From:
afranzese@optonline.net
Date: 2005-07-20 03:13:09 UTC
Subject: adrenal again or overdose of pred?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8355032.1121829189160.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
My 4.5 year old, Ellie was diagnosed with late stage malignant lymphoma in April, while undergoing surgery to remove her left adrenal gland. Since then, she has been on prednisone, 0.5ml 2x per day of 5mg/5ml. She had only mild digestive problems from the pred, and she has been doing very well in terms of her lymphoma (the vets didn't think she would make it this long but she's still playful even).
After the adrenalectomy, her vulva reduced to normal size, but her hair never quite grew back. We just thought it was due to her weakened state from the lymphoma. Now, she is actually losing hair again, and her vulva has become swollen again. Our vet said it could be a tumor in the other adrenal gland, or it could be due to an overdose of pred. She couldn't think of a way to tell the difference between the two. She said that the steroids could cause the adrenal gland to enlarge, so an ultrasound won't help to rule either case out. Any suggestions?
For now, we are going to keep her dosing the same, and try Lupron injections, which worked for her for a year or so before we opted for surgery. I was worried that giving her 2 opposing hormones might not be good, but our vet conferred with our second vet before suggesting it.
I was just wondering if anyone has any insight about:
1) whether it's more likely to be an adrenal mass, or a hormone reaction
2) whether there's a good way to tell the difference
3) whether it even matters (I suppose the Lupron would treat it either way?)
and 4) whether there's any reason to worry about giving her prednisone and lupron at the same time
Thanks,
Allison