Uncontrollable Urge To Pee. Stops On Vomit

[Erny]

Thank you ...... thank you everyone. Your support is invaluable.

Pampa - it's sad that so many candles are needed, but Kal and I are grateful for it. I too think of Ollie and Lucinda and your girl. I hope they all end up being able to live the lives they have, to the fullest.

DBS - you're not negative by any stretch. I appreciate the information you give and have given. Heaven knows I've learnt heaps from it. And there's little use going in to these things 'blind'. I need to know what to expect, so I can best help Kal and identify early if things go wrong. Although there is a lot of hope and positive expectation, "realist" is a vital ingredient too.

Tramissa and Tassie - thank you. That I have done all I am capable of is to a large degree, my "comfort".

In all of this, there's one thing that niggles in the back of my mind. Yesterday, the Vet, who spoke to me in brief after the ultrasound (my appointment wasn't with him, so he didn't have a lot of time), said that "this has been going on for months, not years" and that he suspects there are "age related things going on".

I'm pondering on what, exactly, are the outward symptoms I'm seeing that will be cured/improved by the removal of the tumour. But, that's a question I will reserve for Guy Yates, when he rings me.

[wisdomis4thoseseek]

I hope Guy calls soon

I wish you all the luck and sucess if you go ahead with the op, i will be thinking of you both and reading up on this thread.

I hope everything goes well....

[pampa]

Still no news from Dr Guy, buddy ?...

[Erny]

Hey there, Pampa. No. Somehow, I don't expect he'll call me until following the Easter break. If I haven't heard by Tues/Weds, I'll call him.

In a way, I don't mind this little wait. It's giving me time to get my head around it, read up on it and increase my girl's food intake again to try to add some weight if possible. She has none to spare, and I'm concerned of the weight loss I'm sure will occur following the ordeal. I want to give her the best chance possible.

I'm a bit 'flat' today ..... ok, but just zero'd out. I think reality is beginning to sink in and I'm a step behind the "scared of what I'm doing" stage. ;) But hey - I believe there's a good chance for her. In that, I'm lucky. ;)

[Falgall]

Hi rny

I hope that all goes well for Kal.

I like you hate an op but hopefully it will resolve her problems.

Is that her in your avatar?

She is divine ;)

I wish you both all the best through this horrid time.

Please keep us updated

Kind Regards

Karen

[Muttaburra]

G'dday. Although the news is not terrific, from what your vet says there is still reason to hope for a positive surgical outcome. Certainly has narrowed things down a bit now. I have known both people and dogs with adrenal conditions and both had symptoms of excessive urination (overproduction). The intermittent nature of Kal's urinary symptoms are a bit puzzling. Have you had the thyroid and pituitary levels blood tested as well?

Your vet has worked very well with you and that's a huge plus knowing that his opinion is thorough and dependable. I know for aging cats with kidney problems there is a new medication (a few years now) that helps with the blood supply to the kidneys.

Do you think some nutrigel (something like that for dogs?) added to the food might help?

I hope you and Kal have some lovely times together over easter and that your spirit is replenished somewhat by the rest. Don't forget to look after yourself too.

[~Sasha~]

Erny I'm really sorry that Kal is so sick. I hope the surgery works well for Kal and there is a quick recovery.

[Erny]

The intermittent nature of Kal's urinary symptoms are a bit puzzling. Have you had the thyroid and pituitary levels blood tested as well? ... Your vet has worked very well with you and that's a huge plus knowing that his opinion is thorough and dependable. ... Do you think some nutrigel (something like that for dogs?) added to the food might help? ... Don't forget to look after yourself too.

Hello everyone

Feeling better today. Think it was simply a 'downer' day yesterday. :D

Abs, Sasha and Falgall .... thank you all for posting.

Abs - the Vet is a bit puzzled regarding the "uncontrollable urge to pee" too ... he doesn't see it as connected to the adrenal tumour. I guess that might be a "suck and see" (:D not literally, thank goodness!). When I get to talk to the specialist surgeon, hopefully things will become clearer (at least as far as what we do and when, is concerned).

I don't know what "nutrigel" is I do have to be careful about whatever I give Kal, given that she has this history of IBS.

As an aside, I'm quietly pondering whether Kal really ever did have IBS ... maybe the abdominal pain I and the Vets detected related to the tumour? I know that when Kal has had the camera down her stomach, the stomach lining and anything else we could see was a nice healthy colour .... go figure?

