Elly - new member

[Elly]

Elly was born August 28, 2005 (11 yrs) and is a silver, miniature poodle and has the "Eyes of the Ages", but the luster is fading....

We found out that she had Cushing's after her teeth cleaning in August, 2016. After researching the traditional meds with my vet, it was decided that we would use the holistic Pet Wellbeing's extract liquid called "Adrenal Harmony Gold". She responded well with more energy, less water intake, less hunger attacks, and good stools and more controlled urination.

Yesterday, we go to the park and Elly has a great poop and we are heading home. She vomits in the car and now cannot hold anything down and has diarrhea. She's very lethargic and looks very unhappy. I've called her vet (who is on vacation) about adding Melatonin and changing her food to either Hill's Prescription Diet W/D or I/D.

It happened so quickly. In the back of my mind maybe she ate something at the park that didn't agree with her. Or can Cushing's turn on a dime? Thanks for anything that helps me understand.
Thank, Marti

[Elly]

Has anyone used Pet Wellbeing "Adrenal Harmony Gold"? And, what does Melatonin do for Cushing's?
Thanks, Marti

[Bluester]

Hello Marti and welcome to you and Elly. Sorry I have only been on this board for a few months so I am no expert but this group has helped me a lot so glad you found it.

My Beagle Blue was diagnosed in July. I have not tried or heard or Harmony Gold but I do give Blue Melatonin. Before treating her with Vectoryl I went the Melatonin and Lignans route.

The Melatonin pills are small and she eats them with no problem. It helps her sleep better of course but I believe it also helps her coat. She was losing a lot of hair before starting on them. Once she was better on the Vectoryl I stopped the Melatonin and noticed her hair loss getting bad again. I started her back on it and her coat is looking better again.

Not sure if others agree but has worked for Blue. I give her one 3mg pill each night.

Laura

[Joan2517]

Hello and welcome from me too. It sounds to me like she might have eaten something, but members who are more knowledgeable than I am will be along to try to help. One thing they will need is to see is blood work results. So if you have them that would be very helpful.

[judymaggie]

Marti -- welcome to you and Elly! Hopefully, we can provide you with information about Cushing's and answer your inquiries on that subject.

However, I want to start with a more urgent concern, i.e., Elly's vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. First, these symptoms are not typical symptoms associated with Cushing's. I think Joan's thought that they might be related to something that Elly ate is one possibility (my beagle has been known to suffer from "dietary indiscretions" ...). Another is a sudden attack of pancreatitis. Is Elly still having these symptoms? If she is, then I would recommend an immediate visit to your vet or an emergency clinic. The possibility of Elly getting dehyrated is of great concern.

With regard to Adrenal Harmony, one of our administrators has replied to other inquiries with the following:


...if clinical symptoms are not that bothersome to the dog or owner, some members have told us that Cushex and Adrenal Harmony Gold worked very well in controlling symptoms but only for a short time period. Cushex and Adrenal Harmony Gold have no controlled clinical testing whatsoever to back up their claims (we know this because we have contacted the manufacturers and we have been told that no testing has been done).

With regard to the Cushing's diagnosis, can you tell us what led to that diagnosis after her teeth cleaning? If blood tests were done, it would us greatly if you could post any highs or lows along with the date of the test and the range, i.e., ALT 516 (range 60-100). If urine tests were done, please advise if there was any protein in her urine and what the specific gravity was. Have any specific diagnostic tests for Cushing's been done, i.e., ACTH, LDDS, ultrasound? If so, please provide the results (ACTH will have a "pre" and "post" numbers; the LDDS will have three numbers).

Please let us know how Elly is feeling. We are worrywarts if we don't hear any follow-up when a pup is sick.

[labblab]

Hello from me, too. Before getting involved in a Cushing's discussion, I agree with Judy 100% -- if Elly is not significantly better by now, I think she should be evaluated ASAP by a vet. From what you are describing, I worry that Elly may have been exposed to some toxic substance at the park such as a pesticide or herbicide. Or if she scavaged some thrown-away candy or human food, she may have ingested something that is toxic to dogs (such as candy or gum containing xylitol). For her to become ill that suddenly and acutely is very worrisome to me. As Judy says, that is not at all characteristic of Cushing's, per se. So please do let us know how things have developed for you this afternoon.

Marianne