Enlarged Adrenal Gland upon Ultrasound

[kmbishop111]

Wondering if anyone has experience with this and possible reasons​

I do realize Cushings and Addisons are the main two reasons for the finding and quite rare in cats.
My Vet is out of the office for a week or two and I'm left to the google box. lol

Here is a background on how this journey began, I believe now my "Roo" may have been in an Adrenal Crisis and that has led us to where we are.

I dont know if this is something that can be "put off" for a couple of weeks now that he is stable, until my Vet returns or to see another Vet in the meantime.

Original thread Here.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!

My Vet is out of the office for a week or two and I'm left to the google box.

I don't know if I'm correct, but it sounds as though your vet left without giving you any information, instructions or guidance?

see another Vet in the meantime.

I'm thinking yes, and also have you considered talking to a university medical veterinarian department?

 

[Ellis75]

Hi, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Adrenal issues are really unusual in cats. Do you know if both adrenal glands were enlarged or only one? Would you be able to consult with an Internal Medicine specialist, at either a veterinary university like Furballsmom said, or a specialty hospital? It will be more expensive, but an internist would be best equipped to figure out what's going on.

It sounds like Roo is doing better right now, which is good. I would try to make an appointment with an internist if you can afford it as soon as possible, since they may have a wait to get in and it would be best to try to figure out what's going on while Roo is feeling good.

You can search your location here to see if there are internal medicine specialists near you:
The Best Veterinary Internal Medicine Professionals Rated By Past Clients

 

[kmbishop111]

Hi!

I don't know if I'm correct, but it sounds as though your vet left without giving you any information, instructions or guidance?


I'm thinking yes, and also have you considered talking to a university medical veterinarian department?

Yes, you are correct. I have made numerous attempts to get a copy of Ultrasound findings to no avail. Their was a 5 min convo between the practice owner and I the day of the Ultrasound. She said she would send results via email. No email a week later.

The closest University Medical Vet Dept is hours away from the small town I live in.

 

[kmbishop111]

Hi, I'm so sorry you're going through this. Adrenal issues are really unusual in cats. Do you know if both adrenal glands were enlarged or only one? Would you be able to consult with an Internal Medicine specialist, at either a veterinary university like Furballsmom said, or a specialty hospital? It will be more expensive, but an internist would be best equipped to figure out what's going on.

It sounds like Roo is doing better right now, which is good. I would try to make an appointment with an internist if you can afford it as soon as possible, since they may have a wait to get in and it would be best to try to figure out what's going on while Roo is feeling good.

You can search your location here to see if there are internal medicine specialists near you:
The Best Veterinary Internal Medicine Professionals Rated By Past Clients

In the 5 minute Convo with the practice owner, she let me know it was only one Adrenal Gland enlarged. And some mineralizatiin in kidneys, no stones.

Im actually waiting patiently for ANOTHER day to hear back after calling.

At this point if they would just release the Ultrasound findings to me via email or whatever means I could look for another Vet.

To say I'm frustrated is an understatement.

 

[kmbishop111]

You can search your location here to see if there are internal medicine specialists near you:
The Best Veterinary Internal Medicine Professionals Rated By Past Clients

Oh my, there is no-one that even comes up in the search. I'm in NE Arkansas.

 

[Furballsmom]

The closest University Medical Vet Dept is hours away from the small town I live in.

Obtain all of your cats' records, --I'm sure the Veterinarian Department would accept email and phone communication.

 

[fionasmom]

I understand that you need to be polite to this practice at this point, but those results are yours by law and they have no right to withhold them from you. Okay, they are probably not withholding them, but they have no reason to be so late about getting them to you.

 

[kmbishop111]

I understand that you need to be polite to this practice at this point, but those results are yours by law and they have no right to withhold them from you. Okay, they are probably not withholding them, but they have no reason to be so late about getting them to you.

