Trying all natural remedies / Daisy has passed

[Mel]

My 9 year old Jack Russell was diagnosed with Cushings disease 6 months ago. I was told that I could treat her with natural remedies and get the same results as the expensive meds. She took a big dive before I started treating her. I am very worried. She looks so sickly and the vet I have is better at billing me than helping my sick dog. There are some holistic vets in my area. I just don't know what to do. Watching her waste away breaks my heart. I need advice please.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your girl,

Cushing's is when a dog's body produces excessive amounts of cortisol and unfortunately I don't know of any natural remedies that can lower the elevated cortisol to within the therapeutic ranges. Trust me, if there were any holistic ways to do this we would gladly share them.

The two medications that are usually prescribed for Cushing's are Trilostane/Vetoryl and Mitotane/Lysodren. Although they are strong drugs they are life savers for dogs with Cushing's disease. When the correct protocols are followed less adverse side effects are seen. With proper medical management, close monitoring and owner observation, most Cushingoid pets can live to their full life expectancy, with complete or partial resolution of clinical signs, and good quality of life!

Cushing's is one of the most difficult diseases to get diagnosed. Not one test is 100% accurate and there are other illnesses that mimic some of the same symptoms as Cushing's, like diabetes and thyroid problems. Have they been ruled out?

Could you tell us more about your girl, such as her weight and the symptoms she is displaying that led you or your vet to test for Cushing's in the first place? If you could get copies of all tests that were done on your girl and post any abnormalities that are listed that would be helpful to us to provide you with more meaningful feedback, ok?

Cushing's is not a death sentence for a dog and is a treatable disease. Please know we will help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask all the questions you want. ;)

Hugs, Lori

[Little Britches]

Hi and welcome. Very sorry to read your poor baby is so ill. I am a great believer in natural remedies for my dogs and feed a raw diet, never use chemical products and try as much as I can to treat minor ailments with natural alternatives. However, there are some conditions that are so complex that natural remedies just don't touch and Cushings I believe to be one of them. Without medical intervention it will most likely spiral out of control, to your dogs detriment.
Your vet doesn't sound very supportive but you'll find folk on here are and know so much more about Cushings than most vets. Please listen to advice given here, they will help get your baby back on track.

Freda x

[Mel]

Oh Thank you.. I just needed some guidance. You all made me feel so much better because I just had a little melt down. I don't want to lose this dog at such a young age. I have a Westie that is 14 and wild and crazy. It's so sad to watch her with him.

It started when she was a puppy she had very dry weird skin, drank and ate a ton. No vet ever said anything that was wrong. She's always looked pregnant and then she looked like she was going to pop. I took her to the vet and found out she had heart worms and tested positively for Cushings. They said her Liver enzymes were extremely high. So I treated the heart worms for a few months with antibiotics and her massive belly went away. She still has a typical cushings belly. The vet told me I could treat her or not. He had dogs that did well both ways. I was told that I needed to do a $300 ultra sound on her belly next. He said that it takes a long time to figure out which gland it is and that the medication was very expensive. (I was not hopeful) He said she would do fine and at that point my goal was the heart worms. Now she has lost over 5 lbs, losing function of her back legs, skin is super thin, hair is not growing and wounds do not heal well. She looks like a cancer patient to me.

So with all that said...I thought she would be ok and she is NOT! It's breaking my heart. So I called my husband today crying and he said we can go to a different vet. We had decided not to treat her because the vet we talked to made it sound like no big deal. We could not afford any more than the $600 we just shelled out on the blood work anyway. Now this is a whole different ball game. I have done a lot of research online and learned that this "vet" didn't really know what he was talking about. Daisy has shown signs of this illness since she was young. No one ever diagnosed it. I had never heard of it. So just like in our own field of medicine I am going to be taking this into my own hands. I do not trust these people at all.

I am going to go into the vet today and get all of her blood work so that I can take it to this new one that my sister-in-law recommended. She spoke to him about Daisy and he new what he was talking about. She's a nurse so she was aware of how the body works.

I will post her blood work when I get it.

I can't thank you enough for giving me some direction.

Much Love and Appreciation,
Melanie

[Harley PoMMom]

Cushing's can be difficult to diagnose because other non-adrenal illnesses will cause an increase in cortisol production in a dog's system, also when the cortisol is elevated due to other health issues a false positive result may occur on all tests for Cushing's.

