Mixed Emotions...HELP! (10 y/o Lab, Gracie)

[hlah4]

Hi all.. I'm new to the site and recently found out that my 10 yr old Lab, Gracie, has Cushings. Luckily I came across this site yesterday and hope to get some help. It's been an emotional roller coaster ride the past week and I'm at a loss of whether to put her down or try Cushex drops. I would love anyones opinion on these drops. I am a single mother and cannot afford the prescribed medication from the vet. The side effects are troublesome as well. I like the idea of the Cushex drops but, they are pricey as well but would rather try those over a prescription. Also, I need to change her dog food. I would love advice on what foods are the best to give to dogs with Cushings.

Thanks for your help!
Momma to Gracie

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site.

Firstly, Cushing's is not a death sentence so you really do not need to worry about putting her down.

It is also one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose. So, when you get the chance, post the results of all the tests performed to come to this diagnosis.

Also, let us know what symptoms your Gracie has that would correspond to those of Cushing's. Check out this link so see more on the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options - http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180 (sorry to repeat if you have read through these already).

I truly wish there was truth in what those who sell cushex drops claim, but in all honestly there isn't. The ingredients never get to the root cause of Cushing's of which is excess cortisol being produced. It may seem to ease some symptoms, but the damage is still being done internally.

Take a deep breath as we are all here to help and let us know more about what prompted this diagnosis.
Terry

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Gracie,

So sorry for the reasons that brought you to us but so glad you found your way here.

The initial expense is during the diagnostic phase of Cushing's disease, once the dog becomes stabilized on treatment the cost does go down. Many members here also use a compounding pharmacy where they purchase their dog's medicine which can be a huge cost savings.

Could you get copies of all tests that were done on Gracie and post any abnormalities that are listed? Does Gracie have any other health issues? Is she taking any other herbs/supplements/medicines? How much does she weigh? What symptoms does Gracie display? Sorry for all these questions but the more we know about your girl 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

[molly muffin]

Hello and Welcome Gracie and mum :)

First, HUGS. I'm so sorry that you are in this position. I am sure that you are worried something awful.

As Terry said, cushings is not a death sentence. Do you have copies of the tests you had done? If not your vet should be able to give you a copy of them.

Lets see what we can tell by looking at them, before you make any decisions.

Sharlene and Molly muffin

[milosmom]

welcome to momma of gracie !!! you will find knowledge,info,worriers,love and support here.we await your story with all her test details and any info and there are many her that will help get you answers to your questions....breath.....patty(milo)meka xoxox

[hlah4]

All, Thanks so much for your help. I really apprecitate it! Her results to her test are as follows.

She is 45 lbs- Test was Dexamethosone Suppression

Cortisol, baseline 6.53
Cortisol, 4 hr post dex 11.3
Cortisol, 8 hr post dex 6.53

Her symptoms:
excessive thirst, urination, excessive hunger, pot belly stomach and panting. The Vet has also stated she is borderline diabetic and mild hepatic? disease.

I cannot find a local compounding pharmacy that can help me. I'm worried about the side effects that may occur with the Trilostane, which was recommended by the Vet.

Thoughts? Again, thanks for your help...I need it!

[frijole]

I'm glad you mentioned the other issues going on with Gracie because the low dose dex suppression LDDS test is very prone to give false positives when other diseases such as diabetes are present. I would not even think about moving forward with treatment until additional testing was done.

I hate to be the giver of bad news but we have had way too many members that had diabetic dogs get treated for cushings and sometimes they didn't make it... always focus on the diabetes first. Chances are the dog doesn't have cushings.

You can do a couple things. A urine test called the UC:CR can be done to rule cushing's out. It cannot confirm cushings but it is quick and cheap. :) Or you could do the acth test (costlier) which measures cortisol. If that comes back high then chances are you are looking at cushings.

Confused as to why you are worried about a compounder. Do you not have access to trilostane/vetoryl where you live? Thanks! Kim

[frijole]

PS.. I wanted to repeat that there is NO rush to treat cushings. The other issues (hepatic and diabetes) your vet mentioned are way way more important. Focus on those first. Rule diabetes in or out. If in treat it first. Also figure out what the liver issues are. Cushing's is LAST on that list. And remember, we see a TON of false positives so your dog might not even have cushings. Never rush to treat. Kim

[Harley PoMMom]

Her symptoms:
excessive thirst, urination, excessive hunger, pot belly stomach and panting. The Vet has also stated she is borderline diabetic and mild hepatic? disease.

