Sadie my 7 1/2 year Weimaraner has been diagnosed with cushings today

[Sadielove]

:(. Hello, I am new to this forum. I ran across searching the Internet for information on cushings. I am devastated my baby has been diagnosed with cushings. We go back to vet for 3rd test tomorrow to find out if it is adrenal or pituitary. This all started last year she had a little knot on the side of her bell. My old vet said oh it nothing but a fat pocket. My weim is over weight. I always thought it was due to her bloat surgery as a puppy. She has always been a big girl. 100lbs. Anyway, this knot continued to grow and as it was getting bigger I became worried. I took to a new vet 2 weeks ago to have it removed. He annual check and gave her yearly shots. We schedule the surgery for the next week to remove what he called a lipadema. It is a ft knot but actually a tumor per the vet. Mind you it is the size of a cantaloupe. It was a golf ball last year and the other vet didn't seem concerned and she didn't act as if it bothered her. Meanwhile, I took her back for the surgery and he ran blood work. They called and said they can't do the surgery because her liver enzymes were 1800 and they should be 200. He asked how long she has been over weight during the annual visit and I said all her adult life. He also ran a thyroid test which came back fine. So he said with her liver enzymes being so high we need to perform a cushings test on her. You will need to bring her back for the 8 hour test. So here we are today with the results. Tomorrow we go back for the high dose Dex test. If pituitary they will treat with medicine for four weeks before they try to remove lipadema. If adrenal they stated we have to go to UGA to have surgerywhich is $4000 dollars. I don't have this kind of money. I am so upset I am praying pituitary is the kind. I am not ready to lose her. However, after reading some threads here I fear she may go into liver failure or some other issue. I don't have her numbers yet. But I will ask for them tomorrow to publish here.

[labblab]

Hello and welcome to you and Sadie! I have only a moment to write, but I wanted to alert you that I've moved your post here, to our main discussion forum. This way, our members are more likely to see your post and reply to you directly. ;)

Marianne

[Sadielove]

Thank you I am seeking all advice and support I can get. My heart is broken. She is my baby and she is the first word all four of my grand babies have said (all under 3). They call her "aide".

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your girl!

Cushing's is not a death sentence for a dog, it is a treatable disease, I know that right now your head is swarming with all kinds of dreadful thoughts regarding your furbaby's diagnosis but trust me once your knowledge about Cushing's grows that fear will lessen, ok? ;)

Now, does your sweet girl have a lipoma or lipedema? And, yes, please do get those test results and post them here. Some of the common symptoms from Cushing's are increases in drinking/urinating, a ravenous appetite, skin/hair issues, pot-bellied appearance, exercise intolerance, and difficulty or unable to go up steps or jump on furniture, does your girl display any of these? Does your girl have diluted urine? Dogs with Cushing's commonly have very elevated ALP liver enzyme levels. That ALP marker can be elevated by a host of other medical issues and even some medications can cause high ALP numbers.

The medications used for Cushing's do not to cure it, the sole purpose of treatment is to remedy problematic symptoms which is why strong symptoms play a huge part of the diagnosis for Cushing's. The two drugs generally used to treat Cushing's are Trilostane/Vetoryl and Mitotane/Lysodren, both can be used to treat the adrenal or pituitary type of Cushing's so I'm not understanding what surgery the vet is referring to unless he is talking about an adrenalectomy, which is a very expensive and serious operation.

As for that high-dose dexamethasone suppression test, I'd be more inclined to wait to have that done and would spend that money on an ultrasound instead.

I am sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but so glad you found us and we will help in any way we can.

Hugs, Lori

[Sadielove]

Hello, I am thankful for the post I have read a lot of post where you and Marianne have been very helpful. The only symptom I can tell is ravenous appetite and over weight. Yes, she has a lipoma. He stated he can't remove the lipoma because she would not be to handle the anesthesia with ALP of 1800. Due to the location of the lipoma at the right rear leg she is finding it difficult. To climb in the bed or on the couch. She now circles the floor to try and find a way to sit down. She still takes short walks daily. I asked the vet if they were going to do a sonogram and he stated no. This would be the last test before medication. I asked if he would please remove the lipoma soon because I want her to have a quality of life.

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Not everyone whose dog has an adrenal tumor opts for surgery. Yes it can be a cure, but it is also very expensive. Some treat with medication just like the pituitary.

Ultrasound gives you a lot of bang for the buck and can confirm if adrenal or pituitary. (they look for a tumor on the adrenal gland).
Even with treatment not all liver enzymes come back into range, some do and some don't. My dogs have been high for years, but her cortisol (cushings is controlled now).

