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[Katm]

I'm CopperMoons momma and we just found out he has Cushings... I'm scared and just want to do what's best for him. He has an injury to his from right wrist and wasn't healing right and this lead to other question and a specialist. They want to treat everything they see and it was so expensive so we are taking one thing at a time with the notes from the specialist who was a surgeon. Copper is just 9 and a cockerSpaniel...we have an appointment on Next Monday for a ultrasound to see if it pituitary or adrenal ... so he can be treated properly...I believe he has had Cushings for about 8-9months without us knowing and putting it all together. Any support or advise on helping and what to expect, would be most appreciated. Thank you

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and CooperMoon!

I'm sorry your sweet boy is going through so much right now and I know how worried you must be. A Cushing's diagnosis sure is a scary thing to hear but trust me once you familiarize yourself about this disease the less scary it becomes, and we are here to help in any way we can.

Now, in order for us to give you our best possible feedback we need to know more about CooperMoon's medical history. And the way we find this information is with a bunch of questions, so I'll start off with some of mine ;)

Can you please get copies of all testing that was done by your vet and share the results with us? For the blood labs, we need only see the high and low values, and please include the normal reference ranges. Does CooperMoon display any of these common Cushing's symptoms: increased drinking and urination, ravenous hunger, pot-bellied appearance, skin or hair issues, a reluctance to jump on furniture or go down steps, seeking cool places to rest, panting? Is he taking any other medications/herbs/supplements? Were any diagnostic tests for Cushing's performed on your boy and if so, could you post those results? Also, if the diagnostic test were done, was CooperMoon's front paw still bothering him? Does your boy have any underlying illness that he is taking medication for?

One important thing I want you to know is that Cushing's is a treatable disease. However for the treatment to work safely and successfully it requires an educated pet owner along with an experienced vet. Adverse side effects are mostly seen when the proper protocols are not followed. We do have many members that are experiencing success with their dog's treatment for Cushing's. And with treatment dogs with Cushing's can have a good quality of life and there is every reason to believe that they can live out their normal life span. The goal of treatment is not to cure the disease but rather to help control those bothersome symptoms and get that superabundant supply of cortisol down within the therapeutic ranges.

I am sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but I am glad you found us and we will walk this journey with you and CooperMoon. I'm going to direct you to our Helpful Resource Forum where we have a wealth of information regarding Cushing's, the medications used and the treatment protocols. It also includes articles written by some of the most renown veterinarians that specialize in endocrinology such as David Bruyette, Mark Peterson, and Edward Feldman. An educated dog owner is a very important factor in treating this disease so please utilize it and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask them. ;)

Here's that link to our Helpful Resource Forum Helpful Resources for Owners of Cushing's Dogs (http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10)

Hugs, Lori

[Katm]

I will get all the testing from vet we just start Monday and have an ultra sound this coming Monday...his wrist was infected thought a foxtail or something else inside but after surgery and swelling was down there was popping and cracking...we think possible degenerative arthritis...one specialist that said test for Cushing due to skin dry and hard just around ears...and pop belly has in last couple of week major thirst and urination...I will get more info on trip to. E.g. To share the specialist said he was to amputate his foot after we get everything else taken care of and if I can't afford it put him down ...which if I felt he was in. Pain or giving up I would ...my regular vet put him on a combo of antibiotics because he had surgery do drain his foot and it having trouble healing...this seem to be getting better. I keep it wrapped and stabilized so he's not in pain...which he isn't showing signs of yet...I will get info from vet I do know he has high kidney #s and I was told he has the indication of eventually kidney failure and after reading cushings explains it. Regular is willing to work with the other vet as the specialist 2hours away has more advanced facilities...

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too.
I think seeing the high/low abnormal results can add something to the feedback we can give you.
You mentioned kidney failure also, what are the BUN and Creatinine results?

Another questions, did the main symptoms start after the injury to his foot and probable infection from that? I ask because the bodies natural response to an injury or disease is to increase cortisol productions which can show up as cushings on a test. (the cortisol is raised naturally)

I do think the ultrasound will give you some more insight. Make sure they look at liver, kidneys, gallbladder, in addition to the adrenal gland, so you can get a good overview of what is going on.

Let us know what the ultrasound shows.