Bosher - please help (Trilostane and now Addison's)

[elaine]

Hi,

My name is Elaine and I have a 12 year old staffordshire bull terrier named bosher.

he has been recently diagnosed with cushings and after three lots of blood tests we were told it definitely was. first he was prescribed a steriod which didnt do anything then after going into the vets for the day was prescribed vetoryl 120mg. he is 26kg.

he had been taking vetoryl for two months and his pot belly has subsided but hair loss continued to get worse as did skin infections. on wednesday of last week he started to cry continually. we rushed him to the vets who wasnt concerned so we bought him home. he continued to cry and become more upset so we took him to the emergency vets who found ulcers in his mouth and a poorly tooth so prescribed antibiotics and tramadol.

we gave these for a few days but by friday his crying was so bad we were all in tears so we took him back to the emergency vets who took a blood test which revealed he had now become addisons and we were told to prepare for the worst. they took him off all meds and kept him in overnight letting him come home on the saturday night as he was so distressed in the vets and his bloods were now more normal.

he is now on no meds and I have to take him back to the vets tonight to see what is next. i cant stop crying. my best friend is suffering. i do not know what to do. am i causing my dog to suffer unnecessarily? is this normal at the beginning? will it get better? how did he go from cushings to addisons? would be good to hear any similar experiences where it got better.

I am very scared :(. sorry to be so depressing!

[labblab]

Dear Elaine,

Welcome to you and Bosher, even though I am so sorry for the worry you are now experiencing. First and foremost, though, even if Bosher is permanently Addisonian, this is a condition that can be managed very well and Bosher can regain his normal functiom and activity. We have other parents with dogs who have gone Addisonian as a result of Cushing's medication, and I am certain they will be by to speak with you in the coming days.

Most importantly, have the vets given you any oral prednisone to give Bosher daily in the event that his cortisol remains too low? This will be critical to his road to recovery if his adrenal glands remain overly suppressed. Also, if the balance of potassium and sodium has gone out of whack in his body, there is another drug that he will need to take periodically. Your vet should be talking about this as well.

It is also possible, though, that this is just a temporary problem and Bosher's natural adrenal function will rebound once he has had a break from the trilostane. If so, he may actually return to the trilostane in the future, but at a lower dose. For our American readers, Bosher weighs around 57 pounds. Even though 120 mg. is the amount the manufacturer recommends in their printed chart for a dog of Bosher's weight, from our experience on this forum, it is a higher dose than we generally like to see as a starting point. In retrospect, half that dose may have been the safer choice to begin with. So in the future, Bosher may indeed respond well to a lower dose of the drug. But right now, he needs to stay off the trilostane altogether.

But first things first, and that is to make sure his adrenal hormones are adequately supplemented right now. Can you try to find out the numerical results of his recent tests, especially the ACTH stimulation test and also his potassium and sodium levels? That will help us guide you as to what degree of supplementation he may need right now. How is he behaving -- is he eating and drinking normally now? Any diarrhea or vomiting?

Please take heart, because even if he needs daily prednisone from this point onward, it is a simple drug to administer and is quite inexpensive. And we'll be right here, walking alongside you both! :)

Marianne

P.S. I've added a bit more information to your thread title so that our other Addison's parents will be able to find you more easily.

[elaine]

Hi Marianne,

Thank you so much for replying. I cried all the way through your reply as it felt so nice to have someone to share this with. i have cried so much over the last few months.

I am back at the vets tonight so will get his results then. he seems hungry but he didn't eat for three days from wednesday until saturday so not sure of it is because of that. Plus I only have him on rice and chicken at the moment as wanted to start him off gently due to him being off his food for so long. he is not drinking much but not sure if he is holding out for tea as I was tempting him with this during the period he would not eat or drink last week. I wouldnt normally give him tea but just wanted to get him to drink. not sure if he is now turning his nose up at his usual water because of that.

the vet only gave me antepsin due to him not eating for a few days and he is still taking antibiotics for ulcers in mouth and bad tooth but cannot have dentistry until he is more stable. however after finding out on the friday he had become addisons I now feel that was why he was crying as he has stopped since the vetoryl has come out of his system. he also had what looked like a large boil on his stomach last week but that now looks much better.

he is climbing up and down the stairs, which he doesnt do anymore on bad days. he isnt crying anymore. in fact last night he was quite lively which was a bit odd. barking and wanting to play which he hasnt for a while.

