What is the best food to feed

[Heartbroken2]

My dog 7 yrs old who is my service dog was just dx. I was wondering is there any brand type food better to use? For 7 yrs he has eaten dry buffalo blue chicken rice would like any input. I am so devastated over this situation.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Okay the good thing is that cushings Is treatable.

moderate fat content (not too high) and a good brand food is the best. Especially with the high cholesterol and trig, you don't want to high in fat content. Cushings dogs are prone to pancreatic attacks, and high fat can be a risk.

What test was done to diagnose the cushings? What symptoms does your dog have?

Do you have copies of the tests? If so then if you could post any values that are abnormal high or low with the range, such as ALKP 350 ug range 50 - 150ug
That would help us to give you feedback.

There are two medications typically used to treat cushings. Lysodren and Vetroyl . Usually what your vet has the most experience with is what is used. There are different guidelines for each drug. Has your vet mentioned which one he is thinking of?

That should give you started. We're very glad you found us too and there will be others around to say hello too.

Welcome

[Heartbroken2]

Molly Muffin. I don't understand why I can't respond or ask more ?
Butters is 85 lb mix. 1/2 golden 1/2 wolf. He is my service dog. In which is creating issues with his constant urination along with thrust
He needs to pee every 2 hrs. I do have ? When he had the ACTH stim test. My vet told me he would need this often so they will know dosage to give him. Just wondering if others can inform me. The 2 vials of blood the test was $260. It seemed very high to me esp since she told me may be 2x at least monthly. I understand to much of the drug can make the situation go to Addison Disease. :(:(

[Heartbroken2]

Thank you Molly
I can't understand why I can't reply having difficult on site
I have some ? My 85 lb mix golden & wolf is my service dog in which having major issues & afraid he will not be able to continue as a working dog. Major thirst with need of urination at least 2-3hrs. I looking back trying to see when changes started. I have switched off of buffalo blue- I think they have a great marketing team but now I wish I never used it. He is know Science diet digestion & doing well have seen drastic change of pot belly. My vet informed me that the ACTH testing will be needed often to make sure dosage correct in which I under stand to much if medication can switch to Addison Disease. Just wondering how often have others dogs been having test done. Just curious of cost for me $260 each time.

[Squirt's Mom]

You are replying perfectly. Just keep doing as you are. Hit "Reply" and type in the box that pops up then hit "Submit" and you are done. :)

Cost of the tests varies from place to place and what you were charged is in line tho a bit higher than some. You want to know from the vet what you are being charged for - which tests. Some tests are more than others and some are not needed every time the ACTH is run. For example, there is not usually a need to run labs looking at liver values every time the ACTH is done. So know what your vet is planning to test for and that will help you keep up with cost a bit more.

A pup just starting treatment will get a test 2 weeks after starting, then another in 30 days, another in 60-90 days and if all is well at that point, testing will be done 2-4 times a year. HOWEVER, if the dose has to be changed either up or down, the testing schedule starts all over at the 2 week point. Expenses do drop once the pup is settled on a dose. ;)

Personally, I would have kept him on the Blue and never put him on Science Diet. Science Diet is a much worse feed than Blue Buffalo. If he was doing well on the Blue, I would put him back on it for now and leave the feed alone. You do not want to be changing feeds when starting treatment. The signs of an overdose on these meds is the same as some of those when new feeds cause digestive upsets. You do not want to cloud the picture when dealing with a cush pup if it is at all possible to avoid. ;)

It would help a great deal if you could get copies of the actual test results and post them here.

I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more. Keep posting like you have been and you will soon feel quite comfortable talking with us like this.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[LauraA]

Hi Heartbroken
Initially you have to test often to get the right dose. Generally if all is going well the first test is at 2 wekkes, then at 30 days and then if it good you can go to 3 monthly blood tests. If money is tight though and your dog is regulated then the vet may stretch this out to 4-6 monthly. If there is a change of dose then it is recommended to have a test two weeks after the adjustment. So at the beginning it can get a bit expensive if you need to keep increasing/decreasing to get in the correct range, but once the cortisol is under control it does become a lot cheaper.

