Cindy

[cindycerullo@att.net]

My 10 yr. old cocker, Dex, has been diagnosed with pituitary cushings and has been on 30 mg. of vesitrol for 10 days now with no improvement. He pants, shakes and paces all night. He cannot stay asleep or comfortable for more than about an hour tops. I have been giving him xanax prescribed by my vet but it only lasts for about 2 hrs. and then he is so groggy he stumbles around bumping into things. He also has to go outside to urinate several times during the night. I have been giving him magnesium powder in his food but it does not seem to have the calming effect I thought it would. Any suggestions? I am sleep-deprived and at the end of my rope.

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site. I am so sorry you and your pup are having to deal with this. We will help you and understand the stress this is causing.

Firstly, let us know how much Dex weighs. With this information we can see if he is getting too much or too little of the medicine. Here is some great information about Vetoryl ......AND the newest dosing protocol indicates starting at a low dose (1 to 2 mg/pound) and it may not have reached your vet yet. --- http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185


Secondly, you should be having a ACTH test performed to monitor the cortisol levels.

Shaking can be associated with the cortisol levels falling too low. If you are seeing increased shaking, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy IMO I would stop giving the Vetoryl and contact your vet.

And also let us know what the original test results were to come to this diagnosis when you get the chance.

Keep us posted
Terry

[labblab]

Does your vet know you are giving the magnesium powder? It can interact negatively with certain medications, and Vetoryl may be one of them. Also, depending upon the dose, it can cause these problems all on its own, at least in people:


Doses less than 350 mg per day are safe for most adults. When taken in very large amounts, magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large doses might cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing serious side effects including an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and death.

Unless the magnesium has been prescribed for a specific purpose, I believe it would be wise to discontinue it, at least for now while your dog is trying to get stabilized on the Vetoryl.

Marianne

[flynnandian]

in humans too much magnesium could also cause diarrhea.