PreciousMom
10-08-2013, 11:32 PM
Precious was diagnosed with Cushings when she was 12 and has been on Vetoryl 30 mg for the past three years.
When she was 11 we went in for a routine dental and I opted to have her blood checked because she is an older gal. Our local vet noticed higher liver enzymes and we decided to check it again in 3 months. It was high again and based on her unending appetite and pot belly we were immediately referred to a Internist.
We did X-rays and an ultrasound and all was good so we went to the next step for the ACTH tests. They did show she had Cushings and our next step was 10 mg of Vetoryl for 6 weeks and then another ACTH test. Next test showed that her dosage needed to be increased so we went to 20 mg. 6 weeks later we did another test and she was still on the low level, so we bumped to 30 mg. Another 6 weeks later another test. It still showed low, but because Precious was a 16lb Doxie he was very hesitant to up the dosage. We both agreed to wait another 6 weeks and test. Glad we did as her levels were now NORMAL.
The only other item was to put that girl on a diet. I now measure all of her food and treats. I switch to making her own biscuits and bought a dehydrator to make chicken jerky and sweet potato treats. To help her feel full in the beginning I would warm up green beans and carrots and add to her food. I would also give her a spoonful of plain applesauce or canned pumpkin (fiber). The other dogs like their carrots or GB's with some bacon grease on them.
Precious is now 15 and doing wonderful. Her eyesight is not as good as it was, but she is down to 11 lbs and getting lots of exercise.:)
When she was 11 we went in for a routine dental and I opted to have her blood checked because she is an older gal. Our local vet noticed higher liver enzymes and we decided to check it again in 3 months. It was high again and based on her unending appetite and pot belly we were immediately referred to a Internist.
We did X-rays and an ultrasound and all was good so we went to the next step for the ACTH tests. They did show she had Cushings and our next step was 10 mg of Vetoryl for 6 weeks and then another ACTH test. Next test showed that her dosage needed to be increased so we went to 20 mg. 6 weeks later we did another test and she was still on the low level, so we bumped to 30 mg. Another 6 weeks later another test. It still showed low, but because Precious was a 16lb Doxie he was very hesitant to up the dosage. We both agreed to wait another 6 weeks and test. Glad we did as her levels were now NORMAL.
The only other item was to put that girl on a diet. I now measure all of her food and treats. I switch to making her own biscuits and bought a dehydrator to make chicken jerky and sweet potato treats. To help her feel full in the beginning I would warm up green beans and carrots and add to her food. I would also give her a spoonful of plain applesauce or canned pumpkin (fiber). The other dogs like their carrots or GB's with some bacon grease on them.
Precious is now 15 and doing wonderful. Her eyesight is not as good as it was, but she is down to 11 lbs and getting lots of exercise.:)