What reasons did your vet give for diagnosing liver (hepatic) issues with Gracie?

I also agree with Kim, if any non-adrenal illness is present while the LDDS test is performed then this will likely skew the results from the LDDS test.


I cannot find a local compounding pharmacy that can help me. I'm worried about the side effects that may occur with the Trilostane, which was recommended by the Vet.

Thoughts? Again, thanks for your help...I need it!

Here is a link to a Thread which members discuss using on-line compounding pharmacies: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=385&highlight=compounding+pharmacy

But like Kim mentioned in her post, Gracie's needs to have a confirmed diagnosis of Cushing's first before any treatment is started. The diabetes and liver issues have to be addressed.

[hlah4]

Kim, thanks for your words and advice. She was first diagnosed by another vet about 3 months ago with diabetes. I really wasn't comfortable with him and went for a second opinion and the Cushing's was given as her diagnosis. They did, in fact, due a urinalysis as well.

Someone in an early post mentioned a compounding pharmacy and going that route may reduce the cost of her medication. I do have access to the Trilostane that the vet has recommended, I just don't like to side effects. I was really hoping that Cushex drops would be a good alternative but, haven't heard good feedback on them.

So frustrating!

[frijole]

I know Cushex drops would be easier but "I gotta bridge and some swamp land to sell ya" ;):):D They don't work - trust us.

But I repeat... don't go down the cushings path right now. First vet said diabetes. Second vet said borderline and hepatic issues? Do not ignore diabetes. Dogs die if you ignore that. Dogs can live for years and years with untreated cushings.

Repeat- the LDDS test can result in false positives when other illnesses are present just like the ones you said your vet mentioned. No way would I be shopping for trilostane right now.

Worry about the other issues. It sounds like you aren't sure if you can trust the vets (or at least the first one)... and I understand that. Diabetic dogs have the same symptoms as cushings dogs so they are often confused. Have you done a recent blood panel?

The good news - we have a sister site: k9diabetes.com/forum

Kim

[molly muffin]

Hi! Absolutely get the diabetes issue under control first. That is a matter of giving the insulin to her. Our sister diabetes site can be of great help to you in regard to information of anything and everything to do with Diabetes. Diet and Insulin,will be a primary focus.

As far as compounding pharmacy goes, many here order from one called Diamondback in Arizona. Good reputation, cheaper prices. So that is an option if we ever get to that point. We aren't there yet. :)

hugs,
Sharlene

[labblab]

Welcome from me, too!

It really will help us tremendously if you can get copies of your dog's lab results in addition to the LDDS, and post any abnormal readings. I am especially interested in the glucose level and also the results of the liver studies. It may be the case that your dog's primary problem really is Cushing's, because elevations in blood sugar and liver enzymes can both result from excessive cortisol production and this may be what your vet is actually referencing. It is possible that the glucose level is not yet high enough to warrant treatment in its own right, but is instead a signal that something else is awry (as may also be the case with abnormal liver values and appearance). If Cushing's is the cause and the glucose is not too high, then the glucose levels may decline again if the cortisol is controlled and no diabetic treatment will be needed. But it all depends upon how high the glucose reading really is. So having a look at those test results will help us a lot as far as moving forward with treatment.

Marianne

[hlah4]

This is the reading I have from the first Vet that I took her to. I need to see if the second Vet has her bloodwork results...which they haven't provided me with. If you all can tell what these are....cuddos! Abnormal readings are as follows:
(LaserCyte? Readings)
MCHC 28.0g/dL- low
NEU 12.50K/uL- High
MONO 2.81K/uL- High

Catalyst DX Readings
ALT 139U/L- High
ALKP 753U/L- High
AMYL 440U/L- Low
Na 161mmol/L-High

[goldengirl88]

Just wanted to add my two cents in! I wish they would stop selling the Cushex drops as it is very confusing to a lot of people, and they are giving these to their dogs thinking it will help, and it doesn't. It gives people false hope that they can manage Cushings a whole lot cheaper, so they end up going this route, and it does not help the dog.