Dad of Lulu - sweet Lulu has crossed The Bridge

[labblab]

Dr. Wilson said to research Tristolane on the Internet. And it can be more expensive, but he has had good luck with compounded (generics) though there will always be those that say to stay away. He has a lot of experience with this disease, which I wasn't aware of, because he is such a darn good surgeon, I didn't know you could both be a 'pitcher and a home run hitter' in the same person.

I am afraid that it may seem as though I am harping about a "small" point , but I just wanted to clarify for you that compounded drugs are not the same thing as generics. I just posted another reply about compounded drugs on another thread this morning, and so I wanted to offer this additional info to you, as well.

In the U.S., both brandname and generic meds are made by pharmaceutical companies according to FDA guidelines and regulations. Generic equivalents are not permitted until the original patent has expired on the brandname drug. Dechra still holds an active patent on Vetoryl, so no generics are being made at this time.

Compounded versions of trilostane are prepared by individual pharmacies based upon the prescription needs of each specific dog. Depending upon the manner in which the vet writes the Rx, the compounded version may or may not use brandname Vetoryl as the effective ingredient. As is the case with your Dr. Wilson, there are many vets who feel very comfortable with prescribing compounded versions of the drug, and we have many members here who are using them with great success. But I do think it is important for people to know that there is a difference between a generic drug and a compounded drug. Here's a related quote from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

"Veterinary Compounding" Brochure

Compounded drugs are not the same as generic drugs. Generic drugs are FDA-approved. To receive FDA approval, generic drugs must demonstrate bioequivalence to the "pioneer brand name" drug. Generic drugs can be identified by the ANADA number on their label and by cross-checking with a drug reference, e.g. the FDA Green Book of Approved Animal Drug Products. In contrast, compounded drugs are extemporaneously prepared products that lack FDA approval. The concept is that compounded drugs with their possible flaws are better than no drug at all and suitable for a small patient population.

Marianne

[LabDad]

As is the case with your Dr. Wilson, there are many vets who feel very comfortable with prescribing compounded versions of the drug, and we have many members here who are using them with great success. But I do think it is important for people to know that there is a difference between a generic drug and a compounded drug. Here's a related quote from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

"Veterinary Compounding" Brochure



Marianne

Noted, it was just easier to relate to a generic. Living close to a border town, Port Huron and it's Canadian neighbor across St. Clair River at the mouth of Lake Huron, we used to get drugs in person, rather than trust the stuff on the Internet. I am cautious where we buy the things we need as far as medicines, dog treats, etc.

A bargain isn't a bargain if you buy generic bleach 15% water and Clorox is 10% water. I've seen it.

[LabDad]

July 2011 Update.

Lulu is doing well. She will be due an ACTH test the end of August, or sooner. I do notice at times a bit more appetite, but not as much as when she was in flow blown disease last Dec-Jan.

Her fur is curlier, and though I like the rich brown color she has, she is still beautiful. She of course is showing her senior with white around the eyes. She still has lots of energy. But she doesn't like this week of 90° +. Thank goodness we live in the upper Midwest, Michigan which usually gets refreshing cooler days even in summer.

Lulu is drinking an average amount of water, though she does drink it. I don't think she is drinking more than 2 to 3 liters a day. I will be very interested in her serum values on her next test.

She does have a large fatty tumor which seems to go down in size when she is a bit thinner. I am going to switch her dry food to one of the lower calorie foods and try to substitute some carrots for treats in her treat toy, which is a green three lobed rubber toy you squeeze a treat in, she loves it, and it makes her work for the treat.

We are going to get the thunder jacket for her, I have heard nothing but good from three of our friends with their smaller dogs, and I can't figure out how that helps from storms but it seems to work.

[LabDad]

Well, a quick update on Lulu, she is hanging in there, with the hot summer. She does well at night, though usually at least once or twice she will pant a bit. We keep fans going, and like tonight the air is on, since there is a hint of rain.

Her tumor is bigger, the one on her abdomen. Dr. Wilson aperated it, and said it appears to be a cyst, recommended having it removed. He ran blood work, and all normal except alkaline phosphatase was about 490 something. It should be under 200. And it was elevated he said about a year or so ago.

Now on the surgery he recommended a liver biopsy while doing the surgery. He said it is safe, and I doubly asked him, if he really recommended it, and he said I think it will put your mind to rest. He said it will determine for sure if it is Cushing's or possibly it could be something else. I thought previous testing showed it must be Cushing's. But since we had the other Vet doing the original Cushing Test and I believe she has left the United States and may have gone back to her homeland, I believe either India or Pakistan.

Anyway, the extra biopsy will cost another 150 dollars or so, but we do have a financier paying, and he has said to go with it. We do trust Dr. Wilson. He is liked very well by lots of dog owners when we see him. The biopsy does concern me a bit, though I know that it is supposed to be safe to test.

[littleone1]

Hi,

Just a quick note. Corky's liver mass and adrenal tumor were aspirated over two years ago without him being under anesthesia. I had to bring him in about an hour after it was done, just to make sure that there was no bleeding. It was a safe procedure for Corky.

Terri

[LabDad]

Thanks Terri, that is reassuring. I believe then we will do that. I'm not sure if Dr. Wilson will want to biopsy the adrenals, but that is good that the liver biopsy is not that serious.

[LabDad]

Lulu did well on her surgery last Tuesday. She is back to being her bossy self. Now when I took Lulu in, I mentioned to the technician that she also had a couple of other cysts or tumors, but they were beneath the skin more. The vet removed three altogether, the large cyst, gave an incision 6 inches long. I will be glad when the staples are removed in a week. Dr. Wilson, I don't believe charged us much more for these other tumors. I bet he sure was busy. I told my wife, who likes to bake that she might want to bring some cookies next Sunday when the staples are removed.

We will get the biopsy report later this week, we are keeping our fingers crossed. I think the vet believes the large cyst is not cancerous.

[littleone1]

I am so glad that Lulu's surgery went well. Corky and I are keeping paws and fingers crossed that the biopsy report is a good one.

Terri

[LabDad]

Thanks Terri,

I will post as soon as we know.

[Harley PoMMom]

So glad to hear that Lulu's surgery went well. Keeping all various body parts crossed that the biopsy report comes back good...keep us posted!

Love and hugs,
Lori