New here and need help with diagnostics

[MsHoneySunshine]

Please help with any advice. I am so annoyed with docs both for humans and for pets. I spent a couple hundred dollars last month on a blood test for my dog only to be told that her protein levels were high and more expensive test are needed. I told the doc she had an xray 2 years ago which showed a possible enlarged heart. The vet ignored that fact. Then she told me my dog looked fat and seemed to have trouble with her back end. The vet noticed my dog slowly laying her butt down. My dog is not fat she has a distened belly. Panting lots when its not hot..walking slower and slower weekly. Im giving her Laetrile b17 to eliminate cancer tumors and its working but her other symptoms remain and continue to get worse. I just started giving her b vitamins, oil of oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, reishi powder & olive oil with her food.. last couple days I gave her an asprin and some pepto just because she was so miserable and had slightly runny pooh from the vitamin. Ok so my problem is this: I have little money and need medication for her. I just left the vet a message and asked to look over the blood test again for cushings but I really am done with that bad vet and want to take my dog down the street to a closer vet. Im just afraid that they are going to take all of my money again and NOT HELP US. I don't know what to do..im getting really freaked out. this is my best friend. She is only 10. My big dog died of lymphoma last July at age 13. I am recovering from lyme disease.. I cant handle losing her right now.. what can I ask the vet to do without incurring a huge expense? How can I get my dog treated without getting gouged.. I will try and get the blood test results from them. I really hate that I pay hundreds of dollars for tests and xrays and have nothing to show for it..not even copies. Then I gotta beg to borrow what I in reality own. I've had the same problem with docs.. and almost died until I decided to become my own doctor..now I must be my dogs doctor as well? This is just ridiculous! God Bless America.. we can do better than this! I know that technology can make computer imaging easier and cheaper and via computers. There is no reason other than greed that anyone should be subjected to $500 worth of tests before a seriously ill animal can be diagnosed. I am so disappointed...

[MsHoneySunshine]

my dog has recently also began to shiver lots..please see my other post

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site.

I am so very sorry you and your pup are having these troubles. I would say please do not hesitate to take her immediately to an emergency clinic if her symptoms such as you mentioned above continue or get worse. I know money is an issue, but your girl could be in trouble here.

Let us know what breed your girl is and her age.

I would certainly take the bull by the horns here and go to this new vet. I would leave my current vet BUT before you do leave, get copies of her medical records etc.

It could be that several visits with an IMS would be well worth it and the cost could be no higher than what you are paying now. Here is a link so you can take a look to see who is in your area. http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182

The symptoms you mentioned could be associated with Cushing's but without positive testing to confirm this then it is up in the air. An inexpensive test that you called a Urine Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio Test (see below).


Considered a screening test, this cannot diagnose Cushing's, but it can rule it out. A urine sample is examined for the relative amounts of cortisol versus a normally excreted protein metabolite, creatinine (the latter is used to control for the degree of dilution of the urine). The greater the ratio, the higher the cortisol level. High cortisol in urine is suggestive of high cortisol in the bloodstream. Many conditions other than Cushing's disease can cause false positives, so this test is not considered diagnostic. Nonetheless, if the cortisol/creatinine ratio is okay, the dog is not likely to be Cushingoid, so this is a good screening test.



I am not familiar with Laetrile b17. Looked it up and does she have a history of cancer? This contains apricot kernels of which contains the substance cyanogenetic glycosides, which on ingestion release hydrogen cyanide gas through an enzymatic reaction - in other words cyanide poisoning from the levels of cyanide gas and how long it has been administered.

How long has she been on Laetrile b17?

Terry

[Trish]

Hi and welcome from me too, wow it sounds like you have been having a terrible time. I agree with Terry, you need a new vet. Get the results first though, that is awful you paid all that money and have no plan at all, did the vet give you no indication about possible diagnosis apart from high protein level?

IMS would be the way to go so hope you can find one close on the link from Terry.

I hope you get some answers soon and wish you and your girl the best of luck :)

[labblab]

Welcome from me, too! But I am very concerned about the Laetrile B17 you are giving your dog. Here is a list of adverse effects published by the American Cancer Society:

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/laetrile/HealthProfessional/page1/AllPages#6

It sounds as though some of your dog's symptoms may actually be caused by this drug. Like Terry, I am wondering whether your dog is known to have cancer?