Since Daisy was diagnosed with heart worms I would wait until the heart worm issue is resolved before any tests for Cushing's are performed.

I'm glad you are seeking a second opinion. ;) When you get copies of Daisy's test please do post them...Thanks!

Hugs, Lori

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too. :)First of all, many of us struggle or have struggled with the financial aspect Cushing's testing. It does get much more manageable once testing is complete.

As for crying and meltdowns, that comes with the territory. We've all done it. We've all been there. You are safe to vent here. Yell, scream, cry, whatever you need to do at the time if fine.

Please follow up with the testing results when you have them. We will do all we can to help you and sweet Daisy.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I think in the states they have Care Credit, which many members use to help with the drugs and testing.

Now, when did she have the heart worm? how old? Is that cleared up? When you get those hot little tests results in your hand can you post anything that is abnormal high/low on them with the range? For example ALT 113ug (50 - 90ug) specifically you want to rule out diabetes and thyroid issues first, so if the glucose or T4 is off, then that is the first thing to look at before cushings.

Once we know that, we'll take it form there.

You can also do a UC:CR urine test, which I think would be cheaper, that can tell you if there is cortisol in the urine at least, a positive meaning you need to check further into and a negative ruling out. However, unless the heart worm is completely cleared up then it isn't worth testing for cushings until it is. The results might be positive for a different reason than cushings.

Anyway, we're all here to help you figure this out. :)

Welcome
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[LtlBtyRam]

I'm sorry you had to look for us, but glad you found us. Welcome to the forums. Hard financials, meltdowns, and worry are all a part of our world. You are now surrounded by PAWSOME folks.
Angela

[Mel]

I apologize for the long delay.....I went on vacation for my anniversary and before I left I asked my mom to take Daisy to the vet. She just didn't look well. My mom said that I could do it when we returned. I insisted that she go ASAP. We left last week on Friday. I loved on her and cried as we left. I knew she was not well. My mom got an appt. on Monday and they retested her for Cushings at a new vet. It came back positive. Wednesday morning my mom called me and said that she had taken Daisy back to the vet because she was unable to walk and was throwing up. The vet then called me and told me she had Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Her blood sugar was off the charts. He put her on an IV and was going to start giving her insulin. He said in 48 hours we would know if her kidneys were going to shut down or if she was going to make it. I was totally confused as to why this was all happening to her. Thursday there was no improvement and she was still not able to keep down anything. I begged my mom to go and visit her so that she would know to fight and that we hadn't left her. Friday morning the vet called and told me that she had passed away over night. I have not stopped crying since I left and I can't believe she's gone. I don't know why or how. I lost her in a week.

After talking to the new vet he mentioned that how we treated her for heartworms was not going to kill them. In fact, nothing kills them but the strong drugs. I have read everything I can and I think she died of heartworms. The previous vet I went to said it was no big deal....give her antibiotics and heartworm pills and that will treat it. It just takes longer. His concern was the cushings and to get an ultrasound that would have cost me $300 to determine which gland was infected. This vet said Cushings is Cushings....it's still cortisol and they all have to be treated the same. No ultrasound necessary. I know playing the blame game doesn't bring her back. I just have no clue what happened. She just turned 8. She was still just a puppy to me. Sorry for the crappy news.

I've learned two things:

1. All dogs need to be on heartworm preventative whether they are indoors or outdoors. Daisy was an indoor dog and hated to be outside.

2. Always get a second opinion when dealing with these illnesses that threaten our animals.

Thank you for your kindness.

Broken,
Melanie

[Mel]

I posted her photo in my pictures.

[molly muffin]

Oh Mel! I know you are just devastated that this happened. It is heartbreaking. She really was just a youngster and it's very possible that the heartworms, could have been the final culprit. I know the drugs to treat heartworm are very strong and have to be to get rid of them. I don't know a whole lot more about those drugs though, or which ones are best to use.

Daisy Mae, lives on forever, in your heart. A heart full of love for her and her for you. That is her legacy.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

Dearest Melanie,

I am so sorry for your loss of sweet Daisy and my thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.

Please know we are here for you and do understand the pain you are feeling.

With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Lori

[Roxee's Dad]

Dear Melanie, I am so very sorry for your loss. Hold her memories close to your heart....

Rest in Peace Sweet Daisy, Tonight you are our newest and brightest star in the sky ......

