What happened to my sweet Pebbles

[k9diabetes]

I just talked to Marianne, who is not able yet to post herself.

A few hours before Marianne and her husband arrived, Pebbles experienced some kind of neurological damage - they are not sure if a pituitary tumor has been enlarging or if it was a stroke... they will be performing an autopsy so Marianne can know what happened to make Pebbles so terribly terribly distressed. She couldn't let Pebbles suffer that way...

Natalie

[We Hope]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

A Parting Prayer

Dear Lord, please open your gates
and call St. Francis
to come escort this beloved companion
across the Rainbow Bridge.

Assign her to a place of honor,
for she has been a faithful servant
and has always done her best to please me.

Bless the hands that send her to you,
for they are doing so in love and compassion,
freeing her from pain and suffering.

Grant me the strength not to dwell on my loss.
Help me remember the details of her life
with the love she has shown me.
And grant me the courage to honor her
by sharing those memories with others.

Let her remember me as well
and let her know that I will always love her.
And when it's my time to pass over into your paradise,
please allow her to accompany those
who will bring me home.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of her companionship
and for the time we've had together.

And thank you, Lord,
for granting me the strength
to give her to you now.

Amen.

[CarolW]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Tears are pouring down my face; I can hardly type.

Marianne - you did everything right for Pebbles. My heart goes out to you in your loss Do heed Kathy's prayer.

Love is forever. Pebbles will return and talk to you, when you least expect it, bouncing around in that huge hole in your heart. She will come, any time, talking to you, and be, as are all dogs who have crossed the Bridge - a Predecessor, for her Beneficiaries, our companions who remain here on Earth with us - because we keep learning, learning, from the Predecessors, when they come and talk to us.

With love, tears, and deepest condolences,
Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:52:51

[Cara's Mom]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne, I am so, so sorry. I feel your pain and I have cried with you. But Pebbles is now save , without any pain.

God'speed, Pebbles. You have earned your wings.

All our love,

[eyelostit]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Oh No........Marianne, my heart is with you, who could of been a better mom than you to Pebbles. I am so sad as I type this, your poor Pebbles

A Dogs’s Plea

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick you hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when the sound of your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal no longer accustomed to bitter elements.
I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer from thirst
Feed me clean food that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in any danger.
And, my friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going, I am not having any fun.
Please see to it that my life is taken gently, I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

[Dollydog]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

I'm so sorry Marianne...so many tears for you this morning. I know she's at peace but I know your heart is breaking. You tried so hard for her to stay with you.
(((HUGS)))
Jo-Ann

[ladysmom06]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne,

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful, precious Pebbles. You know I will always be here for you. Prayers and hugs being sent to you and your family.

Luv,
Lynne and Lady

[Ricksma]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne...please know that I am with you now. My heart is breaking for you, but you have to know you have always done your very best for our Pebs. We love you.

Love and hugs, Teresa

[Mickey'sMom]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne....Love and comfort coming your way....Bless you, wonderful dog mommy..we all share your grief...big hugs to you, as we all wave goodbye for now, to your beloved. loyal friend. Pebbles....

Dori & Mickey

[bgdavis]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne,

I'm so saddened by the loss of Pebbles. I know that your heart is breaking into a million pieces. Remember that you did everything you possibly could for her and that she, in turn, was devoted to you.

Bonnie and Crissy

[Dollydog]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Still thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.....
Jo-Ann

[k9diabetes]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Hi Marianne,

I just got your email about Pebbles' pituitary macroadenoma. Took a look at the link and it described Pebbles' behavior exactly - not just at the end when the neurologic complications started but even the weeks before. It is good to KNOW what happened... doesn't make anything feel even a little better but at least you don't have to wonder.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...roadenoma.html

Natalie

[bowens2]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne, So sorry to hear about Pepples. My heart goes out to you and your husband.

[gpgscott]

Re: Marianne's Pebbles has passed away

Marianne, I am so sad for you and all to whom Pebbles is important. You did the best by her that you could.

She will be missed and honored here and also with the Cushing's group.

I wish I had words to take the hurt, but we both know that is not possible. Please post when you feel like it.

