DieselWeisel Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 (edited) Hi all, I am an absolute mess at the moment, my beatiful staffy cross, Diesel was diagnosed with Cushings last week. He has been on trilostane for 5 days now. The really worrying thing is that he has been having regular mini seizures for a week now, just his head shakes side to side, it only happens when he is asleep (it wakes him up). I have been with him 24/7 I haven't had him out of my sight since last Tuesday. My fiancee has even started sleeping in the spare room so Diesel can sleep in the bed with me, and I can monitor him all night. He is having an MRI scan tomorrow at 5pm, as they are worried the seizures are caused by a tumor on his pituatry gland. I just feel sick with worry, he is only 6yo and is the most beautiful loving little fella. He hasn't been himself the last few weeks, just heartbreaking. Cross everything for him tomorrow that they find it's only a little problem... and not the tumor thanks for reading Edited May 27, 2009 by DieselWeisel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 This is a scary time, but as soon as your vet has done the MRi you will have a better understanding. Please make sure that you vet really understands the treatment of Cushing's disease. Many vets can diagnose it but do not understand the protocols for treating it. Often Cushing's is caused by a micro-tumor on the pituitary gland, but sometime it can be amacro-tumor which will cause other problems such as seizures, eye problems. If it should be adrenal Cushing's then an operation is possible to removed tumors from the adrenal glands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninahartland Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Sorry to hear your little guy's not well Hugs to you and hope everythings ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Hi Loraine - Diesel had an ultrasound, that's how they found out his adrenal glands were enlarged, would a tumor have showed up on the ultrasound? He has had so many tests and x-rays, the MRI seems to be the last big one... I hope he doesn't have a macro tumor, as my vet said there is not a lot that they can do for that. Though my Mum's been talking to a vet at golf and that vet said there are tablets they can put them on to shrink the tumor - beginning with 'L'. He is really down today, doesn't want to get up, very cranky, did anyone find there dogs temperament changed when starting the Trilostane? I'm just really worried he's going down hill... and hoping it's just the meds that are knocking him about and not anything in his beautiful little head! Thanks Nina, comforting to know people are wishing all the best for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Lots of good vibes for your boy. The worst thing is not knowing. At least when he has had his MRI done you can decided how to deal with whatever the results may be. What state are you in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 6, 2009 Author Share Posted May 6, 2009 Hi Puggy Puppy, I'm in Sydney Thanks for the good vibes, he is snuggled up with misty the cat on the couch right now, looking peaceful right this moment... ahhh... Can't wait to find out the results Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Hi Loraine - Diesel had an ultrasound, that's how they found out his adrenal glands were enlarged, would a tumor have showed up on the ultrasound? He has had so many tests and x-rays, the MRI seems to be the last big one... I hope he doesn't have a macro tumor, as my vet said there is not a lot that they can do for that. Though my Mum's been talking to a vet at golf and that vet said there are tablets they can put them on to shrink the tumor - beginning with 'L'. He is really down today, doesn't want to get up, very cranky, did anyone find there dogs temperament changed when starting the Trilostane? I'm just really worried he's going down hill... and hoping it's just the meds that are knocking him about and not anything in his beautiful little head!Thanks Nina, comforting to know people are wishing all the best for him The tablets your Mum is referring to is Lysodren, which was the drug of choice prior to Trilostane. I used both (at different times) on my wee lad, and I actually prefer Lysodren, but hey it is whatever works. The adrenals show enlarged as they are pumping heaps of cortisol, but that can be due to a pituitary tumor. Unless the tumor is hiding, an ultrasound would have shown a tumor as long as the person doing the ultrasound knew what to look for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hi DW, My beautiful cattle dog has Cushings disease (pituitary dependant) and is on Trilostane. I cant say that the drugs did change her - if anything they worked so brilliantly that we had our girl back. The Trilostane has been fantastic for Chloe and controlling her Cushings symptoms and normalising her cortisol production. Yes, the ultrasound should have shown any tumours on the adrenals. If none were found (as in Chloe's case), they will generally diagnose it as pituitary dependant. Thankfully, Chloe's must be a very small tumour as it has not affected any neurological functions - but they did warn us that if we did notice anything that we would have to change tactics with her treatment. So far, so good. We were also told that many of the pituitary tumours are small and slow growing - and may never affect a dog in it's natural life time. We pray that this will be Chloe's case. If it is found that a larger pituitary tumour is causing your boys Cushings, they will most likely change the treatment to Lydrosen. Loraine, correct me if I am wrong but it is a little like chemo and reduces/slows the growth of the tumour? Not sure on that one, I dont know a great deal about Lydrosen other than the affects of it are permanent, whereas with Trilostane it corrects the symptoms with reversible effects should dogs need