Ritzi - Cushing's Diagnosis - Need advice

[Ritzi's Mom]

My 7 year old Shih-tzu mix was diagnosed with Cushing's this past Saturday. The lab results were inconclusive as to whether it is pituitary or adrenal - her vet seems to think that is probably adrenal though. He has referred us to Memphis Veterinary Specialists in Memphis, TN and seems to think that sugery is an option. An ultrasound has not been done yet, but we have an appointment with the Memphis vets next Wednesday. I am scared and worried. This is my baby girl and she and her sister help make our family complete. If anybody has had any experience with adrenal tumor surgery and / or Memphis Veterinary Specialists, please let me know. I have done a good deal of research about the surgery, and it is risky. My vet said that there is about a 30% fatality rate.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi,

Welcome to you and Ritzi! :)

Without further testing like the HDDS and/or abdominal ultrasound, your vet can't really know whether it is adrenal or pituitary based just yet. They kinda have the cart before the horse. ;) However, the odds are that it is pituitary, not adrenal, based. 85% of cush pups have PDH, the pituitary form of Cushing's while the remaining 15% have ADH, the adrenal form.

ADH is the only true form of Cushing's that, at present, offers a viable cure. For pups who are good candidates, removal of the adrenal gland and tumor often mean the pup is cured and no medication is required. Research is ongoing into surgical options for pups with tumors on the pituitary, tho that field is not as advanced as the adrenal surgery yet.

So, for today, just sit back and take a deep breath. Read the threads here and the info found in our Helpful Resource Section...and ask any question you may have. When you get to see the IMS, I am sure they will do some more testing and be able to give you a more definitive diagnosis.

Can you tell us more about Ritzi? What caused her to be tested for Cushing's in the first place? Does she have any other known health issues? Is she on any meds, supplements, and/or herbs? If so, what and what for? How much does she weigh? The more you can tell us the better. We LOVE details so don't worry if you seem to be writing a book! ;)

If you could get copies of the actual test results that she has had done so far and post them here, that would be a great help. Type out all the numbers on the report and any comments and that will help us offer more meaningful feedback.

I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more as time passes.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Ritzi's Mom]

Thanks for your quick response Leslie. This is what is on the lab report:
Pre Dexamethasone - 10.8
Post 4 HR Dex - 8.8
Post 8 HR Dex 8.5

We noticed that Ritzi began losing her hair and getting strange pigmentation on her skin. Also, she used to have lots of red in her hair and now it is all blonde. She wasn't able to jump on the couch like she used to either, and she didn't play with her toys as much. The vet tested her thyroid and it was low, so we put her on thyroid medicine. That was about 7 months ago. Since then, she seemed to feel much better, but her hair was still disappearing. We took her back, they tested her for Cushing's, and we got a positive result.

The only other meds she takes is Heartguard once a month. I'm feeding her Beneful health radiance food now. She was eating her sister's Hill's DD food, but I switched her to regular because I thought maybe something in the food was causing her issues. She weighed in at 15.20lbs last week when they tested her.

Any thoughts and suggestions you have will be much appreciated!! I'm glad there is a group out there that know what we're going through!!

Meg