Does she have any of the cushing symptoms as mentioned by Lori? Drinking tons, peeing a lot, accidents sometimes in the house, ravenous hunger, etc?

[molly muffin]

I see we where typing at the same time.

It being so big, I can see why they want to do a full anethesia.
We did have a dog the forum who had a very large lipoma removed using sedation and local anaesthetic. He did very well. Same reason, they didn't want to risk full anethesia but it had to come off. Maybe you could talk to your vet about that option?

[Sadielove]

Thanks I will ask them tomorrow. Now I wonder should I ask why the test and not a ultasound?

[molly muffin]

Well most vets would and do recommend the LDDS or the ACTH to check for cushings.

I personally thought of the ultrasound due to wanting to be able to do the surgery and it would show the state of the liver and if there where any other possibilities to cause the liver enzymes to co up, like say sludge in the gallbladder or something.

I'm just throwing thoughts out there that you can run by your vet.

[Sadielove]

Hello all. I have sadie's labs. I am not sure what this test is but here are the results.
Baseline cortisol 13.90. Ref. .5-6
Cortisol 4 hr 5.30 ref .5-6
Cortisol 8hr 3.30 ref .5-6.
Friday she had another 8 hr test. I think it was LDDS to determine adrenal versus pituitary. She has lost 4lbs but still a big girl at 116lbs. They stated when results come back wed they will know how to treat her with trilostane. I asked questions about removing the lipoma. Dr said have to get cortisol levels I. Line first depending on what type cushings. He said they checked her blood work.(22 markers?) and all was fine but her alph was 1800. I wonder if she could be having a gall bladder issue. She does not have any hair loss or frequent urination. She does seem hungry a lot, over weight, drinks a little more than usual not excessive.

[wendyweneki]

Our 8 yr old Panda Bear was just diagnosed today. I am so confused about everything. I can't wait till Tuesday when we see her regular Vet so she can sit and explain things to us, hopefully will be able to understand. I guess I'd better start putting in a lot of overtime at work to pay for all of this.

Wishing you and Sadie the very best. Please keep us up to date on your journey. I will be following you and learning from your experiences.

Peace, Love and Lots of Laughter,
Wendy

[Harley PoMMom]

Baseline cortisol 13.90. Ref. .5-6
Cortisol 4 hr 5.30 ref .5-6
Cortisol 8hr 3.30 ref .5-6.


Are these results from the LDDS test she had on Friday or are they from another previous test?

[Sadielove]

The test just says dex suppression test. But now that I am looking at my receipt Friday. It states dex suppression test. So I am not sure which is which. I do know the test from Friday will tell me adrenal versus pituatary. Either way they did advise the trilostane would cost me $120 a mont for Sadie.

[Sadielove]

Wendy I am so sorry to hear you are going having to go through this as well I can tell you I think I have read every thread and Google and Bing link there is about cushings. I am going to put my baby on a high protein low fat diet to help her. I am wondering if she should be on an omega 3 and probiotic from others things I have read.

[molly muffin]

Are they giving you vetroyl or compounded trilostane? Compounded might be a cheaper avenue to try.

The results I think do rule out adrenal in that there is some suppression. Lori is MUCH better at reading the LDDS (dex suppression) test than I am. :)

[Sadielove]

They haven't started txmt as of yet. They are waiting on the results to comeback from the lab. I am concerned and plan on asking why no urine gravity test. Sadie has no incontinence, no hair loss, no frequent urinating issues. So far a large appetite for food and drinks more than normal. I originally went to vet due to lipoma. Which I now know is the body's way of saying something is off balance so it is dumping the fat and all in tumor under skin. The best way I found it to be described is it like sweeping dirt under a rug. So, my main concern the extremely lipoma 4-5lbs in right leg quarter is being pushed aside to figure out if cushings. I would love to find a way to rid her of the lipoma safely. They won't do surgery due to liver enzymes and the vet stating if cushings it won't heal properly. They also think the cortisol is feeding the tumor to grow. I will get blood work and report numbers. I hate the timing of all this with Sadie. This was the summer we were going to introduce a new addition to the family (another weim) she will be ready in June. Now I am worried it may cause addtl stress to Sadie having a puppy around. I am also going to change diet to weight loss no grain food and add milk thistle to her diet. I am extremely concerned with the monthly cost to medicate and test Sadie. :(

[Sadielove]

I just got a call from the vets office. The labs came and confirmed pituatary cushings. They want to start her off on a compound of 90mg. They will orde and call me ready. I will pick up labs so I will have a reference point going forward.

