My Old Girl can't use Vetroyl (Hannah has passed)

[Hannahs Mom]

Hi Out There - I started my 30 lb 13 yr old girl on 30mg of Vetroyl ( one pill every 2 days for 2 wks & then every day for 2 wks ) but had to stop just the day before her ac test because she was twitching, couldn't see, paws were shaking & she couldn't get her body to do what she wanted. She would stand there looking at the ceiling ,the walls, & kept banging into corners & everything. In the last 2 days since stoping the pill she is really improving- even running a bit. Still can't see well but seems much better. She has a heart murmur & a growth on her liver which hasn't seemed to affect liver function at this time . I am wondering if anyone could suggest options for holistic cushings control for her . I know now that her reactions were partially drug related & just want her to be comfortable until she gets herself back if that's even possible. Could be her Pit. tumor growing Thanks for any info on this

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[frijole]

Hi and welcome. Glad you stopped the trilo. It could just be that your dog doesn't have cushings. We see this alot. YOu mentioned having a growth on the liver. Well things like this can cause false positives on cushings tests. Really glad you knew to quit giving the trilo/vetoryl.

It would help if you started at the beginning and told us your dog's story complete with all tests that were done to diagnose it. We really need the test results as well.

Don't worry - you aren't alone - we have been there. Hang in there and share all you can. Kim

[lulusmom]

Hi and welcome to the forum,

Whenever we see that dog goes blind suddenly, we always have to suspect SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Detachment Syndrome). Most dogs with this don't truly have cushing's but they usually have symptoms associated with cushing's before or after the onset of blindness. It is known, however, that dogs with SARDS almost always have elevated adrenal sex hormones. The treatment protocol of one pill every two days is unorthodox so I'm wondering 1) if your vet has much experience with cushing's and trilostane or 2) maybe your vet is familiar with SARDS and thought that low doses of trilostane may help your dog. I doubt that either would be recommended by specialists who are experienced and knowledgable of cushing's and SARDS.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get the dog to a veterinary opthamologist to determine the cause of blindness. If it is SARDS, your old girl probably doesn't have cushing's. A lot of vets familiar with SARDS choose not to treat, as blood abnormalities and symptoms usually resolve within months of blindness.

I would like to second Kim's request for what tests were done to diagnose your dog and can you please post the results of those tests here? With respect to blood chemistry and/or cbc, we need only see the high or low values and please include the normal reference ranges.

Looking forward to hearing more about your journey on your way to us. I'm really glad you found us.

Glynda

[Hannahs Mom]

Thanks for the replys - It has been a sad sad weekend . Her heart gave out on Sun. 07/12. I don't know if the drug & it's sides were too much for her but she was totally blind in a matter of weeks & nothing was helping the fluid in her body. My Girl fought the Good fight but it was so frighting for her . She didn't have enough time to adjust to her blindness but do they ever. How do they know where the door is - where the steps "start" where to make the "turn to the bedroom" in such a short time. It was horrible to lose her this way - I wish we had never put her on that drug & just had treated the Heart. I know her time was limited but would she have had More time - ??? It's Over & She is in Peace at last. Her first 2 1/2 yrs on this earth were spent being Horribly abused & beaten by one of our cities finest - a Police Officer - can you believe it ! Again -- Thanks for the Replys
Also - her ac test was a high normal & only the lowdex determined the "cushings".She had the rat tail - blackened skin on her back & belly - excessive drinking & eating- sway back - sparce hair - bony growths . Just too late for her . I initially took her in because she fainted on me with no other extreme symptoms to even look at cushings . I had thought Thryoid at that time. Her Heart was treated first . All this in 5 weeks -
Take Care & Hold your Pup Close

[frijole]

THanks for coming back to let us know. It sounds like she had a whole lot going on. More important she was lucky to have you in her life to save her from her previous owner. You gave her love and happiness and if you gotta leave this earth - to be surrounded by love is the way to go. Kim

[Jenny & Judi in MN]

my dog went blind from diabetes and while they do bonk into things at first, they always know that we are there and will love them and protect them; it is not as traumatic for them as it is for us to watch them. Honest. It sounds like your girl was blessed to have you and just had too much going on in her body.