I guess I will know more when I get back from the vets but it happened to be our vet covering the emergency clinic on the saturday and she seemed very confused and said our dog was confusing her as she would not expect such a severe reaction to the vetoryl two months after taking it. she said that would happen in the first week. will let you know what she says and his results after I get back.

thanks Marianne, it is so nice to have someone to share this with xx

[labblab]

I am glad you've replied so quickly, too! :)

This observation about your vet has me worried, though, that she may not have a lot of experience with Vetoryl:


I guess I will know more when I get back from the vets but it happened to be our vet covering the emergency clinic on the saturday and she seemed very confused and said our dog was confusing her as she would not expect such a severe reaction to the vetoryl two months after taking it. she said that would happen in the first week. will let you know what she says and his results after I get back.

For dogs being treated with Vetoryl, it is common for cortisol levels to shift over time and for medication doses to require altering. Especially during the first month of treatment, cortisol levels can continue to drop significantly. It is for this reason that specialized monitoring blood tests are recommended both at the 2-week mark and the 30-day mark (and then at 3-month intervals or at any time that a dog acts unwell), so as to prompt dosage changes as needed. A dog may require a dosing change at any time down the road. Since your vet seems to be unaware of this, I would not want to resume Vetoryl again with your dog until you have confidence that she is consulting with the manufacturers themselves or with a vet who has more experience.

In the short run, it is a very good sign that Bosher is behaving much more normally. This may mean that he doesn't need any supplemental prednisone and that his cortisol is rebounding naturally. But as I say, for the time being, I would leave him off the Vetoryl entirely until you can get things better sorted out.

Marianne

[labblab]

Also, here are links to the manufacturer's published information that can better arm you re: treatment and monitoring for dogs taking Vetoryl. The first link is to the U.K. Website:

http://www.dechra.eu/Topmenu/Pharmaceutical-Products/Products.aspx?pcatid=PRIMARY4&catid=PROPGRP50&fid=PROPFIELD618

The second is to the U.S. Product Insert. Most of the info is the same in both places, but there are a few additions in each:

http://www.dechra-us.com/files/dechraUSA/downloads/Product%20inserts/Vetoryl.pdf

[elaine]

Hi Marianne,

They hadn't planned to retest him until January. They were going to contact us. Had this crisis not happened he would have been on vetoryl for nearly four months, depending on when in Jan they contacted us, without a retest. they were happy as he wasnt so stiff and was losing his pot bellied appearance.

I was discussing this with a friend and thought they must have left it too long before retesting him to make sure the doses were right especially as I took him back to the vets last wednesday saying he was continually crying. surely that should have prompted them to retest. they also didnt do blood test at the emergency vets until we had taken him back for the second time which meant he continued to suffer for days and I was force feeding him vetoryl having no idea I was nearly killing him.

I want to try to keep working with them due to all of the tests being taken there and Bosher also knows them which really helps as he really hates the vets and turns into a wreck.

I have to admit I think they missed this over twelve months ago and so he became very affected by the cushings which I made the mistake of putting symptoms down to age. I took him to the vets and showed them his tail which was almost bald and him losing fur around his neck. he was starting to look pot bellied then but was told he was losing fur because of his collar and his tail looked like he had bee biting it and this could be a habit!! I am very angry though but feel at their mercy. will see what happens tonight.

thanks Marianne xx

[addy]

Hi and Welcome,

I am a bit worried about your vet because I don't understand why your vet would give your pup a steroid in the beginning if he suspected Cushings. Perhaps I am missing a piece of the puzzle. I don't want to alarm you or make you feel badly, you have had enough to go through already but I sincerely hope you rethink going back to that vet.

My dog has been on Vetoryl for over 2.5 years. She has constant rechecks every three months and any time we change a dose. If she ever seems unwell, I dont give her the drug or cut back on the dose. This is a serious drug that needs adequate monitoring. My dog was on 50mgs for over a year and her cortisol was all over the place on the same dose.

I hope Bosher feels better and you find a vet that has the right experience to help him.

[elaine]

I just wanted to say in case people didnt think I realised that Bosher is 12 and I know that is a good age for a staffie. However I also know they can live longer and his heart is very good apparently. however I do not want his last yrs/months whatever we have to be full of suffering and side effects tests. I just want to know that I am doing the right thing i guess. I really do not want to lose him.

I am sure I do not have to tell anyone here how much I love him. he has protected myself and my son for 12 yrs. he has looked after us both. been a companion to me and a brother to my son. i do not think he is suffering, he was last week but that has passed. i think I am doing the right thing. I hope :).........

