New Member (6 y/o Akita) Trilostane

[mpbosnia1]

Hello everyone, my name is Sandy and I am a new member. My wife (Kim) and I raised two Akita sisters. They are 6 years old and one of the dogs was just diagnosed with Cushings a couple of months ago with test results at approx. 6.0. The drug therapy of choice is Trilostane. My dog has been on it for a couple of months. We started out with 10mg and retested levels. The test results came back elevated 7.0 or something, from the base-line. We increased to 40mg, test results came back 9.6. The Dr. said we are going to increase the trilostane again. Is this common for the dog to go up instead of down. Kennocha initially decreased in drinking, panting, hair loss, and urinating, but now its back again (9.6). Very worried mommy.

[lulusmom]

Hi Sandy and welcome to you, Kim and your Akita girls.

Your experience isn't unique but it's not that common either. In order for us to provide you with meaningful feedback, we need to have a good picture of your girl's diagnostic history. Can you please get copies of all testing done by your vet and post the results here? That would include a blood chemistry, urine tests, acth stimulation and/or low dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDS). What test are you looking at that yielded the results of 7, 6 and 9.6? The acth stimulation test is used to monitor treatment so I assume that is the test you are looking at. However, there are two numbers on that test, the pre or baseline blood draw and the post stimulation blood draw which is done one hour after injecting the stimulating agent. We will need both numbers. With respect to the blood chemistry, we need only see the abnormal values and please include the normal reference ranges.

Can you also tell us what symptoms your dog had that lead you and your vet to suspect cushing's? The most common symptoms are increased (huge) appetite, excessive drinking and peeing, loss or thinning of coat, panting and muscle wasting.

Once we have a better picture of your dog's history and the name of the test the posted numbers are coming from, we'll be in a much better place to help you understand what is going on.

I'm sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but I'm glad you found us. We're here to help you sort things out so just know you aren't alone on this journey anymore.

Glynda

P.S. Forgot to ask if your vet told you what type of cushing's your dog has (adrenal tumor or pituitary) and did you get your dog to the vets for testing between 4 and 6 hours after the morning dose of Trilostane?

[marie adams]

Welcome Sandy, Kim, and Kennoche,

So glad you found us!!! Glynda has already stopped by to ask questions and give some advice.:)

As she said please give us any test results you have or get them from the vet.

Everyone here is so caring and wonderful. The experts will give you answers or research till they find the answers. Others will stop by to tell you a little about their stories. I could not have gone through my journey without them.

Please take care and know you are family now!!!:)

Happy Mother's Day!!!