to come off the medication. I agree with Loraine that if your vet is not a specialist in the area of Cushings disease or does not fully understand it, then my opinion would be to ask to be referred to someone who is - or who you feel more confident with. It is an expensive disease to control, and requires accurate monitoring regularly, so best to have it treated and overseen by someone who understands Cushings well. I do hope that Diesel is okay, and that you get some reassuring answers soon. Please let us know how he goes. Cushings can be a very scary disease, but once controlled can be virtually unnoticeable (except for the very light wallet) :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hi DW,If it is found that a larger pituitary tumour is causing your boys Cushings, they will most likely change the treatment to Lydrosen. Loraine, correct me if I am wrong but it is a little like chemo and reduces/slows the growth of the tumour? Not sure on that one, I dont know a great deal about Lydrosen other than the affects of it are permanent, whereas with Trilostane it corrects the symptoms with reversible effects should dogs need to come off the medication. I agree with Loraine that if your vet is not a specialist in the area of Cushings disease or does not fully understand it, then my opinion would be to ask to be referred to someone who is - or who you feel more confident with. It is an expensive disease to control, and requires accurate monitoring regularly, so best to have it treated and overseen by someone who understands Cushings well. You are right Kelly Louise, Lysodren is a chemo drug and helps to reduce the tumor. Please let us know how Diesel's MRI goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Any news yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Hi everyone, Thanks for your replies, makes me feel so much better hearing your experiences and good wishes for Diesey! All going to plan, Diesel should be having the MRI as I type, he was booked in for 5pm, they take him to a human clinic, vet with him the whole time. The vet said she won't be back at the clinic till 7:30pm at the earliest, she is calling me to let me know when he is back safely, but can't tell me the results till the morning. So now I just wait, will let you know results asap... Going to cook a nice dinner to keep my mind off it all, been doing way too much confort cooking and eating this past week, looking forward to some answers soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Ahhh got to love the out of hours usage of human MRI's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 Diesel does have a brain tumor The vet just called and said there is definitely something there, she can't give me the full details till they get the report tomorrow. She said we can talk about options then, but not to get my hopes up beacuse it is very serios I can call at 9am to see if he can go home, and as soon as the repost comes in we'll go back and figure out the best course of action. My poor little man, I just want to cuddle him, he is on anti-seizure meds now, and probably having a lovely sleep, hope he is not too scared at the clinic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 (edited) DW .... sending you wishes of strength. Remember - you feel worse than he is feeling. Edited May 7, 2009 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 Oh no. Thought are with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frodo's mum Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 thinking of you and Diesel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 So sorry to hear that DW Thinking of you and Diesel - stay strong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselWeisel Posted May 7, 2009 Author Share Posted May 7, 2009 (edited) Thanks Frodo's Mum and Mona, your dog's are just adorable btw Rang the vet at 9am and she wants to keep him there to discuss with the other two specialist vets there, he didn't seizure last night (I'm pretty sure he was on anti-seizures though). I can call at 1pm and hopefully they have the results and I can go see him and find out the full story. The vet I fist saw at this clinic did Cushings as her Masters subject for three years, I went to my normal vet initailly last week, and he referred me here when I wanted answers for the seizures. So I think he is in good hands.. ahh the waiting game again Edited May 7, 2009 by DieselWeisel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loraine Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Blast!!!!! Not good news, I am hoping that there is a solution, but I am not aware of one. I know in the US a couple of vet schools have done pituitary surgery on dogs, but it is not being done anywhere else, it is also very risky. I don't think Lysodren would necessarily help, as it does not shrink the brain tumors to well, it acts mainly on shutting down the adrenals and shrinking them. I will be keeping you and Deisel in my thoughts and hope your vet has a few good ides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Oh damn. I'm really sorry that the news has not been more positive. I've also been told that there arent many people who do surgery on the pituitary tumours (if any in Aust) and that it is very risky and very, very expensive. But I am sending you guys all the best possible vibes and hope that your vets can find a course of treatment that will give Diesel many years with you and allow him quality of life. Lots of hugs in sympathy - Cushings is a nasty, nasty disease that not many people know much about and it can be really scary as no two cases are ever the same. But you sound like you have found some good vets, hopefully they will guide you on how to best go about getting Diesel better. Best wishes to you and let us know what the plan of attack will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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