Fighting for Rio (8 y/o mini Aussie)

[Txtcher]

After weeks and weeks of Cushings research, I've stumbled on this msg board. I hope its active as I am desperately seeking support right now. Here's our story:

Rio is an 8-yr-old (bday was Oct 15) mini Aussie. He has a history going back to 2008 of food allergies/stomach upsets. In the past year and a half, he started refusing meals and had episodes of vomiting and reingesting his food, bloody, mucous covered stool. I switched foods and finally found a grain free one and thought I had fixed the problem. He was good for 4 months. Then I noticed a gradual weight loss and excessive urination at the beginning of July this past summer. In August, Rio had a pancreatic attack that required hospitalization. After that, blood work all came back normal, but he had lost about 3 lbs. And he was back to drinking and urinating and experiencing episodes of incontinence. X-rays for bladder stones revealed nothing. UA revealed low gravity, but otherwise normal. So, there we were facing a possible diagnosis of Cushings.

I just got the LDDST results today - not conclusive, but highly suggestive. He's initial cortisol levels were just above 10 which is high but could be put down to the stress of being at the vet. 4 hrs measured him at less than 1, and at 8 hrs he was elevated to 2.2. So, if its Cushings, we know its pituitary. But, he's only other symptoms right now are PU/PD. Well, I should add that this week, I noticed his coat looked a little duller and thinner. And, he's lost so much weight. He is about 5 lbs underweight and is skeletal. I've been cooking Lew Olsen's pancreatic diet for him, sticking with the chicken and beef heart recipes. He has put on maybe 1 lbs however so that's encouraging. He eats 3x a day to keep his blood sugar levels constant and to alleviate the work his pancreas has to do.

I'm waiting for my vet to call me back about possibly doing an ATCH test before beginning treatment for Cushings. Just to get a more definitive diagnosis (although I realize there really is no such thing when dealing with this horrible disease). My choice of treatment will be the Trilostane. If we decide that this really is Cushings, I'm hoping to begin treatment on or around the 18th of this month so I can take off work over Thanksgiving and be home with him for the first 10 days of treatment so I can watch him.

What are everyone's thoughts and/or experiences with treating with Trilostane?

I'm heartbroken over this possible diagnosis. I didn't expect to be facing the end so soon with this little guy. He's only 8. :( Also, we are only 4 double qualifying points away from his MACH (Master Agility Championship). We should have had it done years ago, but a divorce and financial hardship got in the way. . . . oh well. Rio's doesn't care about the title. He just loves the job. And despite this diagnosis, we're going to continue to play agility as long as he tells me he wants to.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Rio,

First, Cushing's is not a death sentence. Cush pups can and do live out their normal life spans, some far beyond that. The key is a confirmed diagnosis, the correct treatment, a cush savvy vet, and your own knowledge - the last the most important thing of all. And we can help you in that area for sure! ;)

One thing to understand at the get-go is that Cushing's is one of, if not THE, most difficult disease to diagnose because so many other conditions mimic it and so many things can affect the tests. So relying on a single test for diagnosis is risky at best tho it is often done. To emphasize this point, my Squirt had five tests and all pointed to PDH but the second ultrasound showed a tumor on her spleen. Once the tumor was removed, her cortisol returned to normal and has remained within normal range since.

Cushing's progresses very slowly so there is plenty of time to make absolutely sure you are dealing with Cushing's prior to staring any treatment but especially treatment with Trilostane. Lysodren will not cause any harm in a pup who does not have Cushing's but the same is not true of Trilo. Trilostane, or the brand name Vetoryl, should never, ever, under any circumstances be given to a pup without a confirmed diagnosis of Cushing's. Trilo is NOT safer than Lyso tho that is often what is believed. Both have the exact same potential for damage, the exact same risks. The only thing that makes Trilo seem safer is the fact that it does not stay in the body as long as Lyso.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cush pups are prone to ligament damage so watch Rio carefully in his agility activities until you know one way or the other for sure. ;)

We are here to help in any way we can. You will find many Trilo parents here who are more than willing to talk with you about their experiences along with the rest of us. Never hesitate to ask questions and we will do our best to help you understand. Remember, there is no rush so make sure you are dealing with Cushing's then decide based on all the info you have which would be the best treatment approach for Rio.

Hang in there!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Txtcher]

Thank you for your prompt response. To clarify, are you suggesting that if none of the tests are conclusive, I should see about getting an ultrasound done? Thankfully, I live only 5 hours from Texas A&M, so if this becomes a consideration, I can travel there. (Ugh $$) But as my husband said, when we took on these little family members, we took on full responsibility for their care and welfare.

Interestingly, my friend, who is a vet but practices in another community, is stressing the importance of making a definitive diagnosis because Rio is not exhibiting all the symptoms - in particular, his liver enzymes are normal. He is giving me hope that this is not Cushings, but something that is curable.

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

I am trying to recap so correct me, please if I get this wrong, your pup had a UC:CR Creatine test that suggested further testing and then a low dose dex test was done which was suggestive of Cushings but inconclusive?

I know the devestating feeling when you face the possibilities, it is so hard. Leslie is saying that no one test is perfect and the tests can result in false positives and false negatives as well. It is true that a pup may not have all the symptoms of Cushings. My Zoe had almost perfect blood work and coat/tail issues when we started our journey. She also had colitis at the time. I waited to see stronger symptoms before I started her on Trilostane. It was a year almost to the day from her ultra sound and Unniveristy of Tennessee Knoxville full adrenal panel - EVERYthing was sky high on that one. The words "SIGNIFICANT" adrenal acitivty are burned into my brain forever.

I guess I am saying, take a deep breath, slow down and start reading through our research section. You may want to take some time to make sure of the diagnosis as best you can and gain some knowledge. It can be a roller coaster ride in the beginning, I won't lie about that but it is works out.:):)

I am glad you found us and others will be along soon to chime in.

Hang in there,
hugs,
addy

[Txtcher]

Thank you also for your response - no, I just got off the phone with the vet who confirmed that we haven't done the UCCR test. But, he is suggesting that we do the ATCH Stim test first. So that is scheduled for next Tuesday. Then from there, we'll see. I think if those tests are not conclusive enough, he will refer me (and I'll go) to an internal medicine specialist in Dallas. So, the vet assured me, we won't be rushing into any treatment until we know more. Thank you so much. Your support and responses are encouraging.

[Bailey's Mom]

Hi-
I treated my dog with Trilostane. I had a difficult time coming to that conclusion. I do not regret making that choice. It is a "gentler" form of treatment than Lysodren. There is always the option to go onto Lysodren later. We had good results with Trilostane. My little guy just had too many problems to overcome.

You will find the help here and the support here to be outstanding. Someone always has experience with everything, in my experience. It is very rough to be facing this kind of disease anytime....but maybe even more so at such a young age. It sounds like you have done a lot of homework. That is the best thing you can do. Keep asking questions. This forum will help you work through this....wherever this leads.
-Susan

[apollo6]

Welcome to you and Rio
First find out which cushing it is : there are three kinds, see attached link.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1597&aid=416

Secondly, my Apollo just turned 13 , has had it since 2009, is on Trilostane. Don't give up so soon. First read up on it. You don't have to make a decision right away.There are miracles.
HUgs Sonja and Apollo