HarryBoy
07-22-2015, 04:42 AM
Hello All,
I am a newbie and distraught over my sweet 10.75 yo Maltese Harry's second Cushing's flare w/ adrenal tumor.
He had right adrenal gland removed in 2012 - was scheduled for knee surgery & pre-anesthesia bloodwork showed obvious Cushings & they confirmed a tumor via ultrasound - so instead of fixing his knee, we had his tumor removed.
Last 4 months he's gone downhill, which I wasn't in tune with because my Father was in the hospital for 3 of the last 4 months. We went to vet in April and his numbers were pretty much off the charts for all Cushings markers - 5-10 times normal values. Ultrasound revealed tumor on remaining adrenal gland (2.9mm) and High Dose Dex Suppression led vet to think there probably isn't a pituitary tumor also contributing to values.
Thing is - we discussed Trilostane as I had done my research ahead of time -and she said really the tumor has to come out - it's the best course of action. But here's the kicker, my little guy is blind - PRD (progressive retial degeneration) AND he has two really bad knees (both Stage IV subluxating patellas) which are now preventing him from going on daily walks - he kind of hobbles around. It's a $5,000 surgery and I've already spent $2k on diagnotics and follow-up. Not that money is the/an issue.
It's more about putting him through the stress of the surgery to remove the tumor AND the lifelong need for steriods as he'd then be in Addison's disease -when we could try Trilostance and see if it improves his quality of life for 6-12+months. From what I've read, with complete bi-lateral adrenalectomy and lifelong medication his prognosis might only be 12-30 months anyway - and he might not even survive the surgery a this age & stress level.
They say they want to get the tumor out to confirm it's not cancerous and that it will grow into blood stream and perhaps spread - but other articles I'm reading says adrenal tumors are typically slow-growing and typically not cancerous & don't metastacize.
I just went for a second opinion today that had to be rescheduled for Friday due to an emergency surgery - so I'm super frustrated about having to wait for more discussion. As I was waiting there I began reading your forum and seeing how trilostane has helped your Cushings pups.
I want to march into my vets office and say -let's get him on it NOW and see if it helps! I would think that doing something that reduces the cortisol production could also potentially reduce the growth of the tumor - and is better than doing nothing as I try to wrap my head around scheduling the surgery and impact to Harry.
Right now his quality of life is dwindling - blind, can barely walk, pot-bellied, panting, having accidents, and really listless - but still the sweetest little angle ever who is pretty much my shadow & I am his seeing-eye human. Am I crazy or is a trial of Trilostane absolutely worth it for a couple of months to note improvements.
I am pretty much heartbroken but don't want to torture my sweet pup either. Appreciate your feedback!
PS - Molly - what is a food ball for taking pills? Harry is stealth about avoiding all attempts at medications - he even fakes eating the pill then I find them on the floor later. He won't take a pill in cheese, meat, peanut butter or a pill pocket. I have to grind it & put it in wet food, or else he'll pick it out. Can you grind trilostane or does it have to be in a capsule - how do you get a pill down with a dog who spits everything out?
Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place - up late and trying to get out of my head and on to paper so I can sleep. : )
Thanks!
Sarah
I am a newbie and distraught over my sweet 10.75 yo Maltese Harry's second Cushing's flare w/ adrenal tumor.
He had right adrenal gland removed in 2012 - was scheduled for knee surgery & pre-anesthesia bloodwork showed obvious Cushings & they confirmed a tumor via ultrasound - so instead of fixing his knee, we had his tumor removed.
Last 4 months he's gone downhill, which I wasn't in tune with because my Father was in the hospital for 3 of the last 4 months. We went to vet in April and his numbers were pretty much off the charts for all Cushings markers - 5-10 times normal values. Ultrasound revealed tumor on remaining adrenal gland (2.9mm) and High Dose Dex Suppression led vet to think there probably isn't a pituitary tumor also contributing to values.
Thing is - we discussed Trilostane as I had done my research ahead of time -and she said really the tumor has to come out - it's the best course of action. But here's the kicker, my little guy is blind - PRD (progressive retial degeneration) AND he has two really bad knees (both Stage IV subluxating patellas) which are now preventing him from going on daily walks - he kind of hobbles around. It's a $5,000 surgery and I've already spent $2k on diagnotics and follow-up. Not that money is the/an issue.
It's more about putting him through the stress of the surgery to remove the tumor AND the lifelong need for steriods as he'd then be in Addison's disease -when we could try Trilostance and see if it improves his quality of life for 6-12+months. From what I've read, with complete bi-lateral adrenalectomy and lifelong medication his prognosis might only be 12-30 months anyway - and he might not even survive the surgery a this age & stress level.
They say they want to get the tumor out to confirm it's not cancerous and that it will grow into blood stream and perhaps spread - but other articles I'm reading says adrenal tumors are typically slow-growing and typically not cancerous & don't metastacize.
I just went for a second opinion today that had to be rescheduled for Friday due to an emergency surgery - so I'm super frustrated about having to wait for more discussion. As I was waiting there I began reading your forum and seeing how trilostane has helped your Cushings pups.
I want to march into my vets office and say -let's get him on it NOW and see if it helps! I would think that doing something that reduces the cortisol production could also potentially reduce the growth of the tumor - and is better than doing nothing as I try to wrap my head around scheduling the surgery and impact to Harry.
Right now his quality of life is dwindling - blind, can barely walk, pot-bellied, panting, having accidents, and really listless - but still the sweetest little angle ever who is pretty much my shadow & I am his seeing-eye human. Am I crazy or is a trial of Trilostane absolutely worth it for a couple of months to note improvements.
I am pretty much heartbroken but don't want to torture my sweet pup either. Appreciate your feedback!
PS - Molly - what is a food ball for taking pills? Harry is stealth about avoiding all attempts at medications - he even fakes eating the pill then I find them on the floor later. He won't take a pill in cheese, meat, peanut butter or a pill pocket. I have to grind it & put it in wet food, or else he'll pick it out. Can you grind trilostane or does it have to be in a capsule - how do you get a pill down with a dog who spits everything out?
Sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place - up late and trying to get out of my head and on to paper so I can sleep. : )
Thanks!
Sarah