[elaine]

Hi addy,

Thanks for concern. I cannot remember the name of the first drug they prescribed but will find out and post.

xx

[frijole]

Don't worry about chalking up everything to old age - most of us did the same thing and cushings is usually caught by mistake. The others have given you very good advice and I join them in being concerned about the lack of testing and experience level at your vet.

But the good news is you definitely hit the jackpot by googling us :D Don't worry you are no longer alone on the journey. I came here over 8 yrs ago with similar fears. Hang in there and know we will hold your hand thru this. Kim

[doxiesrock912]

Welcome, it is always best to start on the low end of dosing and work your way up.
120mg is much, much too high and this is why Bosher went Addisons.

Please, PLEASE find a vet with Cushings/Addison's experience. This did not have to happen.

We went through 3 vets before seeking help from an IMS (small animal specialist) . Daisy has not had any of the problems that Bosher has on Trilostane which is the compounded version of Vetoryl.

[elaine]

Hi All,

Thank you so much for your replies. been an emotional xmas and wanted to switch off for a few days and pretend all this was not happening.

ok....went to the vets on the 23rd. his sodium was now normal but his potassium is still 6. the vet is still standing by the "this should have happened in the first week if it was going to". he is back tomorrow (27th) for another blood test (funny he now having so many!) and is still off all meds apart from his antibiotics.

bosher seems well but did notice today that he had sat himself in front of a blow heater so assuming he is starting to feel cold again which i think is a sign of cushings. he is drinking and eating well. drinking might be a little increased again and think he is peeing more so may be starting to go the other way.

i am scared to go to another vet. please dont all shout but bosher isnt insured and have already spent £1500 with emergency admits and testing so far etc. i am on my own and putting my son through uni so couldnt afford all the tests again although will if i have to.

i am going to suggest to the vet that she starts at a much lower dose if she decides to put him back on vetoryl.

thank you so much for kindness and caring. I really do appreciate it.

addy......the drug he was put on originally began with an s....sorry will ask again.

Elaine xxxx

[Squirt's Mom]

Sweetheart, if you are going to stay with this vet then you have a BIG job ahead of you - the job of educating that vet so she does a better job of caring for this sweet boy. She hasn't done a very good job so far from what we have seen. How could she miss ulcers in his mouth?! :eek: When I have had pups who stopped eating, the mouth is the first thing the vets have looked at.

Missing the ulcers is a drop in the bucket, tho, compared to not understanding Cushing's nor the drug she is giving Bosher. These drugs are very powerful and should not be used without understanding how they work. The manufacturer (Dechra) will talk with your vet and help educate her as well. I would give her their number and ask (actually I would insist) that she consult with them BEFORE you give Bosher another dose. Vetoryl (Trilostane) has a very specific protocol and you vet needs to know what that is and FOLLOW it. ;)

You are in a very difficult position - needing help for your baby yet feel stuck with your current vet for whatever reason(s). Many of us have been in the same place - our long time beloved vets had no clue about Cushing's and put our babies at risk. We had to 1) educate them if we chose to stay with them or 2) find another vet even tho it broke our hearts. It is HARD to stand up to a vet and tell them they are wrong then point them in the right direction but it can be done. It can be done because the love we have for our babies is all the fuel we need to fight for them tooth and nail, even against our vets. Our babies cannot speak so we must be their voice, their advocate. WE are the only voice they have. ;)

Hang in there!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

No vetroyl should be restarted until symptoms return completely and then at a much lower dosage than before.

Feeling cold isn't the symptom of cushings, cushings make dogs feel hot all the time and they look for cool places to lie down. This is due to the high cortisol . Feeling cold might be due to electroyltes not being correct yet, the potassium.

An addisions crisis can happen anytime actually. You can be on a dose that works for quite awhile, with everything fine and then their bodies stop reacting and they need a lower dose or a higher dose, depending, because every dog is different and how they react to an drug can be different too.

I'd say at this point, with the potassium still not normal, and no clear cut symptoms of cushings having returned that restarting vetroyl would not be a good idea. Whatever you do, don't go back on the same dose, it's too much.

If you want to stay with your vet, then yes, as Leslie said, you'll have to learn all you can and educate your vet. It doesn't sound like they have very much experience with cushings to be honest. That can be scary.

Hang in there, educate yourself on the tests, the drugs, the testing protocols and you can do this. Hopefully your vet will decide to work together with you as a team.

