Possible atypical cushings!

[Heleno]

Hi, I am new to this forum and was hoping to find others in a similar situation to me!
My 10year old Jack Russell is undergoing tests and the moment we haven't reached a conclusion yet but so far we have the following
Enlarged liver with raised enzymes
Significant levels of protein in urine
Intermittent bloating, excessive urinating and drinking
We have tested for cushings and that came back negative
We have also ruled out heart, pancreatitis, thyroid, etc
So the vet is now investigating the possibility of him having atypical cushings he's having the blood tests tomorrow and next week he's booked in for a more advanced ultrasound of liver and kidneys possibly to include a liver biopsy.
Has anyone had any experience with this situation?
Many thanks
Helen

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Helen,

Welcome to you and your boy! Gosh, I am glad you found us but sorry for the reasons you need to be here.

The blood tests that he is having tomorrow, is one of them the adrenal steroid profile panel from the UTK (University of Tennessee Knoxville) Endocrinology, which is sent to their Lab to analyze? It would help us to provide you with more meaningful feedback if you could get copies of all tests and post those abnormal results here..e.g...ALT 150 U/L (5-50)...thanks! Also would you post the results from the tests that were done to diagnose Cushing's?

Dog's with Atypical Cushing's can have the same symptoms and blood abnormalities of a dog that has Conventional Cushing's. Elevations in the liver enzymes, particularly the ALP ( Alkaline phosphatase) is commonly found in dogs with Atypical and Conventional Cushing's, so I am curious as to why the vet feels that your boy needs a liver biopsy performed, which is an invasive procedure. How is your boy's appetite? Is his urine diluted?

I am including a link from our Resource Forum where you will find information regarding Atypical Cushing's: "Atypical Cushing's"/Congenital adrenal hyperplasia-like syndrome/ Hyperestrinism (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198)

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask them, and know that we will help in any way we can.

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Which test for cushings did you have done? The LDDS (8 hour) or the ACTH (2 hour) or both?

yes, I've definitely been down the road you are on and still am. Protein in urine, LDDS test negative for cushings, everything else tested good, except the liver and adrenals bilaterally enlarged, etc and liver enzymes raised.

I would suggest you also check Blood Pressure as that was the next thing to show up in my dog and it caused retinal bleeds which caused some sight loss.
So, think you'll want to have that checked regularly if you aren't already.

It does sound like you are having the UTenn panel done. We did that too. If you have not had the ACTH and only the LDDS I would suggest doing the ACTH too. We had to go ahead and put our dog on trilostane to bring down the cortisol, as the whole picture had to be looked at to get control of all 3 issues.