8/16 Doodle update (more hyperaldosteronism info)

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Michelle and Doodle

Michelle and Doodle

Member Since 2009
Hi LL peeps! It's been a while since I've posted an update and I wanted to let you all know how Doodle is doing.
His insulin needs are wonky as usual.... He's managed to get himself into a position where a 0.05 dose TID sends him too low and shooting BID leaves him swinging between 80 and 350. :roll: (His SS is not up to date)
I'm going to have to try shooting every 10 hours... or maybe 0.025 TID :lol:
He seems to feel pretty well most of the time and he still plays at night which makes me happy.

On a less happy note we just his labs back. His Aldosterone level has now doubled to 1385 (normal is 194-388) - which further confirms his Hyperaldosteronism. :(
Our new vet is talking with two endocrinologists about getting a CT scan and the possibility of surgery - but this type of surgery is very risky.
I'm just not sure what to do...
The alternative to surgery, is that he dies.
But that could be months from now.
The risk of surgery is that he dies during surgery - or soon after. ( the adrenals are located near the vena cava so it is a particularly risky area)
But of course, from the more optimistic perspective, if the surgery were successful... it would resolve the issue!
-- and then he would only have to deal with his shot kidneys and of course the diabetes. (I'm apparently not much for the optimistic perspective.)
 
I'm sorry to hear about doodles lab results ... that is a hard place to be at, not knowing what to do ... I hope you guys can get it all figured out ...
 
wow Michelle, that's a tough decision. Gather all the information, and then sit down and have a heart-to-heart with Doodle. Maybe if you find a surgeon with a lot of experience, they can explain the options to you better. You're doing a great job of asking the questions, now you just need to find someone who can answer them.

Meanwhile, good luck with the 0.025. :roll: Hug my Doodle for me.
 
I am very glad to hear that Doodle is playing and feeling good and very sad to hear about the lab results. You have a very difficult decision and my heart goes out to you. I hope you can find a non-surgical solution (maybe I'm the optimist).
 
I hope you can work it out. So great that Doodle is playing and happy. :YMHUG: :YMHUG: and cat_pet_icon cat_pet_icon
 
As Libby said, maybe have a heart-to-heart with Doodle after you gather all the information. Meeting an experienced surgeon might eliminate your fears about it. It could also increase those fears too. :sad: You will have to do more thinking and reading and then you will have that decision to make. I am so sorry...it isn't easy, is it? The successful outcome is something we would all pray for, but you will have to weigh your options carefully. (((Michelle)) We are behind you no matter which way you choose...and we are here for you too. Scritches to Doodles from all of us...and hugs for you too :YMHUG: :YMHUG:
 
I am so irritated right now because my vet just called me back and said the endocrinologist at UF was more concerned at how I'm (mis)managing Doodle's diabetes than his aldosterone level. He said the fact that I was shooting insulin TID was going to end up killing him... and that the 300's... he got from shooting BID was just normal for some cats. (He wasn't intersted in the fact that i have been doing this for 3 years and he's been well regulated on TID shots) He wanted her to run a fructosamine test and have me stop home testing - and he suggested changing his diet to KD.
He said, sure we could do a CT scan since his Aldosterone levels were elevated... but that it would probably end up being nothing - since he probably just had CRF due to his diabetes.
grr...

I'm really thankful for this board and the friends I've met here... I think without you guys I would die from sheer exhaustion from all the screaming I would be doing!
 
((((Michelle)))) I'm sorry I made you cry. You know how much I love Doodle.

I don't understand why some vets can't look past the diabetes to see that the diabetes is not the problem you're there for. I once took Lucy in for chest x-rays, and the vet (not my usual one) was trying to lecture me about her dosing. I asked if that was what was making her breathe noisily, since that is why I was at the vet.

I guess that specialist isn't going to be much help, sorry. Is there another one?
 
Hi Michelle,

They do the SRS for acro and cushings tumors. I wonder if it would work for Doodles? One of the reasons they use radiation to kill the tumor is that it's too risky (in cats) to operate on the pituitary, which is what would be done in humans. Do you want to contact Dr. Lunn, or would you like me to contact her? I suspect the cost is similar to a surgery.
 
Oh ((Libby)) making me cry is not a bad thing -- it just means I care what you say ;)
And yes... I know how you love Doodle.

I'm trying to find options within driving distance right now (which means maybe 6hrs. or so each way)
But I'm also very interested in what Heather finds out from Dr. Lunn (Thank You, Thank You Heather!)
- it may turn out that she can't help us... but if it's an option I find it appealing, despite the long trip)
 
Dear Michelle, My heart goes out to you. Having just received bad news on the health front myself (CRF and Hyperthyroidism, to go along with Stu's diabetes), I have an inkling of what you are going through. I don't know anything about hyperaldosteronism, but just want to send you support in whatever decisions you make. The research is hard enough by itself, and having to deal with callous vets even worse. I hope you can find another endocrine specialist. Meanwhile, many, many good thoughts are being sent to you and Doodle.

Ella & Stu
 
Oh, Michelle, I'm sorry to see that you have to make such a hard decision. I don't know much about Doodle's issues, but I know that you will do all the reading and research you can possibly do before you make a decision. I'm hoping that Dr. Lunn can help Doodle's w/o the invasive surgery. Shame that the Endo Specialist was such a peckerneck to you.
I will be keeping you and Doodles in my thoughts and prayers. (((Michelle & Doodlebutt)))
 
Those kind of narrow minded, misguided vets are really irritating. Can't they see how much time, effort, and research you have done for Doodle's to stay as healthy as he is? Anybody willing to do what you have done and travel as far as you are deserves a much better vet! I am sure you will make the right decision!
 
(((doodle))) (((michelle)))

pls forgive my ignorance, but without surgery, what would kill him? the high aldosterone levels? CRF?

has he responded at all to spironolactone? how's his potassium now? and sodium? i'd think surgery risk would be increased if his electrolytes are out of whack - if they will even do surgery then.

if he's having surgery, who'll be doing it? surgery isn't a given, until the CT scan is done, right?

have you seen this? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15922224
 
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