Question regarding ATCH test (Cushing's and diabetes)

[diadyn]

Hello! I'm not sure if the cushing test is ATCH, it's something like that anyway. I have an appointment with my vet on Friday to have the test done, it is very expensive and I wanted to ask if any of you really benefited from the test. My dog also is diabetic and takes insulin daily for that. She has been getting 0.3 Trilostane 2x a day. She takes 5units of insulin 2x a day. I dont mind spending that much money on her if it will help the vet with the dose or give more information I love my dog dearly, she's 13 years old. It seems the vet bills are getting out of control. My dog weight is 17lbs, she keeps drinking about 5 cups of water daily and according to my vet for her weight she should drink 2 1/2 cups. Please give me your advice on the cushings test any help would be appricated.

Thanks.

[Harley PoMMom]

The ACTH stimulation test is a simple and safe screening test in the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with Cushing's. It's also used to monitor dogs on medical therapy (e.g., Lysodren, Trilostane, etc.).

When you get the results from this recent ACTH stim test could you post them here.

Could you tell us more about your precious girl; what test/s were done to confirm her Cushing's, what symptoms your furbaby displayed that led you or your vet to suspect Cushing's in the first place, besides the insulin, is she taking any other herbs/supplements/medicines?

So glad you found us and we will help you in any way we can.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[diadyn]

Thanks for the response. She was drinking tons of water so the vet did a blood test it confirmed she had cushings and it has worsened in the last month. Some times her back legs get very weak, I am wondering if her dose should increase, the vet said maybe or maybe it could be because she isnt getting enough insulin. He recomended this test so as he said, he would have more knowledge of the range he has to work with since the medicine is toxic.

[gpgscott]

If the symtoms have worsened since beginning treatment and you have the complication of diabetes you have a lot going on.

Can you please tell us more. How long has she been diabetic, what treatment for diabetes and why did the Dr. suspect Cushing's and what test exactly was performed for Cushing's.

And what Cushing's med is being used.

I agree 5 cups is way too much water, a rough rule is 1 oz/lb of body wt./day.

The ACTH is not diagnostic for Cushing's it is really a monitoring test to determine if levels of Trilostane or Lysodren (Cushing's specific meds) are correct.

Thanks for asking, please post more.

Scott

[AlisonandMia]

Hi and welcome from me too.:)

A few questions:

How long has your dog been diabetic?

How much insulin is your dog on for each injection?

What type of insulin are you using?

Do you home test her blood glucose or have you had any curves or glucosamine tests done by the vet since she started treatment for diabetes?

What was her health and behavior like before the onset of diabetes?

What is her breeding?

You say you are giving 0.3 trilostane twice a day. I'm guessing that that is some sort of liquid formulation. What does it say on the label regarding mg of trilostane per ml of liquid?



It is usually very, very hard to accurately diagnose Cushing's in a dog which is already diabetic as so many of the signs and symptoms (such as drinking and urinating a lot) are common to both uncontrolled Cushing's and uncontrolled diabetes. Also the stress of uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes (and almost any other illness) can produce false-positives on tests for Cushing's disease. So it is extremely easy for a diabetic dog to be wrongly diagnosed with Cushing's when, in fact, it does not have the disease. Treating a dog that doesn't have Cushing's with cortisol-lowering medications (like trilostane) can be dangerous and particularly risky for a diabetic.

Most people with a dog with both conditions or who is suspected of having Cushing's and diabetes find it best to consult with a vet who specializes in internal medicine (an IMS). This can seem like yet more expense but we have seen so many times that people have saved themselves and their dog a lot of angst and suffering - and a lot of money in the long run by consulting with a specialist at least initially.

Here's a link to info on finding an IMS: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182

Alison