I know the shock has you reeling but please accept my deepest sympathy and be kind to yourself. You took her out of a horrible situation, gave her a wonderful life and she passed away knowing comfort, security, and love.

I'm so sorry. Judi

[mytil]

I am so very sorry your girl has passed on and thank you for letting us know. I know it is hard but she had a lot happening at the same time and she was one lucky girl to have you step into her life.

We will always remember Hannah - in our special remembrance list http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3918.

We would like to hear more about your girl and when you feel up to it, you can share your story in our In Loving Memory section. (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=8)

((((hugs))))
Terry

[mypuppy]

Hi. I am so sorry for your great loss. You are a wonderful, caring and loving human being. Bless your big heart for rscuing your girl from any further abuse. It was ver unfair for her or any other poor furbaby to suffer the abuse of others. Laws truly need to change to protect our beautiful, innocent creatures. ughhhh.

God Bless and RIP sweet girl.

xo Jeanette

[Bo's Mom]

So sorry to read about Hannah. She was so lucky to have found someone who cared for her dearly after suffering in the hands of her previous owners.
May peace be with you and know that we are here for you whenever you need.

[Squirt's Mom]

You gave Hannah the best life she could imagine. You gave her love, safety, security, companionship, and joy. I know she left this world knowing what it means to be loved and cared for - something she may never have known without you. Please don't beat yourself up...you did nothing wrong, nothing to cause this. It does sound as if Hannah had several things going on all at once and you did your best to help her. I am positive Hannah is grateful to you for all you gave her and did to help her.

Today, Hannah is whole and strong once again. She is running in the Rainbow Fields with many new friends, the wind in her ears, grass beneath her paws, reveling in her new freedom. From there she will always watch over you with the same devotion you gave her until that day when you are reunited, never to be parted.

Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Squirt, Trinket, Brick, Tasha, and our Angels, Ruby and Crystal


DON'T CRY FOR ME WHEN I'M GONE

Three score and ten are given to man,
But ours is a much briefer span.
So, though I give you all my heart,
The time will come when we must part.
But all around you, you will see,
Creatures that speak to you of me;
A tired horse, a hunted thing,
A sparrow with a broken wing ...
Pity - and help (I know you will)
And somehow, I will be with you still;
And I shall know, although I'm gone,
The love I gave you lingers on.

--- (Author unknown) ---

[Nika'sMom]

I want to say how very sorry I am for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you will find a way to begin to heal. I can see that you were a wonderful Mom to your Hannah, don't ever forget that..hugs Lynda

[Maya]

I'm so sorry to hear of your heartache.....
May God comfort you during this difficult time.....
Hugs from Leah and Maya

[Doxieman]

I lost my Katie this past weekend to Cushings too. I am so in tune with how you feel, as my loss has me in constant tears. Katie was 12 years 3 months old and a longhaired dachshund. We found out she had cushings in June and started her on Trilo as well, but when the vet upped her dose to 60mg from 30, she reacted badly and I could not stomach putting poison in her, so I found a vet locally that does surgery to remove the adrenal gland that had the tumor. After several consultations and advice from other vets, I opted for the surgery. We stopped the trilo 3 - 4 weeks prior to surgery. The surgery was performed last friday and was successful, however the tumor turned out to be quite large and her liver was very enlarged as well. We took her home per the vets instructions and she died early in the morning from what the vet believes was a immobilized blood clot. We are still in shock and miss her badly. I feel responsible for her death and I feel like only she can tell me its ok and I did the right thing. The vet feels that after the surgery and what he saw, that she may have only lived a couple of more months. I will never know, but I love her so much and miss her.

I hope we both heal in time...its just so gut wrenching.

[Boriss McCall]

So so sorry to hear about both of your sweet babies.:( I know it is a hard thing to go through. I am thinking of you both today.

[scoora]

Hannah's Mom-So sorry to hear about your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Hannah was lucky to have such a wonderful and caring mom.

Doxieman- Sorry for the loss of your Katie. Thoughts and prayers are with you, too.

Squirt's Mom- That poem is so beautiful and touching.

Take care
Vicki-Scoop and Raleigh's mom

[Casey's Mom]

I am so very sorry to hear about both of your pups, my heart goes out to both of you.

Hugs,