Hoping someone can help.

[Alex K]

Hello, I am new to the forum. My dog was diagnosed with Cushings about 3 years ago. After about a year on lysodren, I decided to try a homeopathic vetrinary clinic. The vet suggested I change her food to Encana, add melatonin, flax seed with lignans and omegas to her diet as well as add a herb called Si Miau San and slowly ween her off the lysodren. After about 6 months she was completely off the lysodren and just doing amazing, seemed in much better health, more energetic and brought her to the vet and her levels seemed normal. About a year later she began drinking exessively again and peein a lot so I called a new Vet since I was now living in a new city, the vet suggested going back on the lysodren and to bring her in as soon as practical (which was not until about 4 days later). Following the ATCH test the Vet said she was now Addisonian and put her on prednisone and confirmed that she had a UTI and her drinking/urinating was due to the UTI not a relapse of cushings ... I brough her back a couple of weeks later and the vet said the results still showed her to be in a mild Addisonian state. I feared I may have induced Addisons by giving her the lysodren, so I just decided to monitor her for any unusual behaviour but take her off any kind of meds. She's been doing just fine. No problems whatsoever, so about 6 months has gone by and a few days ago I decided to take her for a checkup at a (New vet again) and just asked them to do an ATCH stimulation test just to check her levels. After we left the vet she peed in the car, then again in the elevator (very unusual for her), she has been drinking a ton of water and is even peeing on her bed and in her kennel, even when I restrict her water consumption somewhat. Is it possible that the ATCH tests have caused her symptoms to return?? Like I said she was completely fine before visiting the vet. Vet says she now shows to be mildly Cushanoid .. to monitor and see how it goes. I am just so lost and it seems that the ATCH tests actually caused more harm then anything .. anyone have any idea what might be going on? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[mytil]

Hi and welcome.

I am sorry you are having these troubles. No I do not think the ACTH test caused this.

Would you happen to have the initial test results that diagnosed the Cushing's in the first place (blood panel, ACTH, LDDS, ultrasound for example). If not, when you get the chance post the results of the last several ACTH testing.

Also, other than peeing what other symptoms does your pup have? If it is only this, I would certainly look to another reason why. Cushing's can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms can mimic other conditions, diabetes, thyroid problems.

Take a look at this link - good reading. http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180

Also, know you are not alone
Keep us posted
Terry

PS let us know how much Lysodren you were giving and at what frequency. (daily, twice daily, weekly etc)

[frijole]

Alex, Sometimes Addisons is temporary as the adrenals regrow so the symptoms recur. The answer to your question lies in the results of the acth test you just had done. If your dog has gone above a 1-5 on the 2nd number then they are no longer addisonian and will need to go on a maintenance dose of lysodren in order to maintain the desired cortisol levels.

I have never heard of a dog having symptoms as a result of the test.

Kim

[mytil]

Hi again,

I was not familiar with the herbal medicine you are giving Si Miau San so I looked it up. One of the properties is that it acts as a anti-inflammatory and some say can take the place of prednisone. Is she still taking this? I am wondering (out loud really) if this, in and of itself can skew any ACTH testing.

Long term use of prednisone does produce symptoms of Cushing's - called iatrogenic Cushing's. Once weened of the prednisone, the symptoms go away.

Terry

[labblab]

I wish I could better remember specifics, but I do recall a few of our members complaining that their dogs had increased thirst and urination right after ACTH testing. But I don't believe this effect should be long-lived beyond just the first 24 hours or so.

Also, just to warn you -- no matter what reason is prompting a dog to drink more water, it probably is not safe to restrict the water intake even just a little bit. If a dog is peeing a great deal, he/she may actually need the excess water in order to stay properly hydrated. In other words, it may be the peeing that is driving the need to drink and not vice versa.

Marianne

[BreeandDaisy]

I agree do not restrict the water. Also, not that you said this, do not think you have caused any of this by trying different things. You have to realize that given the information you had, you honestly have done what you perceive as being the best for your dog. (I tend to feel I "did" something if something happens after I try something so I could just be projecting here!).

Sometimes too much Cushing meds can trigger Addisons but from my understanding, and I am not a vet, this would not change in degree. I mean if the dog has Addisons it has Addisons. It does not go from severe to mild etc (unless medication has prompted it to do so through treatment). As mentioned, it could be a false reading due to something else that was going on internally at the time.
Make sure you have a vet you can trust. That is key so that you do not second guess him/her. Maybe you want to call some legit local breeders and ask them to give you a referral, or ineveitably people you will meet in the dog park etc.