[Sadielove]

Once we do the first ACHT test, I will look to orde Her meds cheaper on line somewhere. I will keep everyone I informed once we start the meds.

[labblab]

How much does Sadie weigh? 90 mg. sounds like a high starting dose to me. Initial dosing recommendations have lowered considerably within the past couple of years, and the the majority of specialists as well as the manufacturer of brandname Vetoryl now recommend starting at a level that does not exceed 1 mg. per pound. Before ordering the medication, I hope you'll talk with us further about this unless Sadie weighs close to 90 pounds.

Here's a link to a post that will give you more information about this:

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

Please do read through this before ordering the trilostane. Your vet may not be aware of these newer, revised recommendations since higher dosing levels were previously the norm.

Marianne

[wendyweneki]

Yes, please keep posting and keep me informed of how she does... and how you do with everything.

Thank God for this forum..... very helpful and informative.

Wishing you and Sadie the very best.

Wendy

[molly muffin]

Marianne, Sadie is a nice big Weinheimer at 100lbs.

That breed is so beautiful, but they are big furbabies. :)

I know of someone with 3. I think they regularly kick him out of bed when they all want in.

[labblab]

Sharlene, thanks for reminding me that Sadie is a big girl! ;)

Marianne

[Sadielove]

Yes Sadie is a big girl. They said trilostane doesn't come in a 90 mg so they are going to order it. It will cost $120. I am waiting for it to come in now. I will get the rx and shop it on line. After her first test. It drives me crazy knowing what she has and no meds yet. The tumor appears to be growing. She lays around a lot now. She needs the meds to.be more a to active. I will post pictures later. I have ordered a new baby blue weim coming in June. Hoping this will make Sadie want to move more. More to come later.

[molly muffin]

We'll be looking forward to your update.

[Sadielove]

Good morning everyone. It seemed like it took forever for the 90mg trilostane to come in. I picked up on Wednesday. We started immediately with the meds. She seems to handle the dosage well. We are on day 4 and she did something she hasnt done in a long time. She jumped up on the bed and woke me up as if to say it is time for my meds. I hide it in a hot dog. We went out to get the mail and for the first time she ran down the driveway without chasing something and with that large tumor in the crevasse of her rt hip. I had a tear in my eye. I am starting to see some of the old Sadie. Her begging and crying for food is starting to slow. Before we got the meds she started crying a lot at night for food and it was hard to ignore her. I did get her blood work and everything on there was great except alkp 1800. I have changed her treats to holistic kinds. I changed her food to grain free. She is not a fan of it. So I will keep trying to find one she likes. More to come later. The only concern I have is that they want to wait 30 days to do the first stem test.

[Harley PoMMom]

That is such great news that Sadie is starting to feel like her good ole self again!!!!!!

And yep, a stim test needs to be done within 10-14 days after treatment has started.

Hugs, Lori

[molly muffin]

Ohhh I a picture of Sadie! Love it! She's a beauty.

[Sadielove]

We are one week into treatment. I have noticed that her begging for food starts between 7 and 8 pm. I will have to ask at the ACTH test to see if we should split the dosage to 60/30. Also first time ever she has a foul order when she breathes on me. Never had that before.

[Joan2517]

I noticed bad breath with Lena as well. She had dental work done and her breath had just started to smell good, then after starting on the Vetoryl I noticed a different bad odor.

[molly muffin]

How is Sadie doing now? Is her breath still icky?
When is her ACTH test due?

[Sadielove]

Cush moms I am in need of prayers for Sadie. She was put back in hospital for fluid accumulation after her surgery on Friday. She was running a temp of 105 and hadn't eaten much this weekend and cried all weekend from the 30 staples vertical from the top to underneath her belly to remove a 4.4 lipoma that was interrupting her gait and ability to climb up in bed. I knew something was wrong when her belly was swelling and bright red and the. Her rt hind leg doubled in size. I called the vet at 730 am and sent photos. They asks me to bring her in at 9am. He looked at her and said he had to put in a drainage and keep her. I told them she had her trilostane this morning. I am worried about fever and the amount of swelling. I had to make a complaint on the tech because I couldn't get her out of the car and asked for assistance. She came out and proceeds to pull on her and I told her very sternly to stop she just had major surgery and you are going to hurt her. I said lets slide the blanket to the edge and we can gently lower her down. What did she do when we got to the edge. She snatche her out to had to scream at her to stop her rt leg was tangled in the blanket. She stop then. I untangled her leg and I noticed when we got inside that a staple had been pulled and she was bleeding a little bit. I was so mad I could not see straight. So I wrote them an email explaining what happened and I do not want her handling Sadie at all during their care. They apologized and said that animals are always their first priority. Needless to say. I let it go after I sent the email but I am very worried because I don't know what is happening to her and how she is doing. So I am asking for prayers. Thanks all.