We're here to help out in whatever way we can too, so never be afraid to ask questions. It's the best way to get the asnwers after all and we have a lot of people on the forum with years and years of experience.
:)
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[elaine]

Hi All,

Thank you so much. your caring moves me to tears every time and I cannot thank you all enough.

Bosher was back at the vets yesterday. he had been crying and becoming more unsettled and agitated throughout the day. His potassium has which had dropped from 7 to 6 is now back to 7 and he stopped eating yesterday. the vet gave him a large dose of steroid and sent him back home. he slept well last night (whereas night before we had an awful night) and has now eaten. he is very clingy and emotional. we are back later to retest his blood and he is still off all meds apart from his antibiotics.

i guess we still have a way to go and I thank you so much for helping me on this journey.

Elaine and bosher xxxxx

[elaine]

Moderator

I think I may have just reported some of the posts in this thread by accident. Sorry!!!! I was clicking the red triangle not knowing what i was for. bit stupid of me.

xx

[Squirt's Mom]

:D:D:p:p:D:D Sounds like me when I got here! :p:p:p This was the first forum with this type set up I'd ever seen and I was very curious about all the buttons. :o:D Nothing exploded or disappeared into the wild blue cyber space, tho. :p:p:p What can I say? I'm a curious old broad! :D

[doxiesrock912]

I did the same thing Elaine. Chalked it up to old age for at least a year until Daisy got a bacterial skin infection furlers the first time ever.

[molly muffin]

Hi Elaine, when you hit an Addisons crisis, then there are a few things that need to be addressed. One is the electrolytes of which sodium and potassium are, and it is very serious when they go off due to low cortisol. Usually this is addressed with IV at the vets, sometimes overnight, until the potassium and sodium levels are where they need to be. In addition to this, via testing and finding out what the cortisol levels are, a maintenance dose of steroid (prednisone) is usually given over a period of time, every day, and then slowly tapered off under the guidance of the vet.
These are live saving for a dog that has had an addison crisis. You won't know if Bosher has gone fully Addisions until you see if the adrenal glands will start to produce enough cortisol again.
I am very concerned that your vet is not addressing the potassium levels and giving a small dose of prednisone daily to address the low cortisol levels.
It sounds like, they are hoping that a dose of steroid every now and then will keep Bosher going and that isn't typically how this issue is addressed.
I think that a call into your vet would be in order here and a frank discussion about potassium levels and cortisol levels. The vet can say, this Should have happened then, not now, but in reality, things can happen any time and they need to be addressed when they do.
Some of the others can tell you exactly what the helper dose of steroid should be during this time, it usually pretty low but is based on body weight, then tapered off.
I understand that cost is a serious factor here, and even if you can't do the entire ACTH test, at the very least a base line cortisol test Should be done to check that level.
The vet should also be willing to give you copies of every test that has been done prior to diaganosis and since on Bosher. If you could get a copy of those it would be a huge help. That way we can go through them, see where exactly the problem is and how serious and from there, work up issues that you will need to speak with your vet about and the vet should be addressing. That is a starting point at least.
The drugs are serious drugs and can't be messed with by someone who is clueless about their effects and I'm surprised that the vet is not doing more to help Bosher. A crisis can become life threatening very easily and we do Not want that to happen.
A good team effort can keep Bosher treated, healthy and fine for years. That is our goal here.

Hang in there. I know this is very scary, but you can do this and you can teach your vet what they need to know.

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

[Renee]

My opinion is to find a new vet. It's one thing to make an honest mistake... but, quite another to continue to insist a mistake did not happen, or that it should not have happened and therefore no responsibility. Your vet should own up to their mistake, educate themselves, and take things slowly to get them right. Some vets can never admit they are wrong or don't know something, and those are the dangerous vets!

If you read my thread, you'll know that I have a rather inexperienced vet when it comes to cushings, and she made some minor mistakes in the beginning... but, she admitted where she may have gone wrong, apologized to me, and has been learning as much about cushings right along with me. She has also spent her time consulting with specialists so that she can get things right.

As for the expense, I think all of us understand. I have ample resources, but even they have a limit, and this disease is not cheap, especially in the beginning stages. I haven't even told my hubby what we've been spending on Tobey... and I hope he never asks! :eek:

[Tina]

Hi Elaine,
A belated welcome to the forum! I just wanted to let you know that my baby Jasper started out with Cushings and became toxic on Lysodren (the other drug used to treat Cushings). He is now permanently Addison's and does pretty well for the most part. Everyone here has provided you with great information so far. I want to reiterate everything Sharlene said in her last post. I am especially concerned that your vet has not checked Bosher's cortisol currently, either by an ACTH stim test or at the very least, a baseline cortisol. I suspect that he needs a daily dose of oral prednisone to keep him feeling good, but there is no way to know if his adrenals are producing enough cortisol on their own without testing.

