Hello - intro (Benj, the Sharpei, has passed)

[canina999]

Hello I have joined this forum as I have two elderly dogs with Cushings like symptoms. One is a Sharpei (13) and the other a Staffordshire Bull Terrier X Boxer (13). The Sharpei has multiple issues including dementia which is quite challenging and the Staffordshire has been peeing huge quantities and drinking more over the last few months. I live on an island which makes trips to the vet a day out.
I do not want to subject them to intrusive treatments but want to learn more about how others deal with the problem.

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

I am so glad you found us. Cushings is a hard disease to diagnose as other disease mimic it. This link is to a blog about diagnosing the disease: Testing a dog for Cushings while the dog is experiencing a non adrenal illness can give false positives and is not usually recommended:

http://endocrinevet.blogspot.com/2011/02/diagnosing-hyperadrenocorticism.html

An easy starting point is having a UC:CR Creatinine test done. While it cannot diagnose the disease it can rule it out. You could start with that and a chemistry blood panel.

Is your Sharpei on any medicine to help with the dementia? What other issues are you dealing with?

Drinking and peeing is not just a sign of Cushings. Are seeing any other symptoms?

I am so glad you found us. We are here to help in anyway we can.

[goldengirl88]

Hello:
Just wanted to say welcome, and hope you and your two babies do well. I will let the information up to those more experienced than myself. Good luck and God Bless you and your babies.

[mytil]

Hi and welcome from me too.

Addy started off asking the usual questions and advice we have for new members so I will not repeat them.

Here is a link (to other links) that describe more about Cushing's, diagnostics, treatments etc. http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180.

I do agree, excessive drinking and peeing are signs of other conditions - diabetes for example. Are these the only symptoms your Staffie is exhibiting?

Terry

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. Don't forget to have a check done for a UTI via a culture. If your dog is drinking a lot more then the urine will be dilute and may not be able to show a UTI without a culture done.
Another thing is that any test that you have done, if you could post those results then we might be able to help you have a better idea of what is going on.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[canina999]

With my SharPei - it was my vet that first mentioned Cushings when I took him in last year. He did a urinalysis and it was unremarkable at the time. He is due back for a second test. He wanders around a lot and is always hungry but puts on no weight - infact he looks terrible very skeletal- he has skin issues. I am giving him Neutricks to help with his dementia and this has significantly helped with the accidents in the house that had become a big issue at one time. The Staffie really just has the large amount of water and peeing issue at present - her pee is very pale and we wake up to accidental lakes with her. I will check out the links posted and thank you for them and the welcome.

[SoggyDoggy]

Hi and welcome from me too.

At this point, I would say that if you are due for a day trip and go back to visit the vet again, it could be a good idea to ask for copies of the tests done both now and 12 months ago that might point to cushings. As the others have mentioned, if you then post these test results, we can look through them and help you out with some further advice, or at least arm you with questions to ask your vet.

[Squirt's Mom]

A note to let the family know that canina999 lost her baby boy this morning. You can find the thread in In Loving Memory at -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?p=97566#post97566

[goldengirl88]

So sorry to hear that your baby passed. This is just such a terrible disease that has taken too many of our babies already. I know I too shall walk in your shoes one day. God Bless you and your baby in heaven.

[infoviewer]

So sorry your Benj has passed. I know your heart is breaking. My heart goes out to you. We all feel your pain. Hugs, JoAnne