Tucker's Pheochromocytoma is operable

[Tuckersstory]

My 11-yo Shih-tzu Tucker is absolutely an angle sent to use from God. Four months ago he start to throw up and simply could not stop. After an ER visit we were informed that he had high blood pressure as result of a massive tumor in his right adrenal gland. This tumor is invading his inferior vena cava by 90%. So it has been deemd by doctors in this area as inoperable. He was put on meds for BP. (while this tumor supposedly highly RARE, we just had surgery done 2 months prior on our youngest Shih-Tzu removing a pheochromocytoma wo event. It was just accidentally found during a workup for IBS - that was Toby and he is doing great.). Unfortunately Tucker was not given the same prognosis. We were told he had a month, if that. We were not satisfied with this finding to we traveled to another Oncology clinic and they advised that surgery would likely be fatal but his prognosis is fatal as well as the tumor is currently only allowing a 10% flow of blood return to his heart. The tumor is coated wtih blood which could result him him throwing a clot at any time and wtih chemo should the tumor grow or shring he runs a risk for tearing the IVC and bleeding out internally. He seems fine. Plays, happy, loving dog but has not developed a large nodule on his innner rear groin about the size of a hazelnut. I just hate to put him down he is so important to our family. Any help out there for this prescious gift from God??? We are so desparate! He has had 3 chemo treatments thus far and last US showed no improvement and possible very minute growth if anything at all.

[littleone1]

Corky and I want to welcome you and Tucker. I am so sorry for what the both of you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Corky also has a right adrenal tumor which is invading the inferior vena cava. Corky is not a good candidate for surgery due to his age and his other medical conditions.

I really wish I had some answers for you, but sometimes there's nothing more that we can do than we're already doing.

Hugs,

Terri

[addy]

Welcome to you and Tucker from me and my Zoe.

I am so sorry to read your post. To be faced with Tucker's diagnosis must be impossible to bear.

I can't offer any answers. Hopefully some of our more experienced members will be along soon. How well do you know this ER? One of our members just had her pup misdiagnosed at an ER. Is it possible to get a second opinion?

hugs,
Addy

[lulusmom]

Welcome to the forum and bless your heart for the harrowing times you are going through right now. You are right, pheos are rare and I know you are wondering what you did to deserve a pheo diagnosis for both of your beloved pups. Are they related in any way? I have two dogs with pituitary dependent cushing's so I don't have first hand experience with pheos but I've done quite a big of research on them. For what it's worth, I think you've covered all the bases and are doing the only thing you can do for your boy right now.

I am so sorry that you are dealing with such a poor prognosis and I respect you immensely for going above and beyond what a lot of pet owners would have done in your shoes. It is apparent that you love Tucker with all of your heart and there is no question in my mind that he is God's gift to you as my four babies are God's gifts to me. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you but I think you are much wiser than I right now.....and I am sure that my only advice to you is not necessary because you are enjoying your precious gift every minute of every day for whatever time you have left with him.

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Tucker and the rest of your family.

(((Big Hugs)))
Glynda

[frijole]

Hi from me! I can sooooo relate. The cute little schnauzer in the back of my photo is my Annie. She has a pheochromocytoma. She was misdiagnosed as having cushings and it took a year for us to figure out what was wrong with her.

By the time we figured it all out her condition was/is to the point where the operation was not feasible. I am in the same boat - a dog that appears happy but has the dreaded pheo. I give her meds for her HBP and melatonin for her hair loss/cushing's like symptoms.

My gal has a problem eating - her hunger is intermittent and the tumor when active zaps up all her calories so even when she does eat she loses weight. She has gone from 18 lbs down to 12. :(

There is so little information on pheos - even in the human med journals - that I googled to read what she is going thru. She gets extreme heart burn which I believe reduces her appetite. I give her a tiny portion of pepcid ac morning and night. It seems to help.

If you read online humans will describe their episodes as "they can feel the blood rushing from their heart up into their brain" They get migraines and are exhausted afterward. The thing is that these episodes can be months apart.

My gal has had hers (that I know of) over a year now. So her episodes are closer and closer and she eats less.. but she still appears happy and active during the good times. I take her in for acupunture once a week as it helps calm her down. Pheos emit adrenaline.

If I can help at all, let me know. All I can say is continue to love Tucker and know you aren't alone. Hugs, Kim (and Annie)

[logans mom]

I am so sorry to hear about your little angel, Tucker and the diagnosis you were given. I have a 12 year old shih tzu, Logan who was diagnosed with bilateral adrenal tumors.

I will keep you and Tucker in my thoughts and prayers.


Hugs,
Debbie

[Buffaloe]

It is wonderful to hear that Toby is doing so well! What a gigantic blessing!

My dog had surgery on a very large adrenal tumor in 2006 at the age of 12. After she had recovered, my surgeon told me I can expect her to live "about another year." Shiloh lived another 3 1/2 years with an excellent quality of life. She had 3 or 4 ultrasounds and I believe they can only tell so much from a top quality ultrasound.

I don't think they can tell you with any confidence how much time Tucker has left. He might have 20-30% of his blood flow and he might live well for quite a while. Just enjoy every precious moment with him. With Shi, I gave her whatever she wanted, within reason and in moderation. She always licked out my ice cream bowl (with a teaspoon of vanilla ice cream in it) and got plenty of good sized bites of double cheeseburgers.

If the chemo doesn't seem to be helping Tucker and it is unpleasant for him, it's reasonable to consider ending the treatment, I think. I hope and pray that you have a nice amount of quality time left with your precious boy.

Ken

[Tuckersstory]

I am touched by all the understanding. After feeling like the clinics just don't get it, i appreciate all the understanding where i am coming from. I believe Tucker was a gift to our family straight from God. He has given us so much more than money can buy. The loss of him will cause so much trauma on husband, me and out other 2 Shih-tzus. Hubby buys him roasted chicken and spoils all the boys horribly. He is such a tenderhearted man to animals especially.

The vet medicine field needs to really do more research on this horrific disease and more radiological inventional treatment like graft treatment. I wonder if the other dogs being there during him being put down (God forbid) will help them cope. Any thoughts?
I cannot tell you how much your responses mean to me during this time of feeling so misunderstood. People think you are crazy to spend so much money on a dog but i think of them as my babies so i do what i feel must be done.
Thanks so much for your feedback

[addy]

I remember reading a book by Patricia McConnell ( animal behaviorist) and she discussed a very sad time during which she had to let her beloved helper cross the bridge. It was done at home with her others dogs and she allowed the pup to stay there in the room for a bit afterward so the others could sniff and smell. She felt it helped them as they were all very close.

It was very sad to read and I am not sure how many of us could cope with the situation she described without breaking down. But yes, she felt it was helpful for the other pups to be there.

No matter what the outcome, no matter what time Tucker has left, his love for you is steady and true as is yours for him. It is hard sometimes for us to remember how blessed we are to have loved them in the first place. They give so much and ask for so little in return.

Hug him and kiss him and spoil him and enjoy every minute you have.
I know you already do that.

Hugs,
Addy