Yorkie may have cushings (Brandi is now at rainbow bridge)

[Brandi88]

Hi everyone.
My rescue yorkie Brandi who we think is around 11 years old has been off her food for a week which is very unlike her as shes normally greedy.
When she does eat a tiny bit of food she has orange diarrhea.
At first the vets thought she might have a urine infection cos of her drinking a lot and wetting herself a couple of times in her sleep so she was put on antibiotics for 5 days but she didn't get any better so took her back to the vets on Thursday and she had a blood test and the vet said it was strongly suggesting cushings so shes going back in tomorrow for another test.
Shes been on more antibiotics as shes still having diarrhea, off her food and has a temperature but shes no better.
I was just wondering if anyone elses dog was off their food, had diarrhea and a temperature before going on meds for cushings as I know that the dog is normally really hungry?

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and Brandi!

That orangey diarrhea usually means a problem within the gut; colitis, IBD, or even pancreatitis. You will want Brandi feeling better and eating normally before any tests for Cushing's are performed because cortisol can be elevated in a dog not feeling well which would yield a false positive result on the tests for Cushing's so I strongly recommend not having any diagnostic tests for Cushing's performed at this time.

What blood test did the vet do that was suggestive for Cushing's? Was a chemistry/CBC blood panel done on Brandi and of so could you post those values that are high/low and please include the normal reference ranges? Is Brandi taking any other herbs/supplements/medications?

Dogs that don't want to eat their regular food may find cooked skinless/boneless chicken breasts with some very mushy rice enticing.

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Okay, first thing I want to put out there is that you don't test for cushings while a dog is sick, darrhea, etc as the test will likely give you a false positive. I don't want you or your rescue to waste their money.

The next thing I want to say is that this doesn't sound like cushings. Cushings symptoms are eating a lot, drinking extravagant amounts, accidents (peeing more).

You wouldn't give a dog that is not eating and has diarrhea cushing meds in any case.

This sounds like an infection possibly, a liver/gall bladder problem, perhaps or kidneys.

I would have a full blood chemistry and urine profile. I would NOT do the cushing tests, the vet is out to lunch to suggest that at this time and it's a waste of funds.

Try cooking some ground chicken and mushy rice (like you do for pancreatis, which is also could be) and feeding several small meals a day. Add a probiotic in like forafloria.

Some very determined bacterial infections can require antibiotics for over a month to clear up, things like e-coli.

Again, so glad you found us. Some of the others also will pop in and add their thoughts.

[LauraA]

Just want to add that when my non Cush pup had bright orange stools, was not eating and very lethargic, it turned out she was severely anaemic so it may be worth checking her gums/tongue and making sure they are nice and pink. Maggie Mae's where pure white. Her stools were orange in colour from the loss of red blood cells and she was also losing them through her urine which was quite cloudy. She was running a temperature also. Just a thought, hopefully it isn't though!

[Harley PoMMom]

Just want to add that when my non Cush pup had bright orange stools, was not eating and very lethargic, it turned out she was severely anaemic so it may be worth checking her gums/tongue and making sure they are nice and pink. Maggie Mae's where pure white. Her stools were orange in colour from the loss of red blood cells and she was also losing them through her urine which was quite cloudy. She was running a temperature also. Just a thought, hopefully it isn't though!

Thank you so much for sharing this information! I didn't realize that orangish stools were a side effect from anemia,

Hugs, Lori

[LauraA]

I know Lori, I found out the hard way :) I was worried it was her liver originally.

[Brandi88]

Thank you everyone for your replies.
Just to clear something up I'm not a "rescue" my dog Brandi is from a rescue.

On the 19th Brandi was drinking a lot and wet herself a couple of times, she was still eating and is normally very greedy.
The vet gave her antibiotics for 5 days as he thought she may have a urine infection.
On the 24th Brandi was then not eating and had orange runny poo (was still drinking loads) so they did a full blood test, she also had a temp.
The vet said as Brandi is drinking a lot, has thin hair on her belly and has a hanging down bloated tummy along with the blood test results it was strongly suggesting cushings along with a infection.
So she was given another 7 days of antibiotics and had the first cushing blood test yesterday where they take a blood test then inject her and take another.
The vet rang and said that to be classed as cushings it has to be 600 or over and Brandi's was 595 so shes pretty sure she has it but also something else going on too.
So she wants to start her on meds today and then test in 10 days time.
Ive tried Brandi with tuna, chicken all sorts shes not interested so shes now having ID syringed in her mouth, has meds to calm her tummy, meds to stop the upset tummy and has had a anti-sickness injection.
The vet said the problem with Brandi is if shes got cushings that's going to make her feel ill, then if shes not eating that will also make her feel ill so I "think" she wanted to start the cushings meds now and not wait for her to get worse???
We were worried about her kidneys but they are fine.