I use trilostane (which is Vetoryl) and I get this from a compound pharmacy, it works out a lot cheaper than buying the named brand Vetoryl so that has saved me a lot of money.

[Heartbroken2]

Thank you both. I had a long discussion with my vet today. He had ultrasound last week & on Monday had initial ACHT stim test done.
Pre injection he was 10.5. After injection he was over 50. My vet told me they usually treat 20 or higher. Butters is my service dog but at this time I have not been able to bring him out of house with me. He drinks crazy amounts of water & need to pee so much every 2-3 hrs.
The pot belly. My vet did tell me once he is started on trilostane which I believe same as vetoryl he wound need 30mg twice a day & return 10-14 days for ACHT stim test again to see if meds need to be adjusted. I do trust my vet my ? Was just the amount of ACHT was $258. I was just curious if that is in the ball park. I have had butters since 08. Being my service dog he is part of me I want to thank you for info looking at pharmacy for med instead go getting it from vet. I personally have Been battling cancer & reason why I am ? $ is that the trial drug I have been on 5 yrs now is not FDA approved & I have to pay for the med. it's 32 grand a yr. & due to my situation I can not work. I thank you for your help.
Robyn

[molly muffin]

The cost of the ACTH is in the ball park of what others pay.
don't forget that you can get trilostane compounded at and since Butters is 85lbs, you could do say 40/40 or 35/35 more and night, with the cost being cheaper through an online pharmacy like Diamondback drugs as one possibility.

Once the cushings post number comes down, then normally the drinking and peeing will resolve to, so it is worth it to do proceed with the treatment and be able to have Butters with you when you go out. I am sure with the cancer that it is much more comforting to have him with him.
That is one expensive med you are taking, and I can see where it would be a financial drain, but not a lot of choice when needed.

Let us know how things are going.

[Heartbroken2]

I want to thank you both for information. I went to new vet yesterday as 2nd opinion & my concerns about $$ with cost of frequent ACTH stim test. Crazy when I called 12 vets in areas cost for went $260-$525. Crazy on such a big difference. Turns out my 2nd opinion dr highly recommend works out of 24/7 hospital. The cost for ACTH $99. So Butters has a new vet & confirmed all my regular vet treatment plan. So yesterday he was started on Vetoryl 30mg twice day. I purchased the 15 day from the vet. Thanks to your recommend I did find much cheaper at Lambert Vet Supply 45 days was $148. So thank you all I just hope this works
Robyn

[molly muffin]

Awesome price for the ACTH test!

I hope this works too!!!! Crossing fingers and do let us know okay!

[Heartbroken2]

I see such a difference in Butters already decreased water & need to urinate He also perky. I can't thank you enough. Enjoy the holiday
Robyn

[Lola]

Hi Robyn,
I get my Vetoryl form an online pharmacy called California Pet Pharmacy. I have researched a lot of online websites and other pharmacies, these are the cheapest I could find. Checked them out.
I feed my dog special diet/prepared food that I buy at JustFoodForDogs.com. they do have several local stores here, but they do deliver anywhere in the country.


Nadia

[Heartbroken2]

Thank you Nadia

[Heartbroken2]

Sharlene. What a difference in just 5 days on the med. I am getting my baby back to his normal self. He even is running & playing outside. The best only waking me 2x at night now & he is able to jump on the bed
Robyn

[LtlBtyRam]

Glad to hear the good news.

[molly muffin]

Checking in on you and Butters :) Still running around and playing? Hope so :)

[Heartbroken2]

Sharlen & Molly
What a difference in 2 wks he is down to 4 gallons of water & now needs to press 3-4 hrs. Yay. I'm sleeping now 5 hrs. Butters goes Wednesday for repeat ACHT He is on 60 mg now. I think he needs higher dose I need my service boy back on duty & he is so confused why he is not with me all day
Robyn

[molly muffin]

I am glad to hear that Butters is doing much better. It will be good to see what his cortisol is doing and how he is responding to the meds.