Jack (13 y/o Jack Russell) coughing issues

[pipirela]

our 13 year old Jack Russell has been diagnosed with Cushings and under total of 40mg of Vetoryl daily. Has been on 6 different antibiotics to combat respiratory disease, mild pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. Heart disease, cancer and collapsed trachea have been ruled out.
Jack has a constant heavy cough, mild medication has not stopped, is afraid or moving and causing cough especially at night, is unable to sleep restfully as it seems lying down inreases the cough's frequency. The vet keep trying different medications to control the cough to no success.
Seeking experienced thoughts on how to alleviate the cough episodes

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site. I am sorry your boy is having these troubles.

Sorry but I have a few questions.

How long has he been coughing and did it begin when you started the Trilostane? Is the cough a dry hack or moist? Have chest x-rays been performed? You mentioning it is worse when he lays down points to something is adding pressure to increase this cough. Cushpups are prone to reoccurring and hard to resolve infections.

When you can, tell us more about the tests performed to diagnose Cushing's (ACTH, LDDS, abdominal ultrasound, elevated liver values from a blood panel CBC).

Also, had your vet prescribed any medication containing steroids for his cough? And were the Cushing's tests performed during this time?

How much does your boy weigh?

Keep us posted.
Terry

PS - here is a link to the Trilostane/Vetoryl brochure --- see page 8 (third column from the left) - mentioning "respiratory signs
(coughing, congestion)" ---- http://www.dechra-us.com/files//dechraUSA/downloads/Client%20Literature/38965_Technical_Brochure.pdf

[pipirela]

Jack weighs 31lbs.
The cough started long before Trilostane and Cushings diagnosis.
Cough is dry. X rays, ACTH, LDDS, heart, abdominal ultrasound, liver values from a blood panel CBC all been performed and under control now for a few months. Steroid were prescribed for a short time (during which Trilostane was termporarily stopped.

[mytil]

Thanks so much for the reply. This is indeed a bit of a mystery. I am guessing Kennel Cough and other fungal infections and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) have been ruled out too. It could be that his condition of chronic bronchitis has caused a lung inflammation that is not going away.

Let us know when your dog was diagnosed with Cushing's and post the actual numbers for the last ACTH monitoring test here so we can see the level of cortisol control.

Terry

[goldengirl88]

Have you had him checked for mucous from his sinuses, or post nasal drip?

[goldengirl88]

I haven't seen you on the forum, and wondered if you figured out what is causing Jack's coughing? I hope he is better, and doing well. Blessings
Patti