New member - hope to help someone else

[BUSTERSMAMA]

Hello everyone.

I am not sure the appropriate place to post this so please, please direct me if I'm in the wrong place. My dog Buster became sick on 02/22/16 - we took him immediately to the vet. He showed *most* of the clinical signs of Cushing's and his Low Dose Dex test was positive...the Dx didn't sit right with me as the onset was so sudden...we sought second & third opinions.

Long story short - more testing revealed this was a false positive (due to his body's overwhelming stress response raising cortisol levels) and my boy was actually in the end stages of liver failure. We saw Internal Medicine specialists, Hepatic Disease Specialists and every other type of specialist I could find during the next ten days. We lost my boy on 03/06/16. He had never been sick a day in all the years since we rescued him, his last blood work was perfect - he was the picture of health until he wasn't. We are devastated; however, if there is a way we might help another dog / person in need, I would like to.

When the original diagnosis of Cushing's first came thru, we immediately ordered Trilostane. He never took a single pill because of what subsequent tests revealed.


Thank you.

[Harley PoMMom]

Oh my, I am so sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you at this most difficult time.

I had to edit your post in regards in offering those medications because in the U.S. it is illegal for our members to offer to buy, sell, or exchange prescription medication. I hope you understand, and it was such a dear thing for you to think of others in this painful time.

We, also, would be so honored to add Buster's name to our "In Loving Memory" Forum. We cannot ease your pain over losing him, but we can join you in honoring Buster and celebrating all that he means to you. So if it would ever be a comfort to share more of his life's story with us, it would be our privilege to read anything you would care to write.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

With Heartfelt Sympathy, Lori

[BUSTERSMAMA]

Thank you.

I'm sorry - I had no idea. In the past, we had less "specialized" meds left that we donated back to our vet's office (pain meds and the like from our older guys.)

Thank you - it would be an honor to have him included in the memorial section. He was a very, very special boy. We have lost four rescued guys over the last two years - three were seniors and while not "easier", their passing was more expected I guess is the word? Buster was 8 years, 8 months old and had never been sick. Losing him has left our home empty as well as our hearts.

[Joan2517]

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my darling girl 3 weeks ago tomorrow and know the pain that you feel.

Joan

[labblab]

I wish to join Lori in extending my deepest sympathy on your loss of Buster. As she says, it is so generous of you to think about helping others in the midst of your own pain. One suggestion I might make is to contact shelters or rescue groups in your area. It is possible that they have a mechanism in place that permits them to make use of donated medication.

I also want you to know that you are doing a great service by alerting folks to the possibility of "false positives" on Cushing's tests in the presence of other ilnesses or disorders. From our experiences here, we know that Cushing's can be a very difficult disease to correctly diagnose, and Buster's story as you have shared it with us can serve to help other dogs and parents in the future.

So thank you for coming to us, and it would indeed be our honor to include Buster as an honorary Cushpup, right alongside our other beloved companions.

Sending you my warm regards,
Marianne

[labblab]

We were typing at the same time, and I am so glad you'll allow us to join you in honoring Buster. He has now been added to our special memorial list :

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7676

I will contact you shortly via a message to see whether you would also wish for us to include a photo link.

Gosh, I am so sorry for the multiple losses that you have experienced recently. Bless you for giving forever homes to all of these babies!

[BUSTERSMAMA]

I cannot thank you all enough for the warm welcome.

Unfortunately, no local shelter "keeps" a dog with Cushing's but I am trying local rescues...Great Dane rescues often have the money to spend on medicalc cases and Danes get Cushing's and Addison's a lot. I'm sure we will find someone who can use it, I hope. I know it's a struggle for a lot of folks to treat this ugly disease.

I hadn't thought about info on false positives being helpful but that makes me feel a little better...if his death can help another dog, I'm happy to share all the info I have. In a few days, I will to write a good summary of our diagnostic process.

Thank you all again. This is never easy, we've now been thru it a total of seven times...and so long as we can providea home and love for a needy dog, we will be here to do it.

[Harley PoMMom]

You are a very special person for giving these poor furbabies a loving and forever home, I just wanted to thank you for doing this.

[Renee]

Unfortunately, cushings is also very common for boston terriers and boxers. Might check with some of the BT rescues.

I am sorry your boy passed.

[BUSTERSMAMA]

I am fortunate to have the privilege of helping these guys. Each "throw away" dog has been a treasure for us. We often adopt senior or hospice dogs. They are not always with us very long but I love them all. Buster was a fluke, dumped in my husband's industrial park at 12 weeks old or so...he was a foster failure.

Good thinking on Bostons and Boxers. I'm not too well versed in Cushing's. I've had my share of Addison's dogs which, by comparison, is so easy to treat. I am putting the word out to all the local groups.