5 yr old sheltie w/thyroid and cushings disease

[alex's mom]

We have been treating Alex for a yr now with thyroid medication that would seem to work for a few weeks and would quit again. Frankly I was tired of paying for all these tests with no results. We were up to .6 in the morning and .3 in the evening with no results, however we have always been faithful with medications.

I should mention my husband is on chemo/hormone treatment every third week and has been for 33 wks now. Stage 4 prostate cancer into 3rd year of treatment so money is a factor.

We noticed the increase in water so yesterday we went back to the vet, T4 tested at 7. Shelties should run on the higher end so 4-5 is best. Tested for cushings with the 2 hr results started at 10 & in 2 hrs was 30+.

Knowing he has had so many symptoms @ the age of four, what does this mean life span wise? Script comes in today for 60 mg Ver? so treatment will start today.

He has thin patches of hair, pot belly, pee started staining his hair recently so I am sure something has been going on there, moves like an old dog when he gets up, runs like the wind though, doesn't jump like he used to, pants a lot, etc. . .

Has his life span been shortened? He has to outlive my husband at the very least. (2-3 yrs) What does cushings do? Is is hard on the dog, the treatments? O want what is best for my buddy above all else. He is my hiking partner and my bed partner since my husband can't sleep in bed with his pains. I love him.

Alex's mom

[alex's mom]

Oh, I should mention glucose came back 81, so all is fine thrre.

[frijole]

IT's a long shot but what kind of hormone drug is your husband using? Kim

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and your sweet boy! :)

Kim has asked a very important question as any hormone cream, ointment, etc that we humans use can be transferred to our pets causing Cushing's like signs including positives on the tests.

Could you get copies of all the tests that have been done to diagnose the Cushing's in your sweet boy and post them here? Please be sure to include the normal ranges and the little letters that follow the numbers like ug/dl, etc. This info will help us a great deal in help you. ;)

I'm glad you found us and look forward to hearing more soon! Keep your chin up! You obviously have a lot on your plate but you are no longer alone. You and your baby...and hubby! are now part of our family. We will be with you the whole way, always here to offer a hand, an ear, a shoulder.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[alex's mom]

That is a good question, actually his therapy requires testoterone of 0, his cancer uses testerone to multiply. It is injected monthly and causes menopause symptoms. So no possible way of affecting anyone around here. He is chemically castrated.

Thank you the wonderful welcome, this is frightening because it changes so many things.

[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 Alex,

Kathy and Buddy :)

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too.

Well, with treatment a cushings dog can live out their normal lifespan. You need a good vet, and learn as much as you can about the treatment. Starting vetoryl dosage should be at 1mg/1lb. So how much does your Sheltie weigh? Also, be aware that every dog is different so the dosage for one may not be what works best for the other. What tests for cushings were done?

Welcome again,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[alex's mom]

He weighs in at 30#.

We only performed the one test since it was so conclusive and he has nearly every symptomlisted. Poor guy has had a rough year and I am anxious for him to get better.

So glad this shouldn't affect his life span in the long run, he's my bud.

Ya'll have so very welcoming to day the least.

[molly muffin]

Hi, at 30lbs, 60mg is a bit much to start out with. So, either talk to the vet about cutting it to 30mg a day or watch him like a hawk. Any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, combined with lethargy and/or not eating, get him in for an ACTH test right away. This is always what you need to watch for when starting the medication, so just in case his body is overly sensitive to the drug, keep an eye out.

We want your little one back with you, doing all the things you love to do too. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[alex's mom]

He is under survellience 24/7, after reading all the issues poor hubby stays scared for our guy. He is checking poop as we speak.

[molly muffin]

Welcome to poop patrol. We've all been there. :)

Possible issues, not every dog has issuesl, some just adapt to the medicine, everything kicks in and they just go on fine. We hope that Alex will be one of those. If not, we adjust as needed.

I just noticed on yesterdays post that you said that script came in today, so you start today.

Optimally the medicine Should be given in the mornings since the ACTH test needs to be done withing 4 - 6 hours of the medicine being given. I wasn't sure When you started it but you need to make any adjustment necessary for the test to be begun and finished during vet hours of when they would want to do that testing.

Also, I am curious that you said, no other test was done, like an ultrasound? So did they call it Pituitary cushings or adrenal cushings?

Hang in there. It's a whole lot of information so don't want to over whelm you.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin