Cushings and Diarrhea

[mlreed@ilstu.edu]

Hi everyone. I'm a newbie to this site. My 13 year old Yorkie, Bear, has been diagnosed with Cushings for about 6 months now. He has been taking 15mg Vetoryl a day and thyroid meds also. The past month he is having issues with diarrhea and the only thing that helps is a shot the vet gives him with an antibiotic and b vitamins. It clears is up pretty quickly for about 5 days and then it slowly starts back up again. Is diarrhea a side effect of the meds? the disease? He is getting weaker and losing weight this last month because of it. He sees the doc in a couple of days to discuss this. Thanks so much for being here and all the support!
Monica

[labblab]

Hello Monica, and welcome to you and little Bear! I'm sorry, though, that he is having these problems. When diarrhea and lethargy/weakness are exhibited by dogs being treated with trilostane, the first question we typically ask of Cushparents is "how recently has your dog's cortisol level been monitored?" We always worry about low cortisol in a situation like this because vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy can be classic symptoms of that problem.

Has Bear had an ACTH stimulation test performed recently, and if so, what were the results? In fact, if you can give us his full diagnostic and monitoring testing history, that would be really helpful. Since he's been taking the Vetoryl for six months now, I'm hopeful that he's had 2-3 ACTH monitoring tests by now. Also, if you can tell us more about his symptoms that led to the initial diagnosis, that will also help guide us.

If his cortisol level is within desired therapeutic range, then we'd need to look elsewhere for explanations for his decline. It might be possible that he is suffering from an inflammatory GI issue that has been "unmasked" now that his natural cortisol production has declined. Or it may be an entirely different issue altogether.

To get us started, though, it'll be great if you can fill us in re: his complete Vetoryl dosing and monitoring history. Thanks very much in advance for this info!

Marianne

[DoxieMama]

Hi Monica, welcome to you and Bear! As Marianne mentioned, diarrhea could be from his cortisol level decreasing too much. Please do let us know what you find out at the vet!

Shana

[mlreed@ilstu.edu]

Thanks Marianne. Bear has had 3 ACTH tests done since starting the Vetoryl and they have been fine. He has not had a recent test, but is only experiencing the diarrhea and not vomiting or lethargy.
I don't have the test results, but will contact the vet's office and get copies of those. He saw the doc on Saturday and after much discussion he thinks it's a small intestine issue and put him on a powder that I sprinkle in his food 2x/day. I forgot the name of it, but will get back to you on that. He also said I can take him in for the shot as often as needed (which is about every 5 -7 days). I haven't been giving him the Vetoryl very often at all since this started about a month ago.
The symptoms that led to the diagnosis: Lost 2 lbs in a week and noticed his back and shoulders were bony, but belly was bloated. Had been extremely hungry and thirsty for quite awhile. After trying enzymes that didn't help he ran more tests and finally found the Cushings.
Thanks for all the help!

[mlreed@ilstu.edu]

Thank you Shana. See my reply to Marianne above for details. I will keep you guys posted if I can figure out how to work this site. I'm guessing I will just keep updating this same posting? Thanks!

[DoxieMama]

Please post those ACTH test results when you get them. Can you clarify when you have/have not given Bear the Vetoryl, since you said you "haven't been giving him the Vetoryl very often at all" ...

Thanks,
Shana

[mlreed@ilstu.edu]

Will do.
I gave it to him without fail until the diarrhea started about a month ago. Since then I have only given him about 1/2 his dose every 5 days because it starts up again when I think he's better.
Thanks!

[judymaggie]

Hi, Monica! I wanted to add my "welcome" to you and Bear.


I'm guessing I will just keep updating this same posting?

Yes, you should post all your information about Bear in this same thread. By keeping all of Bear's information together, members will have a better picture of Bear's situation and it will be a good historical thread for you.

It may seem like we are asking for a lot of information but we really need details if we are to help guide you along this journey.

[mlreed@ilstu.edu]

Thank you Judy. I totally understand needing all the information. I'm so glad I found you guys!

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Is it florafora a probiotic that you are giving Bear? I use to have to give that for my dog too as she would get GI upset quite a bit.
One thing I would say though about the trilostane, is that it would be better to go down to a lower daily dose, than to give once every five days as that won't help with the cushings. They need a steady maintaining of the cortisol levels. So even going down a lot and getting the GI upset to clear up would be optimal. The probiotic helped my dog but sometimes that extra anitbiotic would be needed by us to for bacteria in the intestine.