I have purchased 7 chicken fillets from the supermarket today. I am planning to give her one each day (in addition to her usual meals). With the above paragraph in mind, I'm wondering if it was coincidental that she showed pain etc. etc. when I tried chicken (and other things, over time) in her diet. Thought I'd give it another shot. The main reason is because I need to feed her something that will help her gain weight, especially before the surgery. But I don't want to go overboard, and I want to keep things as simple as possible, at this stage, so if she does react, I know exactly to what (maybe???).

Yes .... Pituitary function/levels and thyroid was all previously checked out.

I think the Vet is on the right track. My doubts have mostly been from previous bad experiences with Vets, so I'm now only beginning to trust this one. Poor guy .... I've given him a run for my money. :D

Thanks everyone for your concern. And Abs, I am looking after myself .... although lacking appetite at the moment (for whatever reason), made myself eat a good quantity of vegies last night. Was thinking to myself at the time that I'm almost eating as well as Kal does! .

Cheers everyone. I will post back when I know more about what's going on.

(Another "aside" .... You know, there's threads and posts about DOLers flaming people and how it's not necessary and that we should be nice etc. etc. Not suggesting they're wrong, but I think those people should come take a look in here. They will see so many people - even the ones who do "debate" strongly - of which I am guilty - who are so caring and supportive. If they cared to look, they'd recognise that people gather around to support when any of us most need it. Thank you, again. )

Edited April 13, 2006 by Erny

[InspectorRex]

You take care Erny, I will have to send some of the yummy local baked bread up to you so I know you are at least eating too.

Kal, sweetie you are in my prayers every day

[Erny]

Hey IR :D

.... maybe I'll just have to take a drive down there for one of your yummy cheese and tomato rolls.

Or feel free to visit the busy suburbs and pop on over for a cuppa! (But bring the bread .... it's nice ).

Love your new Avatar, by the way! Beautiful photo of your girl. That is who I think it is, isn't it?

Is that her in your avatar? She is divine :D

Hi Karen ... I missed responding to this before. Yes, that's Kal in the Avatar. About 9 months ago approximately. She was not well then, either, but not as frail as she is at the moment. She is as kind and as honest as she looks in that photo. Thanks for your comments and thoughts.

[InspectorRex]

Yes Erny that is Phoebe in my avatar.

We are dog showing at KCC Park in Cranbourne on Saturday, why not come and have a bit of an outing for yourslef, and dear Kal if she feels up to it.

Bring $$ as the vans at dogs shows always look at me and say " Spend your money here dear "

Yes , falgall KAL is a divine girl too :D

[Erny]

Bring $$ as the vans at dogs shows always look at me and say " Spend your money here dear :D "

In that case, I think I'll be washing their dishes for them!

Depending on the weather, how Kal is etc. etc., may just do that (ie pop on down to KCC). Will look out for you. :D

[oztra]

Hi Erny

So sorry to that Kal is not well and sending you good wishes and health. I live not far from the Werribee Vet Hospital and have only ever had to use them once. I hope all goes well for you both and if there is anything I can do to help please let me know. I am aware I am new to this and that you do not know me but all the same, if there is anything I can do please ask

[Erny]

... I am aware I am new to this and that you do not know me but all the same, if there is anything I can do please ask

Hi Oztra .... this is what makes it even MORE special. That I don't know most of you guys, and yet you offer help, information, support etc. Thank you very much. :D

[Muttaburra]

There is also an appetite stimulant called: Nutrigel (you place a small amount in the mouth to get dog used to the flavour) It is a source of calories and vitamins.

borrowed this from another thread. Also called Nutripet. Nutrigel is sold at Vets and the Nutripet from pet store outlets. It would be mild in the stomach as it is for unwell dogs.

You and Kal have been so strong through all of this, and your bond is one that many share with their pets too, so it seems natural to offer moral support for you both. Just wish I could be of more help.

[Erny]

There is also an appetite stimulant called: Nutrigel (you place a small amount in the mouth to get dog used to the flavour) It is a source of calories and vitamins.

borrowed this from another thread. Also called Nutripet. Nutrigel is sold at Vets and the Nutripet from pet store outlets. It would be mild in the stomach as it is for unwell dogs.

