New member Molly - Starting trilostane

[sugarplummolly]

Hi, this is my first time on this site we were told last week our lovely cross mix molly as cushing's we don't know what is causing it and the vet as put her on trilostane once a day she goe's back to the vets in a couple of weeks for more blood tests her symtoms were panting and her coat as gone black underneath at the moment we feel scared and although molly is 12 and as a heart murmur we hoped for a better last few years we are still trying to get our heads round it molly as a sister lady although not related and a 4 year age gap to us they are sisters both from the same dogs home where i worked we are told by the vet it would be unkind to put molly through further invasive tests we just love her so much and want the best for her. chris.

[labblab]

Welcome to you and Molly!

I noticed you had posted this reply on another member's thread, and I have taken the liberty of moving it so as to create a brand new thread that is your very own. :)

Can you tell us more about Molly's entire health history, and also any specifics about her diagnostic testing? Does she have any other Cushing's symptoms such as excessive thirst/urination/hunger? How much does Molly weigh, and what is her starting dose of trilsotane?

Sorry for so many questions :o, but your answers will help us give you our very best feedback and suggestions.

I'm really glad you've found us!
Marianne

[sugarplummolly]

Hi Marianne thank you so much i am not very good on the computer but i noticed the site whilst looking up cushing's i am finding it very hard at the moment to get my head round it i know there are lots of people out there with dogs a lot younger than molls but i am realy hurting thank you for your help , Chris

[addy]

Chris,

I think we all arrived here hurting in one way or another, so we completely understand. That is why we are all here, to support each other any way we can.

When you feel up to it you can just type in the test results right here, as you have been doing. If your vet did an ACTH test you would have a pre and post number with a reference range.

I know it is hard. I cried for weeks and weeks. Somehow, it does get a bit easier, once you understand the disease.

Hugs,

[sugarplummolly]

Hi. we adopted Molly when i worked at a dogs home she was 5 man as onths old she never had any health problems apart from having tummy trouble but that changed when we got her of canned meat we had her spayed at 5 years old i know we should have done it sooner but we have our veiws on it molly started getting phantom pregnancys so then there wasn't a choice about 6 months later she started panting i had a word with the vet and was told molly was stressed and that some dogs are like that the panting wasn't to severe but never went away each time i went to the vets i told them of my concerns but was told not to worry and she was fine about a year ago we were told molly as a heart murmer but isn't bad enough for meds then a few weeks ago the panting got worse so we had the bloods done then a liver scan as the vet said she needed one the liver scan isn't to bad but the vet said she would test molly for cushing's and of course it came back positive her main symtoms are panting drinking a lot i can't say she is that greedy molly is about 200 kg and she as been started on 60 mg once a day i also meant to had molly as started having trouble with her back legs she is very stiff very kindest regards. Chris

[molly muffin]

Hello Chris and welcome to you and molly. I have a molly too. :) A Shih-tzu/Llasho mix. What breed is your molly?

Okay, you should have copies of all your lab results with you. If not get a copy from your vet.
Then post, Abnormal High or Low with the ranges for all tests on here. This will help to go through and figure out what is going on with Molly and what sort of testing or treatment options might be best for her.

It's scary because we don't know much about it when we get here, other than what we've read on the internet. Not all of which is true. People on this forum, some of them, have been dealing with cushings for years and have a real gift for knowing quite a bit about this disease. The more you learn, the better you will feel. Truly.

Okay, that is a "get started homeworld assignement" get copies of all lab tests, go through and post the items that are either high or low. For LDDS or ACTH, post the entire test, base, and followups.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[sugarplummolly]

hi. i am back at the vets ge where for more bloods next week i will ask for the test results molly seems ok at the moment it is a week since she started the meds we can't work out if the cushings is causing the leg problem or if it is something else she stared with the stiffening around the same time as the panting and coat change worsened just wondered if cushing's affects the limbs as well thank you for your reply and say hi to your molly isn't it a wonderful name my molly is a cross breed and so is my other baby lady who as a thyroid problem which meds keep under control. Chris

[molly muffin]

Hello yes we love the name Molly. Ours too is a cross and we adore her. She's shihtzu/llaso mix.

Well, two things, cushings can cause hind quarter weakness, its a muscular weakness actually and when they start on medication for cushings, then quite often things like arthritis then show up since the cortisol isn't covering it up any longer. Cortisol would be a natural reaction to counteract arthretic pain. Now you are taking away the cortisol to help other areas, then that can show up. Try gentle massage, possible laser treatement, heat treatments, and there is a shot you give them for arthritis pain too. Your vet can tell you about that, if it is determined to be the problem.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin