Scooter

[Latisha]

Hi,
I am Latisha! My dog Scooter is a 13 year old miniature poodle. She was recently diagnosed with cushings, and will be starting medication today. The vet prescribed 10mg of Trilostane twice a day. I am just a little nervous about started the medication since it can have such scary side effects. I was planning on giving her the first pill this evening, since she will be taking it twice a day (morning, evening) but should I be concerned about not noticing if she has a negative reaction since it will be overnight? So I guess I am just looking for reassurance that it will all be ok!
Thanks
Latisha

[flynnandian]

welcome latisha and scooter, how much does your scooter weigh? the recommended dosage [vetoryl/trilostane] is 1 mg/pound or 2 mg/kilo.
20 mg sounds a lot for a miniature poodle.
please start low and slow to avoid an adisonian crash of your scooter. [cortisol numbers going too low].

[Latisha]

She is almost 16lbs, so she is on the hefty side for a miniature, lol! I felt like is was a lot too, so I double checked with our vet and she said it was with in the starting range for her size, and she was comfortable starting at that amount. What seems like a more reasonable amount?

[labblab]

Welcome to you and Scooter! Given her weight, I think the 10 mg. twice daily is a reasonable amount, especially if your vet wants you to start you off using brandname Vetoryl. It is a bit higher than the formula of 1 mg. per pound, but not significantly so. Scooter's clinical response and her subsequent monitoring bloodwork will guide future adjustments either upward or downward.

Can you please tell us more about her overall health history, symptoms of Cushing's, and diagnostic testing? Thanks in advance, because that info will really help us give you more informed feedback. And it probably doesn't make any great difference whether you start dosing the Vetoryl tonight or in the morning, although yes, it would be easier to monitor her reaction during daytime hours. ;)

Marianne

[Latisha]

Hi, That makes me feel better! It is brandname Vetoryl. This is the second time Scooter was tested for cushings, the 1st was a few years ago by a different vet. She didn't show any symptoms until just recently and now it is increased drinking and urination, she also has a potbelly. I'm not sure which test the vet did, but it was in addition to earlier blood work that let her to believe she may have cushings and it was a different test then the other vet did a few years ago, she said this test was more reliable. She is also on levothyroxine for her thyroid. She is scheduled to go back to the vet on the 24th for another exam and ACTH simulation test to make sure the dosage is correct.

[molly muffin]

I just want to say hello and welcome to the forum.

Good to see that you are scheduled for the follow up already. Remember, that no matter what it is at the 2 week mark it will continue to drop on this dose for at least 30 days usually. So, if she is going down at a reasonable rate, you can expect it to continue to drop a few more points usually.

Remember to give it the vetroyl with a meal. The restest will be 4 - 6 hours after giving her the morning medication with a meal.

If you see any lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, can't stand, won't drink, etc, these are warning signs of possible too high of a dose, so call your vet immediately and stop the medication until you can talk to the vet and get an ACTH to make sure that she is doing okay and not going too low.

It's unlikely to occur, but those are the signs that you need to be aware of.

Dogs can do very well on these cushing medications. Knowledge is the key to success. :)

[Latisha]

Thank you!

[molly muffin]

Testing this week right? Let us know how that turns out. My dog too is doing her ACTH this week.