Hello an introduction from us❤️

[tam2toys]

Hello everyone in Tammy from Arkansas and my sweet Precious was diagnosed with Cushings a little over a week ago. We go back for test next Monday to see how she is doing on 30 mg veteroyl. Precious is 12 and the sweetest girl! She has given her daddy and I lots of love over these years and we want to give her the best we possible can of care the rest of her days! Thank you to all who have contributed boundless knowledge and support for people like us who have gone through shock only to finally realize we can get through this one way or another! Looking forward to meeting more of you and a special thanks to sweet Leslie who has been so kind to us! HUGS Tammy &Precious

[labblab]

Dear Tammy,

Welcome to you and to your sweet girl! Yes indeed, Leslie is a sweetheart, too, and we're so lucky to have here as a charter member of our family! :)

You'll find that we are a nosy bunch though ;), so we'll love to find out more about Precious and her Cushing's diagnosis. What symptoms led you to suspect Cushing's, and has she had any other major health problems earlier in her life? Also, how much does she weigh? How is she doing so far with the Vetoryl?

Thank you so much in advance for any additional info you care to share with us. And once again, welcome to you both!

Marianne

[tam2toys]

http://s41.photobucket.com/user/jadedone24/media/Precious/BDC5DA63-170B-48B6-A320-E8048AC2155E_zpsv0vqm6jl.jpg.html

[tam2toys]

Thanks for the kind welcome Marianne. Precious is 12 weighs 16 lbs she is a shih tzu.
No symptoms, we had our annual check up with with off the charts alp reading and then went into more tests to determine why. As I said we are just about to go in for our 12 day following up after starting veteroyl so am hoping we are where we need to be. Keep her in your prayers that we are!
As far as other health issues she does have dry eyes that is treated with compounded tacrolimus and she has to have eye ointment and eye flushes several times a day. She has is on a rx diet to prevent urinary tract infections as well as pulse therapy once a month to keep them at bay. Recently started a potassium citrate to keep her urine ph where it needs to be we do urinalysis every few months also.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Tammy! Welcome to you and sweet Precious! :)

Nice to have another Arkie in the family! :D

I'm a little concerned that you saw no signs in Precious before starting treatment. Can you share with us what tests were done to diagnose the disease - LDDS, HDDS, ACTH, abdominal ultrasound - and would you mind sharing the actual results? Have you see any changes in her drinking, peeing, appetite, or behaviors since starting treatment?

Elevated ALP is what starts many of us down the testing road and then as we learn more about the disease we look back and can see signs were there that we simply didn't recognize. My Trink has been the opposite....I saw signs for some time but her tests were always normal until just recently when the ACTH came back at >50ug/dl!! :eek: Top end is usually around 18-20ug/dl!

I'm sure you will find lots of guidance and support here, and I am glad you and Precious are part of our little family now.
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh and yes, we are in central ARK, just outside Little Rock! You are close to Ft. Smith, right? I have been reading about some wonderful murals there!

[tam2toys]

Yes mam near fort smith!!

You are correct Leslie. I assumed her lack of energy and her middle aged bulge were just natural aging. Never had problems with her peeing in the house just normal or what I would consider normal potting. Feeding I can't say is with a great deal of certainty I don't free feed and measure her food because she has a weight issue it could be the pot bellied look?
I cannot give you the numbers he gave them to me but it was just so much and a huge shock at the initial part. We started with the urine cortisol then on the STIM test the same one we have again on Monday. I do remember he said it was 33. I don't know
If that helps you or not just trying to remember. I had other concerns about giving her potassium when I read veteroyl can increase potassium. Just a lot but I know you guys understand that overwhelmed feeling!

[labblab]

Hi again, Tammy.

Thank you so much for this additional info, and for letting us know how much Precious weighs. I do want to let you know that at 16 pounds, a starting dose of 30 mg. of Vetoryl is higher than is generally recommended at this time. Your vet is undoubtedly relying on the dosing chart contained in the printed product insert. However, as odd (and frustrating!) as it seems, the printed chart inside the Vetoryl package is now outdated -- in other more recently revised publications, Dechra is currently advocating for a lower, 1 mg. per pound, starting dose. I will give you a link that will explain all of this in greater detail. Please read through it and let us know of questions. You may even want to print it off for your vet.

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

If Precious seems to be doing fine on the 30 mg. dose, then you may want to leave her alone until that first monitoring ACTH stim test. However, I really do encourage you to watch her very closely for any side effects. If she seems unwell (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, etc.), you will need to have her tested immediately, because this dose may be too high for her. The alternative would be to talk with your vet right now about possibly lowering her dose, and keeping the rest of the 30 mg. capsules in reserve. I know the medication is very expensive, so it may be tough to buy some different capsules right now. But as I say, if you stick with the 30 mg. capsules, do be sure to watch her very carefully (which I'm sure you're already doing anyway!)

Marianne

[tam2toys]

Thank you Marianne! I sure am keeping a very watchful eye on her!

[tam2toys]

Just a quick update Precious is getting her 12 day post med Stim test today! I pray all comes back well! I'll let you know when we do ❤

[molly muffin]

I just wanted to say hello and welcome since I haven't had a chance to do so yet.

We'll be looking forward to seeing what Precious test results are. Get the vet to give you the pre and the post numbers!