Annie has Cushings - Annie has passed

[Rescuemom]

I just spent a long time typing my introduction and it wouldn't take it because it said I wasn't logged in, after saying welcome.

No coffee, so grumpy. I apologize. But I'm not able to go into all those details again right now. Here are basics:

Annie is a 6-yr old boxer diagnosed earlier this week with pituitary dependent Cushing's. She also has hypothyroidism.

Waiting to start vetoryl.

[My sweet Ginger]

Welcome to you and Annie and how frustrating when that happens!:mad::mad:
To start off, can you tell us Annie's weight, Vetoryl dosage, clinical symptoms and all the test results in exact numbers along with their reference ranges that diagnosed her, please? That will be very helpful to our experienced members to give you a better feedback. Thank you.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome,

Sorry you had troubles this morning. Get your coffee, splash your face, and settle in when you can. We will want to know all that interesting info that got lost. ;):D Here is a link on some tips to keep that from happening. I can get rather wordy (some say "mouthy" :p) so I had to figure out how to stop what happened to you from happening to me - every day! :rolleyes::D

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1329&highlight=typing

Before you get started here are some things we need to know - her health history to date, any other meds she is on, weight, and all the test results to date. We also need to know the dose of Vetoryl the vet has prescribed - there is a NEW starting dose that is NOT in the literature in the USA yet so your vet may well be using the old dosing which is MUCH too high. ;) If you don't have copies of the actual results, not the invoice that says what was done but the actual numbers, ask your vet for copies and tell them you will want copies of all test results from now on. We will want to see all the abnormal values on the health screen that shows things like ALP, BUN, CHOL, etc and the LDDS if that has been done. Has an abdominal ultrasound been done?

Please ask any and all questions you may have and we will do our best to help you understand. We are all here to learn and grow together as well as support each other. I'm glad you found us and look forward to LOTS more info soon. ;):D

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Rescuemom]

Weight 83 lbs. normal 55-60. Gained steadily at about 1 lb per week.
Will be starting at 60 mg vetoryl once daily. Is also on .5 thyrosyn 2xdaily. Denamarin 425 mg once daily, and simplicif 200 mg for skin infection.

Chem abnormalities include:
Alt. 407
Alkp 458
Get 48
Phos 7.6
Cal 10.3
Pot 6.2
Na/K 25
Cholesterol 374
WBC 20,300

I can give you ranges, but it will take awhile to post everything and I have to be out for most of the day. Everything was elevated from last test done just a few weeks ago, except cholesterol which was down.

Liver biopsy done. Waiting on results. CTscan done Tuesday 7/7/15.
What did I leave off?

[Squirt's Mom]

Normal ranges vary from lab to lab so it helps to see the normal ranges along with the little letters that follow like ug/dl, nmol/L, etc. Yes it takes time so you can do this later when you have time. ;)

The CT - of her abdomen or skull? What were the results (comments)? Has she had an abdominal ultrasound?

Nosy, ain't we? :D

[Rescuemom]

CT was both abdomen and skull. Found macroadenoma on the pituitary. Nothing unusual in abdomen, except huge amount of fat, which is beginning to affect her heart. This is what concerns me most. Right now--the need to get the fat off.

When we first started her on a very low dose of thyrosyn in May I thought we would begin to see change, and we did: she gained another pound. Each time we went back to the doctor to increase the thyroid she had gained more weight, and was just as thirsty.

[labblab]

Are you sure the vet described the pituitary tumor as being a macroadenoma? If so, this means the tumor has enlarged to an extent that exceeds the size that is more common and this would definitely affect Annie's prognosis and perhaps even the overall treatment plan. Macroadenomas are ultimately associated with neurological changes in addition to the more typical Cushing's symptoms. So it will be helpful if you can reconfirm that CT report.

Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Yes, if that is correct and the vet saw a MACRO then I would seriously think about not treating since the cortisol will help keep the tumor down in size for a bit while the drugs used to lower the cortisol often allow the tumor to grow even faster. The distinction between a mAcro and mIcro tumor is critical. ;)

[Rescuemom]

It doesn't matter which or what anymore.

She died a couple hours ago. I'm thinking heart.

My heart is broken. I should have been able to save her.

[Rescuemom]

Just spoke to vet. She thinks it might have been a pulmonary embolism because of the way I described her breathing.

And yes it was macro, but very small. They still referred to it as macro

[lulusmom]

I am so incredibly sorry for you loss.

Godspeed sweet Annie.

Glynda

[flynnandian]

i am sorry for the loss of your annie. hugs from us.

[Budsters Mom]

I am so sorry.:o

Fly free sweet Annie, fly free

Kathy

[Robert]

So sorry for your loss.

[mytil]

Oh I am so very sorry to read this.

Sending healing ((((hugs))))
Terry

[molly muffin]

I am very sorry to hear of Annie's passing.

[Squirt's Mom]

Sweetheart, I am just shocked to read about your sweet Annie. It hit me hard when I read she was gone. She just got here; we barely got the chance to get to know her, and now she is gone. :( I am just stunned and can barely imagine what you are going thru.

In your shoes, I would be blaming myself a great deal, saying things like, "I should have _______" or "I should never have ________" - I am the Queen of Guilt and can find a way to be responsible for anything. But you didn't fail your sweet girl. You did all you could to find out what was wrong and how to help her. So many parents wouldn't have even noticed something was off but you did from the beginning and went to work on Annie's behalf. But, sadly, events were out of your control and she was called Home.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Trinket, Brick, Sophie, Fox, Redd, and all our Angels



"Lend Me a Pup"

I will lend to you for awhile a puppy, God said,
For you to love her while she lives
and to mourn for her when she is gone.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe for two or three.
But will you, till I call her back
take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charms to gladden you
and should her stay be brief
you'll always have her memories
as solace for your grief .
I cannot promise that she will stay,
since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give her all your love
Nor think the labor vain
Nor hate me when I come to take my pup back again.

I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done,"
For all the joys this pup will bring,
the risk of grief you'll run.
Will you shelter her with tenderness
Will you love her while you may
And for the happiness you'll know, forever grateful stay.

But should I call her back
much sooner than you've planned
Please brave the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.
If, by your love, you've managed
my wishes to achieve,
In memory of her that you've loved,
cherish every moment with your faithful bundle,
and know she loved you too.

— Author Unknown

[pansywags]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts go out to you and everyone who loved Annie. You did everything you possibly could have.

[judymaggie]

I am very sorry to read that Annie has passed. My prayers and thoughts go out to you during this difficult time.

[doxiesrock912]

I'm so sorry for your loss of Annie! Cushings is complicated and even moreso if other health issues exist. Please don't blame yourself. Some things just happen without much warning and pets are adept at hiding pain or illness. It's a natural thing, to hide any weakness.

I also lost my Daisy Mae under unforeseen circumstances. Know that Annie isn't suffering and be grateful that her end time was quick. You did what you could sweetie.