From:
Melissa
Date: 2001-06-14 18:40:00 UTC
Subject: Adrenal behavior without enlarged gland
Hello all -
I just took 2 of my crew in for adrenal cryosurgery.
The good news is that they are both fine, despite a
nasty right tumor for Buttons. The odd thing is that
Mishka, the male, had no enlargement or abnormality to
either adrenal gland. The vet, therefore, didn't take
out either gland.
Mishka has ehxibited both uncharacteristically
agressive behavior towards the girls, and prolonged,
persistent grooming behavior towards me in the past
few months. The grooming, while touching, seems
almost compulsive. He has also occasionally seems
like he has trouble urinating, and he has lost his
outer coat (his coat is extremely thick, so he still
looks fairly normal). In addition, he has a little
bare spot on his belly above his genitals where he has
been licking his fur off, which I assume has to do
with having trouble urinating. To me, and to my vet,
these symptoms are indicative of adrenal disorder.
This behavior started late last summer. I started him
on Anastrozole in late October or early November, and
his symptoms have not really worsened, but he exhibits
these behaviors much more frequently when he has his
"week off" the anastrozole, and he has slowly lost
more fur.
I would like to know if anyone has suggestions for me
as to what to do for Mishka at this point. I am
hesitant to continue the anastrozole because I don't
feel it adequately controls his symptoms. However, I
acknowledge that the anastrozole may be what has kept
the adrenal glands from enlarging. Should I switch to
Lupron (and let the gland enlarge) so that it can be
removed in another 6 months? Or should I continue
with the Anastrozole and discuss increasing the dose
with my vet? Or, should I discontinue all medication
for 4 - 6 weeks so that a blood test can be done
(which seems rather risky to me)?
Confusedly,
Melissa
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