Roscoe-Cushings syndrome

[vnorrell@aol.com]

I am new at this forum and I just wanted to share my story with Roscoe my lab. on Friday, May 7th, Roscoe went to visit his vet for his yearly check up and dental exam. After labs were drawn, the results were surprisingly upsetting. He was diagnosed with cushings syndromw. He is 10 yrs old now and for the vet surprise she is so puzzled because Roscoe does not show any signs or symptoms that he has this syndrome. The way the Vet knows is because the cortisol level is 6.0 She found the amylase and lipase enzymes too high so she diagnosed him with pancreatitis with no symptoms at all. She prescribed him 60mg Vetoryl (low dose as starting dose), amoxicillin and metronidazole for 7 days to avoid any bacteria since he had a deep teeth cleaning and metronidazole for inflammation. One thing the staff mentioned to us was that the several cases of pancreatitis that they had in the last month all the dogs were eating Milk Bones treats which contain whey...too harmful for pets. I did not know about this and Roscoe has been eating these treats for months. Roscoe is eating well (healthy diet), urinating well, no vomiting, sleeping well, hair is shining and no hair loss at all. he weights 91 pounds and since he was a puppy he always had a pot belly. Anyway the vet noticed his "pot belly" a little bit bigger than before. i have to check Roscoe againg for his cortisol level in 30 days after his first dose of Vetoryl to be able to adjust his dosage. I read that it should be checked 10-14 days after his first dose. Have any of your pets being checked after 30days? Thanks

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi and welcome to you and Roscoe,

Do you have a copy of Roscoe's test results. If not, your vet's office should be happy to provide them to you. Please post the abnormal results and normal ranges. We love information. There should have also been an ACTH and probably a LDDS (8 hour) cushings diagnostic test. We have seen many mis diagnosed cases of cushings, so the more info you can provide the better :)

I believe, one or more of the other members have also dealt with pancreatitis and although my memory fails me, I think it could produce a false positive for cushings. I am sure they will be by to comment.

Although Roscoe's dosage is low, I would go with the recommended 10 day check of cortisol via the ACTH test as every dog is a bit different.


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[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. We will do all we can to help. Others will be popping in to welcome you also. So again welcome to you and Roscoe.:)

Hugs,
Kathy

[frijole]

Welcome. Your dog might have cushings yet it might just be the pancreatitis. Please give us insight into the specific test or tests that were done to diagnose. John is right, we have had members whose dogs have pancreatitis show false positives for cushings.

My concern is that your dog shows no signs of cushings and so we simply want to double check as you certainly don't want to give trilostane/vetoryl to a dog that doesn't have it.

Keep a close eye out for diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy and if you see it let us know and cease giving the drug and call your vet. Kim

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Roscoe,

My boy, Harley, had pancreatitis and one thing I did want to mention is that elevated liapse and amylase are not comfirmed markers for pancreatitis. Only a spec cPL test will confirm a diagnosis of pancreatitis, I would highly recommend that your vet perform this test on Roscoe.

If indeed pancreatitis is validated from the spec cPL test than the Cushing's diagnosis is questionable because other nonadrenal illnesses, such as pancreatitis, can create false positive results on all tests for Cushing's.

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

Love and hugs, Lori

[addy]

Hi,

I'm just going to put it right out there, I am concerned about how much experience your vet has with treating Cushings and with using Vetoryl from what you have written so far. So I am hoping the vet has much more information to have started treating your pup and you might want to share the drug manufacturer's written instructions on how and when to monitor a dog on Vetoryl.

http://www.dechra-us.com/Cushings-Syndrome/Veterinarians/Prescribing-VETORYL-1.aspx


A big part of treatment is to control symptoms that are worrisome to you. Hopefully there is more to the story.:):):confused:

Nevertheless, I sure am glad you found your way here so a big welcome to you and Roscoe.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. I don't think I would be treating for cushings at the same time that a pancreatic episode could be going on and as Lori said, a cPL test is the only one that can give you a definite answer about that. Especially without any symptoms going on.
You just can't trust tests for cushings if there is something else going on and with the ast at 1100, there are other things that needs to be ruled out first. What was the glucose level? thyroid? was a urinalysis done?
There are just possibilities out there that would make me leery of cushings at this point. Not to say that Roscoe doesn't have cushings, just that you really don't know. cortisol at 6.0 doesn't mean much unless there is context within that, like a complete acth test or ldds test, etc.
Again welcome to the forum
Sharlene and Molly Muffin