Introducing Snoopy (10 y/o Beagle) Hypophysectomy

[Snoopy]

Hi all
Its great to found this Forum about Cushing. We've got a Beagle,almost 10 years old, who's been diagnosed with Cushing last year.
In September lst year she had a big operation to remove the abnormal pituitary. This kind of surgery is common in Holland and they do have a specialist who's an expert in this kind of operations.
After such an operation Snoopy recoverd really well and beside her daily medication to make up for the loss of the hypophysis she's doning fine.
At the moment I don't have any real questions but love to read all your stories and do hope there will be more people who had their dog operated so we can share information.
Bye Mienke

[mytil]

Hi Mienke,

I just wanted to say hi and welcome to our site. Thanks for posting this wonderful succes story of a Hypophysectomy (the removal of the pituitary gland).

There have been to my understanding some advances here in the States on this kind of surgery, but nowhere near what is routinely done in Holland.

Please continue to keep us updated.
Terry

[BestBuddy]

Hi Mienke,

Welcome to you and Snoopy.
Tell us more about the surgery. I am so glad Snoopy is doing well.

Jenny

[ChristyA]

Mienke & Snoopy,
Welcome! Wow it is really great to hear of such a successful surgery. I'm looking forward to the day when they do hypophysectomy sugery here in the US. Please tell us more about the surgery and recovery time.
Christy

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Mienke and Snoopy,

Welcome from me too There is one member on the forum, Gina, whose pup had surgery done, I believe it was endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Gina's Lucy was the first pup to have this done, I'm not sure of all the details, but I know it had to do with the removal of a huge tumor around the pituitary gland, maybe even the gland itself, not sure. Hopefully Gina will be along and share her story with you.

Like the others, I would love to hear more about Snoopy and her surgery.

Take care.
Lori

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi Mienke,

I also wanted to welcome you and Snoopy. I am very glad you told us about your and Snoopy's success story I am looking forward to hearing more details.

Your picture album is very nice and Snoopy certainly is a handsome boy. Who is the other beautiful pup in your pictures?

[SasAndYunah]

Hoi Mienke

Welcome to you and Snoopy. Glad to hear the surgical removal of the pituitary gland was such a succes for Snoopy. I assume the surgery was performed at the Universiteitskliniek at Utrecht?

Like you, I am from The Netherlands I came here several years ago when my dog, at that time, was diagnosed with Cushings. He passed away a little over 3 years ago, but I still hang out here every now and then

Again, welcome...

Saskia and Yunah,
The Netherlands

[Snoopy]

Dear All
Thank you so much for al your kind words.
I'll try to respond to all the questions ....
Snoopy has been on and off diagnosed with Cushing for the past 4 years. Everytime the diagnose was the beginning of Cushing but at an early stage etc etc. Last year she was sick again and thanks to the persistancy of my Vet ,we got her to Utrecht the biggest Vet Uni hospital of Holland. After her examination (Ultrasound and scan with bloodtest) the diagnose was clear Cushing ! Unfortunally the tumor was a big one into the Hypophysis so the only option we had was an operation. Luckily there wasn't a enormous waitinglist so within a couple of weeks we had her back in Utrecht for the operation.
She had to stay there for 5 days and they operated on her for a couple of hours. To remove the Hypophysis and the tumor they went straight through the throat . After the operation Snoopy stayed at the IC for 2 days before moving back to the normal unit . We picked her up on the Friday and after 2 days of sleeping and sleeping she started to act a bit normal.. A sleeping Beagle is normal but the way she slept was a bit scary. Anyway after a week of medication and little walks and no Border Collie (Sam her best mate always full of energy) around Snoopy started to recover and within a month she was back to her normal self. After the first urine test we knew for certain that the operation succeeded because her urine ratio dropped from 35 to 0.3 !
Snoopy will need medication every day to make up for the loss of the Hypophysis and we do have regular visists to our Vet to keep an eye on her health. We also went 3 times back to Utrecht and after a year we only need to be back once a year
After almost a year Snoopy is still doing fine although she has a bit of trouble with some old age things . Her spirit is great and having the Border Collie as a mate she's getting enough exercise. She's still has selective hearing especially when she's off the leash with a rabbit around...better call the rabit back because no change of the beagle to come back !!
Please feel free to ask any questions and it's great to read all your stories as well
Bye Mienke

[Snoopy]

Hi Saskia
Thank you and yes Snoopy got operated in Utrecht. BTW I do like your video with your lovely dog ! Must be great to have a dog like yours.
Hope you're doing okay as well
Bye Mienke

[gpgscott]

Welcome to you both.

Good news about the successful procedure. We have only one member that I can think of who has had the procedure done here in the US, I think as a participant in clinical trials. I am not clear if it is the same exact procedure if it differs from the one done in Holland. Her pup has been doing well but she is not near as far out of sugery as Snoopy.

I am sure we will hear from her soon.

Welcome again.

Scott