Bunny's coat after a year and half on trilostane...

[bunny]

Hello I'm brand new to this forum. My 13 yr old chihuahua Bunny has had Cushing's disease for about a year and a half and is doing alot better on the medication. Her cortisol level has stayed within the normal range since starting treatment. She still does have symptoms tho her skin is dry her coat is thin .

My question to anyone who may know: her coat is still very thin. with some thinner patches. I'd like to give her some kind of supplement to help her coat
Eggs vitamin E fish oil or something else I'm not sure what would help does anybody know? Thank you!

[labblab]

Hello and welcome to you and Bunny! To start us off, I have a couple of quick questions for you. Can you tell us what medication you are using to treat Bunny's Cushing's, and also how recently you have had her cortisol response monitored? The actual numerical results for any monitoring testing (most specifically, any ACTH stim tests) will be especially helpful. It is actually the case that Cushpups being treated with either trilostane (Vetory) or Lysodren should have cortisol levels that run lower than the usual "normal" range for a dog who does not suffer from the disease. So depending upon Bunny's cortisol levels, it may be the case that her skin and coat issues would improve with an increase in her medication.

Marianne

[bunny]

Hi Marianne thank you for your reply yes she is on trilostane. the generic for vetoryl. She gets tested every 3 months. She was tested last month. I dont have cortisol number but I can call the vet tomorrow and find out. So I think what you are saying is that if her fur is still thin and skin is still dry then it's not that she need supplements but that her Cushing's is not being fully treated?

What cortisol level do you feel is optimal for a dog with cushings disease?

I have hyperthyroidism so I understand that the normal ranges don't necessarily correlate to the individual.....

Thank you...

[labblab]

Thanks for your quick response! Here is a link to the U.S. Product Insert for brandname Vetoryl. It contains the target therapeutic range for post-ACTH testing for Cushpups being treated with the drug. As you will see, their recommended range is between 1.45 ug/dl and 9.1, so long as symptoms are being well-controlled. If not, they recommend that the cortisol level not exceed 5.4 ug/dl. This is a significantly lower range than is the norm for a non-Cushpup.

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

But this is just one thought as to what may be going on with Bunny's skin and coat. Do you know whether her thyroid level is within normal range? It is not uncommon for Cushpups to also suffer from low thyroid levels, sometimes requiring supplementation. Since hypothyroidism commonly results in skin/coat issues, this might be a another avenue to explore.

Having said all that, it may still be helpful to imcorporate some other types of dietary or topical supplementation, no matter what the root cause of the skin issues. So hopefully some of our members with more experience in that realm will soon be by to offer suggestions.

Marianne

[bunny]

Thank you Marianne that was really excellent advice. I will have her thyroid level checked. I will also compare what her cortisol levels are with the statistics website you gave me. It's good to understand that these issues can be addressed and that bunny doesn't have to live with these symptoms. Thank you so much.

Jen

[Renee]

Marianne gave you excellent advice.

You might try examining her diet to see if that is contributing to poor coat as well. Fish oil and coconut oil are very good supplements to help support a healthy coat. Dogs can overdose on vitamin E, so make sure you don't give more than the recommended dose, which for a chihuahua would be very small.

[flynnandian]

i also use fish oil, the human gel caps. how many do you all give? i give them only one per day. is that enough? maybe interesting to know which dose to use. hope they will help to improve bunny's coat.

[Renee]

My pugs are between 18-22 pounds. They get one 1200mg fish oil pill per day.

[flynnandian]

i just found out that mine are 1500 mg. my dogs are 25-30 pounds.

[Renee]

i just found out that mine are 1500 mg. my dogs are 25-30 pounds.

I think this is fine, since the average dosage is 1,000mg per 20 pounds. Obviously, mine are a little on the high side.

[flynnandian]

thank you renee i did not know what the average dosage was.

[bunny]

Thank you everyone for the replies I will definitely try the fishoil she is about 13 pounds so I'll give her about a thousand milligrams a day and see how that goes!

[addy]

Hi and welcome,

How is Bunny's fur" Is it greasy looking at all or dull? Cush pups are prone to skin infections and skin problems and sometimes they can be within therauputic range but need their skin addressed. Things you would want to look for are little white pimples, flecks of brownish colors, greasier than normal coat in some areas, dandruf scales, dry and thin skin.

Hugs,

[molly muffin]

Oh she is cute :)
love the avatar
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Budsters Mom]

Bunny's avatar is so adorable. She looks like a little kangaroo Joey. :p