stomach virus and Vetoryl (11 y/o min pin) 3 yrs in treatment

[Gia1079]

Hi I'm new to the group my name is Christine and my dog is Gia an 11 year old min pin 11 pounds and is on 11mg of Vetoryl twice a day. She had a stomach virus and had diarrhea for 2 days now, it's better today but she has only eaten a little bit. I didn't give her the Vetoryl yesterday or today since she had not eaten much. When should I start giving it to her again. Is it really bad she hasn't had it for 2 days now?
Thanks
Christine

[frijole]

You did the right thing by witholding the drug as diarrhea is a sign that the dose is too high. That dosage is what Dechra (the manufacturer) originally recommended but they have since reduced it by 1/2. I would call your vet if you haven't already and suggest you try either once a day dosing at the 11 mg or you'll have switch to 5 mg twice a day.

Tell us more about your dog - how long did you give the drug before the diarrhea started? Have you had an acth test since starting on the drug? Is your dog eating ok? Normally along with the diarrhea there is a loss of appetite - again caused by the dose being too high.

I would not start back on it until you discussed what has been happening with your vet and like I said you could consider reducing the dose. Hopefully others will chime in. We are seeing alot of dogs in the same situation. I wish the vet community was more aware of the dosing changes. Kim

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too.

I agree with Kim. We are seeing a lot of this from vets using the original dosing instructions (and it is the reason that it was changed) and it is an over dose of vetoryl usually that causes these symptoms. Which would be shown by an ACTH test. Depending on what the results of the ACTH show, you wouldn't start medication again until the symptoms reappear and never at the same amount, always lower.

No, not giving the medicine doesn't hurt them and giving it if she is being overdosed, could be bad.

I'm glad you have stopped. Please have a chat with your vet about what is going on and the dosage.

We'd love to hear more about your min pin. I bet Gia is a real sweetheart.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Gia1079]

Thanks for replying. Gia has been on Vetorly for about 3 years now she was on 10mg twice a day but raised it to 11mg twice a day about 2 years ago after her test showed it needed to be raised. It does sound like a high dose but I just had her tested again recently and it shows the Vetoryl is working fine the dose is correct. She has never had any side effects from it. I think this is a stomach virus my sisters dogs and my best friends dogs had it too. She has been acting normal just diarrhea she was not really eating her dry food but still begging for people food. I gave her some canned pumpkin and she loved that. And this morning she has not had any diarrhea and ate her dry food so I think it's passing. Thanks again for the response
Christine

[frijole]

:) 3 years! Well that tells us what we needed to know... was assuming she had just started on the drug. Forget everything I said. :D Pumpkin is great for diarrhea. Glad to know she's feeling better today. Kim

[molly muffin]

Yikes, yea, I thought it was a new diagnosis too, but 3 years :) yea, sounds like tummy issue, especially if the others have had it.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too. :)
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. It looks like you are off to a great start. So again, welcome to our family Christine and Gia.

Hugs,
Kathy

[Trixie]

I love reading your dog is successfully on Vetoryl for 3 years now!! Since my dog is recently started on the drug your post is such a boost..3 years and no adverse effects--that is so great! I hope my dog can be like your Gia!! :D
Barbara

[mytil]

Hi and a belated welcome from me too.

Great job in treating her successfully for three year!!!! I think the dose seems reasonable - recommended is 1mg/pound.

Please keep us posted and am glad to hear she is doing much better now.

Terry

PS. I have taken the liberty of updating your title to show the breed and years in treatment.

[Gia1079]

Thanks everyone for the welcome. Gia is doing much better no more diarrhea but its still kind of soft and eating normal. So I'm giving her, her medicine again. I noticed yesterday she was drinking a ton of water and had a pot belly again I guess from being off her Vetoryl for a few days. But she is back on and drinking less again. That was her symptoms before I found out she had cushings she was drinking a ton of water and had a pot belly. After getting on Vetoryl she drinks normal amounts and has no pot belly and her fur got thicker. I'm very lucky she has no side effects it works great on her. I wish all of you the same luck with Vetoryl with your dogs.
Thanks again
Christine