lameness using Vetoryl

[k9srule22]

Our dog has suddenly become lame. If I get her up she can run, but it is getting up that is difficult. It seems to have happened over night and the vet recommended euthanasia. We were devastated, but took her home to see if maybe it was an injury and she needed to recoup. I just read that this is a side effect of Vetoryl and was wondering if I stop the Vetoryl and treat her homeopathically, is there a chance that she will be able to get up on her own again. Does anyone have any experience with this? She will be fifteen, so having her comfortable is of the utmost importance. She is happy, eating and drinking well, so the decision for euthanasia has not been an easy one.

[labblab]

Hello and welcome, although I am so sorry your dog is having a hard time right now. I am not aware of lameness directly caused by Vetoryl, but it is true that lowering cortisol can increase the discomfort caused by arthritis or other inflammatory orthopedic conditions. I would not think this would typically occur overnight, however. I agree with you in that it sounds more like an injury of some sort.

Regardless, given your girl's age and the seriousness of the dilemma, I would think you have nothing to lose by stopping the Vetoryl for the moment in order to see whether that helps in any way.

Can you tell us more about her, though? What breed is she and how much does she weigh? How long has she been taking Vetoryl and at what dose? Has her cortisol level been tested recently? History of other health problems? I apologize for so many questions, but your answers will help better guide us with our suggestions.

Marianne

[flynnandian]

my flynn got lame overnight after starting vetoryl on day one.
he was a border collie working dog, 10 years of age, so he had arthritis which didn't show at all before vetoryl.
his joints were inflamed overnight, vet had never seen such a bad reaction on a low dosage of vetoryl.
i did stop the vetoryl, but he never recovered.
his lameness [arthritis] got worse and i had to put him down.
so i think in your case i would stop with the vetoryl.
it is more important that your 15 year old feels well.
arthritis is very painful.

[Spencersmom]

From what I've learned, the meds will reduce the cortisol production, so any illness that has been controlled because of her body's reaction to the Cushings will flair as the cortisol is reduced.

Could be that there has been an underlying issue that is presenting now. Not a reason for putting your baby down at this point, your Vet is giving up too soon and that concerns me!