snowone the new guy (8 y/o red bone hound)

[snowone]

My dog Moe a 8year old red bone hound has been diagnosed with cushings probably from a adrinal tumor. We have done a blood test a urien test and the 4 and 8 hr blood test. I dont think we want to go with surgery but I dont want to not do whats right. Do most people just treat with drugs? I have been told that the drugs and blood test would be about $2000 per year. Does that sound correct? If I can give Moe 2 or 3 more GOOD years I would pay that but I dont want to put him through any suffering just to satify my needs. Thanks Mark Naber

[Trish]

Hi Mark and Moe

Welcome to the message board there are so many very experienced members who will be able to help you figure this out, unfortunately I am not one of them :) My dog had an adrenal tumour and had the surgery 10 days ago, he does not need any meds for cushings but the type of tumour he had did not affect his cortisol.

But I do know that they will want to see the result's of Moe's tests especially all the abnormal results, including the LDDS and also type in the normal values that your lab will have put on the form. Once they have that info they can advise you much better.

I am not sure of costs at all, but just wanted to welcome you and let you know it is not quite as scary once these angels come along and explain things :)

Lots of pats for Moe
Trish

[cheydogger]

Hi Mark-

Welcome to this site, but sorry for the reason that brought you here.

I am still fairly new to this too, but my girl, Chey, has an right adrenal tumor. Surgery was not recommended due to her age and heart condition. You can read my thread to kind of see our journey thus far.

I also know the more experienced members will want to know the things Trish has mentioned, plus sex, neutered/spayed, symptoms for which you took Moe to the vet in the first place, etc. they will ask a lot of questions to get a better feel for Moe's condition.

I will say if surgery is an option, it can be a cure, however it is a very risky and hard surgery.

Have you had an ultrasound to view the adrenal glands?

Take care and hang in there until some of the more experienced members come along.

Ro and Chey

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

You are off to a good start and everyone is right we are going to ask for more info. Consider it an initiation:D

If you could round up your test results and post them, we would love it. Was an ultrasound done to determine the adrenal tumor? Who suggested surgery? Did a specialist do the diagostic testing? What prompted testing your pup for Cushings? What symptoms does you pup have?

Cushings is a very hard disease to diagnose so it would be good to start at the beginning. If your dog does have an adrenal tumor, surgery could mean a cure for his Cushings if he indeed has it.
Treatment with drugs is also done. To be honest it can get quite costly especially if your dog does not settle on a dose right away and you need to increase a few times.

But lets get you settled in first and learn more about you and your pup.:):):):)

So glad you found your way here.

[mytil]

Hi and welcome from me too.

Everyone has started you off with the questions about testing and diagnostics and the symptoms Moe is exhibiting - that way we can offer more advice if we see the actual test results.

Regarding the surgery, that is a very important step and must be done by a well qualified surgeon with loads of experience in adrenalectomies. Several here on site have gone through and can offer loads of first hand experience.

But that may be getting way ahead of things. First the test results. Cushing's is a slow progressing disease so you have time.

Here is a great link that describes more on Cushing's, testing and treatments - http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180

We are all here to help. BTW, I love hound dogs!
Terry

[molly muffin]

Hello and Welcome.

Not everyone goes with the option of adrenal surgery and chose to treat the symtoms instead. It can be expensive and getting the medication dosage right can take a few tweaks but hopefully it wouldn't take too many to get it right. It is possible that Moe could have several years of a good life. He is only 8 years old.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin