cushings bichon

[bluebear33]

my bichon has had cushings for over a year now.... no symptoms at first but rapid stims were done to confirm. i chose at the time to treat hositically since she only had pot belly and increased hunger...we get liver panels done every 2-3 months.... she has other complications as well inclduign arthritis and has had bladder stone surgery several times and is currentlyon the royal canine urinary so moderate calorie...part of me is very fearful of the side effects of vetroyl and im not sure what to do

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your girl! I was wondering if you would tell us more about your girl, such as: the symptoms she is displaying, posting all the herbs/supplements/medications she is taking, and posting the results of all tests that were done on her, we only need the abnormal values with the reference ranges and units of measurement..e.g...ALT 150 U/L (5-50)...Thanks! Also you mentioned that stims were done, were these ACTH stimulation tests? And if so, would you post those results too.

The two medications generally prescribed for canine Cushing's are Lysodren/Mitotane and Vetoryl/Trilostane. They are strong drugs, adverse effects are usually not seen unless the proper treatment protocols are not followed. We understand that you are fearful but we will help you and your dear furbaby in any way we can, we will walk this journey with you, ok?

Please do not hesitate to ask all the questions you want. ;)

Here is a link with info regarding vetoryl/Trilostane: Trilostane/Vetoryl Information and Resources (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185)

Hugs, Lori

[jas77450]

Welcome to you and your pup.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I have been in your shoes for many years actually. My dog only outward symptom was a bit of pot belly and increased liver enzymes. I treated with milk thistle, sam-e and monitored liver about every 3 months. She too is on urinary SO food.

Fast forward through 4 years and she developed within 2 months cloudy eyes, which was determined to be from hypertension, (high BP) that was caused by they said the protein loss in kidneys. (you see that +2 or +3 consistently in urine, that is an indication to monitor it. So, put it all together and it has caused her to have retinal bleeds which has incurred significant loss of focal point sight.

Now I'm not telling you this to scare you, I was as shocked as anyone, since she still doesn't have any symptoms that many others have, no excessive drinking, peeing, eating or hair loss. And the excess that affected my molly is probably due to having this for so many years if I had to hazard a guess.

I'm starting molly out at a conservative starting dose of trilostane, of 1mg/1kg. Another good option is 1mg/1lb, either of these are conservative starting doses and usually incur no problems. You retest in 10 - 14 days after initial dose, to check the cortisol. Give it in in the morning with meal.

Don't be scared, just have a healthy respect. You know your baby best and you'll know if something is off, which I wouldn't expect at a conservative starting dosage.

Hang in there, we'll be with you ever step of the way.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[bluebear33]

Charli does have lenticular sclerosis..but no cataracts thus far..she has arthritis also....she is going mon go have the eight hr. Test redone since dx a yr ago waa on a stim test....my baby hasnt went up and down steos for a yr due to mucsle weakness

[bluebear33]

Test results forthcoming

[molly muffin]

My molly doesn't like to go up the stairs, but she will go down first thing in the morning. She'll do one step and the deck steps, I think because they are wider or something, but if she is bothered at all, she'll stop at the bottom and put one paw up and wait for her "lift".

We'll be watching for the blood test results.

Sharlene and molly muffin

[bluebear33]

Ok here we go. The initial test done for cushings was the rapid stim a yr ago. Cjarlis base was 8.7 and her post was 23.7. This test was done cuz i had her getting a tumor removed and they realized her liver count was high and postponed tumor operation until they figured out liver count issues. At the time i chose not to treat bevause she didnt have alot of symptoms other then pot bellyand muscle weakness...since then, continued potbelly and appetite is ravenous.....she cant go up and down steps or walk real long. She does come to work with me everyday shes an ucertified therapy dog. I get charlis liver panel done every couple months. Here r results that were abnormal from aug 14. Her alt is 162 normal range is ( 10 to 100 ) her alkp is 448 normal range is ( 23 to 212) her hct is 36.3 percent lil low normal range is 31.3 to 61.7. Her plt is 542. Normal range is 148 to 484. Her pct is .61 pervent and normal range is .14 to ..46. Her glob was high in may but devreased normal range in aug....her glu is 117 range is 70 to 143 so shes normal there...ni diabities as of yet but vet said shes neen leamin on high end of norm...


Vet wants to do the eight hour test monday to reconfirm dx before starting vetroyl.

[molly muffin]

That wouldn't hurt to have done, the LDDS.
You want to know what you are dealing with if possible before starting.

It sounds like the symptoms are starting to kick in with the ravenous appetite too.

Sharlene and molly muffin