I am also very concerned about the elevated potassium. IV fluids are needed to get this down, and it sounds like your vet just sent him home even though the level was back up to 7, which is quite high. Elevated potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, which can be life threatening. I know others have asked, but could you please post the actual test results from the ACTH stim test, and also the sodium result that you said was normal, along with the normal ranges from the lab? With Addison's, the sodium: potassium ratio is important, so we need both of those numbers.

Not eating, lethargy and weakness can all be related to an electrolyte imbalance even if the cortisol is not low. There is another medication that could be needed to stabilize the electrolytes, in addition to the steroid. As Sharlene said, a crisis can become life threatening very quickly. If Bosher would start vomiting along with his other symptoms, this would be an emergency and you will need to get him to a vet immediately.

My pup has had an Addison's crisis twice since all of this started, and both times he was hospitalized. He has some other issues going on now which are complicated, but we are managing the Addison's pretty well at the moment. So even if Bosher's adrenals don't recover, this is a manageable situation with the proper treatment and monitoring, and he can still have a good quality of life. :)

Please post the test results when you can, that would be very helpful. How is Bosher doing now? You mentioned yesterday that you were getting more bloodwork checked, has that happened? I hope your boy is feeling better.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

[elaine]

Hi All,

Thanks you again for your support. Sorry I haven't been back....just so emotional. Ok. there have been a few trips to the vets since my last post and his last potassium level was 6.3. I will ask for a copy of his results so I can give you more accurate details including previous tests. he had to go in for a full day for one so they could give him a drug and then keep testing his blood. you guys may know what that was. it was quite expensive so assuming it was one of the ones spoken about.

He is now on prendicare 5mg, 3 tablets once a day and I have to reduce this to 2 tablets once per day tonight. He is eating and drinking but I have had to keep him on chicken and rice as when I tried to introduce his usual food he vomited.

had to take a urine sample in yesterday and the vet has called to say he has a slight urine infection so is stopping the antibiotics he has been on for his skin and mouth ulcers and changing them to one that will treat urine infection and I collect them later.

They do not want to see him until next Thursday unless we are worried and they plan to do more blood tests then. My vet has consulted with a medication expert (i saw the memo from them) and seems to have a much better understanding of what is happening. she has said that she followed the manufacturers instructions and now realises she should have started Bosher on a much lower dose of vetoryl.

Bosher seems a lot better at the moment but I am really taking it day by day and watching his every move. he is now much more mobile and what I had put down to old age was obvioulsy the cushings. he is now beating me up the stairs whereas in October I was carrying him up and down as he would get so far up and slide back down. He can now jump on my bed whereas I was having to pick him up. This week he has also had rapid hair regrowth. I mean really rapid. His tail was almost bald on the top and now this is almost covered and all other parts where he was losing are thickening up. I noticed his whiskers are growing too which I thought he was losing due to old age.

He has developed attachment disorder which he has never had and now cries whenever he is left. I bought a plug in and a collar from the vets that is meant to help but as yet it isnt. I think it may have been the stay in the vets when he first went addisons. they had to keep him in before christmas over night and the vet said his cries sounded like a human. That was the first time in 12 yrs that I had left him and think it has really upset him. If anyone has any tips on how I can help him as I work and he is getting very upset when I am not here.

I guess when you look at the big picture he has improved from where we were back in October but I know we have a long way to go. The vet was saying that she thinks the high dose of medication may have caused something to collapse in his adrenalin gland but I must admit she does go over my head a little.

i do understand when you guys give advice to change the vet. I really do but it does seem she is trying and Bosher really trusts her. He will let her do anything and he can be a naughty boy in the vets. She has consulted with a meds expert and another vet from outside of the practice and if he continues to improve then it might be ok. I promise I will seriously consider changing if something else happens. she was very concerned and saw him three times last week.

I really cannot thank you all enough. this place has been a god send. it really has.
Bosher and Elaine
xxxxx

[elaine]

ps...can anyone tell me the early signs to look out for if his potassium is getting too high or if he is having heart problems as mentioned in the thread. I know he cries when it is at 7 but vet couldnt tell me why he starts to cry......bit worrying. something must be going on within as to why he gets so upset when it gets to 7.

thank you xxx

[molly muffin]

If your vet is willing to learn how to treat cushings and addisons appropriately, then that is fine, but this is very serious and a misstep can have dire consequences, which is why we urge caution.

