Just diagnosed and worried (9 y/o Westie)

[SILVERSOLLI]

Hi my name is Kim and i'm new to all this my westie Kasper is in the process of being diagnosed with cushings and i'm terrified. I been reading some of the posts on this site and it seems to contain lots of helpful information. I read on some of the other websites that the treatment can be fatal????? She just turned nine yesterday and the excess drinking and urinating have been going on for over a year but my vet thought it was due to a urinary tract infection so her condition has gone untreated until now. I'm worried about the medication and side effects and am wondering about her prognosis any thoughts and suggestions would be welcome. Thanks

[mytil]

Hi Kim,

I wanted to welcome you to our site.

Firstly I wanted to say that any medicine can be fatal if misused or not administered correctly. Yes, these are strong medicines, but Cushing's is not a mild disease. I hope this puts your mind at ease a bit. :)

When you get the chance post the results of the tests performed to diagnose Cushing's. There are other conditions that mimic some Cushing's symptoms - diabetes, thyroid conditions for example.

Cushing's is treatable. We are all here to help you. Take a few minutes to read through these links - http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180

Terry

[Maya]

Welcome from me and Maya too!:) I know you are probably overwhelmed and upset just like I was about 4 months ago now.It's true the medicine is strong, but it can also be a God send. Maya's condition has improved vastly and she tolerates the pills very well. She is almost back to normal (touch wood and thanks to the Lord) There are great people here who have a treasure trove of information and experience. We are all in the same boat...you have come to right place!
Hugs Leah and Maya:)

[SILVERSOLLI]

Thank you for the encouragment:), your right i am overwhelmed and after reading the information on some of the websites i thought this was a death sentence. If you don't mind me asking what medication is Maya on and how long did it take before you saw an improvement in her symptoms ie the accidental urination and excessive drinking?

[addy]

Hi and welcome from me and my pup, Zoe.

We were all terrified, I think, when we arrived here. The more you learn about the disease and the drugs used for it, the less terrified you become. It does not have to be a death sentence. We have had pups here live for 4 or more years with treatment.

Some of the first symptoms that may respond to treatment are the excessive drinking and peeing. Hind leg weakness may improve after that. The last to improve is usually hair/coat issues. But keep in mind, every dog is different, so you never can say for sure.

I started my Zoe on a low dose of Trilostane because she was also having colitis flare ups. We felt it would be easier on her system. She also has elevated intermediate hormones which may or may not cause her problems down the road as the Trilostane may increase some of them. If that would happen to Zoe, I would do a wash out of about 6 weeks and start her on lysodren.

Which drug you use usually depends on which drug your vet has experience with and prefers, though in my case, I contacted another specialist and then asked my vet to use Trilostane to start for Zoe.
She was more familiar with lysodren.

Wow, I am long winded today:D:D:D:D

Take a deep breath, read and learn all you can and post your test results. It will be okay.

Hugs,
Addy

[jmac]

Welcome from me and Hannah as well!

Like others have said, we can all relate to how you feel. I remember feeling the same way-wondering if this mean the end for Hannah. Thankfully I found this site. As hard as it is, try to stay calm and take one thing at a time. There are so many wonderful, caring people here, and there is a wealth of knowledge! So, go ahead and ask questions and share your concerns. There are lots of people willing to help!

Julie & Hannah

[jrepac]

Hi Kim,
I've been in your shoes, so I understand. My second Aussie Terrier went thru the same thing back in the late '90s. Seems like the terriers are prone to this disease, not sure why that is. My vet kept treating a urinary infection when it was the onset of Cushings. These things happen. But, before you get too far ahead on things, make sure you get a confirmed diagnosis. You may want to rule out things like diabetes and thyroid problems before concluding it is Cushings.

But, it is not a death sentence and there are a few good treatment options out there plus over the counter supplements that can provide some relief.

Just take it one day at a time and you will do fine! :)

Jeff, Angel Mandy, Pebbles & Pepper

[SILVERSOLLI]

Kasper's journey started with me asking the vet to test for diabetes and kidney problems at her yearly checkup because of the excessiive drinking and accidental urination. The labs came back with all kidney functions normal, borderline low thyroid, and an increased alk phos of over 800 and very dilute urine sample, the vet seemed unconcerned at the time but her excessive drinking and accidental urination was getting worse so i got on line and she fit the symptoms of cushing so i asked if she could be tested for it, we done an ACTH stimulation test and now we're here. We haven't started treatment yet because my vet has been out of town but i'm wondering which drugs work best and have the least side effects.

[littleone1]

Hi Kim, and a belated welcome from Corky and me.

As others have said, we've all been through this, and it is very difficult to deal with when we first get the news of a cushings diagnosis.

Corky was diagnosed with cushings almost 3 years ago. He is being treated with Trilostane, and he is doing really good on it. He's 14, and he's still going strong. :)

Terri

[frijole]

Hi Kim, my name is Kim.

