Our Princess Buffy, most likely will be 100% diagnosed Friday with Cushings

[conrob]

Our Buffy, a Belgian Malinois crossing, who will be 13 this May has an almost positive diagnosis of Cushings. Our tale of woe began about September last year, when her behavior became very demented, she'd go outside to the garden and stand and stare probably for hours if we'd let her. Her eye sight and hearing diminished. Then a month or so later, she was ravenous!!! She ate her whole life about 5 times PER WEEK! She wasn't interested in food. Also, she shook, not the normal I'm sitting here, and my front leg is shaking, this was I'm standing here eating dinner and my back leg looks like it's about ready to fall off from shaking. :/ This all scared the crap outta of us and we made an appt with the vet asap. We were working on Doggie Dementia and a sort Doggie Parkinson's as a diagnosis. The vet wanted also to do an Old Dog Blood Panel, since we'd never had one done and wanted to rule things out. The liver levels came back high, but not terribly and it was recommended to keep an eye on her and do the blood work again in the new year. So, about 1 month ago, we started the whole thing again, this time we added a swollen "lumpy" feeling in her groin area to the symptom list. Also her walking was becoming even less steady. This time the liver levels came back EVEN HIGHER! And the lumpy bit was maybe a swollen pancreas. Because of that the vet wanted to complete 2 more blood level checks on the pancreas. So we waited a week and found out that 1 of the numbers, sorry I don't know which or for what and I'm in the Netherlands so the numbers might be weird, came back instead of the normal 400 to be 800! So we were recommended to go to the specialty clinic in Amsterdam with her to check for tumors. Also she has a small leak in heart that was discovered 2 years ago and we go yearly for a check up. So we combined a heart echo with a belly echo and a visit to the Internist. They couldn't find any tumors on the liver or pancreas but she wouldn't let them see the adrenal glands well. But everything looked good. They took two biopsies. And our internist said that after listening to the info and seeing her pot belly and swayed back that he was going to tentatively diagnosis her with Cushings and that we had to do a 3 day urine collection with giving her pills between days 2 and 3. That we'd wait to see what the liver biopsies say but he wouldn't be surprised if the liver wasn't showing any diseases but had high levels of cortisol. So....a week later, yes the liver was clean but was full of cortisol. Now we're waiting for this Friday for the results of the urine tests.

[conrob]

She also seems to have a temperature regulation problem as she's going outside and lying on cold tiles. She has hearing issues, don't think that has anything to do with Cushings though, and eye sight problems.

[labblab]

Welcome to you and to Buffy! I'm afraid I have only a few moments to post right now, but I did want to have the chance to welcome you to our forum, and also to tell you that we have at least one other active member in the Netherlands. So hopefully you will soon be greeted by her. :)

Also, for the benefit of our other readers worldwide, I want to mention that the urine test you are describing is a version of the LDDS test. The LDDS is performed as a blood test in many parts of the world. But especially in the Netherlands, it is more commonly performed as a urine test involving multiple urine samples and the administration of dexamethasone tablets during the testing period.

I'll try to stop back by later on to add some additional thoughts. But in the meantime, I'm so glad you've found us!

Marianne

P.S. And I just took care of deleting that unwanted reply for you. ;) This is a task that requires a staffmember.

[Simba's Mom]

Hi, welcome to you and Buffy, this is a great site to be on, full of info and encouragement.. I have a mini doxie (Simba) and he has cold and hot issues too, really do think its the cushings..hopefully you can get Buffy feeling better soon...take care and remember we are here for you and Buffy!!

[molly muffin]

Hi!!! So glad you found your way over here. :) Still waiting on Friday I see. Well, I hope that there will be some answers at that time. The ultrasound showing the liver and pancreas to be normal (along with a biopsy) is a very strong indicator that liver disease can be ruled out.
I think I meant to ask if Buffy had been having any diarrhea or vomiting episodes? Did the vet also rule out diabetes, thryoid and kidney issues?
I wish we knew what the test was that had the high number. I'd be concerned that it could be the Spec Cpl test. That is specific to the pancreas and could show if there was an episode on pancreatis going on which cushings dogs can be prone too.

Okay, I won't over whelm you all at once. So glad you see you and welcome to the forum

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[molly muffin]

Hi. I just wanted to check in on you and Buffy.

Hope all is well.

Let us know when you get a chance.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Budsters Mom]

Hi,:D
Just wanted to pop in and say hello and welcome to you and Buffy:D

I am so glad that you found us. Our arsenal of angels are very knowledgeable and will do everything in their power to help you. It looks like some of our Angels have already begun to work their magic! Keep talking to us. The more we know, the more help we can be! Again, welcome to the family!:)

Kathy and Buddy :D