Maisie - Can Trilostane cause tumors to grow?

[jani]

Well, I created an albums of photos of my Maisie.

Thank you both so much for all of your kind words. This is such a difficult time for me. My girlfriends say to each other, we love our dogs, but nobody loves Maisie like Jani does. Maybe it's because I don't have kids, but you know even if I did I truly think it still would hit this hard.

Marianne, have you ever heard of Relora? It helped tremendously in reducing Maisie's symptoms. The Trilostane alone did not stop the panting and everything else, but with the Relora it did. It is a supplement from the health food store. Her vet said it was fine to give it to her. It REALLY made a difference.

I hope you enjoy the photos. I cried putting them up.

[labblab]

Oh Jani, I've just been to your photo album and your pictures of Maisie are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a cutie-pie!

We would very much like to add Maisie to our special memorial thread of honor here:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2865

If you will let us know the date of her passing, and also tell us which one of your sweet photos you would like for us to use as a link, we will be able to complete her memorial line. You can either tell us in a reply right here, or send me a Private Message with this information.

I definitely understand about your deep connection with Maisie. I have no human children, either, and my furbabies are the focus of my love and my time. They absolutely "rule" my daily activity calendar!

I am not familiar with Relora, but I've just been to the manufacturer's website. It appears to be a combination of two herbal extracts that are said to reduce anxiety (and also cortisol as a result). Some studies are referenced on the website, and I will plan to take a look at them.

Once again, your pictures are so special. Thanks ever so much for sharing them with us!

Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Jani,

The pics of Maisie are just wonderful! My favorite is the one of her in the little hat; the expression on her face is priceless.

Some of us were blessed with fur-less kids but we have all been blessed with kids that are covered in fur. Regardless of the variety of kid we have, when we lose them we have lost a child that can never be replaced. The love and care we give to our babies is the same. We worry about their welfare, we make sure they have all they need to be well and safe and happy, we dote on them, show them off with pride, we give them our all. When they are gone, the void they leave behind in our souls is vast and, at times, threatens to consume us. When those times come, having someone to talk to who understands our pain is vital.

Honey, we do understand so well what you are going through. We understand the depth of love you feel for your sweet Maisie - and that you will always feel this love for her. Please know we are here for you anytime you need to talk. As Marianne said, we have a special place where you can share your memories of your life with Maisie. She will always be remembered and honored here.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[MBK]

Jani,

I am so glad you were able to post the pictures of Maise!! I truly enjoyed looking at them. I liked them all so much, that I can't decide on a favorite. She was a gorgeous, happy baby. One thing that is clearly evident is that Maise had a very full, rich life. She was so lucky to have been loved by you and I know you feel you were even more lucky that she was in your life. I once heard that dogs are not here as long as people because they already know what people take a lifetime to learn (if ever). They are kind, they never hold grudges, they take pleasure in the simplest things, they are always happy to see you and they love unconditionally. I'm sure you learned a lot from Maise and she will always be a part of you.

What incredible memories you have. Thanks for sharing her pictures with us...they made me cry, too.

[jani]

Thank you all so very much. I cried reading everyone of your notes. I know.... a lot of tears these days. She was such a special little dog. I found her as a rescue, but she is the one who rescued me. Yes, I agree, we learn more from them then they do from us. Just to give love always and unconditionally seems so effortless for dogs. Last year I took on my ex-boyfriend's dog Sparky. I have known him 13 of his 14 years. He and Maisie were best friends. He is pretty depressed these days and I know misses her. The worried look on his face when I brought her home from the hospital when her tumor created havoc in her.......he knew. It's not the same here at the Dog Spa without her. My goal with Sparky is to get him into the Guinness Book of world records as longest living dog ever!

I have found a support group at the SPCA for losing a pet. It is only once a month and I look forward to my first meeting which is not until June something.

Marianne, do I put up the memorial for Maisie? Or do you do it?

Also, the more I research Trilostane the more I think it was the drug that enlarged her tumor or created a new one. Or maybe just enlarged her pituitary. I think it cut her life short. I know the Cushing's was going to do that as well....but not all Cushinoid dogs have this happen to them.....right? Isn't it different in every dog? If you want to answer me privately that would be fine. I don't want to be a drag on this site. But the vet would not give me a straight answer. Do most dogs with Cushing's just not wake up one morning?
I don't hold it against her vet. I know they all just want to help and figure out this damn disease as much as i do.

Thanks Leslie for your words. Thanks for understanding so much.

[addy]

Jani, you are not a drag. Please don't think that. We understand your need to try and figure out what happened. I honestly don't know if you can. So many things can develop, can happen.

You will work through this and all the stages of your profound grief and we will be there for you to help in any way we can.

Sending you love and hugs and understanding.

Addy

[littleone1]

Corky's adrenal tumor has increased in size, but his last U/S showed no further increase. He's been taking Trilostane for 19 1/2 months. It has really helped him. His IMS felt that Trilo would be easier on Corky than Lysodren because of all of the medical issues he has. I personally am glad that Corky is taking Trilo. Some furbabies do better on Trilo, and some do better on Lyso. Corky's quality of life has been so much better with the treatment.

Even though some furbabies with cushings do cross over, most of the time it's due to other issues. Please don't think it's anything you did. You did what you felt was best for Maisie.

Terri

[labblab]

IMarianne, do I put up the memorial for Maisie? Or do you do it?

Also, the more I research Trilostane the more I think it was the drug that enlarged her tumor or created a new one. Or maybe just enlarged her pituitary. I think it cut her life short. I know the Cushing's was going to do that as well....but not all Cushinoid dogs have this happen to them.....right? Isn't it different in every dog? If you want to answer me privately that would be fine. I don't want to be a drag on this site. But the vet would not give me a straight answer. Do most dogs with Cushing's just not wake up one morning?
I don't hold it against her vet. I know they all just want to help and figure out this damn disease as much as i do.

Hi Jani,

There are two different ways in which our Cushpups can be memorialized here . The first is by listing them on our thread of honor, and this is something that can only be handled by a staff member (like me ). So if you would like to tell me the date that that Maisie passed and also which photo you would like to have linked to her memorial line, I can take care of all the rest. You can either post that information in a reply or in a Private Message to me. Here is a link to that memorial thread:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2865

In addition, we invite every member who wishes to do so to start a new thread of their own on our "In Loving Memory" forum. This is something that would be entirely up to you, as is whatever you would choose to write. Some folks write tributes, others just write their thoughts about their furbabies and how they are doing. Everything and anything is OK! Here is a link to that forum:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8

Also, if you have some specific questions that you'd like to ask about what happened to Maisie, we can try our best to help you make some sense of things. None of us are vets, so our answers are based solely upon our personal experiences and reading. And as Addy has said, there just may not be answers to some of your questions. From my own experience, I know that can be the hardest part. Since I did not have an MRI or CT scan performed on my dog, I can never know for certain what caused his failure. But if there are some specific questions that you'd like to ask, we will do our best to help you, OK?

Marianne

[jani]

Hi Marianne,

Maisie passed away on May 4, 2011. I think the photo which is her album cover. The one with her comics crown on. She has this regal look on her face.

thank you Marianne.

You all are really helping me through this. I can't thank you enough.
I added some more photos to her album. A couple with Sparky her big brother. Sparky is 14!

[labblab]

Oh Jani, that is such a wonderful picture. Maisie's memorial line is now complete, with her sweet face shining through.

And Sparky looks like a sweetie-pie too, all in his own right! I love the picture of the two of them sleeping together on the couch.

Big hugs,
Marianne