Hello, i'm new here!

[Sonyag]

I was so glad to stumble on this forum! My 14 year old schnauzer has just been diagnosed with hypertension due to Cushings. We have his blood pressure under control now, maintenance dose of Lysostane, melatonin , also milk thistle. His coat is excellent, we've never had skin problems. He has been on solid gold senior food. The vet sent results to me yesterday of his tests but they listed him as a neutered male with base results of a neutered male. He is in fact still intact and i've questioned whether this affects the results we received. Hoping to hear soon but I wondered if any of you might know what a difference this might make due to hormones. This is the first time I have dealt with Cushings in a schnauzer . Again, glad to find this site! Sonya

Moderator's Note: Sonya, I have moved your initial post into the main forum where more members will see it & should be responding to your questions. Usually the "How to" forum, is used to ask questions about how to use various aspects of the site.

[labblab]

Dear Sonya,

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question about differing norms based on whether or not a dog has been neutered. But I definitely want to welcome you to our Cushing's family! And I feel certain that one of our members will soon be by with some related feedback for you.

Marianne

[littleone1]

Hi Sonya,

Corky and I also want to welcome the both of you. I'm sorry, but I also don't have any answers to give you. The only time I've seen any mention of this is when I've had a full adrenal panel done. What was the test that was done?

Terri

[Harley PoMMom]

The vet sent results to me yesterday of his tests but they listed him as a neutered male with base results of a neutered male. He is in fact still intact and i've questioned whether this affects the results we received. Hoping to hear soon but I wondered if any of you might know what a difference this might make due to hormones. This is the first time I have dealt with Cushings in a schnauzer . Again, glad to find this site! Sonya
[/I]

Hi Sonya,

Welcome to you and your sweet boy! So very glad you found us and we will help you and your precious boy in any way we can.

Hopefully this abstract will be helpful in answering your question: Steroid hormone concentration profiles in healthy intact and neutered dogs before and after cosyntropin administration

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0739724002002047


Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine steroid hormone concentration profiles in healthy intact and neutered male and female dogs. Seventeen intact female dogs, 20 intact male dogs, 30 spayed female dogs, and 30 castrated male dogs were used in this study. Serum samples were collected before and 1 h after cosyntropin administration, and serum concentrations were determined for cortisol, progesterone, 17-OH progesterone (17-OHP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol. Intact male dogs had greater concentrations of DHEAS, androstenedione, and testosterone. Intact female dogs had greater concentrations of progesterone. There was no significant difference in estradiol concentration among the four groups. Intact male dogs had lower concentrations of cortisol post-stimulation. DHEAS and testosterone did not increase in response to ACTH in intact males, and estradiol concentrations did not increase in response to ACTH in any group. Results from this study will enhance interpretation of suspected adrenal and/or gonadal disorders of dogs. Because estradiol concentrations were similar in all groups of dogs, measuring estradiol may not be a useful diagnostic test. Cortisol concentrations for intact male dogs with hyperadrenocorticism may be lower than those of female or neutered dogs.

Love and hugs,
Lori