Scott

[rhodesian46]

What happened to my sweet Pebbles

:
I have been reading all of the posts on Pebbles. I cannot believe how many of you loved her. I have been on the board for over a year now. You have helped me with managing her diabetes. Calmed me down when I freaked. And most importantly just been there. Pebbles was a handful. For all of the newbies here. Pebbles was misdiagnosed over three years ago with Diabetes Insipitus, In the beginning of 2007 she was dx with hypothyriodism,then diabetes in 7/07 and finally Cushings disease in 12/07. So she had three endocrine disorders and was a very complicated case. I chose to bring her to Texas A & M Teaching Hospital in College Station, TX They are one of the best in the country for treating animals. I did every test on schedule,home tested,blood work and traveled 2 hours back and forth as I wanted the best for my girl. I communicated weekly with the IMS there as to how her Bg's were, how she was acting,whether she had increased thirst or urination, how her bacterial skin infection was etc. Everthing I could think of that would pertain to her health. I vowed that I would give her care 150% as I never wanted to feel when she was gone that I didn't do enough for her. She had over a year of feeling better. Was alert and responsive. Loved her walks. Loved her cookies( milk bone) At one time was really sneaky and mischievious. Got into cat poop,bread,puppy food and even ate berries off my bushes. We all laughed about this. She had a year of slight blood in her fecal, a bacterial skin infection,her third eyelid retracted( Horners Eye Syndrome) and a bout of pancreatitis( 07/08) Was hospitalized for three days at A & M. The Doctors were amazed that she came home so fast I traveled back and forth to make sure she ate which she did. She then had a few more bouts in which I was able to keep under control. She is a fighter for sure.
On Monday Oct 20 I raced Pebbles back to A & M. She had refused her meal , vomited water and was screaming. It was not the same noise that I heard when she howled ( Pebbles was a husky) for joy. My husband went 80 mph all the way there. I pulled my seatbelt off and sat in the back of the SUV trying to console her but nothing could calm her down. The Doctors could not find out where she wa stender as she yipped no matter where they touched her So they administered pain meds,fluids and were going to wait till the next morning to exam her. They also did a SNAP CPL test for pancreatitis. It did come back positive so they started to treat her very aggressively. She was not eating but was drinking water on her own. A & M had called me Tuesday. Pebbles was resting comfortably but was very over anxious. By Tues afternoon they had backed down on her pain meds. The student called me Wed to give me an update Pebbles still didn't eat for them and had been more noisy than usual. I decided that we would drive out Wed to see if she would eat for me. We arrived at 1:30. The student brought Pebbles out to me I was going to bring her outside and try to feed her. Pebbles was doing this horrible scream again but this time it was more repetitive and more hoarse. She could not keep still outside and was pacing On top of that she didn't recognize me or was happy to see me. I asked the student if Pebbles had her pain meds She replied that they just gave her the highest dose that they could give. I know my dog .OMG something was wrong, I brought her back in the hospital. I lay on the floor in the lobby stroking her head,rubbing her belly and telling her that I loved her I asked the student to get Dr Quinn, She was the ER Dr. that had been treating Pebbles since Monday. Pebbles regular Dr ( Dr Bostrom) wasn't on call but was doing research. We moved her to the room. Pebbles continued to scream and I noticed that she was circling the exam table over and over again. She drank water for me though. The door opened and I see Dr Quinn and Dr Bostrom. I thought something is definetely wrong .Dr Bostrom isn't on call. Dr Quinn explained that Pebbles cortisol test came out less than 1. Meaning Pebbles had Addison's Disease( This is the opposite of Cushings that she had) I though GREAT WE CAN TREAT THAT !!! She then said that she thought Pebbles had some neurological issues. The circling,non recognition,screaming repetitively and not eating. She said that she was comfortable in saying that Pebbles wasn't in any pain but had abnormal vocalization. She was on the highest dose and this was the best pain meds you can give a dog. She looked over the records and wanted to make sure that Pebbles had Pituitary Cushings not Adrenal Cushings. Pebbles had pituitary cushings. I asked what could be done for her. They said an MRI to see what was the matter and possibly radiation. I asked them what they thought I should do. THey both didn't think that this would help Pebbles. They said she has alot of