9 year old Scottie

[NeoScottie Sister]

Help my Nine year old Male Scottie has been Diagnosed about 3 weeks agao. He is taking Vetoryl 10mg Twice a day.

This started showing up in Feb, In March a mass was found on his spleen it was removed it was an overgrowth of blood vessels -benign.

He has had nausea and been vomiting white foam and bile every morning since Feb.Then In June could not keep any food down.

Finally they did more tests..
Keept him in Hospital for 4 nights..
His electrolytes are still low.

We have had the Nausea under control for about 10 days but his 14 day ACHT stim really set him back.
It was in Normalish Levels His First one was NOT

First one Base Line of 13 and 2nd number of 33

Then 2nd one 5 and 17.. Sorry I do not know the units.

Sometimes we have a hard time keeping the Vetoryl down.. He will not take the capsules my Hubby Mixes them with Pedilyte and squirts them down his throat.. Hoping to stabilize him so we can order them Compounded in a liquid from Diamondback or another Pharmacy.

Is there a way to monitor with just the base ACTH and not the Stim, It seems to really knock him back.

He has lost over 5 lbs down to less than 20 and I am worrying myself sick that maybe I should just put him down.

He just now started back to a short morning walk, he just seems so tired and depressed.

[labblab]

Hello and welcome to you and your boy, although I am so sorry that he is doing so poorly right now. I hope you will bear with us, because we tend to ask a lot of questions around here :o. But your answers will help us offer our best feedback and suggestions.

First off, can you tell us what symptoms led your vet to suspect Cushing's? The chronic nausea, vomiting, and weight loss that you are describing is not consistent with Cushing's, and these problems make me wonder whether there is something entirely different going on. The blood tests for Cushing's can be skewed when other, nonadrenal disease is present. In other words, cortisol levels can be elevated and the tests can return a "false positive" when there is some other problem stressing a dog's endocrine system. So if you can fill us in on all your dog's symptoms as well as his complete testing history, that would be great.

I'm also wondering about his hospitalization with the low electrolytes. Was this before he ever started on the trilostane? Did the doctors think the problem with the electrolytes was due to his vomiting? You say they are still low -- are the vets telling you to use the Pedialyte as a result? Since trilostane has the potential to interfere with the normal balance of electrolytes, I'm surprised your vets are comfortable with proceeding to treat with trilostane until/unless the source of the electrolyte imbalance is solved...

Thanks in advance for any additional info you can give us. As I say, this will help us a great deal!

Marianne

[NeoScottie Sister]

His electrolytes seemed to be low due to the vomiting.

I personally added the pedialyte to boost Sodium and Potassium
as it has helped in the Nursing process.. Vet seemed Ok with it..
He is taking a Potassium suppliment and Has to go back to get levels tested. Still have no heard what his Friday Level was.. They Sent it out to Comapre to inhouse I STAT levels..

He stopped eating on his own in June We had to force feed after leaving the Hospital for a few days now he just wants to have wet food spoon fed to him. He is on a low does of Reglan 4 times a day
we feed him small amout 3-4 times per day, Plus If he still seems hungry or will tolerate some ensure before bed.

When He gets the Vetoryl We give Reglan wait about 30 minutes give some food wait a few more minutes give vetoryl opened and Mixed with Pediatlyte a with a bit more food.. Sit him upright burp him Like a baby, then try to get a very short walk even if just to the corner and back to get things moving thru so we do not get regurge.

Initially Vet was thinking Addisons but with the ACTH stim and other tests it fit more cushings and He has seemed to respond to treatment. Slight elevated ALT, Alk Phos.. I looked at the Numbers but did not get a copy.. I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist trying not to meddle in Angus' care too much wanting the Docs to do their job.
Not sure what K-9 vs Human numbers are.. Just trying not to panic.

He has been quite the water drinker for awhile.. He lived with My Elderly Father for the first 8 years until his death, His House keeper and I would blame the drinking on Dad forgetting to give him water so She would fill the Bowl , Dad would and when I would stop by I would.In hindsight is was he was drinking lots.. Looks like a dog his size should drink about 750 ml or 3 cups per day.From what I could find..

Should I dip His urines to see what the Specific Gravity is?

We put our 19/yo Cocker spaniel down and when we told my Dad he had a MI and Died.. I think he knew we would take Angus.(About 20 months ago)
My Hubby is so attached I am terrified at loosing our " Boy".As he has really helped our transition with losing our Dogther. Plus Was such good company to my Dad after he lost Mom I want to do all I can, But it is difficult to see him doing poorly.

Will do anything to keep him going if he will get better but I am getting concerned.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Angus! :)

First thing, no more Vetoryl for now. It is a rule of thumb to never, ever give either Vetoryl (Trilostane) or Mitotane (Lysodren) to a pup who is not eating, certainly never to one who is vomiting and/or has diarrhea as these are all signs of an overdose. Please stop the Trilo for now. Has your vet given you any prednisone? If it were me, I would give a rescue dose of pred right now. If his cortisol is too low, you should see a marked improvement in an hour or so.

Was the ACTH the only diagnostic test he had done? No UC:CR, LDDS, HDDS, or ultrasound...specific gravity wasn't checked? Did he have a superchem to rule out diabetes and hypothyroidism as well as kidney and liver issues, etc? If not, then I say it's high time for you to put your medical knowledge to work for Angus. ;) Vetoryl is a powerful drug that is not to be given lightly; Cushing's is one of, if not THE, most difficult canine condition to diagnose. Starting such a strong treatment based on one test is scary at best. Unfortunately, many of us here trusted a long loved vet to the detriment of our babies; sadly, many vets do not understand this disease so the best thing we can do for our pups is to educate ourselves in order to be the best advocate for them we can be. So, if you can tell us exactly what cushing's specific diagnostic tests were run and what the actual results, along with units of measurement and normal ranges for each value, that would help us a great deal in helping you.

Is Angus on any other meds, supplements or herbs? How much does he weigh? How much Trilo has he been taking and how many times a day?

For now, stop the Vetoryl (Trilo). Gather the test results and get them posted, keep reading and asking questions, love on that sweet boy as much as you can, and if you have the pred, consider giving a dose.

I'm glad you found us tho I am sorry Angus is having such a difficult time right now. The most important thing I can tell you is this - you and Angus and hubby are no longer alone. We will walk with you every step of the way. Never hesitate to reach out for any reason; we will do our best to help in any way we can.

Hang in there!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

Hi there and welcome. How is your scottie doing?

Hugs,
Sharlene

[Nikki]

Just wanted to say Hi! And Welcome!!! :)