From:
FeritFran@aol.com
Date: 2002-01-18 06:47:00 UTC
Subject: Bi-lateral Adrenalectomy - Addison's?
I thought perhaps the group could to give me a little input as to
what I can expect down the road.. sorry it's so long!
Our nearly 5 year old, Meeko had her left adrenal removed in
November of 2000. She acted fine, but by September of 2001 was
completely bald up to her shoulders. Her right adrenal was removed
on October 18, 2001. At that time I asked my vet about Addison's
and he said that to his knowledge it was rare, but to watch her.
She seemed to be doing exceptionally well and was more energetic
than she'd been in a long time. Eating and pooping just fine and
her fur grew back really quickly!
Saturday, Nov 10 she began a rapid decline.. refused to eat, had
diarrhea and was just really "low". With the help of a shelter
friend/guardian angel, and some wonderful advise, I kept her stable
until I could get her to the vet on Monday morning.
The vet immediately gave her a shot of Percortin and he kept her for
2 days. He tested her for Addison's but said since she had already
been given steroids the results most likely would not be accurate.
She was sent home on Pred 0.10 twice a day and with 1 - 2 cc KP Sol
for the diarrhea. The only thing she would eat was Chicken baby
food and Ensure. I also was given I/D by the vet, but she didn't
want anything with any "consistency".
Then, having heard that perhaps Glucerna was a better alternative
(sugar free) I switched her over to that on Jan. 8 or 9.
I had weaned her off the pred very slowly, and her last dose was on
Dec 29. I had an appointment for Thursday 1/17 for her to have a
CBC.
She was doing very well until Monday 1/15, she started to go
downhill, had severe diarrhea (mustard yellow and the same
consistency) and I brought her first thing Tuesday morning. She got
another shot of percortin, is back on Pred 0.10 and now is on Albon
for 10 days. She has a loose tooth, and the vet noticed that when
he touched her gums on that side they bled. He also said that I
need to use the Ensure, as the Glucerna is full of sorbital and that
in itself could cause the diarrhea. Also he's now changed her to
A/D, ground I/D and Ensure as her primary diet. We feed her 5x a
day.
She is doing well, and I've said all that to get to my question.
Do I assume that she is to be on Pred for the rest of her life? Is
it the proper thing to do to just keep giving it to her, or should I
once again try weaning her off the Pred so we can run a CBC for a
clear answer on the Addison's?
Sorry to be so very wordy, but some things just can't be shortened!
Fran