The odd part is, the Vet is a close personal friend. I worked as a Vet Tech for years and a Shelter Director. She was the Vet at the Shelter. We've been friends for 10 years.

I do use several different Vets/Clinics for my TNR Non-profit Organization but trusted her w my oldest personal cat. I feel that trust has been violated in some way. Maybe Im wrong.

Again, I have made multiple attempts to get the Ultrasound record, but no luck. I just want to scream. If you are studying the case before talking to me, tell me that. If there is something else, tell me that. Dont just repeatedly ignore me.

Btw I have spent close to $1000, owe no bill to this clinic so thats not an issue. I just messaged her on FB unrelated to get some sort of response, she saw the messages and nothing.

Im hurt, frustrated, and so worried for my Roo. Oh and I found out she is back at work at the clinic.

 

[Antonio65]

Wondering if anyone has experience with this and possible reasons​

I do realize Cushings and Addisons are the main two reasons for the finding and quite rare in cats.
My Vet is out of the office for a week or two and I'm left to the google box. lol

Here is a background on how this journey began, I believe now my "Roo" may have been in an Adrenal Crisis and that has led us to where we are.

I dont know if this is something that can be "put off" for a couple of weeks now that he is stable, until my Vet returns or to see another Vet in the meantime.

Original thread Here.

My cat Lola, in the avatar, had the same issue. She was found with an slightly enlarged adrenal glan during an ultrasound scan October 2015. We were doing regular scans for her CKD, and on an occasion the vet spotted this new problem and said it could have been Cushing's or Addison's.
We kind of overlooked this until a few months later, when my cat felt very sick and took a long time before addressing the severe illness to this enlarged adrenal gland.
It wasn't Cushing's or Addison's, it was Hyperaldosteronism (even rarer) caused by this carcinoma to her adrenal gland that had it enlarge.

What other symptoms does your cat have now? Is he showing any weakness, for instance?

 

[kmbishop111]

Yes, he is weak and just wants to lay around most of the time. His appetite is much better, not drinking much water. Some diarrhea which I figure is in part due to all the recent food changes. (From dry, to boiled chicken/rice, to Fancy Feast canned)

When he urinates it does look very dilute. Yes, momma is a helicopter mom now. lol

He has always been the closest to me, has to sleep w me etc. I call him my therapy cat as he has always sensed my anxiety, sicknesses, would lay vertically across my chest and seemed to sync his breathing w mine to calm me when my BP was at stroke level. He has stopped all that and I know its my time to return the kindness.

His purrs are less and less, he sometimes lets out a sigh like noise which I interpret as I dont feel well Mom. I just want his quality of life to be better. And without his Dr talking w me I dont know if that is a possibility.

 

[Antonio65]

Yes, he is weak and just wants to lay around most of the time.
[...]
His purrs are less and less, he sometimes lets out a sigh like noise which I interpret as I dont feel well Mom.

I would have her electrolytes checked at the first blood test. Even a simple, quick and rather inexpensive arterial blood gas test is able to tell.
In the case of my cat, the Potassium was very low due to this physical anomaly. Her adrenal gland was producing much more of a hormone (aldosterone) that was depleting her Potassium. This was the reason for her being weak and lethargic.
She came to the point she wouldn't even move from her bed to pee... just imagine...

 

[kmbishop111]

Finally got a call first thing this am from his Vet. We talked for about 45 minutes. She agrees the US is a bit confusing w regards to Adrenal not being mentioned in summary and Roo had not eaten after 11pm the night before as I knew their was a risk of sedation. Odd write up by the Dr that comes in to perform them.

Attached Ultrasound Report along w CBC, Chem15 and Electrolyte Panel, SDMA, T4, and Urinalysis w Sedimentation.

Next plan is Gastric Panel.

 

[daftcat75]

What I'm reading is that due to the presence of food in the intestines, lymphoma could not be ruled out. Rather than putting him through a surgical biopsy like the sonographer recommends, you might consider a second ultrasound with Roo fasted for a longer period of time.