[Harley PoMMom]

A dog that is not eating normally should not be given any medication for Cushing's. The two medications that are used to treat Cushing's are fat-soluble, the one drug, Vetoryl/Trilostane, has to be given with a meal to be properly absorbed.

Dog's with Cushing's generally do not feel ill, they usually have a ravenous appetite and increased drinking/urination. Sounds like Brandi may have had the ACTH stimulation test performed, this test can yield a false positive result when an underlying illness is present so I would not put too much faith in those results.

If this were me I would not start any treatment for Cushing's until Brandi's appetite has returned to normal. Has diabetes been ruled out?

Hugs, Lori

[Brandi88]

A dog that is not eating normally should not be given any medication for Cushing's. The two medications that are used to treat Cushing's are fat-soluble, the one drug, Vetoryl/Trilostane, has to be given with a meal to be properly absorbed.

Dog's with Cushing's generally do not feel ill, they usually have a ravenous appetite and increased drinking/urination. Sounds like Brandi may have had the ACTH stimulation test performed, this test can yield a false positive result when an underlying illness is present so I would not put too much faith in those results.

If this were me I would not start any treatment for Cushing's until Brandi's appetite has returned to normal. Has diabetes been ruled out?

Hugs, Lori

Hi, yes diabetes has been ruled out.
I'm syringing food in her mouth so shes getting a bit of food.
Ive asked the vet to email me the blood test results.
Shes given her 10mg Vetoryl but ive not started it yet as Brandi had a appetite stimulant today and I wanted to see if she picked up after that, shes still not wanting chicken or the dog food the vet gave me but she did eat a crab stick :o but only one through out the day and didn't want anymore.
Shes not had a upset tum today "yet" either, shes never really been sick during any of this either, only bile a couple of times because of not eating but shes not done that for days.
Shes drinking still but I guess as shes not eating it could well be a normal amount shes drinking now.
There is still not yellowing of gums, eyes or skin.
Shes got a large bloated tummy still though.

[lulusmom]

Hi and welcome to you and Brandi.

I am so sorry to hear that Brandi is not feeling well right now and I can pretty much assure you that cushing's is not causing her illness. To quote a renown expert, Dr. Edward Feldman, dogs with cushing's are not sick, they are polyphagic." Polyphagic means they are hungry all the time and starting treatment in a dog that is not eating normally is not recommended at all. Therefore your vet's statement that "the problem with Brandi is if she's got cushings, that will make her feel ill" is is not only not true but to suggest that giving a chemo drug to a sick dog will make it feel better is very misguided.

I believe the diagnostic test your vet did was ab acth stimulation test and the result you posted would be inconclusive for cushing's. A borderline acth stimulation test, regardless of pot belly or other symptoms that may be associated with cushing's is insufficient testing to confirm a diagnosis. It would be very helpful if you could get copies of the blood and urine labs that were done by your vet. We need only see the high and low values on the blood labs and please include the normal reference ranges. It could very well be that your pup has cushing's but the timing of testing while Brandi was overtly sick is questionable. I agree with Lori that there is something going on in Brandi's gut that needs to be addressed. It is very scary to think that you are force feeding Brandi with a syringe and your vet actually wants you to start treatment with Vetoryl. Please, please do not start treatment until Brandi recovers from her intestinal issue and her appetite returns to normal.

I'm sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but I'm glad you found us. The more information you can provide us, the better able we can put all the pieces together and provide you with meaningful feedback.

Glynda

[Brandi88]

Hi and welcome to you and Brandi.

I am so sorry to hear that Brandi is not feeling well right now and I can pretty much assure you that cushing's is not causing her illness. To quote a renown expert, Dr. Edward Feldman, dogs with cushing's are not sick, they are polyphagic." Polyphagic means they are hungry all the time and starting treatment in a dog that is not eating normally is not recommended at all. Therefore your vet's statement that "the problem with Brandi is if she's got cushings, that will make her feel ill" is is not only not true but to suggest that giving a chemo drug to a sick dog will make it feel better is very misguided.

I believe the diagnostic test your vet did was ab acth stimulation test and the result you posted would be inconclusive for cushing's. A borderline acth stimulation test, regardless of pot belly or other symptoms that may be associated with cushing's is insufficient testing to confirm a diagnosis. It would be very helpful if you could get copies of the blood and urine labs that were done by your vet. We need only see the high and low values on the blood labs and please include the normal reference ranges. It could very well be that your pup has cushing's but the timing of testing while Brandi was overtly sick is questionable. I agree with Lori that there is something going on in Brandi's gut that needs to be addressed. It is very scary to think that you are force feeding Brandi with a syringe and your vet actually wants you to start treatment with Vetoryl. Please, please do not start treatment until Brandi recovers from her intestinal issue and her appetite returns to normal.

I'm sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but I'm glad you found us. The more information you can provide us, the better able we can put all the pieces together and provide you with meaningful feedback.

