Hi - New & looking for support and info

[Ginger'sMom]

Hi everyone,

As everyone here, we just got the word "Cushings" thrown at us at our last vet visit. I have an 11-year-old boxer named Ginger. She will be 12 next week. She started having issues about 2 years ago where she was knuckling on her right back leg. At first I thought it may be a knee issue, but everything checked out fine. Then after more exams and research, we were convinced it was degenerative myleopathy. So we prepared for her to lose the use of her back legs, and I did all of the research on DM that I could. About 6 months ago, I noticed that her thirst increased. We had her checked. Bloodwork was fine - everything normal. She had started panting a lot too - so I thought that maybe she was drinking more due to the panting. She also started begging at the table, which she has never done before.
Then she started having accidents in the house - again just not this dog. I contributed it to the DM and started diapers, etc.

Last week, she was just extremely lethargic. She wouldn't even lift up her head for a treat. So I thought - this is it. We rushed her to the vet. She perked up once we got there, and they said she seemed ok but ran bloodwork to check. The next day I get the call that with her past symptoms and the bloodwork that he thinks it could be Cushings. He then tells me that the treatment is worse than the disease and for her age, we should make her comfortable.

So I'm thinking this is terminal and there's nothing I can do until I find this site. Now I have renewed hope. I have an appointment tomorrow with another vet to get a 2nd opinion. Below is her abnormal findings on her bloodwork. Just wanted to see what you thought here. The symptoms are there - but we still haven't got a firm diagnosis.

MCH - 26.4 - (19-25)
Lymphocyte - 0.551 (1-4.8)
Eosinophil - 0.042 (0.1-1.25)
Glucose - 144 (60-125)
TCO2 - 26 (17-24)
ALP - 658 (10-150)
Cholesterol - 366 (112-328)
Creatine Kinase - 348 (10-200)
T4 - 0.9 (1-4)

Thanks so much for your help! I'm praying for all of you and your precious babies.

Jan

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi Jan and welcome to you and Ginger,

I am surprised that your vet said the treatment is worse than the disease, very disappointing :(

Most vets these days prefer to use Vetoryl (Trilostane) and the purpose of treatment is to alleviate symptoms like the extreme hunger, thirst, excessive urination, panting and hair loss.

So in effect, treatment would make Ginger more comfortable! We do caution that you need a cushings savy vet that will start at the lower end of the treatment spectrum and work upwards. To much of the Trilo at the start could lead to adverse effects. We see way too many vets starting too high and putting your cush pup at risk. Low and slow is the wise way to go ;)

I see the ALP is high which is typical of cushings, please do let us know what your 2nd vet opinion is, and what cushings test he will perform.

Many more will be by to welcome you and Ginger and also share their knowledge and experience.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Jan,

Welcome to you and Ginger! So glad you found us, and we will help in any way we can.

Cushing's is one of the most difficult endocrine diseases to get a confirmed diagnosis for because not one test is 100% at diagnosing it and other non-adrenal illnesses can create false positive results for Cushing's.

I see that her blood glucose is elevated, did the vet mention anything about this? Was an urinalysis done? If so, could you post those findings?

One thing I want you to know is that Cushing's is a treatable disease but success does depend on keen owner observation and a knowledgeable vet that has experience with Cushing's and its protocols.

I think it's great that you are seeking a second opinion, please do let us know how that goes.

Ask all the questions you want, and know we are here for you both.

Hugs, Lori

[doxiesrock912]

Jan, we thought the same as you when Daisy was diagnosed in May.
We saw 3 vets, two of which clearly had no or little experience with Cushings. The third vet had more and we use him for everything else. I had been reading and learning on this forum and opted to see an IMS (small animal internal specialist) whom we use to treat Cushings

In the beginning, it gets expensive. Daisy had both the LDDS test and an ACTH test. The IMS advised us to get an ultrasound to asses how her organs were doing and I do think this is a good idea and helped to confirm that she has Pituitary based Cushings.

Daisy is on Vetoryl (Trilostane), 9mg twice a day. She weighs 11.5lbs.
Once a dose determined to be affective, the testing occurs less often and the cost lowers. This is our experience. I just wanted to give you an example :-)

Whichever test they do, PLEASE, absolutely post the results so that people on her can interpret them for her.

Had it not been for the knowledge that I received here, I firmly believe that Daisy wouldn't still be with us.

[frijole]

Glad you found us. I'd go for the 2nd opinion too and I would have that glucose checked out as diabetes symptoms are very similar to cushings. Let us know how it turns out. Kim

[molly muffin]

Hi and welcome from me too. I'm with Lori about having that glucose checked out. One of the things that can present the same symptoms as cushings is diabetes and especially with the lethargy last week, this could be a concern. Just wanted to let you know to talk to the new vet about this and take a copy of the test results with you.
You've found a great place for support and information.

Welcome to the forum.
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Ginger'sMom]

Thank you all so much.

I took her to the vet that I used to go to years ago for the 2nd opinion. We had moved out to the suburbs, so I had been going to a vet there.

The 2nd vet agrees that it is probably Cushings. But she also feels that the diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy is correct as well. She wants to do a Low Dex test? to determine if it is Cushings. She did do a urinalysis and her glucose was normal again - so she is going to keep an eye on that to make sure that stays in check. She does have a urinary infection which she told me can happen with Cushoid dogs.

We did X-rays to see if there were any masses on the adrenal glands that were obvious. She said that we may have to do an ultrasound to know for sure, but the x-ray looked clear. She said that her liver was not enlarged which was good.

She was pretty consistent with what you have said here. She said that after the low dex test that we could do another test. Then if she does have Cushings, she would start her on a low-dose of Trilostane and she would have to monitor her and adjust the dose accordingly.

So I feel like I have a better vet looking at her. I was hoping that this would help her back-end issues, but unfortunately those seem to be consistent with DM. And I know the outcome of that is not a good one.

BUT - if I can make her more comfortable for the time she has left with me, then I will do it. She is still able to walk and DM is slow progressing. And fortunately no pain associated with it. She is my first dog as an adult, and we have been through a lot over the last 12 years. I owe her the very best.

Thanks again for the information. I will let you know more when we get the low dex test completed.

Thanks!
Jan

[goldengirl88]

Jan:
I totally understand about her being your first dog, I get it completely. I am glad you went to this vet, she seems to have a better handle on things than the other one. I hope and pray for you that everything turns out alright. Just one thing. it was not until I took Tipper to the hospital for a high resolution Ultra Sound that her adrenal tumor was found, so it's something to think over. The regular ultra sounds in a vets office cannot pick this up clear enough so on the wise advise of Leslie went to the hospital to have it done. God Bless you Both
Patti

[molly muffin]

Glad you went to the other vet too. Sometimes that helps alot and sounds like it has from what you've said.

Let us know how the testing goes, but I wouldn't do it Until the UTI is cleared up as that can make the cortisol go up too.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[doxiesrock912]

Jan, getting to the right vet is imperative and I'm glad that you have one that seems to know what's up. Xrays don't show much and I'm surprised that they didn't just go with an ultrasound and forgo the xrays.

It sounds like you have a good vet so you're on your way to proper treatment for Ginger.

[goldengirl88]

Jan:
Just checking in on Ginger today. Hope all is well with you both. Blessings
Patti