Vince (15-yr old pug) would like to join your party -->

[lisamak]

Well we've been around for a little over a month, reading and learning from you all…and I got confirmation just a week ago that Vince can now join the fun ;)

Little (big) history on Vince (just turned 15 last month), I adopted him when he was 7.5 (he was my first pug rescue). He was blind and in the past years has also lost his hearing. He was dx'd with a brain tumor about 5 years ago (he takes pheno for seizure control) and was dx'd with CDS 3 years ago (he's been on Anipryl and nutraceuticals and we've managed to control the CDS for the most part).

I've had lots of animals and pretty much every illness out there, except Cushing's (guess I can cross that off my bucket list now). Because of his other health issues Vince is very "extended warranty well-maintained" and we do a full panel + thyroid test + pheno serum every 4 months. So in December when his "usually a wee bit high" liver values seemed on the way up, we got more aggressive with supplements, etc. In April Vince had a bad couple of nights that I thought were CDS related (seizures, infection, full moon, are just some of the things that affect his symptoms). Then he started drinking a wee bit more, peeing a wee bit more. Did a routine urinalysis to rule out infection and when that came back clear did a full panel (I've had diabetics so always screen for that first when something's "off" and knew that wasn't it).

His liver values had skyrocketed and there were a couple of other red flags (kidneys fine, no thyroid issues) so we decided to do the cortisol/creatinine test to see if we could rule out Cushings. Alas, couldn't rule it out. So then we did an ultrasound in case it was something else that started with a C (at his age this is what I thought we were looking at). Nope, no tumors and luckily enough Vince wasn't pregnant ;)

So then last week we did the LDDS test and it came back "yup, PDH". Now at 15 we clearly won't do the chemo drugs and have decided to try upping his Anipryl to the Cushing's dose (which is double his CDS dose). We're going to see if the symptoms (he's waking up every 3 hours to pee/drink) improve. If after 30 days we've had no change at all we'll go to trilostane, but since he's been on the Anipryl w/o issue and 'cuz I've got it on-hand, decided to try that first. The vet and I also suspect that maybe the Anipryl has been working on the Cushing's longer than we've been seeing symptoms (lucky coincidence) so let's see if it can work a little harder.

I apologize for the "Book of Vince" - but figured better to fill in the whole picture. None of his health issues cause him pain/discomfort (though my wallet can't say the same LOL) and as long as he still wants to get up and play and walk around the block then I'll do everything I can to make sure he still does.

Thanks for all the information you share with each other - its helped me (and Vince) tremendously over the past month or so and I'm sure will continue to do so as we head down yet another road with the old man.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Vince,

Bless you for giving Vince a loving forever home, he sure is a lucky fellow to have a wonderful mom such as you.

Phenobarbital can cause Cushing like symptoms, such as increased drinking/urination and elevated liver values, in a dog. Also non-adrenal illnesses may create false positive results from a LDDS test.

Could you do us a favor and post all test/s results that were done on Vince? This gives us a better picture of what's going on and we then can provide more meaningful feedback, ok?

We will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask any and all questions.

Love and hugs, Lori

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too,:)
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. Others will be popping in shortly to welcome you also.
So again welcome to you and Vince,

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the family! :) So pleased you decided to come in and say hello. :)

We LIKE the full picture stories here as you probably already know. I love the picture of Vince, could he be any more chilled out!! LOL For all his health issues, he looks like a pretty relaxed, happy guy. (and a cutie too!)
I do see what your vet is thinking with the Anipryl and I hope that upping the dose will help with the symptoms but as Lori said, the Pheno can cause the same symptoms, and any other illness can cause false positives on the cushings testing. Such a bugger to really get a firm diagnosis on. So, crossing fingers for the increase dosage to help out.

Welcome again!
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[SoggyDoggy]

Hi and welcome to the "party"

It sounds like Vince really landed on his feet when you guys found each other :D Lucky man! I don't really have anything to add at this point, you have obviously done a lot of reading and have a good handle on a range of health issues, so just wanted to say welcome. If at any point something comes up, please feel free to post any questions and the vast wealth of knowledge will be happy to chime in. (I think my nerd just reared up - I thought of the Borg Collective just then :o)

On that note, welcome to the "fun" that is k9Cushing's :D

[lisamak]

I thought I'd post an update to Vince's situation since we're about 45 days in and are making some treatment changes. I'm hoping some other new folks are "less discouraged" with their Cushing's dx when they hear how Vince, with his laundry list of ailments, is doing.