endocrine diseases and has so much going on. In the meantime Pebbles was still screaming!!! They both left the room so that my husband and I could talk. They also brought Pebbles back to her cage to mildly sedate her. We decided to put our sweet Pebbles down! I know she wasn't going to beat this one and couldn't stand to see her like that. But was I making the right choice? Was I going to not put her down because I couldn't let go? My feeling was that I have to do this for her!! Pebbles had no quality of life left. My dear baby!!! I can't do this!!! The Dr's came back in and we told them what our decision was.They got Pebbles ready and put her on a cart. I heard her screaming down the hall even though she was sedated. I spent a few minutes with her. I told her that I love her and that your Mommy is here! I hugged her so tight I didn't want to let go. She was still screaming and could not keep her head in one spot. Dr Quinn and Dr Bostrom came back in the room and asked if I was ready I asked them again "Am I doing the right thing?" Dr Quinn said "If I thought you were making a mistake I would tell you" I told them that I would stay with Pebbles when they gave her a sleep injection but couldn't stay with her on the next step where theystop her heart. My husband lefted the room and was really upset. I grabbed Pebbles and kissed her on the mouth and lips many times I didn't want to stop kissing her I didn't want her to leave me THey injected the sleep med and Pebbles finally stopped screaming. Her eyes rolled back I know that she was sound asleep. Dr Bostrom told me that she is in a deep sleep right now. I kissed her again,hugged her and whispered " I love you ! God Speed Pebbles" My 2 hour trip home was horrible. All's I could think of is her screaming. I beat myself up for days!! Did I do the right thing? Could she of been helped?
On Friday(10/24) Dr Quinn called me.( I had agreed for Texas A & M to do a necropsy. I would be giving my self closure and also helping them find out more about Pebbles. She was a complicated case and if they could learn something to help other dogs then that was fine) She said that she called upstairs to see if they had any info on a visual look of the necropsy. SHe wanted me to know that Pebbles had a farely large pituitary Macroadenoma "Most pituitary tumors responsible for Cushing's disease are microscopic but approximately 10% to 20% of dogs with pituitary dependent Cushing's disease have a tumor large enough to take up a significant amount of space. These tumors are called "macrotumors" and, since there is not much extra space within the skull for extra-structures, a macrotumor can compress normal brain tissue and lead to neurologic disease. "( See link below) This explained the circling,the non recognition,the vocalization and not eating. Dr Quinn felt that I needed this info. She said " All the money in the world could of not saved Pebbles life She would of died any way" So the Dr's were right. I felt better that I did make the right choice Didn't make me not miss her no less!But I am not second guessing mysely any longer. The rest of the necropsy will be finished in 4-8 weeks as they do microscopic slides
I have since emailed Dr Stone ( He was Pebbles IMS at A & M for 7 mos) He is at the University of Georgia in Athens. I asked him if he would review the necropsy report and call me.I told him that I respected his opinion and needed closure. He said he will get with Dr Bostrom and review Pebbles case for last 3 months. But turns out Dr Bostrom's family lives in Athens, GA. She was visiting them yesterday. She went to see Dr Stone and they caught up in person. I am sure that I won't have all of the answers But would like to know where the rectal bleeding came from. Why did Pebbles insulin requirements suddenly drop in July? Was there any cancer? I know that I have one shot at this and need to ask as many questions as can. Don't want to keep e mailing them with more questions Both Dr Stone and Dr Bostrom will personally call me.
I want to thank every one of you for being there for me. I want to thank those who helped me with Pebbles medical bill.s I appreciate every one of you. All of the posts,all of the candles being lit and all of you crying with me.The concern and love is overwhelming!! Pebbles was a special girl. I miss the feed times,the injections, the BG testing, the walks, the treats, the howls, the blue eyes and most important the bond that I had with her. My heart feels like it was ripped out. I miss her sooo much . I want her back in good health. I want to hug ,kiss and give her her belly rubs!!! It will take time to heal It is a slow process. But I will try to help others with their dogs as others have helped me. To My Dear Pebbles " Mommy loves you"

PS- Have attached the link to macroadenoma Please read http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...roadenoma.html