Cushings symptoms

[Jonjo]

I have a beautiful 7 and a half year old Rough Collie Tess who for the past year had been treated for recurrent bouts of Cystitis (7 courses of antibiotics)already this year.I had noticed that she had been walking more slowly and thought this was due to her general debility and carpal flexion of her forelegs(this is what the vet had told me)A month ago I noticed hair loss and thinning of her coat.She also had muscle weakness in her hind quarters.I decided to go to anther vet for a 2nd opinion as I felt there was something going on as my dog had aged rapidly over the past year.Two weeks ago I took her to the new vet who after a thorough examination suspects that Tess has Cushings disease.He has taken bloods which show various abnormalities particularly liver,cholesteral,and low specific gravity of her urine.She has now been on antibiotics again to clear the Cystitis but is so lethagic,drinking far more water and not particularly interested in going ouy(not sure if yhis is side-effect of the tablets).She is booked in for low dose Dexomethasone test on 8th October.I have found this a very useful site for information but am finding this illness if this is whats she's got very scary!!!!

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Tess!

I have manually approved your membership so now all your posts will be seen right away. Also, please just disregard the validation email that was sent to you from k9cushings.


Sorry that this will be short, I only have a moment to post, if you could round up all copies of tests that were done on Tess and post those abnormal values with the reference ranges and reporting units that would be great.

The low dose dexomethasone (LDDS) test has a higher chance in resulting of a false positive when any underlying issue or even stress is present so I strongly recommend that this test be held off until her bladder infection is totally resolved.

We certainly understand your fear of this disease, and the key to facilitating safe and effective treatment is an experienced vet and an educated pet owner. It is when one or both is missing that dogs get into trouble.

We have a wealth of information regarding Cushing's in our Resource thread, which does include articles written by some of the most renown veterinarians that specialize in endocrinology such as David Bruyette, Mark Peterson, and Edward Feldman. Here's a link to our Resource thread: Helpful Resources for Owners of Cushing's Dogs (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10) Please know we will help in any way we can, and do not hesitate to ask all the questions you want.

I'll try to get later with some more of my thoughts, I am sure that in the meantime other members will be along to welcome you and to offer their advice.

Hugs, Lori

[Jonjo]

Had to take Tess to vet first thing this morning as she was in pain wheen she woke up.Yelped when I touched her.Could not find ant particular sore area,think it was overall and she was shaking.Vet becoming increasingly concerned about her as she noticed some neurological symptoms today i.e facial paralysis on left side ,legs becoming weeker and possible megaoesophagus as she regurgitates water.Have brought the Dexamethasone test forward to tommorrow and she may then be referred to vet school as the vet does not feel she is typical Cushings. I'm so worried about her as she's deteriorating rapidly and can't belive that only 3weeks ago she was being treated for Cystitis by the other vet.!!!!

[Squirt's Mom]

I would not have her tested for Cushing's right now myself. ANY other condition can cause false positives resulting in starting treatment with very powerful drugs on a dog that does not have Cushing's in the first place. I would concentrate on finding out what is going on - what you describe with the pain is not typical of Cushing's - then when all else has been ruled out, THEN look at Cushing's again. My dog tested positive on five different tests but was not in fact positive. A tumor on her spleen caused the cortisol to elevate and caused false positives on all those tests. ;)

Please let us know what the vet says! Prayers rising for your sweet girl!

[labblab]

Tess may very well have Cushing's, but I agree with Leslie that testing for it in the midst of an acute physical crisis makes little to no sense. As she says, the LDDS is especially prone to registering "false positives" in the face of other illnesses or injury. So given Tess' current discomfort, even pain alone could affect adrenal response enough to skew the test results.

It is true that there are several features of her symptoms and lab presentation that are directly consistent with Cushing's, but others are not necessarily. Severe pain and vomiting can be associated with acute pancreatitis, for instance, which may or may not be secondary to vulnerability associated with Cushing's. Things are complicated enough and seem serious enough that if Tess were mine, I'd request the referral to the vet school ASAP and prior to proceeding with any more tests with the local vet.

Please keep us updated!
Marianne

[Jonjo]

Thank you so much for you quick responses.Well I had the phone call from the vet confirming that Tess has Cushings disease.The vet thinks fron the results it is more likely to be adrenal type. She wants to start treatment straight away as Tess appears to be deteriorating rapidly.Has suggested that she starts the Vetoryl at 120mg per day as Tess weighs just over 25kg. Told her I was apprehensive about starting at such a high dose but she stated protocol is 6mg/kg Vet wants me to think about this treatment overnight and see her with Tess tommorow.I'm really scared about putting her on medication as she seems so weak but feel I need to take the chance that she will respond well.

[labblab]

I would try to get an immediate referral to the vet school and take Tess there before starting any treatment. Your vet is simply incorrect in stating that 6 mg/kg is current protocol for a starting dose -- please see the link below. Under any circumstances, that is too high a dose to start off, and especially when Tess is already acutely ill. There is no way in which you will be able to monitor her behavior for medication overdose when she is so ill. Plus, in these circumstances, I do not believe the test results are trustworthy. Please allow some specialists to evaluate her ASAP!

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1251#post1251

Marianne

[molly muffin]

Eeek, no you want to start at no more than 1mg/1lb. This is the latest from the manufacturer and the insert doesn't yet reflect that information. With her already sick, you don't want a risk of over dose from trilostane. So careful with that and print out the link Marianne provided and give it to your vet.

[Squirt's Mom]

OMG no no no! Please do not start that drug and certainly not at that dose! OMG! :eek::eek::mad::eek::eek::(:eek::eek: In fact, RUN from that vet as fast as you can!

Of COURSE your baby tested positive for Cushing's! - ANY dog going thru what she is would test positive. :rolleyes::rolleyes: geez..this is so scary! Did an ultrasound show a tumor or tumors on her adrenal glands? If not, again RUN FROM THIS VET!

Please let us hear from you! I am so so worried about sweet Tess. :(