Thank you, Abs. Nothing wrong with Kal's appetite though - she'd eat everything I could put in front of her (which is limited in variation, given the digestive problems she's had). The "source of calories ... " part is interesting, though. Will google it. Ta.

You and Kal have been so strong through all of this, and your bond is one that many share with their pets too, so it seems natural to offer moral support for you both. Just wish I could be of more help.

You are of immense help, Abs. Makes me feel like having a "group hug" :D :D

[pampa]

HAve you had news from Dr Guy ??? When is she scheduled for surgery ???

Just wondering :rolleyes:

[Loraine]

Just managed to catch up with this thread. Erny I am crossing my fingers for Kal and you. The hunger will probably be caused by the adrenal gland pushing too much cortisol (a tumour on the adrenal is also adrenal dependent Cushing's). Once the adrenal/s are removed things should improve vastly.

[Erny]

Guy rang me last night. We spoke for about one hour or thereabouts. Some of the stuff he spoke about was a bit complicated for me (big names ), but in essence, here is my interpretation of what he tells me:

In this instance, there are 3 types of tumours. Kal either has the "best" type of tumour (Tumour "A") .... ie benign, or the worst type .... ie malignant with propensity to invade blood vessels etc. (Tumour "C")

Guy feels that she may have the worst type, although the good news is that the ultrasound indicates that it has not invaded and is reasonably encapsulated. But the result of this tumour is the abnormal release of adrenalin to which the body can become habituated to. If they surgically remove the tumour, resulting in a withdrawal of the adrenaline levels her body has become accustomed to, she can quickly go into shock, the result of which is often death.

I have an appointment to take Kal back to Werribee on Wednesday, 26th April. There, he wants to do another lot of blood pressure tests, and also a further urine test to try to better narrow down what sort of tumour we are dealing with. If the results still indicate Tumour C, then Kal requires pre-medication for a period of 2 weeks prior to surgery. The point of this is to regulate the release of adrenaline to reduce the chance of shock during and after surgery.

If the tumour is encapsulated as the ultrasound suggests, survival chances are 70/30%. If not, then we're looking at 50/50% chance. There is one part of the adrenal gland the radiologist was not able to see by way of ultrasound and they will have to check this "on the way in" (ie at the time of surgery).

Guy could not predict life span without surgery. For that matter, he could not predict life span with surgery (assuming it is successful).

I might have some of my memory of the conversation a bit "a-about", but I think I'm reasonably close to the mark in my simple interpretations.

In the meantime, I am supplementing Kal with thiamine (B1) and also on B12 (for good measure). I'm doing this as a result of the recent report on Sulphur Dioxide in pet foods. Kal is on human grade roo mince, but it crossed my mind that maybe there are levels of SD in the mince I get (there are no labels on it) and I even wondered if her symptoms (and tumour?) could be a result of thiamine deficiency. Anyway, I am about to order "Nutrigel" as a general supplement too. I need to get some weight on her and build her strength as much as I am able to. She's gonna need it.

To this end, I thought I'd re-try chicken (human grade) in her diet (to see if I can increase the fat content). I began this last Friday night. Come Sunday late afternoon she was vomiting and lost all the contents of her stomach. She was subsequently so forelorn and weak that I was close to tears from the sheer helplessness I felt.

She is a little better now, but seems almost continuously tired and lethargic. She can now barely manage some steps I have to the decking out the back .... her back legs are so weak.

So, it seems I may know more on 26th April .... or at least once the urine test results come back and I expect Guy will then discuss scheduling her for surgery.

Thank you for asking after her.

And Pampa .... how's your girl going? Will she be fit for travel? Would you let us know?

Erny I am crossing my fingers for Kal and you.

Thank you Loraine

... a tumour on the adrenal is also adrenal dependent Cushing's.

Blood tests ruled out Cushing's.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Erny

[pampa]

Oh dear Ern, it appears she's going down-hill quickly... The report on SD in roo meat and such is very timely and I'm glad you are boosting her Thiamine... Maybe you are on to something It will be interesting to see if she picks up with the supplements...

Roll on Wednesday... You must be impatient to get it all over and done with and get that rotton tumour out of there ASAP...

Big hugs to you both

PS : my girl has had new tests and are awaiting results, I'll refresh our thread when I know more.... Thanks for asking ;)