My bichon Adonis may have cushings!!

[Bunny110299]

My 12 yr old bichon who went for a senior checkup last week had an extensive geriatric profile done which showed elevated liver enzymes. I dropped him off this am for the low dose dexamethasone test. Am so scared I love him Sooo much I don't want anything to happen to him!! He has been drinking a lot more and this Saturday while at the groomers he had an accident on the table!! Am so upset and I want to go what is right. I feed him the best(orijen 6 fish) and treat him like my baby!! Help!!

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your boy,

First thing I want you to know is that Cushing's is NOT a death sentence for a dog. Cushing’s is a treatable disease and with proper medical management, close monitoring and owner observation, most Cushingoid pets can live to their full life expectancy, with complete or partial resolution of clinical signs, and good quality of life!

Could you round up copies of all tests that were done on your boy and post any abnormalities that are listed with the reference ranges and units of measurements...e.g ALP 240 U/L (5-100). Also, we would really like to see the results of the LDDS test that is being done on your boy.

Besides increased drinking what other symptoms is your boy displaying? Is he on any other herbs/medicines/supplements? Does he have any other health issues? How much does he weigh? Sorry for all these questions but the more we know about your sweet boy the better our feedback can be, ok?

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

Love and hugs,
Lori

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[Bunny110299]

Don't have copies of lab work yet and he went for the dexamethasone test today so I don't have that yet either. He is always hungry and is urinating a lot also I've noticed occasionally he will shake like he had a little tremor in the car the other day. I thought he was cold. But it happened again the other day. He doesn't collapse or anything and he is conscious so I don't think it's seizure like activity. He is 19 lbs of love!!

[Bunny110299]

Also he is dasaquin for joint disease

[addy]

awwww 19 pounds of white fluff ball cute bichon:D:D:D:D

Hi and welcome,

Try to get copies of all your tests so you can give us the results. Did they happen to do a UC:CR creatine test or is it just the blood work and the dex test today?

Do you know if Adonis has any other health issues?

I am so glad you found us. We tend to ask a lot of questions but it is just to help sort things out.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too!!! :)

When you go to your vet, just ask them for a copy of all your lab work, so you can start to keep your own file.

I know it is scary, that is how we all got here, by being terrified for our babies. So, you're in the right place. We all have been in your shoes and so we know exactly how scary this is for you. I know it doesn't seem like anyone possible could know, but we do. I think I cried for days and days when I first heard those words. Then I found this forum. Knowledge is power. So, the best you can do is educate yourself about your options and that will help you to make the very best decisions possible for your little sweetie. Aren't Bichons just adorable!

Again, welcome. Give your little Bichon a belly rub from us.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[frijole]

Hi from me as well. Just wanted to reinforce the need to post any abnormal blood panel results and the ldds test results once they come back. The reason for this is because this disease is often misdiagnosed. Other illnesses such as hypothyroidsm and diabetes mimic cushings so we want to rule out/rule in by looking at the test data.

Also - know right now that if the low dose test results come back as cushings you aren't done. :D Nope - you can't be sure because that test often has false positives when non adrenal illnesses are present. So if it comes back positive you can either have the acth test done (a 2 hr blood draw) or an ultrasound which will take a look at the organs. Specifically you can tell from the adrenal glands if it is cushings. If they are normal you have the benefit of looking for growth or any other organ issues that might have caused the results.

Trust me you do not want to start cushings meds until you are absolutely sure your dog has it. So take your time asking us questions and getting up to speed on what cushings is and like others have said - your dog can live a very normal life so since you are Adonis' voice in all this you need to get up to speed. :p;)

Good luck! Kim

[molly muffin]

Hi, just wondering if you have gotten copies of your blood work yet and any results from the LDDS?

Sharlene and Molly Muffin