Molly, 13 yr, shih tzu - lhasa aspo - Molly has passed

[Squirt's Mom]

I was scouring that report for the word "malignant"! I didn't see it either so let's just put that out of our minds, 'k? I'm banking on a benign, non-secreting nodule that is there simply to confuse us. Overall, it doesn't look that bad to me tho I would want the liver further investigated and if funds allowed, a closer look at the adrenals if they thought a MRI or CT would be beneficial.

Now, learn from me, Sharlene. Do not let this get you so balled up you stop taking care of yourself. Remember, YOU are the most important factor in all of this.

[beaglemom3]

Sharlene:
For what it's worth I researched the tests available for pheos and I personally decided not to do one with Tipper because of all the false positives they can have. Then I would be crazy thinking my dog had a pheo when in fact she might not. When are they going to get clarification to you about the malignant part? It is hard to believe sometimes all that can be going on inside our babies, but it seems Molly is doing well according to the reports. I pray this is just an adenoma like they think about Tipper's. Blessings
Patti

Patti the research I founds says both the urine and plasma free blood tests have a high accuracy rate, ofc any type of urine or blood tests can give a false reading for one reason or another, can you please post the links to where you read these 2 particular tests have a high rate of false positives?

[goldengirl88]

I will try to find them, it has been so long since I researched it I can't remember, but I am positive they said there were many false positives or I would have done it with tipper, and I even asked the vet and he concurred with that

[molly muffin]

They did chest xrays I think it was to check lungs as I mentioned breathing issues and they have come back clear, so I don't think that there is anything there.

The IMS said she would not do an MRI at this time (that might change who knows) as there is no guarantee that you spend $2000. and that it will show anything. (we were talking at the time about a pituitary tumor)

Okay, I think it is molly's paw not her leg, but I can't be certain. It happened again this morning but no yelping. She was in my closet while I was changing clothes, sniffing around and I looked over and she was laying down and not moving. When she Finally tried to get up, she held up her paw and wouldn't move for a bit, then tried to move and limped awful. I picked her up and massaged that paw and foot and then took her downstairs, as I knew she's have to go outside, put her down and she was right as rain and had a good walk. I went over that paw thoroughly and can't see a problem, toes are all movable with no snapping (as they would if one was hurt) Maybe a toenail?

I had to go to the office today, no choice, but came home this afternoon and took her out, she is walking not with a limp but a couple times a bit gimpy and then walked slow on her outside walk. Not sure what the problem is, but doesn't seem to be in the shoulder joint that I can tell. She just passed a neuro test on her legs with flying colors, so again, baffled. That seems to be the state molly always leaves me in.

Leslie it does say benign or malignant. I just missed the benign part first go around and you missed the malignant part. LOL They don't know in other words.

I can ask them about the test for pheo and her thoughts on it and report back what she says. (this will be After we get the UTenn results)

I'll ask about the exact location of the nodule Trish.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Well with our four eyes we will eventually get it all!

[beaglemom3]

Sharlene, glad Molly's lungs are clear, that's good to hear. It does sound like her paw though, did you look in between the toes? to see if anything is lodged in it a pebble or splinter or cut of some sort?

As for the pheo tests, my vet had confidence in the urine test we took but here is a good study on the plasma free test for pheo
this is the entire abstract:
Plasma-free metanephrine and free normetanephrine measurement for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23311717

this just the conclusion
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:

Plasma fNMN concentration has excellent sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs, whereas fMN concentration has moderate sensitivity and excellent specificity. Measurement of plasma-free metanephrines provides an effective, noninvasive, means of identifying dogs with pheochromocytoma.

[Trixie]

Sharlene....so glad Marianne found the benign word there! Now you can take a deep breath.
From what I read about this it certainly doesn't seem like Molly fits the mold for a pheo...or even from a nodule that is functioning. It says if its functioning the dogs are weak, listless, not hungry, lose weight and are very thirsty,....that doesn't sound like Molly! The Pheo symptoms really don't sound like Molly either--rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, pacing, panting..you would certainly have noticed any of these symptoms.
I know how difficult it is when they can't figure out what's going on with Molly...maybe the U Tenn tests will finally settle the question? I bet anything this little nodule is benign!
The rest of the ultrasound all sounds pretty good, right?

Barbara

[molly muffin]

I thought it seemed like a pretty decent ultrasound for other areas, based on her being 11 years old now.

Nope, not panting, pacing, weight loss.

It does make me wonder about the sex hormones more now though. I am loath to do a biopsy of the liver as that can be invasive and bleed. I don't want that to occur.

Molly hasn't gone under anesthesia since she was spayed at a year old. That might freak me. LOL

I really want to thank all of you. I can do fairly good evaluations on any dog other than my own. ROFL.

Leslie, does it count as 6 eyes if I have my glasses on?????!!! We might need that extra set the way I'm going lately.

lol
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh we are in GOOD shape then 'cause we have EIGHT eyes!

[beaglemom3]

I hope you get to the bottom of it Sharlene, I am sure it is making you anxious not knowing and hoping for the best possible outcome...benign