Hi My name is Carmen, and my little Girl is Minnie

[Carmen]

Minnie, was first diagnosed, with diabetes in September 2013, first signs were almost over night, I woke up to find her water bowl empty, and Minnie lying beside the bowl, it concerned me and we went to the vet that night, to be told no problem, the next morning my husband took her back to the vet because Minnie could not get up stairs.
Were she spent 5 days and nights for the vet to tell us she wont make it:confused:my husband and I talked it over as Minnie is our last baby, we wanted to take her home for the night, we booked her in for euthanasia the next morning, after taking her home, she became full of life, playing with her favourite toy and making us ring the vet at midnight to say no way:eek:
After more test and countless amounts of money, to todays outcome of cushions disease, we are looking positive to a better future.
as this is new to us, and I have done so much research, Minnie results today are still sugar levels at it peak is 29, and lowest 17.
but Cushions disease treatment is working and her condition is improving, just cant believe her sugar levels are not responding
currently Minnie is on .2ml of caninsulin twice a day, the maximum she can have:mad: plus 20ml of trilsone caps, (Sorry for the wrong spelling )

[goldengirl88]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry your baby is having problems. So glad that you found us. Since Cushing's is a very slow progressing disease, I would say that you probably should have gotten the diabetes under control, before testing and treating for Cushing's. Cushing's tests can be skewed by other diseases. What tests were performed to diagnose Cushing's, and please get copies and post the abnormal numbers along with the normal scale given by the lab as they are all different. I am guessing these results may be skewed because of the uncontrolled diabetes. We do have a sister diabetes site. I am sure others whose dogs have diabetes will be on board to welcome you. Please tell us how much your dog weighs, the Cushing's symptoms he has, and the amount of Vetoryl prescribed daily. Has your dog had any other health issues? Blessings
Patti

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Carmen,

Welcome to you and Minnie from me as well! First thing I want to do is to provide you with a link to our sister site that deals with canine diabetes, the wonderful folks there will be able to help immensely with Minnie's diabetes, so here's that link: http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/

Now, I have some questions to ask :eek::D What symptoms did Minnie display that led you or the vet to test for Cushing's in the first place? Could you tell us what tests were performed to diagnose the Cushing's and could you post those results? How much does Minnie weigh? Besides the diabetes does Minnie have any other health issues? I see Minnie is on insulin, is she taking any other herbs/supplements/medications? Is her Vetoryl a liquid or capsule form, and is this being given twice a day? Is she taking her Vetoryl with food?

I am sorry for all those questions but the more we know about sweet Minnie the better or feedback can be, ok?

Please know we are here to help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask all the questions you want. ;)

Hugs, Lori

[Carmen]

Thanks to both of you for a reply, Minnie is (was) a long haired Chihuahua, she weights 4.5kg
Minnie is on Propalin, 0.01ml morning and night for bladder control, thistle milk herbal tablets 7000ml half morning and night, for liver
as well as 20ml trilastone caps with food.
She has chicken breast, lean heart smart beef, cauliflower, broccoli, beans and carrots mixed together, she has 70 grams, breakfast and dinner and only 50 grams for lunch.
she also has eukanuba diabetes biscuits, a cup full over 24 hour period.
Minnie's results I will post later, need to obtain copy from vet

Minnie's condition was bad that, although mentioned early of possible cushions, they never tested until March, she had a pot belly the whole time, She didn't lose hair as such, but she had so many shaved area's from all the test, I had her shaved to look better, but hair wasn't growing back, since starting treatment, her coat is thicking up.

[Carmen]

Minnie is 12 years old

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. :)

Minnie is just adorable. I love her avatar photo.

When was Minnie's last ACTH test? Do you have those results? and the ACTH or LDDS that was used to diagnose her?

One thing, you said that she is on 20mg trilostane. Is that once a day? According to Dr. Peterson, a world known authority on cushings and vetroyl (trilostane) when dogs have diabetes and cushings, he recommends a split dose, instead of 20mg once a day, she would have 10mg twice a day, morning and night. This would keep the cortisol balanced more through out the day. I would Definitely look into that as it might help with control of her diabetes better.

We'll try to answer anything we can, and definitely do join our sister diabetes site, great people and very knowledgeable. We have peeps who are members of both site.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

I agree 100% with what Sharlene has posted, for diabetic dogs it is very important to give the Vetoryl twice a day.



