PDA

View Full Version : Two years into Cushings



jinefizzh
08-07-2016, 10:46 AM
Hello,
My poodle Habibi was diagnosed with Cushings two years ago. He had all the symptoms: panting, weight gain, weak muscles, incontinence, etc. We treated him with Lysodren and got to a place where he was much better: no panting, strong bladder, back to his old weight, frisky.
The last couple months symptoms have come back: panting, and incontinence (sometimes he wakes us up 4-6 times a night). Add to this, pacing and pacing and pacing. Also his back legs have gotten incredibly weak. I'm trying to brace myself for the worst, while making sure that Habibi is as comfortable and healthy as he can be considering the circumstances. I've tried melotonin and it helped with the night pacing...but then he wakes up in a puddle of urine. We've given him a mood altering drug (vet recommended) to get him eating again and it has worked but I wonder if that is part of why he's so peppy at night. The sat and Sunday afternoons when he gets his weekly lysodren (now only a quarter of a pill because of the weight loss) are the worst with constant anxious pacing and diarrhea and sad stares. I'd love a sense of the trajectory that other folks have been and are experiencing with their dogs and this terrible disease.

DoxieMama
08-07-2016, 11:06 AM
Welcome to you and Habibi. I do not have experience to offer, but do you have copies of any of Habibi's test results? When was the last ACTH test done, and what was the result of that? What is the "mood altering drug" you are giving him now?

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions for you, but this information will help others provide you with the best support.

Squirt's Mom
08-07-2016, 11:41 AM
Hi and welcome to you Habibi!

In addition to the info Shana asked about, can you tell me how much he weighs today and how old he is? Has he been checked for diabetes lately? Has he had a wellness screen that shows organ function like BUN, ALP, CHOL, etc. lately?

I'm glad you found us and look forward to hearing back from you soon!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

jinefizzh
08-07-2016, 04:01 PM
His most recent test said he did not have diabetes. He had remarkably good numbers. The stimulant that the vet proscribed is Mirtazapine. He's been getting urinary tract infections which we are treating with an antibiotic.

labblab
08-07-2016, 04:08 PM
Can you please find out and tell us the exact numbers on his most recent ACTH stimulation test? Anytime Cushpups are not doing well, that is one of the most important pieces of info for us to consider when we make suggestions as to the path forward.

Thanks in advance for this information!
Marianne

Allison
08-12-2016, 11:56 PM
Welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place. There are so many knowledgeable people here.

Our adopted dog Gizmo had Cushings for years. Many of the symptoms you've listed including weak back legs are familiar to me. Gizmo lived for years after his diagnosis, although it was a rollercoaster ride. He died last spring of pancreatisis.

As others have advised, test results would be useful! A good number of people here will be able to interpret them and give you sound recommendations.