Sharing Maggie's story

[dana67]

Hello everyone! I came across this site last fall when Maggie, our wonderful cockapoo (24 pounds or so, turned 12 last October) was finally diagnosed with Cushing's. I say finally as her liver enzymes had been elevated for 14 months prior to the diagnosis being confirmed (through lots of blood tests over many weeks) in September. It was good to have a reason for the enzyme levels, as well as to explain her excessive thirst and panting. She started VETORYL 30 mg and had really no side effects. In addition to her primary care vet, we see an "alternative" care vet who has prescribed some Chinese herbs to combat the "heat" associated with Cushing's. Her daily dose was increased to 40 mg in November, but then reduced again in February after her ACTH blood test. Seems there is some controversy between the DECHRA recommended blood levels/dosages and our regional "Veterinary" association recommended levels, so we have erred on the side of caution. She has had two Urinary Tract infections over the last 5 months, as well as what I call a "gooey eye", for which she takes a daily dose of MAXITROL. Lately, she really seems to be doing the best she has since last summer (knock wood--hope I am not jinxing this!). She has more energy, isn't snoring as much, and just seems like her old (senior) self. We know she is not the puppy she used to be, but we are so grateful that she is still with us, as I had really started to prepare myself for her early demise. We are realistic about her prognosis, and because we are in Canada, are spending a sweet fortune on all her meds (also takes Zentonyl and Osteosupport) but she is like one of our kids and we have just made the commitment to do this for now. Just got off the phone with two local pharmacists about getting her eye drops through them and possibly getting a compounded version of the Vetoryl (which brought me back here to research this option). Now that time has passed and I can share positive news, thought I would finally write! :)

[goldengirl88]

Welcome to the forum. Glad your baby is doing well. Could you explain this gooey eye to me and what the vet said it is caused by? My dog is having a lot of mucus in her eye in the morning, and sounds congested when sleeping so I am curious about this. Blessings
Patti

[molly muffin]

Welcome Dana and Maggie to the forum. So glad you posted. We love the doing good posts. :)

Isn't that the truth about everything costing a small fortune in Canada. *sigh* I know, I'm here in Canada too.

We use Heppato Support by RxVitamins, through my vet it is 70.00 for 90 cap.
I don't know how much Zentonyl runs. Antibiotics though are yowser expensive!

So glad Maggie is doing well, knock wood, and hopefully continues to do so.

What range does your vet association give for vetroyl testing?

Sharlene and Molly muffin

[Junior's Mom]

Welcome to the forum. It's great to hear of a dog doing well. I am also in Canada, and the price of medications is incredible here. I don't know about the other drugs, but I have begun getting my vetoryl compounded (trilostane), from Diamondback Drugs, in Arizona. I have them ship through the mail, rather then a courier. It keeps the price down, and is easier for me to pick up. It does mean it takes about 2 weeks to get after the order is faxed by my vet, but it is less than HALF the price, so well worth it.

[Trixie]

Welcome and so glad to read your dog is doing well!! You sound like me with the jinxing thing! :D I always think I'll jinx the good stuff if I write about it too much! ;)

Hope Maggie continues to do well!!

Barbara

[dana67]

Welcome to the forum. Glad your baby is doing well. Could you explain this gooey eye to me and what the vet said it is caused by? My dog is having a lot of mucus in her eye in the morning, and sounds congested when sleeping so I am curious about this. Blessings
Patti

Hi Patti. She apparently has "dry eye" and needs these MAXITROL drops 1-2x per day. She gets a yellowy gooey discharge if we don't keep on top of it. In December/January, the goo increased, she had some nasal discharge and sneezing, then she started holding her head to the side, and her third eyelid looked droopy. Took her to the vet who suggested we increase the drops to 2x per day (there is a steroid in them so we have to be careful b/c of the CUSHINGS), gave her an antibiotic injection, and she said she was concerned that there may be a tumour in her nasal cavity and that we should do an x-ray (for the low price of $250.....for which I probably wouldn't treat anything like cancer right now at her age).....I decided to wait it out and it's gotten much better. I give her the drops still every day and it's definitely not getting worse.

[dana67]

Welcome Dana and Maggie to the forum. So glad you posted. We love the doing good posts. :)

Isn't that the truth about everything costing a small fortune in Canada. *sigh* I know, I'm here in Canada too.

We use Heppato Support by RxVitamins, through my vet it is 70.00 for 90 cap.
I don't know how much Zentonyl runs. Antibiotics though are yowser expensive!

So glad Maggie is doing well, knock wood, and hopefully continues to do so.

What range does your vet association give for vetroyl testing?