Glynda

Thank you very much for replying Glynda.
Ive contacted another vet to ask about a ultrasound for Brandi so we can get an idea of whats going on in her bloated tummy as I'm not convinced its anything to do with cushings.
I'm NOT going to give her the cushings meds either.
I think this may be a liver/gallbladder/ bile duct/pancreas problem going on because of the orange poo.
I did ask the vet about lepto because Brandi was completely normal one day and ill the next so it happened very quickly, but she said its unlikely.
Just in case whatever is wrong with Brandi is catching I'm making sure I use a disinfectant that vets use , not letting my other dog eat or drink out the same bowl or go to the toilet in the same areas.
As soon as I get the blood test results I will post them.

[Brandi88]

Rang the vet and asked them to do a ultrasound on Brandi as I was not convinced her belly was cushings.
They did it and it showed her liver enlarged which is the cause of the swelling.
She had a blood test last Thursday and it showed her kidneys were fine yet today its showing they are failing and her white blood cell count is very high.
I mentioned to the vet two weeks ago that Brandi had the signs of lepto and asked if it could be that but she said it was very unlikely and carried on with the cushings tests well today shes saying she might have lepto!!
Brandi has been on antibiotics but not the ones that clear lepto from the kidneys so now they have sent off a test and are giving her fluids to support her kidneys.
Have to now hope that her kidney damage can be reversed. :(

[Angus2223]

Awe, God bless you both! Thank goodness for this forum! I'm happy to read that you're getting to the bottom of this & I wish you the best. Sometimes it seems that these doctors just don't listen! Thank goodness we have this forum and these administrators to guide, support & educate us!
Jessica

[molly muffin]

Oh crimey! Okay so support the kidneys and how long till the test results come back? Can they go ahead and move her to an antibiotic that will address lepto now?

Hopefully the fluids will help in the mean time. Poor little one.

[Brandi88]

Brandi is on antibiotics, meds for her liver and a drip.
Shes still not wanting to eat.
Whatever this is its turned kidneys that were completely fine to kidneys that are in failure within a few days.
The vet now dealing with her is saying hes not overly convinced its lepto but hes not sure what it is.
The results have not come back yet.

From what ive read about lepto I'm pretty sure that's what shes got and maybe she already had a liver problem beforehand that we never knew about and that's why its affected her so much.
He said its very guarded at the moment because of her kidneys.

Anyone have any other ideas of what it could be if its not lepto?

Symptoms
I'm pretty sure she started with a stiff neck, went off her food, had orange runny poo, breathing fast, enlarged liver and now acute kidney failure.

[Harley PoMMom]

This article that I found on the DogAware site has a lot of helpful information concerning dogs that are picky eaters, scroll to "Foods to tempt your dog." In that topic I read about Rebound and DogSure.
Rebound and DogSure. These are nutritionally complete liquid meal replacement products.

Here's the link: http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjinappetence.html

[Brandi88]

This article that I found on the DogAware site has a lot of helpful information concerning dogs that are picky eaters, scroll to "Foods to tempt your dog." In that topic I read about Rebound and DogSure.

Here's the link: http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjinappetence.html

Thank you.
That's the thing though Brandi is not normally a picky eater its cos shes sooo ill.
Shes having to stay in the vets on a drip but they are syringe feeding her. :(

[molly muffin]

Oh that poor little dear. I do hope she can make a full recovery with the antibiotics.
:( keep us posted as to how she is doing

[Brandi88]

:( http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7872

Had to help Brandi on her way to rainbow bridge last night.
Her temp had dropped and she could hardly walk where her kidneys were failing and putting toxins around her body.
Vets are still not sure what caused it, a infection, cushings last stages or liver failure that then caused kidney failure.
She fell to sleep with her little head in my hand while looking at her ball.
Night night biddy bandy love you baby girl xxxx

[mytil]

I am so very sorry your Brandi has passed on - you did the most unselfish act for her. My heart is with you! She knows you did what you could for her and she is now at peace and pain free. I have added her name to our special remembrance list in our In Loving Memory section. She will always be remembered here!

Stay with us
Terry

[Joan2517]

I am so sorry for your loss...you were with her at the end. I hope that gives you comfort. Not being with my Lena when she died has been the hardest thing for me.

Rest in peace, Brandi....

[budindian]

So very sorry for your loss.

[wendyweneki]

FYI.... getting great info from this thread. Thank you for posting.

Panda Bear was diagnosed with Cushing's. Got results over the telephone so have not had a chance to go in and ask questions.

Interesting that there can be false positive results. Going to ask Dr. about this also.

EDIT: I feel so dumb. Still learning these 'threads'. I had only read the first page and didn't realize she had passed. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you HUGE hugs.

[molly muffin]

Oh no, I'm so sorry that Brandy has passed. :(

My sincerest condolences.

[DoxieMama]

I am sorry for the loss of your baby girl, Brandi. May your memories of her give you comfort in the days ahead.

Shana

[judymaggie]

I am so sorry for the loss of your girl, Brandi. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, good memories will help to push your grief aside.