New to Cushings disease

[Kathysue]

Hi all! So happy to have found this forum! My 13 yr old girl Windy is in the process of being diagnosed. Took her to the vet on fri as she has all the classic symptoms. Vet did complete cbc but is almost certain this is what she has. Will get initial labs back on Monday and then he wants to do a $300.00 dexamethasone sp? test to be able to start her on the 100.00 med a month! Cost is but isn't a factor as we will spend whatever to help alleviate her symptoms. She is ou baby and the best dog we have ever had! She also has been pretty much maintenance free and very healthy up until now! Been reading a lot on this forum but I do have a question on feeding. She is on a high quality all life stage organic turkey/chicken no grain food right now 2 cups per day. What is suggested for her diet? What is good and what is bad to stay away from. Also she is on senior vitamins and rimadyl for arthritis and tramadol when needed for pain.She has gained around 22 lbs. Went form 55 to 77

[Kathysue]

Can someone please tell me what the best food to feed for Cushings may be? Thank you!

[Squirt's Mom]

MODERATOR NOTE: I have merged your post about diet into Windy’s original thread. We normally like to keep all posts about each pup in a single thread as it makes it easier for members to refer back to the pup's history when needed. Thanks!

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Windy! :)

As for diet, what you are feeding now sounds very good and I would not change it unless she develops problems from it. We normally recommend no feed changes at the beginning of treatment anyway to help reduce the risk of a confusing picture since reactions to feed changes and low cortisol share some of the same signs. So if I were you, I would continue feeding as usual. In general, cush pups need to watch fat intake as they are prone to pancreatitis. Moderate proteins and lower fats are good for cush pups.

The dex test is the LDDS and is an all day test. If Windy gets stressed at the vet's, you might ask about keeping her with you between draws. You could go home if close enough, a park, anywhere to help distract and calm her. You would need to take her in 3 times for this test.

If you would post the abnormal values only from the blood work done so far, that would help us a great deal. Be sure to include the little letters and the normal ranges for each value. It would look something like this -

ALP 1500 ug/dl 130-300 (EXAMPLE)

When you get the LDDS results, let us see them as well. It is a good idea to establish the habit now of getting copies of the actual results from her testing from now on and starting a file at home. Not only will this allow you to enter any vet office anywhere with her history in hand, it will also allow you to answer alllll the questions we ask. ;):D

Cushing's is manageable and the pups can and DO live out their normal lifespans and beyond with proper treatment. You and Windy have a new family now and we will be with you all the way. I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more soon.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

Yes I agree I wouldn't change food right now. Moderate protein, moderate fat, is usually a good place for cushing dogs, so you should be good with the food you are feeding.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Kathysue]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Kathy and Windy Lou!

[Kathysue]

Thank you so very much for your reply! I will be getting the initial results back on Monday and will post them here! This is all so overwhelming and I a so very glad to have found this new family to help us though it! Hugs to you! Love Kathy and Windy Lou!

[Kathysue]

Windy lous lab results: Everything appears within range except ALKP Triglycerid AKLP =High at 709U/L normal is within 5-160 Trig 1126 mg/dl Normal range 20-150 Pancreatic LipisIM High at 295ug/L Normal range 0-200. Today they are doing a urine analysis/ cushings? Put her on a prescription diet of Royal Canin. Im confuse don't know what this all meand only spoke with vet for a few minutes! Any help out here? Thank you and ((((((hugs))))) Kathy and Windy

[molly muffin]

Is Windy lou a schnauzer by any chance? They can get high triglycerids quite often.
Which Royal Canine did they put her on? Low fat?

Are they doing a urinalysis today? or a UC:CR? (checks cortisol in urine) or a urinalysis and a cushings test?

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Kathysue]

Hi Sharlene, Windy is a German Wirehair Pointer and yes it is Royal Canin low fat. Should have urine results tomorrow and I do believe it is too check for cortisol in the urine.I know that her trig are very high as are her pancreatic lipase levels.Vet asked me again if she has been vomiting. I have not seen her vomit at all.Thank you for your reply! I have 2 different friends that have scnauzers and both had pancreas issues. One passed from a severe attack sadly!

[molly muffin]

Oh that is so sad.

Sounds like the vet is concerned about pancreatis, with the lipase levels elevated. If that is the case, small meals, usually boiled chicken and very mushy rice several times a day works well to get it back under control.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Kathysue]

I know that after some reading that cushings and pancreatis can go hand in hand! Maybe I will try the boiled chicken breast and rice for a few days! Thank you for your help! ust feeling a little overwhelmed right now! Kathy and Windy Lou

[molly muffin]

Overwhelmed is to be expected. We all came here a Lot overwhelmed and scared and just tons of emotions. The more you learn, the more balanced you'll feel, although I admit we all still have our moments. I do anyhow. :)
Luckily there is a great support group here to help when those times hit, so just hang in there and you'll do just fine.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Kathysue]

Sharlene, So has Molly not have Cushings or have you just decided not to treat her for it? What is ACTH positive?

[molly muffin]

Hi Kathy,
We've since discovered that Molly has protein loss kidney disease. She is not currently being treated for cushings, but she does have ACTH test showing high cortisol. We are actually going to be retesting that this thursday.
LDDS testing is what has been consistently negative, so no one seems sure if we are dealing with cushings or not.

It can certainly be a confusing road to travel at times.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[Kathysue]

Bless your hearts! Prayers for you and your girl that they can figure this all out and help her and you to feel better!