Newbie to forum - help please (Bailey has passed)

[LindaP]

My golden retriever has been CT scanned and a 2.7cm mass has been found in his pituitary gland, we've been offered an operation.
He has facial paralysis, a slow heart beat, clumsiness and altered personality. He was started on vetoryl but deteriorated. Any advice out there?

[DoxieMama]

Hello and welcome to you and your golden. I do not have experience with surgical options so can't help you there. I'm sorry for all the questions but the more information we have, the better equipped we can be to support you.

Do you happen to have copies of any of the tests done? If you can share any bloodwork abnormalities, Cushing's diagnosis testing (ACTH, LDDS etc) that may be of help to others. How long was he on Vetoryl and what signs did you notice that he "deteriorated"?

[LindaP]

Sorry I have no blood results - he's been back and forth to the vet for tests.

On the meds we were told he should show an improvement within 10 days, by day 9 he'd stopped eating and looked so sad and flat it was heartbreaking, he wouldn't get out off is bed. We took him off meds on our vet's advice and were referred to vet hospital where we had the CT scan and result was a large pituitary mass. It was suggested we consider an operation sooner rather than later due to the other symptoms and pressure on his brainstem.

I Don't want to put him through the trauma of an op for my benefit if it's not in his interest.

He looks so sad.

[judymaggie]

Hi, Linda -- welcome to you and your pup! I am sorry that you are dealing with such a difficult diagnosis. We recently had another member asking about treatment for a large pituitary tumor. Here is a link to an article about what was experimental California surgery. One of our members' dogs, Lucy, was the recipient:

http://dogaware.com/articles/newscushingssurgery.html

Here is what one of our administrators advised re radiation treatment:


Radiation remains the more readily available treatment. Historically, the standard protocol involved a dozen treatments spaced over the course of a month. However, some centers are now offering treatment that involves only a couple of sessions. There are definitely pros and cons involved with deciding to pursue the therapy, however, and typically it does not provide a permanent cure. We can definitely talk about that some more if you are interested, though, since we have had members here who have successfully pursued radiation as well.

I will try to locate the links for the threads about radiation. In the meantime, please do try to get copies of your pup's test results that resulted in his current diagnosis. This is important for us to offer appropriate guidance and it is always a good idea for an owner to have a file with results. Please do tell us the age of your dog as well as how much he weighs as well as what dose of Vetoryl you tried.

Note: Here is a link to Buttercup's thread -- she had radiation and had very good results for a long time. She has since passed on but her thread should give you some good info:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5850&highlight=buttercup

[dsbailey]

Linda,

I'm sorry for the circumstances that have brought you here and the hurdle you and your boy have been given. I just want to say welcome and glad you're now part of our group.

Darrell and Lolita

[DoxieMama]

Hi Linda,

Judy's given you some links that hopefully will help answer some of your questions.

Another possibility is that the dosage of the Vetoryl he started was too much for him. When he stopped eating, stopping that was absolutely the right thing to do. Was an ACTH test done at that time? It's quite possible his cortisol had dropped much too low and he could benefit from a lower dose, but you would only know that if the test was done to check.

As Judy mentioned, how much he weighs and the level of the dose is really important to know when first starting out on Vetoryl. I never got copies of test results from my vet before my pup was diagnosed with Cushing's, but now they know I want a copy of everything when we come in.

Gotta run (I'm at work)! I'll check back later.

[LindaP]

Thanks for you support and thoughts.

Unfortunately radiation is based too far away from where we live for us to consider, the operation offered is the same as described in the article link.

BTW - My dog is 8yrs, 30kg and was dosed on Vetoryl 60mg once a day which was stopped on day 9 due to his unpleasant side effects.

[labblab]

Hello and welcome from me, too. I am going to give you a link to another new member's thread in which we've also been discussing treatment for macrotumors. I must admit I am surprised that surgery would be available to you as an option while radiation is not. At least here in the U.S., I think there are only a couple of centers nationally that perform the procedure, whereas radiation is by far more common. But obviously, you are aware of the choices that are available to you. At any rate, here's the link to that thread:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8274

You'll see that I talk about my own dog's experience in that thread since we suspect he suffered from an enlarging pituitary tumor, as well. He was a Lab, and 9 years old at the time of diagosis, although in hindsight, it is clear that he suffered from Cushing's symptoms for at least 1-2 years prior to that. Do take a look at the conversation in that thread, and see whether any of it prompts additional thoughts or questions for you.

