Looks to be Adrenal-dependent Cushing’s for my Waly - any advice on surgery

[IWALY]

Hello! Im new, but I know these forums are the best support and information out there! My Waly is not yet 100% diagnosed but looks like we will be looking at adrenal-dependent Cushing’s - he has a tumor on one of his glands. Has anyone gone though the surgery to have the tumor removed? Im very interested in how things go and what to expect, to hear your experiences. We still have to do one final test, but the ultrasound today shows a tumor on his right side adrenal gland. Thank you.
Robin

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Robin,

Welcome to you and Waly. Sorry for the reasons that brought you to us but glad you found your way here.

I have no experience with an adrenalectomy but some of members do and I am sure they will be along soon. In the meantime here are a couple links to other members threads with dogs that have had this type of surgery: Flynn 11 y/o Foxie Cross - Right adrenalectomy, 3rd Dec 2012 for Pheochromocytoma and Kira, 13 y/o Husky-Adrenal Cushing's (successful adrenal surgery)

I was wondering if you could tell us more about Waly, such as the symptoms he is displaying, his weight, if he has any other health issues, and is he taking any other herbs/supplements/medicines? Also if you could get a copy of all tests that were done on Waly and post any abnormalities that are listed...Thanks!

Please know we will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask all the questions you want.

Love and hugs, Lori

[Roxee's Dad]

Welcome to you and Waly.

Looking forward to hearing more about Waly.

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me tooYou have come to the right place! There are many K9Cushing's angels standing by to help and stay with you every step of the way. They love details, test results, any information you can get your hands on. The more the better. We will do all we can to help. So again welcome Robin and Waly.

Hugs,
Kathy

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Do let us know how much Waly weighs and breed, medications, etc. Have you also had his BP checked? Do they know if this is is a noninvasive tumor? Hasn't entered the vena cava section?

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Trish]

Hi Robin

Lori has posted the link to my Flynn's thread for you to have a read through. He had a tumour in his right adrenal too, it also invaded his vena cava and came out just fine.

I also would like to hear about Waly's symptoms as the others have mentioned plus test results to date including scan results so we can help you through this. Each time you have tests done ask for a copy of them so you can get a file together which is always helpful!

There are also members here who have chosen medical treatment to manage their doggies adrenal tumours so there is a wealth of experience here to help you along.

Are you seeing a specialist or your local GP vet at this stage?

Welcome again to you and Waly
Trish

[IWALY]

Thank you all. I will get all of Walys info and post it. But some info is... he is a 28lb standard dachshund age 10. For about 3 weeks now we noticed he was acting starving, he is on a diet so he usually is hungry however this was much more than normal. He has always been a panter all his life as he has been over weight so he get hot easy. But he started panting slightly more than normal and he started drinking a little more.the panting and drinking is so small of an increase over normal that had he not been so starving I may not have thought much about it. Skin and hair is fine. I have had one who was diabetic and knew a little about cushings and the signs so i had a feeling and too him to his regular ver. They did urin and blood and were starting the other tests the first urine of the morning one and the low dows dex? whatever that one is called. However, we arehave very closevery with our internal medicine specialist so we just went straight to her. He had an ultrasound today and it showed thr tumor on the right gland. She is doing another blood test and took a sample (i guess thats the right word) from his liver. Once all that comes back we will do the 8 hour blood test one. I do know his liver enzymes are elevated, they have been for years but have always stayed about the same so dr were not overly concerned i assume because he never showed any symptoms of anythimg and all the rest of his blood work has always been great. After the next test we will meet with the surgeon and talk with him for his opinion. Ive just started reading everything on this so its all a little overwhelming. But if im not mistaken surgery will basically cure it since it is removing the tumor causing it. But ive been told its a risky surgery! So being 10the and it being risky i am worried of course , but then medical management is only really controling the symptoms he has and then i think what if the tumor is cancerous! I appreciate all the feedback i will go read thru the thread that was mentioned and i will get more detailed info to post!

[Trish]

Hi Robin

Yes this is a scary time for sure, it will be good for us to see all the results when you get a chance to gather them up. Waly sounds like he has a few of the cushings symptoms. Glad you are seeing your IMS for this as it does take quite a bit of sorting out and testing at the beginning.

Did she say anything else about the ultrasound? Liver OK, just wondering as you said they took a biopsy from his liver? Anyway I am sure once you get the formal results in it will all become a bit clearer. Has Waly had his BP done?

The low dose dex test is the 8 hr one. So he is still to have that?

Yes, reading on the internet is overwhelming, just be careful to check the websites and make sure they are reputable. I have a few stored away in my favourites if you would like them I am happy to share.

They are right, surgery is risky so it really is best performed by an experienced board certified surgeon. So check out they have done it many times before and what their outcomes are. But on the other hand we have also seen a lot of success stories here. And you are right if the tumour is removed then hopefully all the cushings symptoms will go away. It is tricky for them to say whether it is cancerous or not, some of these masses are benign. Most surgeons would want a CT to better view the tumour and look for any spread before they consider whether it is operable or not.

Trish

[IWALY]

Thank you!
His liver was slightly enlarged so Dr was checking.

Yes that is the tests, we are doing the low dose dex test next Thursday.

I read everything, but I know the forums are the best and all the good info! Was on k9diabetes before and learned so much.

The surgeon is Dr. Bilbry at ASG in Los Angeles he is board cert. surgeon and did spinal surgery on Waly about a year ago for a blown disc. His reputation is one of the best surgeons.

Yes on CT that is recommend for sure.

I would LOVE links to the sites you have as your favorites! thank you!

Today his IMS advised its the adrenal gland is approx double in normal size. Also said normally they see the tumor as more of a growth on the gland - not that it is not possible its just not normal - also his left gland is perfect in size, reading about it looks like most of the time the tumor on one causes the other to be very small.

Again, Ill get all my info together and update more! Thanks for all the help!!!

[Trish]

Hi Robin
Maybe when they do a CT they will be able to get a clearer view of the adrenal, they can be tricky to see properly on ultrasound. Pleased to hear you have a good surgeon, it is also reassuring when they know your dog too having operated on Waly previously. I had the same with my surgeon having done a liver resection a year prior to adrenalectomy. Made me feel better anyway!

I have copied a few articles and research studies here, both adenocortical tumours and also pheochromocytoma. Hope they are helpful

http://www.vsso.org/Adrenal_Cortical_Tumor.html
http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/onc...al_tumors.html
http://www.vsso.org/Adrenal_Pheochromocytoma.html
http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com....jsp?id=766820
http://histovetsdhv.files.wordpress....enal-tumor.pdf
http://www.avsts.org.uk/sites/avsts....pring_2012.pdf
http://www.experts.scival.com/reachn...9116&o_id=115&