We started Vince on selegeline a little over 30 days ago (he was already on it for his CDS so just adjusted dose). I've noticed that the PU/PD has decreased *ever-so-slightly* and that his arthritis/mobility had become a little worse. So it looks like the selegeline is working a little but he's still up and starving all day/night so we've made the decision to switch to Trilostane/Vetoryl. We're going to gauge any improvements in clinical signs against any worsening of his arthritis...if walking really becomes an issue we'll go back to the selegeline as it was doing enough to get by (though I'd really like to sleep through the night some time again soon :)).

I contacted Dechra and created a case file for Vince - I'm so glad I saw the info on how to do that here. I had a great conversation with them and we agreed that with his age & "laundry" that starting super-low was the way to go. I feel so much better switching to the Trilostane after talking to them and encourage anyone using the product to do the same.

In the meanwhile Vince has started wearing his Gripper socks every day on his back legs to help him get around (we've also started acupuncture) and his Dogger stroller is on the way ;) I'm more excited about the stroller than he is as I can now walk/jog him to and fro vet (only about a mile) so will be getting a lot more exercise this summer with all his up-keep :p

Thanks again for all the info you share with each other that really helped me build my mental library of cushing's info. Its helped me stay sane over the past few months !

[mytil]

Oh I am so happy he is doing well. Thank you so much for posting - we all need these uplifting posts!

Terry

[SoggyDoggy]

Really glad Vince is doing well, great to hear even if he could still be better. Just wondering though, when you had the ultra sound done, did it show up enlarged adrenals at all? With PDH, if everything is a normal situation, there should have been enlargement of both adrenals as well. Just a final diagnostic check before launching into the world of vetoryl is all :p

Anyway, good luck with it and keep it up mum!

[Budsters Mom]

So all and all, Vince is doing well! That is great news! :):);) thanks for updating.:) Try not to stay away so long, but we realize that life happens and completely understand. Please keep in touch.;)

Hugs,
Kathy

[Boriss McCall]

That is such great news. Keep up the good work Vince!

[goldengirl88]

Welcome:
Sorry for all the issues your Vince is having. It seems like you have really been dealing with a lot. Do they think the brain tumor is from Cushings? I am so glad you started a file with Dechra. Whenever you need to know something call them they have been exceptional to Tipper and I. I hope Vince does well on the Vetoryl. My Tipper had such severe symptoms she would not be here without it. God Bless you and Vince
Patti

[molly muffin]

That is really great news that Vince is doing pretty and that you have the case file started at Dechra. That can always come in handy.
I bet Vince will be happy to get out and about again too when the stroller comes in. Others have mentioned that they really love to use those

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Trixie]

Vince sounds like the energizer bunny, and he is so cute, love his photo. So happy to hear your report and hopefully the Vetoryl will help with the unwanted symptoms of Cushings. I'm glad to know that Dechra is so user friendly. We're on a compounded dose of Trilostane now but if we move up one more mg we'll be using the Vetoryl. Seems like a great idea to be on file with them and have their input.
The dog stroller sounds like it will be fun for both of you! :D
Hoping Vince continues to improve!
Barbara

[lisamak]

Thought I'd post a little video for a spot of fun. Briefly I've decided to hold off switching to trilostane (though I have a month's worth supply sitting here since I thought we'd switch this past weekend)...but 7 out of the last 10 nights Vince has slept through the night - so I'm not changing anything right now :)

But with the improvement in the Cushing's from his increased selegeline dose other inflammatory issues have progressed, namely some hind-leg weakness/arthritis. So today was Vince's first water therapy appointment! I didn't think we'd get a 15-year old blind, deaf pug to walk on an underwater treadmill but he did so like a champ. He's going to go 1x/week for now to see if we can build some of that back-end muscle back (Vince want's more "junk in his trunk").

Here's a short video from today's appointment...you can hear the surprise in my voice and in the vet's when Vince gets going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owdJr8OvliQ

[Budsters Mom]

Wow! Way to go Vince!:D Loved the video! Vince is an inspiration to us all! Blind and deaf, yet very brave tackling that water treadmill. Thanks for sharing! :D
Hugs,
Kathy

[molly muffin]

Oh what a very good boy! That is great that he would walk on the treadmill in the water. Hopefully it will help the 'junk in the trunk' and before you know it, we'll all be singing "vince's got back". lolololol

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[frijole]

Very cool. Vince is still enjoying life despite his health - gotta love that. Keep up the great work. Kim

[scoora]

Just checking in to see how Vince is doing.
Hope all is going well.

[Roxee's Dad]

ha ha.. great video and we can see he did very well... Go Vince !!!

[goldengirl88]

God Bless you for staying the course with Vince. This dog is amazing and inspiring. He is giving it his all on that treadmill. He is a very special baby, but you already know that. I hope he continues on for many years, and I applaud you as an owner for never giving up, but instead moving forward in another way. Blessings
Patti