Max the mini Dachshund - Cushing diagnosis plus possible myotonia

[Teresa severance]

My little dachshund Max was diagnosed with Cushings this past January of 2015 he had all the classic symptoms he weighed 20 lbs they started him on trilostane 10 mg twice a day . He would limp even then but we thought it was his weight he is a mini ,he started to loose weight and he is currently 13 lbs but the limping got worse I thought them maybe his back took him for a cat scan but that was ok .it seems to get bad when he is stressed which he was yesterday when he had his acth test levels were perfect but after he came home he could not walk or get up he whimpered when I picked him up . It was awful . The neurologist thinks he has myotonia , he wants to do a EMG test I hate to put max through another test he gets worse after going to. The vets, the stress is too much I asked the vet if maybe his cortisol goes crazy when he gets scared and then his symptoms are worse ,any ideas on what we should do would be helpful thankyou all

[Teresa severance]

I forgot to mention max is 4 yrs old he will be 5 in November, he also was tested for allergies and I give him allergy shots every 21 days he is taking methocarbinol and Gabapentin every day for his back legs weakness.an the trilostane twice a day. He doesn't get better he sleeps a lot and seems so sad he never plays like he used to I am actually heartbroken wish someone new what is wrong with my little boy, I put a heating pad on his back but only for five minutes I did not know if it would do damage does any one know if it will help or not

[labblab]

Hello Teresa, and welcome to you and Max! I only have a moment to post right now, but your membership has now been approved and you will see that I have consolidated both your posts into this single thread. From now on, you can continue replying here and that way, all of Max's info will always be easy to find here in this one spot.

Once again, welcome. ;)
Marianne

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Max!

I am sorry your sweet boy is having difficulty with his legs, sometimes when a dog's elevated cortisol is brought down it can unmask the symptoms of arthritis. On the forum I have seen members use Adequan for their arthritic dog and it does seem to help, also fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties so I would ask the vet about both of these things.

We initiate our new members by asking them a ton of questions which helps us to provide more meaningful feedback, so get ready for your initiation. :D Could you get your hands on copies of all tests that were done on Max and post any abnormalities that are listed...e.g....ALT 150U/L (5-50). Was an urinalysis done, and if so, could you post those findings too? Also, could you tell us what diagnostic tests were performed to diagnose his Cushing's and post those results here? How many ACTH stimulation tests have been done since Max started his Trilostane treatment and could you post those results for us? Is his Trilostane compounded or is it brand-name Vetoryl? Does he have the pituitary or the adrenal form of Cushing's? What is the name of the allergy medication that Max is receiving?

Please know we will help in any way we can, and ask all the questions you want.

Hugs, Lori

[Teresa severance]

Thankyou I will get the information together .Monday Max has an appointment with the Neurologist , he has asked me to take Max off al. Pain Meds for the next few days so he can see how he walks and reacts to exercise .suppose to then decide to see if Max can benefit with a new medicine. Will keep all posted Thankyou Teresa

[Barb]

Poor little Max. When vet thought my doxie had torn ACL in one of her hind legs I used wet heat on her. Got hot water bottle (not too hot) and wrapped a damp towel around it and held it on her entire leg and hip area. Physical therapists used to call it diathermy. It really did help her. I did it at least twice a day.

[molly muffin]

Okay, so it's monday, how did it go with the neurologist today?

:)

[apollo6]

Welcome
My angel, Apollo, a mini dachshund was only taking 10 mg a day,weighed 10 lbs. if max whimpers when he gets up or you pick him up, it may be the actual leg,not mytopia. Apollo did have back problems not related to the muscle weakness. The cushing caused the muscle weakened first in the front legs. He did get muscle myopia with the Cushings . His legs became very thin. I did water therapy and acupuncture and physical therapy at home. He's legs did get weaker. He lived to be one month short of 14. He was the love of my life.
Does Max have the signs of Cushings: pot belly,excese drinking, hair loss? Good luck with neurologist.
Sonja,Angels Apollo and Karma, Ariel