Wyatt - my Min-pin

[Jodie]

My dog Wyatt is a Min-Pin and is 9 1/2 years old. Last Dec. he developed a cough that he was put on pred for. We haven't been able to get him off of the pred without his cough/ breathing problems coming back. Then 3 weeks ago we noticed drinking alot, peeing a lot, his coat was getting very thin in some parts and he was starting to lose weight. Took him to the vet and his blood sugar was 638. Yikes - we started him on insulin 2 a day but we kept having to up the dose and concentration. He just wouldn't stabilize it. The dr. thought he might have cushings too but wanted to try to get the diabetes under control first. Well we obviously can't get it under control so we took him back for the test that confirmed that he had cushings also. So now we are going to treat the cushings with vetoryl starting tomorrow but we need to try to get him off the pred. So everything is kind of working against eachother and I don't want to lose my pup but I don't want him to suffer either. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Or anyone who had or has a dog with all these conditions - can you tell me what you did. Thanks

[Jodie]

On the ATCH test pre was 7.3 and post 26.9

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Wyatt! :)

I want to direct you to our sister site, k9diabetes. They are the experts in canine diabetes and can help you a great deal in that area.

Giving the cushing's test while your baby was on pred is silly. That was a huge waste of money as the pred will read as cortisol, making the test results invalid. So at this point it cannot be said that Wyatt truly does have Cushing's - he may but it is most like Iatrogenic, which is caused by the pred and is cured by weaning off the pred - you do NOT treat Iatrogenic with Vetoryl (Trilostane) or Lysodren. So for right now, concentrate on the diabetes and let the good folk at k9diabetes guide you.

http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/

Again, please do not start the Trilo just yet. The Cushing's diagnosis is HIGHLY suspect due to the pred and the diabetes.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Jodie]

Thanks so much. I just love throwing my money out the window. ha He only takes 1/2 pill every 3 days right now but that is as long as he can go without.... :(

[goldengirl88]

Hi:
Welcome to the forum. I know a number of the members that say you have to get the diabetes under control before working on the Cushings. The members will want you to post the results of your tests so they can help you. I am so sorry your baby is having problems. I think it is a god idea to work on one problem at a time. Also is your Dr. one who has treated and has experience with Cushings? I cannot understand why he is not waiting until the diabetes is controlled?? How much does your dog weigh and what mg of Vetoryl did he suggest starting on? The coughing you are describing sounds to me like a heart condition. Has you dog been checked for a heart problem, it does make breathing problems also? Did you have the dog on prednisone when it was tested for Cushings? If so you could have a skewed test. Hope you get the diabetes under control and that your dog does well. Blessings
Patti

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Wyatt,

Sorry for the reasons that brought you here but so glad you found us.

Our sister site, which Leslie already provided a link to, has many caring individuals that have a wealth of knowledge concerning canine diabetes so I do strongly urge you to join there too.

It is true that taking prednisone over a period of time can skew all tests for Cushing's, so I am a bit worried, too, about Wyatt's diagnosis of Cushing's.

As Patti has mentioned, coughing may be of symptom of a heart problem or it could be a tracheal issue. My non-cush boy, Bear, has a collapsed trachea which makes him cough (sounds like a goose honk). He is being treated with Terbutaline and Hydrocodone which really control his cough. Has the vet diagnosed what is making Wyatt cough?

Usually when a dog has diabetes plus Cushing's, controlling the diabetes does trump treating Cushing's. The wonderful people at the k9diabetes forum can help with that.

Could you get copies of all tests that were done on Wyatt and post any abnormalities that are listed...e.g ALT 150 U/L (5-50)...Thanks!!!

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

[Jodie]

I have the test results at home.. I'm at work. ha I will post when I get home. They are calling his cough chronic bronchitis. (sp) And he was on the pred when he took the test but he's on 1 pill every 3 days.
Thank you all so much. Just so worried about him..

[Jodie]

Sorry - a half a pill every 3 days.

[Jodie]

Wyatt weighs 11 lbs.

[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 Jodie and Wyatt.:)

It seems like we continue to have lots of vets who don't know proper testing protocol for Cushings. As Leslie said, it is a total waste of money to do Cushing's testing while Wyatt was on prednisone.

[frijole]

So have you started treating the cushings? I personally would NOT and I would tell the vet that you want a FREE follow up ACTH test after you are off of the prednisone as it mimics cortisol and would certainly make the test results invalid. I would not treat until another test was done.

Also please do go to the diabetes site linked earlier and share with them your experience with treating the diabetes... it could be that something isn't being done correctly or something is not being done that should be done... they can help you with that. But for now I would assume your dog does not have cushings and focus on the diabetes.

Kim

[labblab]

Prednisone can also elevate blood glucose levels, so it may be the case that the diabetes has been "steroid-enhanced," too, and may be more easily controlled if Wyatt can be weaned from the prednisone and shifted to an alternative treatment for the respiratory issues.

Marianne