet something was wrong and he kept explaining it away on other things. He is a country Vet, and probably not too much experience with Cushings. Finally I talked him into testing her for Cushings. Sure enough this is what came out of the tests:
    The sonagram showed adrenals that were much larger than usual.
    The ACTH test: Pre 6.4 Post: 27.9
    Dexamethasone Supression Test: Pre: 7.6 Post 4 hours later was 1.3 then after 8 hours was 1.0.
    Tipper was started on 10 mg.Vetoryl on August 23,2012. She was started on a low dose as she can be allergic to many things. The Endocrine Specialist (Dr. Mark Peterson who has the only clinic in the world for this), is who got to consult with my Vet, and he agreed. I started to notice an improvement in her after her 1st dose. By evening the symptoms were starting to come back. On August 25th she started on 10mg in the morning and 10 mg in the evening. She weighs 17 lbs. She had gained some weight due to all this, before she was 16 lbs. Her cholesterol which she never had a problem with shot up to 325 and tryglicerides to 572. The specialist said it was from the Cushings. The 2 doses seemed to help the symptoms from becoming full blown in the evening. Tipper had another ACTH test and early detection profile done yesterday. The results will be in tomorrow and I wil post them. This, I assume will tell us if we are managing her correctly, or if she needs the Vetoryl increased. I am feeding her Hills Science Diet WD. It is for diabetic dogs. She fortunately is not diabetic, but the nutritionist at Hills told my Vet this is what she should be eating. I also consulted one of the primary nutritionists in the country Shawn Delaney from California Davies. He said these dogs need a low density diet. I could not find a way to safely make her food so I opted for the Hills. The Vet is of the opinion that too much protein could cause kidney problems. I am not so sure it is the best method however. I have read many places where these dogs should be getting Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Fish Oil. These have to be done a certain way, and controlled a certain way and I am not sure how to do it. Does anyone have any experience with these supplements, and diets. I could sure use help. I am trying to be proactive, and good nutrition is a must to help her body deal with this. I really need to control her weight as she is starting to have some changes in her rear legs- like not laying the same way, and watching how she jumps. Xtra weight can make leg problems worse, so I have discussed Adequan shots and Duralactin with the Vet. He said after we make sure she is managed, they might be a good idea. Anyone that has used this, I could use some input, in the event we have to use them. Just one final note. When I got Tipper as a puppy she had a white tip on the end of her tail, hence the name Tipper. She is by far the most intelligent, crazy, and loyal dog I have ever lived with. I love this dog, and am willing to do whatever I have to do to insure I will enjoy her for years to come. This disease terrifies me, but everyday I wake up to her is a blessing. Thank you all, and bless all of you and your wonderful babies. Tipper's grateful mom.
    Last edited by goldengirl88; 09-11-2012 at 06:18 PM.

  8. #8
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    Apr 2010
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    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    Well, Dr. Peterson is pretty darn good

    I think you are off to a good start if he is consulting with your vet. The ACTH test if that is what was done will tell you if you can stay on the current dose or if it needs tweaking. Cortisol can continue to drop the first thirty days( and more) so sometimes we don't change the dose on the first stim test.

    Not sure what to tell you about the food as I always read they need a high quality protein. But I don't think you want to change things or add things when you are first starting treatment.

    I am sure members will be by to give their thoughts on Adequan shots and Duralactin.

    I am so glad you found us.
    love,
    addy, zoe and koko


    My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

    Memory is the power to gather roses in the winter

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
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    Thumbs up Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    Thank You Addy for the encouragement, I am trying to deal with this the best way I know how. I appreciate all the help, this is a godsend!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Nebraska
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    5,606

    Default Re: Snoring and labored breathing.

    You picked the best specialist you could to help your country doc. Just keep yourself involved like you are doing to help monitor to make sure the country doc is 'getting it'... I say this cuz I live sort of in the country so it can be scary.

    Anyway... I have used both duralactin and adequan on two different dogs. Adequan I used with my cush dog Haley and it seemed to give her relief for her arthritis as she aged.. she passed at 16 1/2 and had no real leg issues .. just walked slower. I used adequan with Annie to help strengthen her weak legs (from a tumor) and I believe it was helping her. Problem was she wouldn't eat anything with any regularity and the pills were vanilla flavored and she hated anything sweet tasting. Anyway.. I do believe it is a good product. If you google it you'll be hard pressed to find negative reviews on it.

    Good luck! Kim

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