Suzanneg
05-04-2017, 08:33 PM
Hello all! This is my first post. I read all of the information links as I was waiting for forum membership approval- so I'm learning a bit about about Cushing's Disease. I deeply appreciate the knowledge of the membership base, and I look forward to engaging with you all. Hopefully, I will be able to help a newbie like me, in the future!
I have an 8 year old Pomeranian named Mr Big. He is a big Pom; beautifully formed, with a thick gorgeous golden red sable coat. Unfortunately, he has breed associated disorders- luxating patella in both rear legs, and a pretty nasty collapsing trachea. I manage these issues with occasional cough meds, and Tramadol. Mr Big is tall, and- unfortunately, despite life long attempts at weight control, overweight: though most of his admirers think he is "all fur"! Actually, he weighs 20 pounds. We take twice daily walks, but he is not a "walking dog". He likes to walk slowly, sniff everything, zig zag across the street, and say hello to everyone we meet. He has a voracious appetite, but me and my family are careful about what we give him to eat. He eats mostly raw food- K-9 Kraving chicken, vegetable beef patties, and green beans. Very little kibble, and some Trader Joe liver treats.
Last month I decided to have Mr.'s teeth cleaned. The blood test done before he was anesthetized for the procedure showed elevated levels of cortisol. My vet called right away- fearing Cushing's Disease. I read everything I could on Cushing's- and was convinced he had this disease. He has an insatiable appetite, and I had recently taken him to the vet for the tiny blackhead skin condition cited as a symptom. Mr kind of has a pot belly too. But, he did not have excessive thirst, nor did he EVER pee in the house.
So the morning of the dental cleaning- I bring a urine specimen to the vet so that she could test his urine for Cushing's. It was hard to get that first morning specimen. My husband followed him out, and managed to get a little bit, but it was mixed with some dirt. Mr was confused about us trying to catch his urine. I was sure he was going to test positive. I was totally surprised and relieved when the vet said his urine was negative for Cushing's.
Another thing he has, is a dry warty looking crusty looking nose. It doesn't run- it's just dry. We spend regular bits of time in the Florida Keys- so I imagine it is sunburned- though he is always in the shade.
Then, two weeks ago, he started drinking water like crazy. He peed in the house, at night 3 times in a week. Then, 5 days ago, he started barking incessantly- even while seemingly, at rest. He started getting picky about his food- he left the green beans and the kibble in his bowl. He has never, ever, peed in the house, drank excessively, or left any morsel of food, except avocado, uneaten. I knew something was wrong. Today, I took him for a walk, and he got a little bit down the street, and started acting really weird. It was like he was going to lick his back leg, or bite his tail- and he kind of went around in a circle, then sat down. He then proceeded to trot home, and sat down when we got to the front porch. He never walks home that fast.
I'm afraid he has a brain tumor: something is not right. I made him an appt at the vet in 3 days. I can not take him sooner due to serious obligation.
Does this sound like Cushing's?
I have an 8 year old Pomeranian named Mr Big. He is a big Pom; beautifully formed, with a thick gorgeous golden red sable coat. Unfortunately, he has breed associated disorders- luxating patella in both rear legs, and a pretty nasty collapsing trachea. I manage these issues with occasional cough meds, and Tramadol. Mr Big is tall, and- unfortunately, despite life long attempts at weight control, overweight: though most of his admirers think he is "all fur"! Actually, he weighs 20 pounds. We take twice daily walks, but he is not a "walking dog". He likes to walk slowly, sniff everything, zig zag across the street, and say hello to everyone we meet. He has a voracious appetite, but me and my family are careful about what we give him to eat. He eats mostly raw food- K-9 Kraving chicken, vegetable beef patties, and green beans. Very little kibble, and some Trader Joe liver treats.
Last month I decided to have Mr.'s teeth cleaned. The blood test done before he was anesthetized for the procedure showed elevated levels of cortisol. My vet called right away- fearing Cushing's Disease. I read everything I could on Cushing's- and was convinced he had this disease. He has an insatiable appetite, and I had recently taken him to the vet for the tiny blackhead skin condition cited as a symptom. Mr kind of has a pot belly too. But, he did not have excessive thirst, nor did he EVER pee in the house.
So the morning of the dental cleaning- I bring a urine specimen to the vet so that she could test his urine for Cushing's. It was hard to get that first morning specimen. My husband followed him out, and managed to get a little bit, but it was mixed with some dirt. Mr was confused about us trying to catch his urine. I was sure he was going to test positive. I was totally surprised and relieved when the vet said his urine was negative for Cushing's.
Another thing he has, is a dry warty looking crusty looking nose. It doesn't run- it's just dry. We spend regular bits of time in the Florida Keys- so I imagine it is sunburned- though he is always in the shade.
Then, two weeks ago, he started drinking water like crazy. He peed in the house, at night 3 times in a week. Then, 5 days ago, he started barking incessantly- even while seemingly, at rest. He started getting picky about his food- he left the green beans and the kibble in his bowl. He has never, ever, peed in the house, drank excessively, or left any morsel of food, except avocado, uneaten. I knew something was wrong. Today, I took him for a walk, and he got a little bit down the street, and started acting really weird. It was like he was going to lick his back leg, or bite his tail- and he kind of went around in a circle, then sat down. He then proceeded to trot home, and sat down when we got to the front porch. He never walks home that fast.
I'm afraid he has a brain tumor: something is not right. I made him an appt at the vet in 3 days. I can not take him sooner due to serious obligation.
Does this sound like Cushing's?