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. I know they have radiation now that can be done in a couple sessions and what people have done is to go with their dogs to a dog friendly hotel near the place the radiation is done, then they get the 2 treatments and then they go back home. Would something like that be an option. We had a member who did this with when using the University of Davis in California. So it is the radiation regime that they are using that only needed the 2 treatments.

[LindaP]

Thanks for your support it is very much appreciated, we have just turned down the surgery, research I have done on here and on line suggests the mass is very large and tricky to remove. Here in the U.K. I have been told there are only 4 radiation centres which offer the right type of treatment all are a long way away unfortunately. We have spoken to our vet who is going to support us with Bailey's palliative care. Due to the large size of tumour we were told it would return as it may not be possible to remove it all during surgery and the facial nerve damage was probably irreversible. I don't think I could put him through any more he is so stressed with what he's been through in the last few weeks.

[labblab]

Dear Linda,

Thank you so much for returning and telling us about your decision. Under these circumstances, I believe I would make the very same decision for my own dog. Having suffered through the loss of my own Cushpup due to what was probably an expanding macrotumor, my heart does resonate with you in the midst of these very trying circumstances. Please know that we will continue to support you in every way we can. So if you should ever wish to talk or vent or question (or even scream!), we will always be here for you.

I am so sorry that your boy is suffering from this tumor, and I know you are suffering right alongside him.

Sending huge hugs to you from across the miles,
Marianne

[Joan2517]

Wishing you peace...cherish the time you have with your darling boy, Linda.

[judymaggie]

Linda -- I am sure that you agonized over having to make such a decision for Bailey but you have certainly put in the time and effort to research the aspects of different options. As Marianne has said, we are here should you need to vent or just tell us how Bailey is doing.

[Squirt's Mom]

Thank you for letting us know about your decision on Bailey's behalf. This is what I would probably do as well. We do all we can while there is hope the cure is there and no worse than the current situation but the time inevitably comes when we have to stop battling and simply love our way thru whatever time we have left with our precious babies. Cherish each day, each moment, storing up memories to sustain you in the years to come. Touch him, talk to him, sing to him, give him all the good foods he loves, spoil him rotten, laugh often...make every day more special than usual. And know you are not alone...we will be here anytime you need to cry, scream, vent, or just touch base with people who understand.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

I think we all completely understand your decision around here. It is never an easy one to make but we just do the best we can for them for as long as possible.

[LindaP]

Bailey lost his battle to cushings on Saturday afternoon 11/02. Feeling so lost without him. It was all so quick, he collapsed, was unconscious and fitting when the vet arrived we all decided it was his time to go. So sad only 8 1/2, he was a gentle boy who loved life.

[judymaggie]

Linda -- my heart goes out to you as you mourn the loss of Bailey. It was obvious to us all that you and Bailey had a special relationship and you made decisions with his best interest in mind. Hopefully, as time passes, you can dwell on the good times you had together rather than the difficult ones. Take care of yourself!

[Squirt's Mom]

Dear Linda,

I am so sorry to hear about Bailey and know your heart is still aching with the loss of your sweet boy. Thank you for returning and letting us know...that had to be difficult.

Your precious baby boy is now free from all suffering and pain, running in the Rainbow Fields with the wind in his ears, playing with all our babies that have had to leave. There he will wait for you til it is your time to join him then he will fly into your arms and cover your face with kisses. Til then, know he carries the love you shared in his heart always.

Hugs,
Leslie, Trinket, Sophie, Fox, Bud and all our angels



The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

[molly muffin]

Linda, I am so sorry that this time has come. It is so hard to say goodbye to our beloved companions. My heart goes out to you.

Sincerest condolences.

[DoxieMama]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[Joan2517]

I'm so sorry for your loss of your beautiful boy, Linda.

[Whiskey's Mom]

My deepest condolences on the loss of your sweet boy. So very sorry.