14.5+ Yr Old Tibetan Terrier

[karodavis51]

Hello Everyone,
I'm new posting here, but I have been reading and lurking since mid July. My Tibetan girl, Ginger, has been diagnosed with Cushings and I am trying to be a well informed pet parent. I'm not really sure of Ginger's age since she was found as a stray, but I have had her for 14 yrs on July 14 and the vet estimated that she was about 10 mths old when we found her, so she has got to be pushing 15 yrs. Ginger weighs 34 lbs and considering her age has been pretty healthly. She has cateracts, can't see or hear very well but still gets around good and to look at her she doesn't look her age.
Now a little history, I have been getting senior bloodwork done since March 09 with everything being good. Then in April 11 her Thyroid was low and she started on Thyro Tabs .3 mg once per day.
T4 has been well maintained on this dosage since. In July and Aug 11
she had a bout of Gastritis after eating my Mom's cats' food, we got that cleared up and every thing has been ok since. In early summer I began to notice her drinking alot more water, always wanting something to eat, having a few accidents in the house but I thought it was just her leaking cause of her age. Then she started being really restless at night and panting constantly. Took her to the vet and looking at her last senior bloodwork along with her symptons the vet supected cushings. These are the levels that he felt were an indication of cushings:
ALK Phosphatase 180 Ref Range 5-131 u/l
Na/K Ratio 28
Cholesterol 330 Ref Range 92-324 mg/dl
Platelet Count 514 Ref Range 170-400

He did the 8 hr Dex Suppression Cortisol test and here are the results

Cortisol sample 1 3.7
Cortisol sample 2 dex 2.4
Cortisol sample 3 dex 4.0

Ginger was started on Vetoryl 60 mg and is now on day 36, with no apparent problems. She will be retested on day 45 see how the cortisol is being controlled.

Ginger has not had any of loss of hair or skin issues, but has always had food allergies and a lot of scratching, Has not had the muscle or leg weakness, but in June after eating a whole compressed bone, threw up and fell over having a seizure. Then on Tues night she was really restless and pacing and barking (she is not a barker) I heard her flopping on the floor and she had no at all of her back legs. I petted her and talked to her and she was alert and after I helped her stand up, she was ok after about 30 minutes. The vet thinks she had another seizure or a small stroke. Everything seems ok now, so does anyone have any idea of what else might be going on.

I am looking forward to getting any input to help me give my girl the best care I can.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Ginger,

Sorry for the reasons that brought you here but glad you found us.

According to Dechra's product insert when a dog first starts treatment using Vetoryl/Trilostane an ACTH stim test should be performed within 10-14 days, has this been done? If so, could you post those results for us.

Other illnesses share many of the symptoms of Cushing's disease and should be ruled out, diabetes is one of them, has this been ruled out?

How are Ginger's symptoms now? Any adverse effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and/or lethargy? Her starting dose of 60mg seems a tad high for her 34lb weight and this concerns me a bit. Did your vet give you any predisone, in case of too low cortisol?

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

Love and hugs,
Lori

[karodavis51]

Ginger's symptoms seem to be somewhat better, with the exception of Tues night when she couldn't use her legs. There haven't been any problems with the Vetoryl and I do have predisone and was told to let the vet know immediately if she had any vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy or refusal to eat. What kind of test are done for diabetes, are they a part of normal bloodwork? I don't think it has been mentioned by my vet. There has not been a test done at 14 days but I was told she would need to be tested at 45 days, a 2 hr test, don't remember the test name.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome.

That is really weird as the first thing they normally tell you is that an ACTH test is needed at day 10 - 14 of treatment and that is recommended by all cushings specialist and IMS that I know of. Since she did have a possible seizure on tuesday, I'd go ahead and get the test done now so you know if there are any issues with the cortisol levels causing this.

yes blood glucose would have been done during a senior wellness test. Check for those results. It could be that it is fine and that is why it wasn't mentioned.

I'd definitely get the test done just to be on the safe side. Usually by day 36, you would have had two ACTH test done. One at the 10 - 14 day and one at around day 30, week 4. During which time any adjustments of dosage would have been made and hopefully you would be on your to a stabilized cortisol level.

Gingers picture is just so adorable. She reminds me of my molly with that hair and face. What a lucky little girl she is to have found such a wonderful, caring home. 14 years is a good long time to be in a wonderful home, after wondering the streets. That just breaks my heart and I know it was a long time ago but still... Our molly was a rescue and it still amazes me that any one would Not want her.

Good luck and let us know how things are going. So glad you decided to post. Now you have to be prepared for us constantly asking how ginger and you are doing. :) :) :)

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

[karodavis51]

Thanks the picture was just made last week so I think Ginger is still looking good, I know what you mean about how she could have gotten to be a stray.
I had just lost my Pom mix Booger and Ginger had been wondering around my
Mom's church for about 2 wks trying to get into everyones car. My dad went & picked her up and called me. It was love at first sight!

[marie adams]

Welcome to you and Ginger,

You are both lucky to have each other!!!:D:):p Ginger is soooo cute!!!:)

I am so glad you found us and lurked around. You are in good hands and Lori has already been helping you. Everyone as you have read since July, is a wealth of information and support!!:p

Take care and you are doing a great job!!!:)

[karodavis51]

By the way my name is Karen and i also have a 21 mth old Havanese named Jaxon.

[molly muffin]

Well hello Karen and welcome to Jaxon too. :)

Sharlene