Spanky's Mom
04-17-2011, 10:08 PM
:( Hi. I am Spanky's mom(10 yr old Eskie) who was diagnosed with Cushings 7/10 by a way of the ACHT test. Spanky's weight and appearance as well as an unquenchable thirst, laying on cold surfaces and heavy panting were the first signs. I had the expensive Cushings test after a few month of symptoms. Spanky's levels were elevated ato a 21 (which really did not seem to me to be that out of range as I thought the high range was 20) and the vet decided to start Spanky on trilostane 30 mg once daily with a check and retest after a month to see if levels improved. Well, he seemed to be doing a little better so we kept him on this dose, had another recheck at three months and he seemed to be okay, at least that is what I thought. Never did the vet diagose which kind of Cushings he had and never suggested a blood test for diabetes. With some symptoms appearing worse, he checked his thyroid which also was out of whack and he put Spanks on thyroid med twice a day. All of sudden, Spanky seemed to take a turn for the worst, urinating in the house daily, large outputs, loss of hind legs muscle weakness, increased and crazy thirst,aggiatatec at times, lethargic other times,bad breath, so... I took a urine sample to the doc thinking he had a urinary infection,not expecting his urinalysis to reveal high glucose levels suggesting diabetes. Doc gave little hope of Spanky recovering from this as he said Cushings andDiabestes together are difficult and expensive to control. The doc even mentioned Euthansia in his remarks. I was shocked and floored.... He gave little hope of a good prognosis, honestly,I think he was rushed to get going on his spring vacation to Florida. I suggested the full blood panel to see what else it reveals....glucose of 420,anemia, elevated liver enzymes, but his kidneys and everything else appeared okay. He suggested starting Spanky on insulin shots twice a day.... But really did not explain much, gave me a handout and then I was out the door. He showed me once how to do injection... Tried to give one once.... Not sure it worked or I did it correctly, poor Spanks helped...now too scared to give it to him.
From what I have read on this forum and else where it seems to me that his Cushings was not controlled well in the beginning, thus causing his glucose levels to rise and now be diagnose with diabetes.
Spanky weights almost 50 lbs , about 15 over his max weight for his breed, and according to the weight chart on trilostane page he should be on 30 mg twice a day.... Vet is out of town, don,t know what to do, scared to give insulin with little prep and not convinced he has to have it. What should I do? Gonna get a second opinion tomorrow while I wait to get appt. With intern vet.... husband and I want to do what we can to help our baby,but do not want to deplete savings, or pay for tons of tests and mess that are not going to work. We want Spanky to have a high quality of life and will not allow him to suffer,nor do we want him hospitalized as I think this is cruel for an animal to be subjected to.... please advise. Any good vets or interns in the Hampton Roads...Norfolk, VB area?
From what I have read on this forum and else where it seems to me that his Cushings was not controlled well in the beginning, thus causing his glucose levels to rise and now be diagnose with diabetes.
Spanky weights almost 50 lbs , about 15 over his max weight for his breed, and according to the weight chart on trilostane page he should be on 30 mg twice a day.... Vet is out of town, don,t know what to do, scared to give insulin with little prep and not convinced he has to have it. What should I do? Gonna get a second opinion tomorrow while I wait to get appt. With intern vet.... husband and I want to do what we can to help our baby,but do not want to deplete savings, or pay for tons of tests and mess that are not going to work. We want Spanky to have a high quality of life and will not allow him to suffer,nor do we want him hospitalized as I think this is cruel for an animal to be subjected to.... please advise. Any good vets or interns in the Hampton Roads...Norfolk, VB area?