Missy's dilemma

[Missy's momma]

Hi. I'm new to this forum and very happy that I found it. My 4 year old beagle Missy was diagnosed with Cushing's approx 6 months ago. While I don't have the test results to share with you at this time, I will ask the vet for all test results - again. I have requested the results 3 times and still haven't received them. We've had many, many blood tests, low dose dex and ACTH tests done and according to the vet, there is no doubt that she has Cushing's, but he feels that the meds are controlling it. She also has high blood pressure and is being treated for that.
She recently has started having trouble breathing and we're pending results of a nasal CT and rhinoscopy that was done last week. I've been suspecting that she may be allergic to one of the many meds that she's on, but the vet doesn't seem to think so. Here's a list of meds she takes daily: 70 mg Vetoryl, 5 mg Amlodipine Besylate 2x daily, 25 mg Losartan, 10 mg Benazepril, 10 mg Montelukast and fish oil. She has also started shivering when it's not cold.

Does anyone have any words of encouragement or advice. She seems to be going downhill fast and I'm very worried today. I almost feel like the meds make be making things worse. She doesn't seem to be as active as she has been, but when she tries to "beagle" she sounds like a pig snorting and doesn't last long. Sorry for the long post. I'm a very worried momma today.

[mytil]

Hi and welcome to our site. I am sorry you and your girl are having these troubles.

Firstly, I would ask my vet to give the numbers of the last ACTH monitoring test - these are the most important right now. Also, I am not sure if your vet discussed any interactions of the Vetoryl and some heart medications; specifically the ACE inhibitor Benazepril (of which can cause increased potassium). I see also she is taking Losartan - of which can also cause an increase the level of potassium in the blood too.

Has your vet checked her electrolytes recently?

Shivering or Shaking is sometimes a side effect of Vetoryl and I still am not sure exactly why. After a time the shivering can go away. What has your vet mentioned about this?

Keep us posted
Terry

[judymaggie]

Welcome to you and Missy! I, too, am a beagle mom--my Abbie is my second Cushing's beagle. The "pig snorting" sound (as well as frequent "reverse sneezing") is heard often in my house --for Abbie, it is related to allergies. We live in Florida and, instead of winter temps, we are still in a hot, humid pattern which only makes allergies worse. Abbie was on benedryl for a long time. When it was no longer effective, we switched to generic Zyrtec. Like humans, dogs can become resistant to meds they have been on for a long time. If Missy has been on montelukast for a while, it might be time to try a trial of a different allergy med.

Abbie also has high blood pressure (currently controlled with amlodipine and telmisartan). In addition to the test results Lori has asked for, let us know whether there is protein in Missy's urine. Proteinuria often goes hand-in-hand with high blood pressure.

A big a-r-o-o to Missy!

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

How is Missy doing? Did you get the reults of the ACTH test yet?