Boscoe, our Little Big Man (13 y/o Welsh Corgi)

[boscoe777]

This is my first post about our 13 year old Welsh Corgi, Boscoe, . Today we received confirmation of his Cushings Disease relating to the pituitary .

Boscoe is one of the greatest joys in our life.
Sharon & I have had many dogs over our 37 years but this Corgi is exceptional!! He is handsome, thick (38 lbs), composed, so friendly and plays really hard with his (often irritating) little sister Potsy... a 12 year old Mini-Doxie.

Over the past few weeks we had observed he was drinking more & more water...and then he started to have accidents...never before though. He would go to the door but just couldn't hold it. Also his tummy was tight and bloated yet his appetite maintained (controlled intake). He also was sleeping more and somewhat more reclusive than ever before...I am assuming that is because he just doesn't feel well.
When I took him to our great vet, Dr. Greg in Oklahoma, he immediately narrowed his issues down to a few possibilities. After a thyroid test followed by the 8 hour blood test, his Cushings was confirmed and we started him on 60 mg Vetoryl yesterday. He has started taking some thyroid meds as well.

Since we are brand new to this, my questions to all of you are...

1. How soon after your pup started their meds did you see a change? And what was it?
2. Did they slow down on the water intake / accidents?
3. And I really hope his belly softens up so he can relax
4. If this med has a positive affect, will he probably be on this (or some adjusted amount of it) forever?

So far I do not notice any change but he has not thrown up or experienced an adverse reaction.
Looking forward to hearing from you and learning more about your dogs

Rick in Oklahoma

[labblab]

Welcome to you and Boscoe! We are really anxious to learn more about him. :)

When you have the chance, it will be great if you will tell us more about his overall medical history, the symptoms that led to the Cushing's testing, and also the test results themselves. Thanks so much, in advance, for this info and welcome to our family!
Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Boscoe! :)

We LOVE details so tell us all about your Little Big Man - his health history, meds he may be taking now, his weight, what prompted the testing for Cushing's in the first place...just anything you can think of that will help us get to know Boscoe better. Don't worry about writing a book - we have some folk here who can write a novel with each post! (NOT that I am one! :D )

I want you to know that this diagnosis is not the end of the world tho I know you may be feeling just that right now. Cush pups can and do live out their normal lifespan and beyond with correct diagnosis and treatment. And you now have a new weapon in your arsenal - us. We are here to help in any way we can so never hesitate to ask questions.

It would help a great deal if you would get copies of all the testing done to diagnose the Cushing's and post the actual results here. That will help us give you the most meaningful feedback. It's a good idea to start a file at home of all testing done so you have all his info in hand should he ever need to see a different vet for any reason. ;)

I'm glad you found us and look forward to hearing more about your sweet boy soon!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[mytil]

Welcome from me too!

Like the others mentioned above, we love details. The more we know the better we can help you and Boscoe.

Terry

[boscoe777]

I will get Boscoe's test result next week and share those as well.
Thanks!!

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum. So Boscoe is 38 lbs and started on 60mgs of vetroyl. This might be a bit high as the current recommendation for starting dosage, is 1mg/1lb. This is a safer dose as you don't know how any dog will react to the medication and if it will be too much for him or not.
If you see any signs of vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, wobbly, not eating, stop the vetroyl immediately and get him in for a repeat ACTH test.

On appropriate dosage, as every dog is different normally you see a change within 10 days, or so the average seems to be on the forum here from what I have noticed.

yes, usually the water intake will decrease, but might not ever decrease to where it was. However, the accidents Should lessen too. It's all a vicious cycle with the peeing and water in take. They drink more because they pee more, so have to drink to stay hydrated. It's the effect on the kidneys.

The bloating should go away too and become more comfortable for him.

He will be on medication for the rest of his life, as there is no cure, only control of symptoms via cortisol.

We still want to see those tests results and I am posting a link to Dr. Petersons blog with the dosage recommendations.

http://endocrinevet.blogspot.ca/2012/12/low-dose-twice-daily-trilostane.html

Many vets start at once a day dosing and then if symptoms do not control throughout the whole 24 hours, then they go to splitting the dose to twice a day. (you don't split the capsules, just the dose, so instead of 60mg once a day, you'd give 30mg in the am and 30mg in the pm as an example) I'd be happier with starting at 40mg though.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[boscoe777]

These are Boscoe's meds for his Thyroid

Soloxine 0.4mg per tablet
1 Tablet by mouth twice a day (every 12 hours).

[Dixie'sMom]

I just wanted to pop in and check on Boscoe. I read his story when you first posted and was checking to see how he is doing. I had a friend with a corgi and they are great dogs, aren't they? Boscoe is really cute and sounds like a great best friend. Please post an update when you get a chance.