[Renee]

Oh dear. I am so sorry. And, that vet tech. Unbelievable. You have every right to be downright pissed! :mad: I would be just livid.

Can you call for a checkup? Is she with your regular vet or an emergency clinic?

Sending prayers that your girl pulls through!

[judymaggie]

So sorry that Sadie is having such a rough time--definitely sending prayers and healing thoughts!

[jraven]

sending prayers and waiting for word that Sadie is doing better

[Whiskey's Mom]

Prayers and hugs from us too!

[labblab]

Omigoodness, tons of prayers and healing wishes are flowing from me, too.

Get well, precious Sadie!!

Marianne

[Joan2517]

Sending mine as well...poor Sadie. After the way that tech treated her, I would be dropping in to make sure she is not any where near Sadie...and I think I'd bite her for Sadie.

[DoxieMama]

Oh, I am so sorry!

That vet tech... grrrrrr. I'm glad you emailed them about her behavior.

Did they say they would call for updates? I would call them myself, regardless.

You've got my prayers and well-wishes, too. And lots of hugs for you.

Shana

[Tinkerbellsmom]

Sending prayers and get well wishes from us too.

[molly muffin]

Omg that vet tech. What on earth was she thinking.
I do hope Sadie improves and soon as I know you must be beside yourself with worry. Do let us know how she is doing.

[molly muffin]

I just want to check in with you and see how Sadie is doing.
Hoping for a good report soon!!

[Sadielove]

Good morning. I am so sorry I haven't been able to post lately. It has been a mad house. Sadie came home last Saturday with a drainage tube. They literally put two holes vertical about 2 inches from incision. They tied the tube together to stretch the holes open to let it drain. They advised me to keep her in the bathroom all week for it to drain. This has been one messy week. Also do they know the temperament of a weim being locked up. Needless to say finally we made it back to the vet today. I hope to get the drain tube out and maybe be back next Tuesday get staples out.

I did get her ACTH test results. On 90mg of compounded trilostane, post level stimulation is 2.3. Optimal control range post stmulation 1.5/5.5.

It appears that she is doing well on the compounded trilostane. Thanks so much for the prayers.

[molly muffin]

I am thrilled to hear that Sadie is home. How is she doing?

[Sadielove]

Sadie is improving. They have her antibiotics twice a day. They took the drainage tube out but didn't stitch it up said it would close fine. I worry because I understand that it is hard for Cush pups to heal. Fast forward to this afternoon. My husband took Sadie to get her staples out and wheni got home to check her I see about 2 inches where the incision had not closed. I asked if he noticed and he said he didn't see it. REALLY? How could you miss it. I asked if they said anything he aid no. The. I asked if anything happens when he got her home. He said well she did slip in water on the tile floor when trying to get up. Ugh. Seriously. Okay I have to breathe. So I m not sure if they sent her home this way or she pulled it. Either way it is not bleeding and she is extremely happy to have everything out. I will have to keep an eye on her and call the vet tomorrow. She is my baby.

[Renee]

Poor Sadie! Yes, definitely call the vet about the incision being split. They may want to bandage it or do something different. I'm glad her spirits are up. :)

[Harley PoMMom]

Oh poor Sadie :( If it was me I would try to put some kind of covering on it to help keep it clean.

Hugs, Lori

[barbara1]

my Bella also does not have overly symptoms for cushings and so my vet suggested I go to an internal medicine vet for an ultra sound. it was good advice! she saw a tumor on each of her glands and took her B/P which was very high. The symptoms for Bella were in her blood work. Alkaline Phosphate was 3,000.
If I were you, I would take a step back when a doctor suggests surgery too soon. I looked into the surgery and it is a very drastic measure. So many things can go wrong after the surgery if it is even a success. I started my Bella today on the cushings meds.
Good luck to you! Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. I don't know where you live, but I would find the best vet in your area.

[molly muffin]

What did the vet say about the incision. I think I would want them to maybe restitch it until it is better healed.