New Member Question: Anyone have experience with Cushings brought on by medication?

[oldfashiongirl]

Hello everyone. I am new to the group and need some help. My 13 year old Pomeranian, Missy, has recently been diagnosed with Cushings disease, brought on my medication. Let me give you a little background: in 2007, Missy began having infrequent seizures. She was eventually diagnosed, via CT scan, with hydrocephalus (too much fluid on the brain). She was prescribed Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) that she has been on ever since. Dex is a relatively hard medication for the body to tolerate, especially long term, but she had no choice – without it, she would die. And she’s had a relatively good 6 years since that diagnosis.

However, Missy has been in a steady decline for the last year or so. Her hind end has become very weak and she has steadily lost all of the hair on her chest, back of her legs, and back. She has developed a recurrent skin infection that is resistant to standard antibiotics so she is now on a new antibiotic to see if we can get that cleared up. Her water intake/urination is increased. All of these symptoms have led our vet to believe that she has developed Cushings disease, brought on by the Dex. A quick google search confirmed to me that long-term use of Dex can cause Cushings.

So, I guess I am just looking to see if anyone here has some experience with this type of Cushings? Her bloodwork has come back normal except for extremely elevated liver values. I’m talking readings of +4,000 for something that should be in the 100 range. I apologize for not knowing the exact terms – I will be requesting copies of the lab results today in order to post them. Right now, the vet is more concerned with her liver values than with the Cushings.

Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated!

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Missy,

I have manually approved your membership so please just ignore the email confirmation request from us.

Steroid induced Cushing's can happen in dogs, which is known as Iatrogenic Cushing's, tapering the steroid use is the treatment for Iatrogenic Cushing's. However; this is not always possible, as in Missy's case.

If she is having accidents in the house, like many dogs with conventional Cushing's do, members have used belly bands and/or potty pads.

Has the vet mentioned trying any liver supplements such as milk thistle?

I am sorry for the reasons that brought you here but glad you found us, as we will help in any way we can.

Hugs, Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Welcome to you and Missy! :)

I, too, have a baby with Hydrocephalus but we are extremely lucky. Brick seems to have a built in pressure valve and when the fluid starts to build up too much, his body suddenly starts processing it. He pees like a race horse for a day or so - it is different from his normal urine. Then he is back to his usual happy self. From time to time he needs Pred but not very often. He is blind from the condition and has no coordination, plus he's double jointed just about every where! He is so funny to watch because he has no idea anything is wrong with him or different about him. He just barrels through life wagging his tail so hard it's a blur most of the time. Brick is the happiest dog I have ever met!

As Lori said, Missy is in a hard place - requiring a drug that causes another condition. I don't think treating the cushing's signs with the typical drugs would be an option - it would be counterproductive with the Dex. Plus I'm not sure I would ever give either Lysodren nor Vetoryl (Trilostane) to Brick with the Hydrocephalus in play.

There are things that can help the liver like the Milk Thistle. Schisandra is another herb that can help. Be sure to research all herbs before using them - they are drugs in their own right. Your vet can also try things like Denamarin. You might also talk to the vet about a liver friendly diet...he may be able to recommend something or send you to someone who can help with that. You can also find canine nutritional consultants online who do diets via email. And some Holistic vets have extra nutritional training. They could also help you with herbs and supplements that might aid the liver.

I'm glad you found us! I wish we had a clear cut answer for you but we will be with you and Missy every step of the way. You have a new family now. Never hesitate to ask questions - we will do our best to help.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[oldfashiongirl]

Thank you both so much for the support and initial feedback. I am definitely interested to hear that there is a scientific term for this type of Cushing's: Iatrogenic Cushing's. That will help me greatly with my research.

And thank you too for the suggestions on how to combat the high liver values. Is liver damage something that typically comes along with Cushings or do you think it would be more likely related to the years of Dexamethasone use?

So happy I found this group!

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Liver damage can be from both, high cortisol from cushings and since steroids mimic high cortisol in the body and it's reaction to it, then that too is hard on the liver and causes damage.

It is a very hard situation to be in. Have you thought about an ultrasound if that is feasible for you to have done, to check gall bladder, liver, etc? That might be an option to see exactly what you are dealing with and how it looks currently.

Welcome again to the forum
Sharlene and molly muffin