I don't see the pancreatitis test in the blood work. It's going to be one of these: "SNAP fPL" or "Spec fPLI". Spec fPLI is the most accurate but has to be sent to an external lab whereas SNAP can be done in-house.

Is he taking antibiotics for the UTI? That can explain the dilute urine and the weakness.

I would finish the antibiotics for the UTI and have that rechecked in ten days or two weeks. At this time, I would also get the pancreatitis test done if he still seems weak and lethargic. I would also discuss a second ultrasound and how to fast Roo to get food out of his gut for the next one.

 

[kmbishop111]

Yes, taking Veraflox. And a full Gastro panel is next up. For the next Ultrasound his GI Gract will be a clean machine. Will discuss w Dr how long to fast this time.

 

[daftcat75]

Veraflox will likely take him down a peg in energy (as well as the infection itself.) And it will probably soup his poops. If it does, you can use saccharomyces boulardii to counter the antibiotics diarrhea. Jarrow brand is the best because it has nothing you don't want and it includes MOS, a beneficial prebiotic. Because it is yeast-based, it is not killed by the antibiotics like his normal gut bacteria. A vitamin shop or a pharmacy should have it where they keep human probiotics--possibly in the refrigerated section even though it doesn't need to be refrigerated. Half a capsule twice a day mixed into his food is a good place to start. There is no upper limit unless it makes matters worse (which is unlikely.)

 

[kmbishop111]

Ok guys, forgive me but Im a bit overwhelmed at this point. I took Roo to the Vet today just to be weighed, and also in hopes of him getting used to taking a ride and coming back home in a few minutes. I also had to drop off a fecal to be checked for Ghiardia.

Im starting to have some regrets in choosing my good friend as his Dr. I feel like she knows me so well she assumes I already know exactly whats going on and is not explaining why we're doing this test or that test. Yes, I was a Vet Tech for several years but I'm not a Vet. I don't know the value of a full Gastro Panel and what it rules in or out. Honestly, I felt more at ease speaking w the Practice Owner while my friend was away for a week ab Roo's case. She also doesn't know my background or involvement in rescue.

Is their a way to maneuver or bring her in on his case that keeps our friendship intact?

I also found out the Gastro panel is over $300. I barely get by w my TNR Organization. And Im running out of my Emergency Vet money I had reserved for my personal animals.

Im just reallly stressing over everything, sorry to rant.

 

[daftcat75]

I found this on what’s in the GI panel. I do recommend it to rule out pancreatitis and to determine B12 level. Both could be problematic if you miss them. You might keep your friend on the case a bit longer if you think she can cut you a deal.

GI Panel (B12/folate/TLI/PLI)
1. Low B12 +/- low folate are screening tests for primary gastrointestinal disease.

2. Elevated PLI is diagnostic for pancreatitis (but a normal PLI does not rule it out).

3. Low TLI is diagnostic for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Source: Dog & Cat Gastrointestinal Diseases | BluePearl Pet Hospital

 

[kmbishop111]

Thank you!! Solid advice. Roo has been having a bad dau today and tonight. He is actually in the floor and looks like he doesn't feel well at all. He is always on the bed with me. He actually semi attacked one of my other cats after getting back from the vet earlier.

It was odd, she was on the pillow behind me and he got on top of her almost like hunching her and bit her neck. Everyone in my camp is spayed/neutered and they have gotten along for 7 years rather well. I feel maybe it was a pain response? I just so hate seeing him decline.

 

[fionasmom]

I agree with possibly getting your friend to help out with the expenses. Can you just tell her that while she evidently thinks that you are very well versed in veterinary care you are not as up to speed as she might think and she needs to treat you like a regular client who would be given more information? If she is really busy, she is taking advantage of the fact that you "know things" to shortchange you and spend more time with others. You are paying the bill; it is not like you are getting free vet care so cannot expect full service.