Also, garlic can also be highly toxic, with the potential to cause GI problems and red blood cell damage:

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-pet-nutrition/is-garlic-toxic-to-pets.aspx

From what you have written, it is clear that you love your dog dearly and are trying to find affordable ways to help her. But I fear that some of the products you are giving her may be harming her instead of helping her. :(

Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and your girl! :)

Unfortunately this is not an inexpensive disease to diagnose. It is very difficult to get a confirmed diagnosis because so many other things mimic Cushing's, sharing the same signs. So it takes several tests to arrive at a fairly solid diagnosis, ruling out other possibilities. To let you know how difficult - my Squirt had five cush specific tests and all came back positive. BUT it turned out she had a tumor on her spleen causing the tests to return false-positives. After the tumor was removed, her cortisol returned to normal and remained that way for several years. The testing phase is typically the most expensive part; once treatment is started and dialed in to the correct dose, the costs drop. I can tell you I have spent several, several thousands of dollars getting to the point we are today with Cushing's. All told, I could have built a small house with what I have spent on her during her 15 years - and I would do it all again if I could. ;)

There is no one test that can positively diagnose Cushing's. There are few alternatives for treating Cushing's - two drugs, Lysodren (Mitotane) and Trilostane (Vetoryl). Natural/alternative/etc approaches can help with signs but rarely do they actually control the cortisol which is the enemy in Cushing's. I have talked with folks whose pups did very well on an herbal protocol - they kept up the testing to prove it worked. HOWEVER it was much more expensive than the traditional treatment with one of the two pharmaceutical drugs.

It would help us a great deal if you could tell us details about your baby girl's medical history.


Im giving her Laetrile b17 to eliminate cancer tumors and its working but her other symptoms remain and continue to get worse. I just started giving her b vitamins, oil of oregano, cayenne, garlic powder, reishi powder & olive oil with her food.

What is she taking each of the above for? Does she have cancer? If so, it would be a huge waste of money to test for Cushing's as the tests would more than likely return false-positives. Garlic is not generally good for dogs - it can quickly become toxic so I would stop that for sure.

The best thing you can do for your girl is to start educating yourself on Cushing's so you can be the best advocate possible for her. Keep talking to us, providing as much info as you can including tests results - the actual results - and asking questions. We will help you all we can.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

I just want to pop in and say welcome to the forum to you and your furbaby.

The members who have written to you are all very highly experienced with cushings and the testing that goes along with it.
Can you post exactly what test have been done so far and the results and yes, the supplement could be causing some of the problems, so we definitely want to look at the over all big picture and the more information that we have the better we can help you.

Hang in there. I know you are worried something awful, but lets try to take this step and step and figure things out.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too!:)

I am so sorry that you're fur baby is feeling so poorly, but
you have come to the right place! There are many K9Cushing's angels standing by 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. We will do all we can to help.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

[doxiesrock912]

Please seek out an IMS vet, we learned our lesson that hard way with two different vets that were not as Cushings savvy as they should be.

Once your dog is properly diagnosed, the right treatment and dosage found, the testing will be less frequent and the cost lower. It's beginning the process that is most expensive and each dog responds differently to the meds.

It is imperative that you please find out what is really doing on because incorrect treatments will do more harm.

Follow the advice from people on this forum, they know what they're talking about :)

[Simba's Mom]

Hello and welcome to this great family of Cush parents and their babies... Settle in and get comfortable, you will get lots of info and encouragement too....

[goldengirl88]

Hello:
Sorry your poor baby is having so much trouble. This is a frustrating and very expensive disease to diagnose. Once you get thru all that it gets easier financially for some. Please seek out a professional as you can throw away a lot of money on regular vets that don't know crap about this disease. So Valerie is right it can then be harmful to your baby when you get the wrong advise. The people here know what they are talking about, and are very supportive. Are you able to work out a payment schedule with a new vet? Some will take post dated checks. I hope you are able to get all the testing done. That will at least put your mind at rest as to what your dog has, not that it is great to find out your dog has a disease, but at least you know what treatment he will need. God Bless You and your baby
Patti