My lex was diagnosed with cushings (12 y/o schnauzer)

[Indirahf]

My 12 yr old schnauzer was diagnosed with cushings this week. He had an acth test and the results were: 3,94 basal and 25,40 after an hr. He was prescribed 13 mg of vetoryl, he weighs 12 kg. Is that dose too low? I am so worried to start him on this med, I've read so many horrible stories.... Thanks for your help!

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your boy! I am so glad you found us and we will help in any way we can.

First I need to ask some questions, ok? Could you get copies of all tests that were done on your boy and post any abnormal values here, along with their reference ranges and units of measurement, as an example: ALT 150 U/L (5-50)...thanks! Has an urinalysis been done and if so could you post those findings too? What symptoms led you or your vet to test for Cushing's in the first place? Does your boy have any other health issues? Is he taking any other herbs/supplements/medications?

I do see that you posted some values which look like the results from an ACTH stimulation test, is this correct? And could you edit your post to add the units of measurement, these may look like this ug/dl...thanks!

Cushing's is NOT a death sentence for a dog and it progresses at a snail's pace. Success in treatment does depend on keen owner observation and a vet/IMS that is knowledgeable and experienced in treating dogs with Cushing's.

The starting dose of Vetoryl is based on a dog's weight. For your boy's weight of 12kg (26.4 lbs) 13mg is a low dose, however; we have seen less adverse effects when a dog is started at the low end of the dosage scale. Trilostane is the active ingredient in brand-name Vetoryl, and Vetoryl is not packaged in doses of 13mg, is your boy"s medication being compounded by a pharmacy?

We have a wealth of information regarding Cushing's in our Resource Thread so I am providing you with links to there in hope that this will help you understand Cushing's better, and if you want to print anything out please feel free.

Helpful Resources for Owners of Cushing's Dogs (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10)

Trilostane/Vetoryl Information and Resources (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185)

Ask all the questions you want and we will do our very best in answering them.

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. We have another little schnauzer here named Trixie, and she has has been on trilostane/vertroyl for 14 months now successfully.

Lori is right, it is when you start to high that you can get into problems, but starting low seems to be the right choice and I think it will be the same for you.

If you want to read about Trixie, Barbara's schnauzer journey and treatment, this is her thread. I think it will help put your mind at ease. Trixie is doing just fine on her treatment.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5155

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Indirahf]

Hi Lori and Sharlene!

So glad I found You guys and can count on your experience. So here's the story. We're from Brazil and things here are a little different. It took me 4 months to find out what was wrong with Lex, he's been extremely thirsty, drinking loads of water, skin full of rashes, and has gained so much weight. And also has been short of breath and panting a lot. Vets here couldn't find out what he had and finally sent me to a specialist. This new vet ran tons of exams (which i don't have right now) and the last one was this ACTH test, which diagnosed him with cushings. The exam was 3,94 ug/dl (basal) and 25,40 ug/dl after an hr. I bought 60 mg vetoryl and this lab here will transform it into 13 mg capsules ( it's how they do it here). So the vet is right to prescribe a low dose? Makes me feel a little better.....

[molly muffin]

Well I am very glad that you were finally able to get a diagnosis for Lex and get started. 13mg would be fine for her to start. It might be low, but lets see how he does on it and if you need to go up, you can do so in small increments. That seems to work.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[goldengirl88]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry your baby is having troubles. I am so glad you started low, you deserve a high five!! That is the safest way to do this. You dog will be able to adjust to the drug, and the lower cortisol better this way. You can look at Trixie and Barbara's thread. She has a schnauzer too that she is managing on trilostane. Best of luck to you and your baby. Blessings
Patti

[Indirahf]

Thanks! He'll be starting on monday. What should I be looking out for as far as symptoms? I'm feeling a whole lot better about this thanks to You guys.

Hugs,

Indira and Lex

[goldengirl88]

If you are talking about Addison's you will be looking for diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, can't stand up/walk, won't eat. Anytime you have a dog on trilostane that becomes sick stop the trilostane immediately. It only lasts in their system 12 hours. You are starting low so your worries are minimized. Blessings
Patti

[Indirahf]

Just to let you know that lex has been on 13 mg vetoryl for 2 weeks now and is doing great! He even lost some weight. I'm very relieved and feeling hopeful. He'll be going to the vet again on the 18th to test and see if dose is sufficient. Really glad we started him on a low dose.

Thanks for everything ladies!

Lex and Indira

[Harley PoMMom]

If Lex has been on Trilostane for 2 weeks an ACTH stimulation test should of been done. How are Lex's symptoms? Any diahrrea or vomiting?

Hugs, Lori

[Indirahf]

Hi Lori. No vomiting or diahrrea. His acth test is scheduled for the 18th. Should he be taking it earlier? He's been doing fine, haven't noticed anything different, only less water consumption. He went to the vet last wednesday and got weighed, had lost almost one kg.

[molly muffin]

Yay, glad that he is doing okay

I'd think the 18th would be fine, that is this coming tuesday, as long as he continues to do fine.
They like to usually get it done between 10 - 14 days though for the first one to make sure they are on the right track.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

Yay, glad that he is doing okay

I'd think the 18th would be fine, that is this coming tuesday, as long as he continues to do fine.
They like to usually get it done between 10 - 14 days though for the first one to make sure they are on the right track.

Sharlene and molly muffin

I totally agree with Sharlene. ;) I will have everything crossed for good ACTH stim numbers, and if you could post those results when they come in that would be great...thanks!

Hugs, Lori

[goldengirl88]

Glad to hear Lex is doing so well on his treatment. Hoping for good numbers on the ACTH. Blessings
Patti

[Indirahf]

Hi ladies!
We finally got our results back. His cortisol levels are at 3,67 which the vet says is great. He's been on 13 mg daily of vetoryl and she says there is no need to increase the dose. What do You think? Are these numbers good? Thanks!

Lex and Indira

[Indirahf]

3,67 ug/dl

[goldengirl88]

are you meaning 3 and 67?? I don't understand these numbers?

[Indirahf]

It's in portuguese but this is what it says:
Cortisol post acth
Results 3,67 ug/dl

[labblab]

It's in portuguese but this is what it says:
Cortisol post acth
Results 3,67 ug/dl
I think that in Portuguese, a comma is used instead of a period to notate a decimal. So here in the U.S., the result would be 3.67 ug/dl. And yes, that is a very good post-ACTH result at the 30-day mark. I would not increase, either. :)

Marianne

[Indirahf]

Thanks Marianne, you're right, 3,67 is the same as 3.67. I'm so relieved to hear from You that these are good numbers 😄

Indira and Lex

[goldengirl88]

Thanks Marianne I did not know about that either.

[labblab]

Indira, here's the link to a monitoring flowchart that will help you assess this and future ACTH test results. One hint: I think it can be easier to read the chart if you actually print the pages out on paper. ;)

http://www.dechra-us.com/files//dechraUSA/downloads/Client%20Literature/47902_VETORYL_10mg_Treatment_and_Monitoring_Brochu re_Update_3_2_ps.pdf

Marianne

[Indirahf]

Thanks!!! 😄

[goldengirl88]

That was some real good information Marianne posted for you. I hope your dog continues to do well. Sorry about asking about your numbers, I was unfamiliar with that. Blessings
Patti

[molly muffin]

Just popped in and saw you had an excellent post ACTH result. Congratulations. That is a very good number and hopefully you'll be right there in that sweet spot at this dosage for a long time to come. :)

Sharlene and molly muffin