Jackson's New Journey!

[kkorchard]

I am so happy to have found this group! It is really helping learn which questions to ask. Thanks for that! Jackson is a 9 year old Maltese. He has been a thirsty boy for a while but it wasn't until we brought a new puppy into our home a year ago that we noticed a real change in him. For a year we have blamed the fact that Jackson has gained 7 lbs (he is 18 lbs Up from 11), his anxeity (which we thought was causing the hair loss) and moodiness on our new family members arrival. It was until he started with the little piggy sounds ( a series of snorting and snoring)that I felt we needed to do some investigating. Vet immediatly felt it was one of two things, one being Cushings and blood work lead us the the Dexamethasone Suppression Test. Not totally sure of how to read it but his levels were Pre- 9.7 4hrs- 6.0 8hrs- 8.5. Dr called on Tuesday and we started him on Vetoryl (30mg) on Wed. Before I found this sight I was blissfully ignorate of any side effects of the medication but now I have all kinds of questions. ( have now read the side effects link posted earlier) Should I be doing anything other an giving his pill to him after his breakfast? (concerned about stomach problems) He doesnt seem to be having any of the side effects people have mentioned. He seems sleepy but honestly not any more than his normal behavior lately. Should I expect to side effects to show up after a longer time of taking the meds?
Thanks for helping understand how to help this very important family member.

[Boriss McCall]

HI Welcome to the board!
I don't have a lot of experience yet. My dog just started the Trilostane about 16 days ago.

Did the vet give you a bottle of prednisone to take home just in case for emergency? If the cortisol levels get too low you will need that.

I will let others with more experience give you advice.. ;) But, I do know that the vet should always give that to you to take home when you start treatment incase you run into trouble & Jackson needs it asap.

Glad you found us! Everyone on here is so good at helping & there are people with years of experience. :)

[kkorchard]

I was not given emergency Pred. I have already put a call into the Vet!! Do you know kinds of signs would be present if he is in distress?

[Boriss McCall]

First thing most definitely get the emergency prednisone.

Here are some of the side affects.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:
The most common adverse reactions reported are poor/reduced appetite, vomiting, lethargy/dullness, diarrhea, and weakness.

I have not experienced any of these things yet. But, the advice I was given if your dog experiences any of these things to stop giving the pill & contact the vet.

Also if you have all your test results the more experienced people on the board will want to see them. It is a good way to keep track of what is going on with Jackson & others can give you advice.

Does your vet treat lots of Cushing's dogs?

did you do all the test? example.. ultra sound, blood panel, urine? If so post all the results on here.

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

You already have some great information!

It would help us to have any test results posted here. Are you giving the 30mgs once a day? If Jackson is 18 pounds, the starting dose is a bit more than 2 mgs per pound so yes, please watch him for any adverse affects. When in doubt, do not give the Trilostane and call your vet. Each dog is diffferent when it comes to dosage. We have always felt it best to start lower and slowly work up to try to keep side effects at bay. Having said that, we do have members starting at higher doses and it is just fine. Sometimes the smaller dogs need bigger does than the larger dogs. My Zoe is a Lhasa at 17.5 pounds. She started Trilostane about 1.5 years ago at 10mgs once per day and is now on 50mgs divided up 30mgs am and 20 mgs pm. So you never know where one might end up.:)

Read as much as you can and post away any and all questions.

You are doing just fine.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. You've got some good advice and there isn't much I can add to what has been said, other than to say, this is a great bunch with many years of dealing with cushings under their belt. It has helped me enormously to be a part of the forum and to have such a wealth of knowledge available.

So, again welcome and post any questions you might have. :)

Sharlene and Molly Muffin