Seeking advise on a 11 yo coonhound

[tdaelke]

Audrey is a Redbone Coonhound that we got from the Humane Society 9 years ago. From day one, she had slight incontinence issues from being fixed. She's been on medication for years and for the most part, it helped. Within the past couple of years, the issue has been gradually getting worse. We've gone from silver dollar sized puddles to dinner plate sized puddles and having to wash her blankets from her crate daily. She has not been officially tested for Cushings, but that's what her vet is suggesting. Besides the leaking, she's constantly looking for water. She's always had allergy issues and so her hair has been patchy in places for as long as I can remember. And with age, we are seeing more and more fatty tumors popping up.

Our biggest concern is the cost with the Cushing's treatment. Our vet has indicated that the medication will run about $150 a month, plus the additional costs of on-going tests to ensure the medication doesn't cause other issues. We are not in the position to be able to afford this, but at the same time, we aren't ready to put her down either (which we are considering due to the costs.) I've been reading various forums and other information so that I can be informed. I'm really not sure if this is Cushing's or if she's just totally incontinent now due to older age. And if it is Cushing's does treatment resolve the issue 100%? Anyone have any insight or suggestions?

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

How is her appetite? cushing dogs are normally ravenous. How much does she weigh? I assume the vet is thinking of either vetroyl or lysodren and considering the price he quoted I'm guessing vetroyl. Well that price can be decreased by using an online compounding pharmacy, which a lot of our members use. You start at no more than 1mg/1lb so say Audrey weighs 50lbs you would start at 50mg, compounded from some place like Diamondback pharmacy that price would run around 38.00 plus shipping. I think that would be a valid approximation price based on what I just read from another member.

The testing ACTH is needed to find out how she is reacting to the drug but once you get the appropriate dose, then the frequency of those tests goes down.

First though you'd need to determine if she has cushings. Has she had any bloodwork done? if so could you post anything that is out of range, for instance ALKP 580ug range 50 - 150ug
Has she had a urinalysis to check for a UTI? His her urine dilute also (this is called specific gravity on the test results)

Those questions should get you started.

Welcome again!

[tdaelke]

Honestly, she could care less about her food. She gets fed twice a day and sometimes will only eat once. Now our puggle, ravenous is not the word - she eats anything she can find. The other day, that was a bar of soap.

Back to Audrey, she was checked for a UTI back in the fall when the condition got worse. Perhaps we go ahead with the initial testing just to get peace of mind one way or the other. Tonight, she passed gas and then immediately lost what was in her bladder - and of course, I had just cleaned carpets an hour earlier.

[judymaggie]

Hi and welcome! What you have described doesn't really fit into the profile of the typical Cushing's pup. If you are inclined to do an initial test, I would suggest the urine cortisol:creatinine test (UCCR). It is a relatively inexpensive urine test. A negative result rules out Cushing's; a positive test indicates Cushing's is possible.

Has Audrey been on PPA for incontinence? If that is no longer working, there are other options (combining it with DES; homeopathic "Leaks No More").

[tdaelke]

Hi and welcome! What you have described doesn't really fit into the profile of the typical Cushing's pup. If you are inclined to do an initial test, I would suggest the urine cortisol:creatinine test (UCCR). It is a relatively inexpensive urine test. A negative result rules out Cushing's; a positive test indicates Cushing's is possible.

Has Audrey been on PPA for incontinence? If that is no longer working, there are other options (combining it with DES; homeopathic "Leaks No More").


What's DES?

She's been on Proin 50mg for the incontinence.


Thanks for the suggestions!

[Squirt's Mom]

I would ask the vet about Diabetes Insipidus. It is a rare form of diabetes that has nothing to do with blood sugar but rather with how the body regulates water. The treatment is a drug called DDAVP often given as eye drops. The test for DI is risky - a water deprivation test - so most vets simply start treating and if signs improve, there is the diagnosis of DI. With the excess drinking and subsequent urination with few cush signs, I would say this is worth looking into.

[judymaggie]

Hi! Here is the definition of DES from the Merck Veterinary Manual:


Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a nonsteroidal estrogen derivative that closely resembles the natural estrogen, estradiol.

Merck lists the recommended dosing as a loading dose of 0.1-0.3 mg./kg/day for 7-10 days, then 1 mg/wk. If used no more than once a week, adverse effects are rare.

How often is Audrey getting Proin (PPA)? Merck indicates that it is very short-lived and that dosing should be two or three times a day (dosing of 1.5-2 mg./kg.).

My first Cush pup had urinary incontinence. We treated her with Proin for a long time, then added DES but still not controlled. Then we tried Proin plus "Leaks No More", gradually weaning her off of the Proin. The "Leaks No More" worked great on its own.