Sophie 10 year old Newfoundland

[docsheri]

Hi! We are new to this forum and I am grateful that you are here! My girl was diagnosed in November of 2009 and since that time we have been trying to regulate the Lysodren she is taking. Recently, she develeoped a UTI and began drinking and urinating like crazy again. We re-did the stim yesterday and her levels are off again.

I am feeding her a raw diet and she takes a number of supplements. I am concerned about up'ing the medication. The vet wants to double the meds. She currently takes 500 mg three times per week. The other disturbing thing is that her arthritis has worsened and she now can barely get around. I have been trying to get her to loose some weight by she has gained about 10 pounds since all of this and I can't get it off her.

Does anyone have any suggestions or can recommend a specialist in the Boston area. Her ultrasound revealed the problem to be with her pituitary gland. She also seems to be more horse when she barks. My vet doesn't think theses things are related, but I am finding it hard to believe that they are coincendental. I love this girl and will do anything for her. I just want to make sure we are not missing anything.
I appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Sheri and Sophie

[StarDeb55]

Sheri, I would like to welcome you & Sophie to our group! We always ask new members a lot of questions, but that simply helps us to give you the best feedback we can from the group's collective experience.

Can you tell us a little more about Sophie's history? What were her symptoms that led you to take her to the vet? What diagnostic testing was done to determine Cushing's? If you have copies of those results could you please post the actual numbers for us? What is Sophie's current weight, & her weight when you did her loading? What dose did you use to load? I would assume Sophie has had several ACTH tests to monitor her loading & her maintenance dosage. Can you post those results, along with the lysodren dosage when the test was done? We really can't offer you any feedback about any change any dosing until we see some more information about Sophie's history.

A number of us do use lysodren, including my Harley. Harley is a tiny guy compared to Sophie, a 12 lb Shih Tzu. He has been a bugger at times over the past 2 years since his diagnosis to maintain his cortisol levels in the appropriate range, so my vet has had to alter his dose more than once. I can truly empathisize with your concerns.

Looking forward to hearing more.

Debbie

[frijole]

Welcome from me as well. I have two cush dogs! One was just diagnosed and is loading with lysodren - the other was diagnosed 4 yrs ago and she is now over 16 yrs old! So have faith.

I supplement her with fishoil, glucosamine chond. and milkthistle. About a year ago I started her on adequan shots for her arthritis and I have seen a nice difference.

Please tell us more about Sophie and let us know how we can help. Kim

[zoesmom]

I am feeding her a raw diet and she takes a number of supplements. I am concerned about up'ing the medication. The vet wants to double the meds. She currently takes 500 mg three times per week. The other disturbing thing is that her arthritis has worsened and she now can barely get around. I have been trying to get her to loose some weight by she has gained about 10 pounds since all of this and I can't get it off her.

Does anyone have any suggestions or can recommend a specialist in the Boston area. I appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Sheri and Sophie

Hi Sheri -

Here is a link to the specialists in MA. Not that familiar with the layout of the land there, or what's close to Boston. But a few of our members, I know, do go to Tufts, and there are several Tufts vets on this list.

http://www.acvim.org/websites/acvim/index.php?p=228

What did Sophie's latest ACTH test show, as far as numbers, as you say her numbers were 'off again'? I'm assuming you mean 'up'? I was a trilo mom so will leave the lysodren thoughts to those who've used it. At first, doubling the dose sounded aggressive, but since she's a Newfie (no doubt a big girl) and her cortisol isn't holding steady, maybe that's not such a wild idea after all. Of course, it would depend on her weight and dose. How much does Sophie weigh . . . by the way? And what was her maintenance dosing on the lysodren?

Arthritis can become more of an issue when their cortisol is under control. I always wondered why my Zo showed no signs of arthritis at her advancing age and before her cushings dx. Of course it was the excess cortisol keeping it in check. So lowering that with cush meds can cause more noticeable symptoms of arthritis to surface. I never used it but a number of our members have reported good results with adequan. Maybe that's something to speak to the vets about. Sue

[clydetheboosmom]

Oh, I'm sorry it took me some time to get here! I'm in the Boston area! And I have two cush pups - one being treated with Trilostane, and the other is Atypical, being treated with Flaxseed and Melatonin....Also, my Clyde has arthritis....so I'm HAPPY to tell you that my internal medicine vet is also an endocrinologist and she will accept a referral from an existing patient - so contact me, and I will help set you up!

Where in Mass. are you?

Lynne, Clyde & Bailey

[docsheri]

[QUOTE=clydetheboosmom;30953]Oh, I'm sorry it took me some time to get here! I'm in the Boston area! And I have two cush pups - one being treated with Trilostane, and the other is Atypical, being treated with Flaxseed and Melatonin....Also, my Clyde has arthritis....so I'm HAPPY to tell you that my internal medicine vet is also an endocrinologist and she will accept a referral from an existing patient - so contact me, and I will help set you up!

Where in Mass. are you?

Lynne, Clyde & Bailey[/QUO


Lynne... I am in Gloucester but will go anywhere
sheri

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Sheri,

How are things with you and Sophie? Would love an update!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always