[Budsters Mom]

I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Daisy. She has been greeted at the rainbow bridge by many of our fur babies, including mine. She is no pain free and able to soar. Run free sweet Daisy. Xxxx

[Bo's Mom]

I just saw the pictures of your sweet Daisy. She surely was a beautiful dog whose spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those that were lucky enough to cross her path. RIP sweet Daisy and go find my Angel Bo. He will surely show you the best meadows to run and be free.

[Robert]

So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to deal with the loss but rest assured my tommy who left just over a week ago and my tAmmy who left just over a year ago are showing daisy the ropes up there. RIP Daisy

[scoora]

Mel,
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet girl Daisy. What a beautiful girl.
My Scoop is also at the rainbow bridge to greet Daisy.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[LtlBtyRam]

So sorry for your heartbreaking news. I looked at your pictures. She was a little doll. :'(
Angela

[mypuppy]

Oh Mel,

I am so deeply sorry for your great loss of Daisy, for I know how deep is your pain, as it is my own. I too lost my girl, 3 weeks ago and it was so sudden and so fast, also from diabetic ketoacidosis. it is heartbreaking and just the worst feeling, and as you going through those awful feelings of guilt for not picking up on any of what was going on until it was just too late. But I do believe this feeling is always a part of grief. The what ifs, when we do not realize for some other higher reason, it was suppose to happen. I know it's hard to reason with the almighty up there sometimes, but take comfort in knowing you did everything physically possible to love your baby and believing she is now pain free, and nothing can ever harm her again. That is what gets me through this process most of my days lately.

Again I am so sorry and may you and I soon find comfort in the wonderful memories with our babies.

God Bless and RIP Daisy and some very tight hugs to you and your family.

Xo Jeanette

[goldengirl88]

Mel:
Sorry to hear your precious baby passed. I hope your heart can heal. Blessings
patti

[Jenny & Judi in MN]

what a beautiful girl. I'm so sorry she passed. It did sound like her little body had a lot going on so please don't beat yourself up. run Free Daisy

[Squirt's Mom]

Dear Melanie,

I am so sorry to hear this news and know you are devastated. This can come on very rapidly, almost overnight, so please don't blame yourself for not knowing. You were doing the best you knew to do to help your sweet girl - and that is all any of us can do, our best. Guilt is a natural part of the grieving process but don't let that sit on your shoulders for long - you don't deserve it, honey.

Daisy's name has been added to the In Loving Memory thread for 2013 where she will be remembered always as a member of our family here at K9C.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4794

We are here anytime you wish to talk; we understand your pain and will help if we can.

Our deepest sympathies,
Leslie, Squirt, Trinket, Brick, Sophie, and our Angels, Ruby, Crystal, Tasha, and Josie


I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying...you found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear.
"It's me, I haven't left you...I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I am not lying there.

I walked with you toward the house, as you fumbled for your key,
I gently put my paw on you. I smiled and said, "It's me."
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you every day.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over...I smile and watch you yawning
And say, "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you and we will stand, side-by-side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.

-Author Unknown

[spdd]

So sorry to hear about Daisy.

[Mel]

I spoke to the vet today now that we are back in town. I was very concerned with how she died. I took her to the vet May 21,2013 her kidneys and blood sugar were fine at that time. She did have a very high liver count. The vet told me it was not the heartworms but the Cushings. He said her kidneys failed and that is what caused her death. If anyone has this diagnosis start your dog on meds ASAP. They don't know how far along the dogs are and you just can't be safe enough. She just turned 8....under 5 months she is gone. I hope all the best to you and your babies. Writing what all has happened has helped me get through some of this sadness.

[gatorgirl_bama]

Melaine,
I'm so sorry you are going through the pain of losing your sweet Daisy. I too lost my Tia in August. Tested for Cushings on Friday and dead on Sunday. It is a sadness like no other.
This is a great place to come to and cry and laugh and just talk about anything. Everyone here listens and gives the greatest virtual love and hugs. And by the time you log off, even for a moment, you feel relief that your precious baby is no longer suffering.

Much love to you,
Donna and Angel Tia

[doxiesrock912]

Melanie,
My sincere condolences on your loss of Daisy.
Rest with the angels sweet girl.

[doxiesrock912]

Melanie,
My sincere condolences on your loss of Daisy.
Rest with the angels sweet girl.