Buster, 12 y/o Puggle - How best to diagnose?

[kwaitzman]

Hello All, I have been following the thread about Bruno because we have a Buster who is starting the diagnosis process for Cushings. He is a 12 yr old Puggle who's UCCR in 2011 was 15, thyroid normal and liver enzymes normal. This year the ravenous hunger, panting and drinking had us check him again: UCCR 30, Thyroid normal, ALP sl elevated, Bili 0.1 and GGT normal.
What are the next standard tests required to diagnose disease and location of origin?
Thanks Katie

[Budsters Mom]

Welcome Katie and Buster,:)
I am sorry for the reason that brought you here, but so glad you found us.
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. Others will be popping in to welcome you also.

Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Katie,

Welcome to you and Buster to our family!

Cushing's is one of the most difficult diseases to get a confirmed diagnosis for because not one test is 100% accurate at diagnosing it and other non-adrenal illnesses can create false positive results from all tests for Cushing's.

Usually a vet will perform multiple tests to validate a diagnosis for Cushing's, these tests are: ACTH stimulation, LDDS, and/or an abdominal ultrasound.

Does Buster have any other health issues? Is he taking any other herbs/supplement/medicines? I see that you posted his thyroid levels are normal but what about diabetes, has this been ruled out?

If other health issues are ruled out and the clinical symptoms of Cushing's are strong then if this were me, I would have a LDDS test done and an abdominal ultrasound. The ultrasound can be a very useful diagnostic tool because the other internal organs can be viewed and hopefully both adrenal glands can be visualized.

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

Love and hugs, Lori

[kwaitzman]

ALP 289 ALT 80 AST 31 GGT 64.0 CPK 200 Chol 221 Total Bili .o1
Glu 95 K+ 4.7 BUN 14
T4 1.70
WBC 8.6 RBC 8.31 Plt 380 Retc count 125
Urine cortisol 7.9 Urine Creatinine 80.9 UC/CR 30 (last 15 in 2011)
No Diabetes, No Thryoid, No UTI
Ravenous appetite, does not drink alot when we are at work then drinks in evening and needs to go out often, only weight gain, good activity level, pot belly, slow to jump lately.

Thoughts? thanks Katie

[kwaitzman]

Have anyone had any luck with dog losing weight on Hills new Metabolsim dog food you buy at the vet??

katie

[labblab]

I cannot speak about the dogfood as I am not familiar with it.

As for the lab values, can you please give us the "normal" ranges for the results you have posted? That will give us a better idea as to the magnitude of Buster's irregularities.

However, barring evidence of other major health issues, I agree with Lori that I'd probably opt for the LDDS (or ACTH) and an abdominal ultrasound. The LDDS and the ACTH have different strengths and weaknesses, but the LDDS is less likely to return a "false negative" in a dog who truly has Cushing's. It is for that reason that it is often the preferred diagnostic blood test for a dog who does not appear to suffer from other nonadrenal illnesses.

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to me too.

I haven't tried the food you mentioned so can't comment on it.

If cushings is the culprit here though, often there will be a fat redistribition and muscle loss, which is part of what contributes to the pot belly appearance. Add into that the possibility of an enlarged liver, and you get that, what they call, cushings look. Don't let the enlarge liver comment scare you, as it is quite often seen in dogs with cushings, that have high cortisol. It is one of the things that an ultrasound if that is an options will verify, along with the adrenal glands. You are specifically looking to rule out an adreanal mass and would't hurt to have a look at everything possible while they are there. Pancreas, kidney, spleen, etc.

Welcome to the forum.
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi,

In my book, nothing by Hill's Science Diet is worth the money. It is cheap ingredients with little good nutrient value. The metabolic feed they have come out with is no different. Here are the first ingredients -


Chicken By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Pea Bran Meal, Soybean Mill Run, Soybean Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Coconut Oil, Lactic Acid, Powdered Cellulose, Pork Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Pork Liver Flavor,...

There is no real meat in this feed but it is, as usual with Hill's, heavy on the corn, soy, and other carbohydrates - which will cause weight gain in most cases. ;)

Another neat new trick that Hill's has started most aren't aware of but they have received permission to coat their dry feeds with a polymer - a plastic - to extend the shelf life. So when we feed any dry Hill's feed to our babies, we are also feeding them plastic.

http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/?p=5351

Hill's used to be an excellent feed but when Nestle bought it from the vet who created it, they changed his formula to make the feed more profitable for Nestle - which made it a cheap feed with poor nutrient value for our babies.

So there's my take on ALL Hill's Science Diet kibbles - and I'm not crazy about any of their products since Nestle took over. ;)

[kwaitzman]

I know these dog food companies can put alot of nothing into the bags and charge a big $$ for them.
So what have other people done for feeding dogs with Cushings ?

Thanks
Katie