There are two drugs that are most commonly used to treat cushings: trilostane and lysodren. Lysodren has been around longer and some vets prefer it because they are most familiar with it. The drugs work differently and I suggest you read in our resource section a bit as I think it'd help you decide.... but really I preferred to go with what my vet was most experienced with. For this reason I used lysodren. (this was 6 yrs ago when trilostane was new to the market in the US) It worked great with my gal Haley who I treated for almost 5 yrs. She lived a healthy normal life once her cushing's was under control.

DOn't believe anything you read about dogs dying due to the drugs... any drug can kill if abused.. these are no different. You need an experienced vet and to be actively involved in the process because you are your dog's voice.

I keep mentioning experience because I am surprised that YOU had to do the research and request the cushings tests. I just want to make sure your vet is on top of these things as you really do want someone that knows what they are doing to guide you. Also - have you done any other tests besides the acth? There are false positives and I would not feel comfy with the dx until I had done either the low dose dex suppression test (LDDS) or even better an ultrasound (on a high resolution machine) ...

Tell us more about your dog and the symptoms. I'm impressed with your involvement.... you are obviously a great mom. Hang in there. Kim

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Kim and welcome to you and Kasper! :)

Oh, how well I remember being terrified. The day our vet told me she had Cushing's counts among the worst days of my life. It wasn't hearing the word- I had no idea what Cushing's was - but rather the look on our vets face when she told me. She knew full well how much Squirt meant to me and how close we were...and her face told a tale of sorrow. Yup, I was terrified when I left the clinic and proceeded to get down-right bonkers once I started researching the condition. :p By the time I got here, I was in a very bad state but these kind folks took my hand and gently led me along until I could breath again....teaching me every step of the way. The more I learned, the less I had to fear. Today, over 3 yrs. later, Cushing's no longer frightens me at all - not the condition nor the treatments. Education is the key and you are in the right place for that as well as unbeatable support.

Squirt was diagnosed with PDH, the pituitary form, on the basis of five positive tests - the LDDS, HDDS, ACTH, ultrasound (2), and UTK panel. However, after the second U/S, I was told about a tumor on her spleen that had to come out. Once the tumor was removed, her cortisol returned to normal and has remained within that range since - that was in Sept. '08. Because of my babies history with Cushing's, it always gives me the hibbie-gibbies when a pup starts treatment based on one test.

Cushing's is the most difficult condition to correctly diagnose. Many other conditions have the same presentation (signs) and can cause false positives on the tests. It is a process of elimination as much as anything else when diagnosing Cushing's. Diabetes and thyroid problems need to be ruled out for sure. Has she had a complete blood lab recently? Would you mind posting any abnormal levels (along with the normal ranges and units of measurement)?

It would help a great deal if you would post the results of her ACTH, too. ;)

Does Kasper have any other health problems you are aware of? Is she on any other meds, supplements or herbs? How much does she weigh?

As for side effects, both drugs have basically the same ones and have the same potential for permanent damage, even death. BUT, so does Aspirin if it is misused. The key to treatment is 1) YOUR knowledge and 2) your vet's experience and knowledge. Now your thinking, "Oh my word! So much to learn and so little time! Kasper is SICK! :eek: " Yup, been there, too! :p Here's a piece of good news about Cushing's - it is a very slowly progressing condition. Most pups are diagnosed later in life, have had the condition for years before diagnosis, and once treatment is stabilized return to their former selves. ;) So you have time to take a deep breath, relax a bit, and start learning all you can about it.

Cost-wise, Trilo can be a bit more expensive to use as it usually take a bit of tweaking to get the dose right and that requires an ACTH each time. My Squirt is Atypical, which means her cortisol is normal but her intermediate hormones are elevated and Trilo has been shown to cause elevations in these hormones, so we use Lysodren. Kim's point about using what your vet is most familiar with is important - and don't buy into the current myth that Trilostane is safer. It is not. It has the very same potential for a poor outcome as Lyso....especially in inexperienced hands. ;)

Another difference in the drugs is that Trilostane should never ever be given to a dog with normal cortisol but Lysodren will have no effect on a pup with normal cortisol. So again, it is vital to know for sure you are dealing with Cushing's and not a non-adrenal illness like a tumor or other condition before starting treatment.

I am glad you found us and look forward to learning more about both of you in the future. The most important thing I have to tell you today is this - you and Kasper are not alone on this journey. We will be with you every step of the way. Never hesitate to ask questions, read all you can, and know we are here any time. You will find the knowledge and first-hand experience here is astounding, not only about Cushing's but about many other conditions as well. When those days come along that are just too much, we also have our own little looney bin here....just holler and I will scoot over! :p

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

PS. Be sure to check out our Helpful Resource section. You will find some great info there about Cushing's and it's treatments. I also have a list of links if you are interested. Can't have you getting bored! ;)