Help!

[cherylhare]

I cant control my Ambers dog hair! She was diagnosed with cushings 5 months now and is on trilostane for dogs 120.mg. she weights about 70 pounds with corse hair that is very sharp, the problem is her fur just keeps on falling out. I brush her everyday and give her a bath when needed...HELP!! I dont know how much longer i can go around eating dog fur...My vet said its my choice on what to do as she has 2 tumors one on the spleen and one on the liver. She also has very enlarged blood vessels with a slightly enlarged heart..I could go on and on. We rescued her 8 yrs ago when she was around 2-3...I love her to death but just dont know what to do....
Cheryl

[cherylhare]

Amber is on Vetoryl 120 mg..I really dont want to change all her other symptoms seem to be some what controlled.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Cheryl,

Welcome to you and Amber! Sometimes when dogs have elevated cortisol over a period of time it does damage to the hair follicles. Hair follicles have to go through a cycle so they die off and then regrow and that can take a while, around here we usually say they are "blowing their coat" this will pass, it just takes some time. We have had some dogs on the forum that when their new hair grew in it was a totally different texture/color.

I was wondering if you would share Amber's health history with us, this would allow us to provide much more meaningful feedback. If you could get your hands on copies of all tests that were done on her and post those values that are abnormal along with their reporting units and reference ranges that would be great. Also we are especially interested in the results of all diagnostic and monitoring tests that were performed on Amber for the Cushing's. What symptoms led you or your vet to test for Cushing's in the first place? Does she have any underlying health issues that she is taking medications for?

Please know we will help in any way we can and do not hesitate to ask all the questions you want.

Hugs, Lori

[Renee]

This should resolve after she loses her coat a few times.

My pug Tobey lost her entire coat twice during her initial treatment on vetoryl.

It all grew back each time and she has not had any more episodes.

I took her to the groomer a few times. They are very good at getting all the loose hair out, even though it looks a bit scary at first when they come out bald. Make sure you pick a good groomer!

[cherylhare]

When do you say enough!? As i said in another post when is it time to say goodby? I really would like some feed back!.. Im controlling Ambers symptons a little, thank god for vetoryl in keeping her somewhat comfortable, but she really has no life. The poor dog looks at me with big sad doggy eyes and i dont know what to do!..Walking which she loves is very limited due to her breathing and panting but only when we take her for a walk or is outside too long...Long story short the only life she has is sleeping,eating and out in the back yard to do her business then in again. We try to get her to stay out but she seems uncomfortable with the heat.She has always had a problem with shedding but now its uncontrollable. I cant stand watching her like this as she was always a happy on the go dog who loved her walks and going to the dog run...Im also sure that she has had cushings for sometime but the symptoms just got worse over the last months until we got her tested in May and found out she had many problems...

[cherylhare]

I also want to add that she is a big dog! 70-80 pounds and now is developing arthritis in her joints and its getting harder for her to get up she has a big body with little legs. We dont know her breed but asume its a cross between sheperd and hound.

[labblab]

Hi Cheryl,

You'll see that I've merged your two threads together. Even though you were asking about some different things, it makes it a lot easier for us to reply when we maintain all the history and comments about your dog in a single thread. I see that you have also started a thread on our "In Loving Memory" forum, too. At least for the time being, I will leave that one alone, though, because I believe you may get some specific answers there that you might not get here.

I will come back later on, myself, to talk more. But in the meantime, I just wanted you to know what I've done and why. ;)

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome. As Lori said it is not unexpected for them to blow their coat and you have to have a period of time of massive shedding. It does it better normally.

As far as when is it time, when that is each person and dogs personal decision, so there is no right or wrong or pat answer to that question. Quality of life is what most of us usually use to interpret how they are doing. Are they still enjoying the little things in life.

For me, when my dog stops being a demanding diva, then I'll know something is seriously wrong. Or when she doesn't roll over on her back and just play all by herself, twisting and turning. Those are her ques. I am sure that your dog probably has her own things that make you know how she is doing.