BO-14 yr old PomChi with cushing and hypothyroid

[ilovebobe]

Good day everyone,

I am so happy that I found this website. I have been reading a lot online regarding cushing disease on dogs. This website provides a lot of great information and hearing from passionate dog lovers, i feel so blessed.
Thank you for creating this website and for those who share their experience and knowledge.

My dog Bo is very dear to my heart, i am very worried about her aging and her health. Bo is from Canada and we both relocated to Hong Kong about 2 years ago. 2012 was not the best year for Bo, who had broke her leg, Urinary tract infection (UTI), ovary infection, bad tooth and need a dental clean and last but not least, cushing. Most of the above requires anaesthesia to cure. Poor girl. All these happened within 6 months. Finally cushing disease, which required multiple testings, testings, and more testings. To a point, I am not sure if the vet here in Hong Kong just wants me to do more test because they have to pay the extremely high rent.

Anyways, after many many testings, I put Bo on Veteroly, 10mg, then 20 mg, 30 mg. then reduced to 20 mg again ( suggested by the vet) because she is vomitting everyday.
Now, its been almost 6 months since she first took the pill. She is not drinking as much water as before (approx 250ml now, 600 ml before) per day, she is eating approx 1/2 cup Hill's G/D everyday, before it was 1.25 cup, ( I think normal should be 1.25 cup ), she is around 13 lbs.

Since April, she had changed a lot. I had to go back to Canada and I left her with my family for 3 weeks. After my return, she has a bad temper, and a change of attitude. She became very picky on her food, and rather not eat if I dont mix treats in her food (beef liver), even if I put treats inside her bowl, she would pick the treats and throw out everything else. I used to kiss her a lot and she loves it, now sometimes she is aggressive and 'huuu' me and show her little teeth. When I call her, she does not listen as much as before. I dont think is because of hearing problems, because when its treat time, she runs over. Other times, she just ignores and sleeps. Oh, she has been sleeping much more, and when we are too close to her bed, or touched her bed, she would be so mad and make a sound. It used to be just a short one to warn people not to stay too close. But now, its a 3 minutes madness she had when my brother stepped on her bed. She was really mad.

My vet asked me to start Veteroyl, and stop her Thyroid tabs. Which she has taken for 4 years. I thought once you start the thyroid tabs, you must take it forever? I am very supicious whether the vet just want me to buy more medicine from them (I bought my Thyroids tabs from Canada, not them)

Is dog cushing and hyperthyroidism related?

I am switching to another vet this week. I hope this one will give me more insights of how Bo is doing.

Her changing in attitude is because senior dogs behave this way? Or is it because of the medicine/ hormones? Is she ok? Is this normal?
Is she still mad at me because I was away?

Anyone can share their experiences? Thanks

[Trish]

HI to you and Bo!

Gosh 2012 was not Bo's year was it, poor thing going through all that.

Unfortunatly all the cushings angels will be sleeping right now, but we can get a headstart on them with you gathering the answers to a few questions they will want some answers to!

If you are going to a new vet, I would get results from all the tests Bo has had done to date, including blood and urine tests and any ultrasounds. Was she on any steriods like Prednisone for any of those problems last year as that can sometimes lead to Cushings. Post the results here of all those tests especially the ones that led to cushings diagnosis and the tests (usually acth) that would have been done when Bo had her vetoryl dose changed.

Also, her thyroid tests would be most helpful. I also wonder why her thyroid meds were stopped suddenly, that does not sound right but maybe her blood levels were too high?? If you can post all the abnomal test results and include the reference ranges so the posters well versed in cushings can help you sort it all out.

Has the daily vomiting stopped? That can definitely be a sign of low cortisol so I really hope your vet has looked into that. She is not eating a lot is she, again that needs further looking into by the vet, but that also can be a sign her cortisol is out of whack. Has she had any diarrhea that can be another sign.

I am glad you are getting a new vet, it sounds like a fresh set of eyes will be helpful for Bo, how old is she?

I bet she is not still mad at you, it sounds to me like she is feeling poorly and just wants to rest and that is probably why she gets cranky if she gets disturbed.

Welcome to the group and the others will be in soon to help you get this sorted out. But if she is still vomiting and off her food I would be tempted to withhold her vetoryl until you can get her tested for cortisol (acth), electrolytes and thyroid to make sure she is not too low in cortisol. It can drop further which can be very dangerous so get her seen soon for testing won;t you.

Trish :)

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome, I only have a moment to post. I wanted to let you know that dog's with hypothyroidism can become aggressive.Was Bo's thyroid level checked recently?

Love and hugs, Lori