According to Dr. Peterson, a world known authority on cushings and vetroyl (trilostane) when dogs have diabetes and cushings, he recommends a split dose, instead of 20mg once a day, she would have 10mg twice a day, morning and night. This would keep the cortisol balanced more through out the day. I would Definitely look into that as it might help with control of her diabetes better.

[Carmen]

Hi Sharlene molly muffin, just typed a long reply and don't know what happened but lost it, will try again

Minnie had her first ACTH test 20/3/14, were she was started on 10ml cap, her second ACTH test was 3/4/14 which she was having 20ml cap, these were both only once a day with food, since her last test, the vet has decided not to increase here dose, but we are organising liquid, were she will be having 1ml, twice a day, which hopefully by your concern, could help to bring her insulin under control.

Minnie is improving in other ways, like her eyes are losing the bluish tinge, also her nose is softening, and skin condition is more hydrated. At this stage I don't have any results to share, But Minnie has had two in house ultrasounds, as well as a specialist Ultrasound, were diagnosed adrenal cushions, but very small, as to why they didn't start treatment ealier.
Will post test results when receive.

just like to thank everyone, these comments, ensure me I am not alone.

[Squirt's Mom]

I want to share my experience with Proin - a drug I failed to research before giving to my Squirt and she paid dearly for that failure. :( Last year I started the Proin and started noticing things almost immediately but I put them off to other things. Squirt was more restless; her appetite was off from time to time and she typically has a strong appetite; she would act as if she was hurting in her belly, jumping up from a sound sleep to look at her groin area; and a 100 other little things. After 9 months on Proin with me never associating the drug with what I was seeing, I found her in a pool of vomit one day - she had had a seizure. She almost didn't make it; it was touch and go for around 3 months. Giving Squirt the Proin is one of the biggest mistakes I've made with her care. :(

I'm not saying the Proin is causing Minnie any problems but I do want you to be aware of the potential this drug has to cause serious problems. Here are some links about it (BTW, it has been banned from certain counties).

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalV.../UCM296349.pdf


Table 6: Adverse reactions in the 28-day placebo-controlled clinical study
Adverse Reactions
PROIN
-
treated (N=123) (first number)
Placebo (N=61) (second number)

Emesis 20.3% 8.2%
Hypertension (≥ 160 mm Hg) 19.5% 14.7%
Anorexia 16.3% 3.3%
Body weight loss (≥5%) 16.1% 6.8%
Proteinuria 13.0% 8.2%
Anxiety/aggression/behavior change 9.7% 3.2%
Diarrhea 7.3% 9.8%
Polydipsia 6.5% 9.8%
Lethargy 5.7% 1.6%
Musculoskeletal disorder .2% 1.6%
Insomnia/sleep disorder 2.5% 0.0%

My Squirt displayed just about all of these but I didn't connect the signs to the drug.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/25...ects-of-proin/


Allergic Reaction

Dogs that are allergic to phenylpropanolamine or any of the components of Prion should not be treated with this medication. Improper use of Proin by hypersensitive dogs may induce a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms of a hypersensitive reaction in dogs include weakness, seizures, pale gums, facial swelling and difficulty breathing. Dogs who exhibit any of these side effects after taking a dose of Prion should be transported to an emergency veterinarian clinic immediately.

Squirt has recovered as much as she's going to from the effects of Proin on her system. She still can't drink correctly - it's as if she can no longer use her tongue right. She is still incontinent - the Proin did stop the leaking while she was on it. When I stopped the Proin she started passing LAKES of urine, not leaking, for a little while. Today she doesn't always leak but when she does I simply clean her and the floor...and am grateful this drug is no longer in her system. I'll take pee over what it did to her any day. Not all dogs react like Squirt did - many seem to do just fine but I wanted you to be aware.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[goldengirl88]

Welcome to the forum. All I would add to the mix is if your dog has an adrenal tumor like mine it is recommended that you have an ultra sound on a high definition machine every three months unless it is removed. Using the ultra sound in the vets office is not good enough as I learned unfortunately. You have to have a high definition or 3 d machine to make sure they can see everything. I never knew my Tipper also had an adrenal tumor until taking her to the hospital where they had one of these machines. You can just miss a lot on the vets machines is all I am saying. My Tipper goes back the 23rd for a recheck. Blessings
Patti

[Carmen]

Hi Patti and Tipper
Minnie has had a Ultrasound with the 3D machine, she has seen a specialist, who performed the ultrasound.
There is no discussion to remove this at the moment.
Thank you
Wishing you and Tipper health and happiness