New to Cushings: (10 y/o female Yorkie) Isabelle.

[Isabelle Grace]

Hello, I have a 10 year old female Yorkie, Isabelle. She was recently diagnosed with Cushings. Looking back over the past 6 months she was developing the thirst & hunger signs. She had knee surgery a few weeks ago and just after the surgery the crusty skin on her back and her distended stomach emerged. Her blood tests wear borderline high but a biopsy of her skin was positive and a sonogram showed her adrenals to be bilaterally enlarged. Unfortunately the sonogram also revealed several spots on her liver. No liver biopsy but both the specialist & my vet agreed it looked like a malignancy. She started vetoryl 30mg 1x a day a week ago. Her other meds are enalapril 2.5mg 2x a day as she has a murmur & Atopic 25mg for skin allergies. She is on a good quality limited ingredient diet due to her allergies. Scheduled for follow up blood work in another week. Thank you

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site. I am sorry your both are having to deal with this.

I have just a sec, but when you get the chance post the results of the tests performed to come to this diagnosis (LDDS, ACTH for example), especially since you mentioned they were borderline.

I am also wondering about the skin biopsy - you mentioned it was positive - do you mean positive for calcinosis cutis? Did your vet say this was a test to confirm Cushing's?

Terry

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

If you could post the tests results that your vet used to diagnose Cushings, as Terri requested, it would help us a lot.

If you have to call your vet to get them, please do so, you should have copies of all tests so you can have a file at home for Isabelle. By the way, I just love that name.


She had knee surgery a few weeks ago and just after the surgery the crusty skin on her back and her distended stomach emerged. Her blood tests wear borderline high but a biopsy of her skin was positive and a sonogram showed her adrenals to be bilaterally enlarged.

The stress from surgery can do all kinds of things, even just the stress from being on anesthesia, so I think we are concerned that you say the tests were borderline. As Terri already asked, do you know if they said "Calcinosis Cutis" after the skin biopsy?

How much does Isabelle weigh? I ask because 30 mgs to start seems high for a Yorkie plus we have to be cautious because of the Enalapril- see quote below from endocrinologist Dr. Mark Peterson:


In addition, it should not be used in dogs receiving potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g.,
spironolactone) and should be used cautiously in dogs receiving angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors (e.g., Enalapril).

Sorry for all the questions, it just helps to have as much information as possible.

Take a deep breath

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too,:)

You have come to the right place! There is a huge arsenal of K9Cushing's angels to help and stay with you every step of the way. They love details, test results, any information you can get your hands on. The more the better.

So again welcome to you and Isabelle.

Kathy and Buddy:)

[Isabelle Grace]

Thank you,
I don't have a copy of the test results at this time. As the blood work was boarder line, the skin biopsy was done to diagnose cushings and it was positive for cushiness. I stopped the atopica as soon as results came back and will speak to vet regarding enalapril. Returning in a week for followup blood work. She has only been on the vetoryl for a week and I have noticed a positive difference in her excessive thirst and her stomach is a less distended. I am hopeful that the vetoryl will be able to help her. What saddens me most is what the sonogram revealed on her liver, several spots, specialist and vet feel strongly it looks like a malignancy. I remain hopeful, she is happy and her legs and her walking are improving each day. Any advice/experiences on the liver issue? Also in answer to your question she is a full size yorkie, lean and weighs 15 lbs.

[Budsters Mom]

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear about Isabel's liver spots. Many others in this forum are much more knowledgeable about these things, so I'll leave that up to them. Please ask for copies of all of Isabel's test results when you go back to the vet next week. That will help us help you.
I had to ask for all my dog's test results. They were not automatically given to me. I am so glad I did! Our lovely canine Cushing's angels helped to decipher them for me.

Sending wellness thoughts to you and Isabelle. :)

Kathy and Buddy:)

[Harley PoMMom]

If a liver issue is suspected then usually a bile acid test is performed to see how the liver is functioning.

Milk thistle or Denamarin can be an aid with liver problems, also having the dog eat a liver friendly diet, I believe, is important.


I am also wondering about the skin biopsy - you mentioned it was positive - do you mean positive for calcinosis cutis? Did your vet say this was a test to confirm Cushing's?

Terry

I am also very interested in the answers to this questions.

Love and hugs,
Lori

[goldengirl88]

Hello:
Welcome to the forum. You will get lots of knowledge and support. This is the best place you could have found. GOod Luck to you and your sweet Yorkie. There are so many Yorkies that get this, I did read somewhere they are prone to it for some reason.God Bless You Both
Patti

[addy]

I stopped the atopica

So you were treating Isabelle for allergies with Atopica and the vet did a skin biopsy and diagnosed Isabelle with Calcinosis Cutis?

Sorry we keep asking that same question, just trying to understand so we can give you feedback on Isabelle. I am glad Isabelle seems to be better. Your starting dose is at 2mg per pound. Please keep an eye on her, Dechra and U.C. Davis are advising starting doses at 1mg per pound, recheck about 10 - 14 days later; which it sounds like you plan on doing. Plus we have to be cautious with the Enalapril.

Please let us know her test results from that ACTH test.

(((((((((hugs)))))))))))))

[Isabelle Grace]

Yes, the skin biopsy was done to confirm the diagnosis and it was positive for calcinosis cutis, cushings.

Recommended starting dosage of Vetoryl for weight range 10 - <22 lbs. is 30mg once per day she weighs 15 lbs. You are saying it should be 1mg per pound which is the recommended starting dosage for a dog weighig 3.8 - < 10 lbs. is your thinking that it is better to use the smallest dose possible? Please clarify. Thank you.

[frijole]

Hello. I'll answer for Addy since she probably hasn't seen this yet. Yes as she mentioned the manufacturer Dechra and UC Davis (one of the first to use and test trilostane in the US) have changed their dosing recommendations LOWERING them to 1 mg per kg. So your dose is twice the currently recommended dose. The lowering is a result of many many cases (and we have seen them here too) where dogs' cortisol went to low and they went into distress at the higher dose. As a result dogs are now starting lower and if needed the dosage is slowly increased. So in your dog's case it would be 15 mgs tops. If you can only get 10 mg pills then you start there and increase to 20 mgs. Kim

[Budsters Mom]

Hi,:)

My Buddy is a 10-year-old full-size Yorky also, who has recently been been diagnosed with Cushings. Buddy weighs 16 pounds and is on 20mg Trilostane, once per day. Trilostane is the generic for Vetoryl. 1 mg per pound is the recommended starting dosage for Trilostane . Many others are much more knowledgeable than I am concerning The use of Trilostane, but 30 mg. of Vetoryl to start seems high for a 15 pound fur baby. Did your vet give you a reason why he/she wanted to start so high?

Sending wellness thoughts to you and Isabelle,

Kathy and Buddy:o. YORKIES RULE!!! Ha!:D

[addy]

I'm glad Kim explained things. I dont mean to scare you. It is because of the Enalapril as well as the higher starting dose and borderline tests, I was being cautious for Isabelle. I know you'll watch her like a hawk and when in doubt, withhold the pill.:)

[NoonelovesmelikeNorman]

Hello I am just stopping by to welcome you and Isabel to the group. Getting the results and diagnosis is the start. Others are much more informed and are the K9 cushing angels - I just wanted to welcome you to the group.

Peace, prayers and mercy to you and Isabel.

Sharon , Norman (cushings doxie), Millie (yorkie-pooh)