Help, treating for cushings and now side effects

[JBOVARD]

HELP! MY DOG whom I rescued 6 months ago has a recent diagnosis of Cushings and my Dr. put her on 120m of Vetoryl. Her side effects where bad; shaking, insomonia, agitation (totally a different dog). After the side effects, her dosage was cut to 60mg. How is that going to work if the needed dosage is supposed to be 120mg. It seems to me this wont regulate the issue! (Its like giving a person half the dose of medication for Hypertension when you know they need more than that to regulate thier blood pressure.
Suggestions? i dont know if i should stop the medication altogether? She has been on it a month now (at some level of 60 or 120 mg) with no change in her demeanor (other than those side effects listed), and no change in her weight. What to do???

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi and welcome to you and your dog,

Please give us a little information and back ground.
How much does she weigh?
What test were performed to diagnose cushings
What were the symptoms that led to cushings testing?
Please post the results of the cushings test and any other abnormal blood test along with the normal ranges.



Lastly, we all want to thank you for rescuing her :)

Mod note: I moved your post from the checking in section to "Canine Cushing's Information and Support Forums" so that more members will be able to see your post and stop by to welcome you and help you through this. I also sent you a PM with the link directly to your thread and new title.

[Roxee's Dad]

Her side effects where bad; shaking, insomonia, agitation (totally a different dog).


I also wanted to ask how is her appetite and thirst?

Does she have a ravenous appetite?
Is she drinking excessive water? (PD)
Does she have to urinate a lot? (PU)

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. It sounds like from the side effects that she was started to high. Current recommendations is for 1mg/1lb. How much does she weigh? If that doesn't control symptoms for the entire day, you could look at splitting the dosage, for like a 30 AM/30 PM. If you are dong 60mg.

Keep in mind that all dogs metabalize and react differently to drugs. We've seen big dogs on small doses and small dogs on big doses. It depends on what the ACTH test shows, along with symptoms control.

The things you mentioned really do sound like too much and it could be that smaller and building up as needed is what her body will handle better.

I would assume that thyroid and diabetes were ruled out prior to starting trilostane.

congratulations on your rescue. We'll be able to give you better feedback, as soon as we know more about your new furbaby.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too.:)
First, take a few deep breaths and let it out very slooooowly. Good!:p The more you can share with us about your precious fur baby, the better we will be able to help you. We are interested in any and all test results that you may have. Particularly anything out of the normal range, either high or low. We understand that you may not have much in the way of testing information since you recently adopted your baby. We will do all we can to help you and welcome questions anytime. Again, welcome to you both. We'll look forward to getting to know you better.:p

[mytil]

Hi and welcome from me as well.

The others above have asked some good questions and made some great points on what could have been happening with your girl...the dosage could have been way toooo high.

I have only one - when the dosage was changed from 120 once daily to 60 mgs daily, was an ACTH stim test performed? If not I do not think your vet is following the proper protocol in treating Cushing's.

Also I would have had her electrolytes checked as well. (Part of the monitoring protocol when symptoms are severe as your girl's was).

Keep us posted
Terry