New to forum and to Cushing's (adrenal)

[Chicalynn]

Hi all,
I've been searching around now for a couple months to gain more information about Cushing's. My 10 year old Shepherd mix was diagnosed in May and we started on once daily 60mg of trilostane. Her symptoms prior to the diagnosis: increased drinking, aggressive behavior esp around food, frequent urination, swollen pot belly, and some shaking in her legs when excited. She has always been my anxious dog so I wasn't over concerned about her shaking. However, I was concerned about her increased drinking and urination as I already have a diabetic Golden. The vet finally looked at one day and said "when did her belly get so big?" which prompted immediate tests. Her ACTH testing indicated Cushing's. Her first re test showed the meds were working. The second re test indicated the ACTH was where the vet deemed normal limits. However all the clinical signs were present. If not worsening. I pushed further saying my gut is telling me she's still not well. I finally demanded a sonogram for her swollen belly as I just knew she had a tumor. Her adrenal glands are "very plump" according to the specialty vet who read her ultrasound. There is not a growth but the vet said 100% adrenal Cushing's and to increase the trilostane to 80mg once daily. My questions for the experienced:
1. Have you experienced adrenal dependent Cushing's without the presence of tumors?
2. Are you happy with once daily or looking to twice daily low dose of trilostane?
3. Does your Cushing's dog have labored breathing at times? Or heaving panting that seems uncomfortable?
4. Does your Cushing's dog experience horrific and deadly gas from the disease or from the medicine? And how to help? I have had Puppie on the probiotic for 2 weeks for extreme diarrhea she experienced. Her stools are solid now but her gas is the worse!
Any and all replies are appreciated. I feel so helpless at times and don't want her to be hurting or uncomfortable.
Beckie

[Squirt's Mom]

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[Trixie]

Hi Beckie,
Sorry about your dog and what brought you here. You came to the right place to get info though...there are many experts on board and they know a lot! It would be a big help if you can post the numbers from any/all tests you have. The people who are able to advise on all this need to know your dog's numbers.

My dog is dosed twice a day. We're still tweaking her dose for optimum control of symptoms.

My dog seems to have way more gas and loud tummy gurgling when she is not controlled by the medication, though all dogs are different so some may find the medication is causing tummy upsets.

I give my dog on half a pepcid a/c tablet (my dog weighs about 15 pounds) each night which has been extremely helpful for the gas and sour stomach.-Again may not be for every dog...all are different.

There are people on the board who have noticed labored breathing with their dogs. Mine has had panting and often seems to have rapid breathing when she's napping...again my experience is that the medication controls this and when she's not controlled I notice it more.

Many here also use a probiotic. Diarrhea can be a sign that the dosage is too high, though not necessarily of course.

Everyone here knows exactly how you feel! If it wasn't for this board and all the great people posting here I would have gone crazy with worry.
I'm not at all that experienced but thought I'd give my take on your questions. Others will be chiming in but they are going to want your dogs test numbers so they can suggest and advise you. If you have copies or can get a hold of them soon you'll be able to get expert help here!! :)

Barbara

[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. We will do all we can to help, but be ready for lots of questions! So again, welcome Beckie and your precious fur baby. Hugs,

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Beckie,

Welcome to you and Puppie, sorry for the circumstances that brought you to us but glad you found your way here.

If you could get copies of all the tests that were done on Puppie and post any abnormalities that are listed that would be great. Also, we are especially interested in the results of those ACTH tests, both the monitoring and diagnostic.

There are three types of Cushing's disease: one is called Iatrogenic or steroid induced, the others are adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADH) and pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH). The adrenal form of Cushing's is when a tumor is located on the adrenal gland/s; PDH is when there's a tumor of the pituitary gland.

If the ultrasound showed that the adrenals were bilaterally enlarged than this is indicative of PDH. Did the ultrasound show any irregularities with the internal organs? The heavy panting and labored breathing can be attributed to the Cushing's because the excess cortisol often causes liver enlargement.

How much does your girl weigh? Is she taking any other herbs/supplements/medicine?

For the gas I have seen some members use Gas-X, I would mention this to your vet and see what they have to say.

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

Love and hugs, Lori

[Buffaloe]

Hi Beckie,

My female shepherd mix had a very large adrenal tumor and had a successful adrenalectomy. As Lori said, if both adrenals are enlarged, that definitely indicates pituitary dependent cushing's, not adrenal. Typically with adrenal cushing's, one adrenal gland has a tumor and is significantly enlarged and the other gland is either normal size or atrophied to some degree. I hope the trilostane is effective and Puppie starts feeling a lot better soon.

Ken

[goldengirl88]

Beckie:
Sorry to hear your baby has issues. I just wanted to address some questions you asked before I forget. My dog had experienced and still has labored breathing. I am trying to get to the bottom of it. Cushings can cause tracheal problems. What exactly is your dog doing? Also I was told by a vet to use Beano it is safe on dogs. Please make a daily diary of your dog. It will help you many times over to refer to it for vet's questions etc. If you use Vetoryl call the number and start a file on your dog. They have vets on staff there to help you thru this. The number is 866-933-2472. If you feel something is not right that the vet is wanting to do discuss it with them. You are your dogs biggest ally in the fight against this disease. Listen to the help on here. These people know what they are talking about and will guide you thru this. Educate yourself on this disease, and read everything you can. Do you have an IMS available to you? That are familiar with Cushings as some vets are not. Know your vet, this will save you time, money and heartache. Don't be afraid to ask for help here. When you get testing done please get copies of all of it and post it as that is what is used to help you and your dog. Good luck to you both. Blessings
Patti