Sharlene and Molly muffin

Not sure of the ranges.....our primary vet was using the dosage chart in the package (though she admits she has had limited experience with CUSHINGS), but the other vet we see (whose treated many dogs, including her own) said that the "Atlantic Vet Association" would say that her levels were too low (??) and we should decrease from 40 to 30 mg daily.

[goldengirl88]

Could you call the vets and get copies of the testing done so we can see the numbers. It is really important so we can see what his going on. Without the abnormal numbers we are in the dark. Thank you to for the eye information. I am wondering about my Tipper, and we see the eye Dr. next month. He has consistently told me her eye fluid is good, so I am trying to investigate the other possiblilties. Blessings
Patti

[dana67]

I said when I wrote and introduced "us" two weeks ago that I hoped I wasn't jinxing things as Maggie (12.5 year old cockapoo) was doing so well....no really, I am not that superstitious. But.....last Friday she vomited (first time in prob 8 years!) so I called the vet as I had been told that is a flag for a dog on Vetoryl...she said to monitor over the next few days but to come in if she got worse. She was then fine but she wouldn't take any meds, so called Vet on Monday to report that she seemed okay when sure enough, she vomited again. She is drinking the same but appetite definitely decreased. Took her in yesterday for blood panel and ACTH test. Blood panel was done immediately pointing to kidney failure. ACTH results not yet back (prob tomorrow) and vet wants a urine sample to analyze for protein. This has been such a roller coaster. The vet doesn't always answer my pointed questions which I find frustrating. I realize this could be end of life but such a burst in my bubble when I thought she was finally stable and doing so well. Trying to be realistic yet this breaks my heart. I know she is a senior and we've done more than some would in terms of treatment for a dog at this age. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

[Iraklis]

Do you have the kidney values?
(Any of BUN, Creatinine, Phosphorus, Amylase, Albumin)?

Have you stopped the Vetoryl?

Maybe put some freshly squized lemon juice to get her to drink more water would help a bit..

[Squirt's Mom]

MODERATOR NOTE: I have merged your post about the vomiting into Maggie’s original thread. We normally like to keep all posts about each pup in a single thread as it makes it easier for members to refer back to the pup's history when needed. Thanks!

[Squirt's Mom]

If your vet did not tell you immediately to STOP the Vetoryl and bring Maggie in for an ACTH and electrolyte check when you told them about the vomiting, you need a new vet NOW. If you have not stopped the med, do not give another dose until you can chat with us for a bit.

Please, please, please get the test results and post them here. You paid for the tests, you have a right to the results. Don't let them give you any guff about getting them! If your vet is not willing to listen to you and talk to you when you ask questions, that is another BIG reason to find another vet today.

When I adopted Trinket I was told she was in kidney failure but once she was home and feeling better, those values improved greatly and that original diagnosis was proven wrong. Even if the vet happens to be right about Maggie, there are things you can do to help and give them quality time - more time than you think in many cases. ;) BUT let's not worry about that right now. First get the test results and let us see them, ok?

You are not alone regardless. We will be with you and Maggie all the way.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[labblab]

It sounds as though you did have an ACTH and a blood panel performed, and the ACTH should be back today. Just wanted to tell you that if Maggie's cortisol and/or aldosterone levels have dropped too low ("Addisonian" condition), that could account for certain lab abnormalities that can be misinterpreted as kidney failure. So the results of the ACTH will be very important in conjunction with the other lab values. Maggie's kidneys may be fine, but other restorative treatment may be necessary to rebalance her cortisol or blood chemistries.

Marianne

[goldengirl88]

Please no more Vetoryl. Did you vet describe the overdose signs to you? If not that is really sloppy practice. The vomiting, lethargy, won't eat, diarrhea, can't stand are all signs to stop the Vetoryl. You never give Vetoryl to a sick dog. It can always be restarted so don't worry about stopping it. Please post the test results so we can help you with this or you could run into problems. Blessings
Patti

[Squirt's Mom]

...when I wrote and introduced "us" two weeks ago that I hoped I wasn't jinxing things as Maggie (12.5 year old cockapoo) was doing so well....no really, I am not that superstitious. But.....last Friday she vomited (first time in prob 8 years!) so I called the vet as I had been told that is a flag for a dog on Vetoryl...she said to monitor over the next few days but to come in if she got worse. She was then fine but she wouldn't take any meds, so called Vet on Monday...

Maybe I am misreading the above but it reads to me as if you told the vet on FRIDAY she had vomited and the vet simply told you to "monitor" - nothing about stopped the med THEN or about bringing her in for an ACTH on Fri. The vet did not see her until Monday to do the ACTH - three days later in which Maggie was apparently still trying to take the meds. Am I off base? If so, I apologize for telling you to get another vet.