As far as noticing When the potassium has gone to high, petmd, mentions these symtpoms:

Arrhythmias
Weakness
Collapse
Flaccid paralysis (limp, not rigid paralysis)

However, I think by the time you get to that point, that Bosher is in trouble. So what you want, need is to make sure that Bosher is being regularly tested for potassium/sodium and at minimum a base cortisol test. Not even a mention of going back on vetroyl unless symptoms have come back completely and a full ACTH test is done and then and only then at a much smaller dose.

Your vet cannot just go by the Dechra insert, that hasn't been changed since they got FDA approval in the states and probably won't be changed, however, they themselves recommend a lower dosage than what is on the insert. Which is why we say that the vet has to be cautious.

What we know and learned about cushings and vetroyl has been due to the access that patients in the states have to Dechra themselves. A phone number to call, a case number opened on their pets, regular consultations with the vets and pet owners. Studies out of the universities ongoing.

None of this do you in the UK, nor I in Canada have access too. We are quite limited with the company ONLY speaking with the vets, if the vets call them and the vets usually getting their information from the drug reps, while in the US they actually have Dechra vets on board to answer questions by the owners.

Messed up right? Well, it is and we who are not in the US both suffer for not having that access and luckily have learned much because others that do have that access, share the information with us.

Hang in there. Maybe some of the others have a better idea of how to tell the potassium is going up, but Bosher might be the best way of telling since he cries. Although hate to see it get to that point. :(

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[elaine]

thanks Sharlene, i agree with not wanting his potassium to get so high that he starts to cry. i think perhaps him going off his food may also be a sign so if I see that now will get him to the vets asap for a blood test.

i think we have had a better week. hair regrowth is rapid. he is not vomiting on a diet of chicken and rice. he just seems much more like his young self and can see he is starting to get bored and is desperate to go for walks now....keeps pining at the window but the vet said he is not allowed and has to rest. i think that is the only thing upsetting him now apart from when he is left.

have been looking up the separation anxiety and think I have caused that. Bosher has always slept in his basket but as he was so ill I started to take him to bed with me. I think that has caused the separation anxiety.

he is back to the vets on thursday for more blood work but will rush him up if I see any warning signs before that and she has said she has no intentions of restarting the vetoryl. he is not showing any signs of cushings....no excessive drinking or stiffness etc.

thanks to you all again for the love and support you have shown. its so nice to come here and find people who understand what we are going through.

love to you all and hope you and your loved ones have an amazing 2014

xxxxxx

[doxiesrock912]

I'm glad to see that Bosher is improving.
The error that your vet made was life threatening and must not be repeated.

Please educate yourself more be reading the information provided under the "helpful resources" section on this forum. There are links to many good articles, proper testing protocols, meds etc.

[elaine]

Hi All,

Just thought I would post a quick update. Bosher's cortisol remains high, sodium normal and potassium high. the vet cannot test do the ACTH test as apparently there is a European wide shortage of the drug needed to do this and the manufacturers of Vetoryl cannot say when this will change so are advising vets to monitor electrolytes and cortisol levels. Bosher had these tests on Thursday and is looking like he is remaining on the Addisons spectrum for now. the vet is weaning him off the prendicare with a plan to stop this on the Wednesday before the 29th (sat) when she is going to take him back in for more testing. we are instructed to get him back to her if he shows any signs of illness.

He had two days last week where he appeared restless and agitated but now seems quite well and much more like his usual self. fingers crossed it remains like this for a while but still taking it day by day.

Elaine

[molly muffin]

Hi Elaine, great to hear an update on Bosher. If he remains in an Addison state, then he will probably continue to need the pred, so watch out for that okay.

So glad that he is acting more like himself. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

Since the stimulating agent is not available at this time I would recommend having the pre value of the ACTH test done.

Hugs, Lori

[Deezle's Mom]

Hi,
I am dealing with the same thing with our chihuahua poodle. He is 8 1/2 years old. He developed what they told us was Cushings and last night he started seizing. He's been on Vetroyl for a month. He had seizures until we got him to the hospital an hour later. They now say he has Addison's. I am waiting for a call from the vet. The emergency vet told me that treating Addison's is easier than Cushings so all is not bad. I feel like I have been run over by a truck. I know this isn't much help for you because I am new but want you to know that this is probably "normal" for Addison's.