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DaisyMom
06-19-2012, 12:12 AM
Hi Everyone,
I am brand new here. I have 3 Chihuahuas, and my sweet Daisy started becoming ill in March with lots of panting, a pot belly, increased water consumption and increased urination. I thought she was poisoned by eating chicken jerky made in China. I was visiting my vet almost weekly from then until mid-May with no diagnosis and watching poor Daisy every day seem worse and worse. Finally in May I visited an internal medicine specialist who diagnosed Cushings within a day. We started Daisy on 10 mg of Trilostane in the morning. After four or five days, we finally saw improvement. Days later, we were back at the vet with a worsening condition. It was then we found out she had diabetes, and our regular vet did an ACTH stim test and reduced her Trilostane to 5 mg. Another ACTH stim a week later resulted in an increase of Trilostane to 7 mg. For the past four weeks, Daisy has been suffering. Today, we went back to the internal medicine specialist because Daisy seemed to be declining. She is now in the hospital for a few days. The doctor's initial report is that both the Trilostane and Insulin need to be regulated. I just wish I would have taken her there earlier. It costs a small fortune, and I feel guilt that I even considered the cost factor. Are there any online resources for the appropriate foods to feed a very finicky dog? Regulating her food will be difficult as well. I am so glad I found this group.

Harley PoMMom
06-19-2012, 01:27 AM
Hi and welcome to you and Daisy!

So sorry for the reasons that brought you to us but glad you found us.

When a dog has uncontrolled diabetes a confirmed case of Cushing's is really hard to diagnose because any non-adrenal illness will a create false positive result.

Diabetes and Cushing's share many of the same symptoms such as excessive drinking/urination, elevated liver enzymes and a pot-bellied appearance.

We have a sister site that deals with canine diabetes and the wonderful people there have a wealth of knowledge helping members with their diabetic dogs...here's a link: http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/index.php I strongly urge you to join them there.

Could you get copies of all tests that were done on Daisy and post any abnormalities listed, here...Thanks! As this will help us to provide you with more meaningful feedback.

Please know we will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask any and all questions.

Love and hugs,
Lori