Hamlet-Newly Diagnosed-Diabetes and Cushing's

[emhhub]

My dog, Hamlet, was also just diagnosed with both. I will do any and everything possible to keep him healthy. But was just advised by my vet this treatment will be very costly. Does anyone know of how I could get some help with finacing these expenses? I don't make a lot of money and really don't have anything to sell?

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi,

Welcome to you and your baby! :)

One of our mods will move this post and set up a thread just for you and your baby. We like to have all posts about a particular baby in one thread - that way it is easier to keep up with everything. ;)

We will talk more once you are set up but for now here is a link to financial help:

Financial resources
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212


Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome from me as well! Could you get copies of all test/s that were done on Hamlet and post the results here.

We also have a sister site that is very knowledgeable about canine diabetes: http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/ I strongly suggest you join there too.

What symptom/s is Hamlet displaying that led you or your vet to test for Cushing's in the first place?

Please know we are here for you and Hamlet and we will help you in any way we can.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[frijole]

It is my understanding that the first priority is getting the diabetes under control. Cushing's can wait. The only caveat is sometimes the cushing's interferes and makes it difficult to get diabetes under control. Sometimes when the diabetes is in check the cushing's disappears (misdiagnosed)... complicated diseases to dx.

Hopefully someone who has dealt with both will chime in and give their opinion. What is your vet recommending? What tests were done to diagnose the cushing's? Thanks. Kim

[emhhub]

Thank you.

Harley PomMon:
Vet tested him for Cushings about 2 years ago and advise that Hamlet was borderline Cushings. He gained some weight and has a pronounced pot belly. Was also panting a lot. I do have copies of his DEX suppression test but not sure how to post on this web site.

frijole
I believe my vet is recommending Lysodren as treatment for the cushings, I am waiting for him to call me today as his cushings was just confirmed on Friday afternoon.

Thank you both for answering me, I was really feeling alone and just took a chance that maybe there was someone out there who understood what I am going through. Hamlet is my first dog and although I want him to have the best I can offer him I cannot bear the thought of him being in any pain.

[Harley PoMMom]

For the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDS), there should be 3 numbers to post; a baseline, a 4 hour draw, and a 8 hour draw...just post those 3 numbers here with their time-lines.

My concern with the LDDS test is that dogs that have uncontrolled diabetes can have an abnormal LDDS test without having Cushing's.

Please remember we are here for you and Hamlet.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[emhhub]

Time: Pre: Cortisol Sample 1 5.7 (high)
Time: Post1 Cortisol Sample 2 Dex 1.2
Time: Post2 Cortisol Sample 3 Dex 8.2 (high)

Does this make sense to you?

[k9diabetes]

If you are using NPH insulin and aren't already getting it as Relion N at Walmart, that will save you a bundle on insulin, plus syringes and other supplies are cheaper there too. Humulin N by name brand at other pharmacies is around $60-70 a bottle but is $25 per bottle at Walmart.

You can save a lot of money on diabetes monitoring by learning to test his blood sugar at home. The strips are less than $1 each and you usually can get a meter for a small cost or no cost after a rebate.

I used to order test strips and syringes at www.hocks.com (http://www.hocks.com). I think Walmart's syringes are cheaper still, but Hocks.com was quite a bit cheaper than general pharmacy prices and I liked being able to have them sent directly to my home.

There is a lot of information on treatment, monitoring, and home testing at the main website: www.k9diabetes.com (http://www.k9diabetes.com). In particular, check out the videos of different places to test your dog's blood sugar.

I would recommend either a Bayer Contour or a OneTouch Ultra meter. And the Accuchek Softclix lancing device and lances are my favorite.

He should probably have an ACTH test, which tends to be more accurate in a dog with not yet controlled diabetes. The following link describes for your veterinarian how they can save money on the ACTH stim test:

http://endocrinevet.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-extend-your-supply-of-cortrosyn.html

That can save a lot of money on monitoring costs in a small dog.

Cushing's is ideally diagnosed with a couple of different kinds of tests all showing positive plus overt symptoms.

And the diabetes is more critical to get partly under control first, since high blood sugar can lead to a life threatening condition (ketoacidosis) while the damage of uncontrolled Cushing's takes years to develop.

Natalie

[emhhub]

My vet never even told me I could check Hamlets' blood sugar myself. That would save a lot of money. Hamlet is on Humulin and from now on I will go to WalMart to get his supply. Thanks for theK9diabetes link, I checked it out and it is very helpful, added it to my favorites for future reference. In fact all the advice I have received from everyone through this website has been helpful. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. I have a picture of Hamlet, is it okay to post on this website? Except for his coloring, he reminds me a lot of HarleyPomMoms' cutie.

[Harley PoMMom]

Time: Pre: Cortisol Sample 1 5.7 (high)
Time: Post1 Cortisol Sample 2 Dex 1.2
Time: Post2 Cortisol Sample 3 Dex 8.2 (high)

Does this make sense to you?

Since there was 50% cortisol concentration suppression present at the four hour time line, then this LDDS test shows that Hamlet has pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). But like mentioned before with uncontrolled diabetes this could be a false positive. If it were me, I would have an ACTH test performed and/or an ultrasound done.

And yes, please do post Hamlet's picture, can't wait to see his sweet face!

Love and hugs,
Lori

[Eskimo'sMom]

Im a little bit further than you right not in the Cushings phase. I have just had all tests completed. Now thinking of treatment or not.

I have researched a few places for prices. It is EXPENSIVE, however, with compounding mg ( for Cushings) it can save you a lot of MONEY. Someone here told me about Diamond Back Pharmacy in AZ. This is probably where I will do my purchasing. But still am researching and will let you know what I find.