Txtcher
06-01-2012, 04:16 PM
Since last Jul my now 9yr old Aussie has suffered various symptoms: initially weight loss; pancreatitis which he had to be hospitalized for in Aug, but recovered quickly, then developed pu/pd and occasional incontinence. In Oct the vet tested his kidney function - normal. Then did the Low Dose Dex test. The results were "highly suggestive" of Cushings. In Nov., they performed the ATCH stim test. The results were: Initial level slightly high (could have be attributable to stress), after 4 hrs, down to 11. Grey zone is 14-20 so he wasn't even in grey zone.
In Dec, the UA was normal, but very dilute
We also tested for Thyroid - normal. Bloodwork - all normal. Alt Phosphate (level for Cushings I think) was only 20. Normal range is 5-120. Dr. didn't think this was Cushings but could be a cancerous tumor somewhere. So I scheduled full body x-rays on January 3.
Results of the x-rays - no tumors.
At that point I decided to "wait and see." My vet suggested I see an internal medicine specialist, but that involved a 3hr car ride each way and more money than I have.
Since then, the bouts of pu/pd and incontinence continued. He is severely underweight and has been since suffering the sever pancreatic attack in Aug in spite of my efforts to stuff him like a sausage. I initially began a homecooked diet for him, but recently switched him to HK Force in the am and HK Preference with cooked meat (been adding low fat raw beef or chicken) recently without adverse effect.
Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, I noticed excessive shedding which until today I thought was a normal "spring" shed.
On Sun, I noticed increased urination. He also seemed to be hunching like he had to have a bowel movement, but without result. Also, squatting to pee, without much result. I withheld food that evening in case he was constipated.
On Mon, I mixed pumpkin with I/D and extra water. He had a normal bowel movement, and had a good urine stream, but continued to experience an uncontrollable urge to pee without result.
Tues & Wed, he was slightly better and I resumed normal feeding.
Thurs, I called the vet as he was once again experiencing an uncontrollable urge to urinate. And at noon, his poise pad on his belly band was soaked. I changed it and it was once again soaked when we arrived home from work. He woke me at 3:30 am on Friday (this morning) to go out. His pad was moderately wet.
He is at the vet today and I am waiting for news.
My questions:
1. How long did it take for most of you to have your dog diagnosed with Cushings?
2. Did any of your dogs get diagnosed but still had normal ALP blood results?
3. Did any of your dogs experience the pu/pd along with an uncontrollable urge to pee - constant squatting without much result?
Naturally, I am horribly concerned and have been reduced to tears several times since last night. I'm so worried that he may have a cancer somewhere, and am actually hoping its just Cushings - crazy! :(
Hopefully, I've given enough information for you all to be able to answer my questions. Thank you in advance for your responses.
In Dec, the UA was normal, but very dilute
We also tested for Thyroid - normal. Bloodwork - all normal. Alt Phosphate (level for Cushings I think) was only 20. Normal range is 5-120. Dr. didn't think this was Cushings but could be a cancerous tumor somewhere. So I scheduled full body x-rays on January 3.
Results of the x-rays - no tumors.
At that point I decided to "wait and see." My vet suggested I see an internal medicine specialist, but that involved a 3hr car ride each way and more money than I have.
Since then, the bouts of pu/pd and incontinence continued. He is severely underweight and has been since suffering the sever pancreatic attack in Aug in spite of my efforts to stuff him like a sausage. I initially began a homecooked diet for him, but recently switched him to HK Force in the am and HK Preference with cooked meat (been adding low fat raw beef or chicken) recently without adverse effect.
Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, I noticed excessive shedding which until today I thought was a normal "spring" shed.
On Sun, I noticed increased urination. He also seemed to be hunching like he had to have a bowel movement, but without result. Also, squatting to pee, without much result. I withheld food that evening in case he was constipated.
On Mon, I mixed pumpkin with I/D and extra water. He had a normal bowel movement, and had a good urine stream, but continued to experience an uncontrollable urge to pee without result.
Tues & Wed, he was slightly better and I resumed normal feeding.
Thurs, I called the vet as he was once again experiencing an uncontrollable urge to urinate. And at noon, his poise pad on his belly band was soaked. I changed it and it was once again soaked when we arrived home from work. He woke me at 3:30 am on Friday (this morning) to go out. His pad was moderately wet.
He is at the vet today and I am waiting for news.
My questions:
1. How long did it take for most of you to have your dog diagnosed with Cushings?
2. Did any of your dogs get diagnosed but still had normal ALP blood results?
3. Did any of your dogs experience the pu/pd along with an uncontrollable urge to pee - constant squatting without much result?
Naturally, I am horribly concerned and have been reduced to tears several times since last night. I'm so worried that he may have a cancer somewhere, and am actually hoping its just Cushings - crazy! :(
Hopefully, I've given enough information for you all to be able to answer my questions. Thank you in advance for your responses.