New member-Marley 12 year old Siberian

[Marleysmom]

Hi I have a 12 year old Siberian Husky,Marley. His left adreanal gland and gall bladder were removed in Aug. Prior to that he was diagnosed with psycogenic polydipsia. His kidneys function well but he drinks excessive amounts of water if allowed. The hair shave off his neck March 2010 had not grown back from that round of water deprivation tests. July 2011, he had all the commom symptoms except abdominal enlargement. Blood tests showed an elevated cortisol level, which lead to ultrasound. Left adreanal gland twice the size of right and gall bladder was congested thought to be filled with sludge. On removal it was adreanal tissue in his gall bladder. After surgery he was much weaker than prior to surgery. 3 weeks after surgery he began water treadmill exercising to increase his strength. His muscle mass has increased and he is able to walk a mile once a day now. His cortisol level is in the normal range now but his hair has begun to grow back since August. Is this common? Has anyone else had issues with continued lethargy and poor coat regrowth?

[Altira]

Hello... I have a husky too. She had cushings. She had an adrinal gland removed too a year ago. Prior to that. she had tta knee surgery and the fur did not go back until cushings was cured. Kira's fur is in very bad shape now... I don't understand what is wrong.

Below is a link to her thread... It's pretty long you may want to start somewhere in the middle. We don't have an exact match but you may find something there.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2742

She is now eleven years old and not doing overly well. We are currently discussing putting her on Prednizone. My idea. Hope we can help you in some way. I'm sure the angels on this forum will be around to ask questions. they are way smarter then me...

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site. I am sorry your Marley is having these troubles.

Post the results of the test performed that indicated his cortisol levels were high back in July and any recent test results. That way we can see the actual numbers.

Hair growth in a Cushing's diagnosed dog can take a while to grow back. Adrenalectomy can take a lot out of a dog and the recovery time can take a while.

Has his electrolytes been checked recently? And is he on any type of medication?

Terry

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

I am sorry to hear about your pup but glad you found us. We are here to help in anyway we can.

We tend to ask alot of questions but it is just to better understand Marley's situation.

Others will be by soon. Please remember to post the results of any current tests- the abnormal results along with the normal reference range.

Hugs,
addy

[Marleysmom]

Marley was diagnosed hypothyriod 2 years ago and is currently on 0.3 mg soloxine twice daily. Since surgery his is also on Denamarin and marin once daily for his liver. His liver numbers have improved since surgery, I do not have the latest numbers. He has been on cosaquin ds for many years and was switched to dasaquin 2 years ago. He is a retired agility dog .

8-30-11 this is 2 weeks after surgery his abnormal numbers were:

AST 13 normal (15-66) L
ALT 129 (12-118)H
Alk Phos 806 (5-131) H
Creatine 0.4 (0.5-1.6) L
Amalase 198 (290-1125) L has been low since first panel at 1 yeaar of age as was his mothers, siblings and a cousin.

Neutriophils 78 (60-77) H
Lymphocytes 7 (12-30) L
Monocytes 13 (3-10) H

He was treated for a bladder infection with Baytril at this time the cbc abnormal results probably due to infection. This is currently resolved


Biopsy results:
1 Liver multifocal to locally extensive hepatocellular vacuolation
2 Adreanal Gland cortical neoplasia
3 Adreanal Gland (mesentery): Focal mineralization
4 Gall Bladder: Neuroendocrine neplasia

Comments adreanal gland neoplasm is cytologacally benign, but there is evidence of extension into the surrounding mesentary, suggesting, the neoplasm is most likely functional since the changes in the liver are consistent with steriod hepatopathy.

the neoplasm in the gall bladder is histologically different from the adreanal gland tumor and most likely represents a carciniod but metastasis from the adreanal gland can not be ruled out. Both neoplasms appear to be completely excised.


a few weeks after the pred taper after surgery was completed a new super chem and cbc was done along with a cortisol level. I do not have the lab results but his liver numbers were improving and his cortisol was in normal limits. The number 5.1 sticks in my head for some reason but I'm not certain it is correct. His thyriod is in normal range 2.4 (1-4) The water drinking has decreased since surgery but is not completly resolved and excessive urination as a result of drinking has improved-can wait 4 hours at night now rather than 1.5 to 2 hours before surgery. Marley lives with 7 other dogs and a doggie door so his water drinking is controled as much as possible but not a perfect system. He is separated from the other dogs when I am not at home with limited water, he goes to work with me to manage his water and sleeps in my room without water.

[addy]

he goes to work with me to manage his water and sleeps in my room without water.

just an fyi but if Marley does have Cushings, you would not want to withhold water.

hugs,
addy

[Skye]

Hello
checking in on you and marley, how is everyone feeling and acting? have you gotten any recent lab reports back?
thinking of you both, sending love and paw hugs your way.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi,

I just wanted to second what Addy said about the water. Cush pups don't pee a lot because they drink a lot. It is just the opposite, in fact. The disease makes them pee a lot so they HAVE to drink more to stay hydrated. A cush pup is going to pee a lot no matter what and if water is withheld, they can quickly dehydrate. So it is never advised to withhold water for a pup with Cushing's. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang