What should I expect?

[Lozza]

Hi - my rescue 11 year old terrier cross who I have only had for 2months is showing signs of cushings. Vet has done a general blood test and the results also suggest changes expected to be seen for cushing so he is due to go back in on Monday for the cushings blood test.
I am now very concerned as to what I should expect - medication, his quality of life, food, etc. I also use Plaque-off for his teeth and Billy no Mates for fleas and I'm concerned that I should not be using these.
We have also found recently (after getting a camera) that he suffers from anxiety when left alone and I'm worried this will not help the cushings (if he does have it).
Any advice much appreciated.

[labblab]

Hello and welcome! I have only a moment to post right now, but I'll return later on ;). In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know that I've transferred your thread here, to our main discussion forum. This way, more of our members are likely to see your thread and respond to your questions.

Once again, welcome, and I'll be back :).
Marianne

[labblab]

OK, I'm back! First of all, kudos to you for rescuing this senior fur baby! What a sweet and loving decision to give this little boy a secure home at this stage of his life.

Can you tell us a bit more about the symptoms and test results that are pointing towards Cushing's? It can be a tricky disease to diagnose, but it sounds as though your vet is properly taking things step-by-step.

The good news is that the symptoms of Cushing's can be brought under control with medication, and dogs who are treated can live out their normal lifespans with a good quality of life. Before talking about the treatment in more detail, though, it'll help if we can find out more about the specific symptoms that are troubling your boy. That will give us a better idea as to the path forward, both in terms of testing and also control of the disease should it turn out that he truly has Cushing's.

Once again, welcome to you both!
Marianne

[Lozza]

Hi Marianne, thank you for your messages.

His symptoms are typical of cushings - thinning hair and skin, panting, drinking a lot, urinating a lot (at night this has been in house) and a pop belly. He doesn't seem to be able to get comfortable either - fidgets a lot (not sure if this is in line with cushings as well).

I don't have the actual results of the blood test - it was a general overall health blood test (he is going in for the cushings one on Monday) however the vet said that the liver results would need to be investigated if the results show he doesn't have cushings.

Laura

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too. So it sounds like the liver enzymes are elevated. Depending on what the numbers are and which ones are elevated that can go along with cushings.

Are they doing the LDDS or the ACTH (8 hr or 2 hour) test on Monday?

There are two drugs that can be used to treat cushings, vetroyl and lysodren. Both are serious drugs and protocols have to be followed on administering (with food) and followup testing.

First lets see what the numbers are on the cushing tests. Also while there can you ask for a copy of the blood work that has been done and then let us know what the numbers/with range of any high or low results are? That helps us to give you better feedback.

welcome to the fourm!

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Laura and welcome to you and your baby boy! :)

You can expect your world to change in many ways if your baby does have Cushing's....and many of those ways are good. For example, you will make friends from all over the world, some for the rest of your life, and you will learn a great deal about things you've never even heard of until before you know it you find yourself reaching out to help someone new. You will also become an even better pet parent than you are now....and I know you are a good parent because you are here expressing your concerns proving just how much you care and how far you are willing to go to help your baby boy be the best possible. ;)

You can expect to receive our best regardless of the situation. If you will look at the top of the page you will see these words under the web page heading - support, educate, encourage, remember. We live by those words and offer them all to you. We will give you our most meaningful feedback and when we don't understand we will ask for more information that we might be able to understand. If we do not know, we will say that as well....then help you try to find the answer. If those tough days come, we will help you thru. And in the darkest of times, we will hold your hand and walk with you thru the valley. You and your little boy are now part of our family here at K9C.

As for what to expect about the testing he is going to have, it is possible that he may be a bit "off" after the test. Not all dogs experience this and the degree varies among those that do. So don't worry if he's not himself for the 24 hours or so following the test(s). If, IF, the test(s) show he probably does have Cushing's then you are in the best possible place right here with us. But today just breath and try to enjoy spending time with your baby boy. IF he does have Cushing's, you can do this, odds are he will do fine once he's stabilized - and we are with you all the way.

It is a really good idea to start getting copies of all the test results from now on if you can. The actual numbers not the invoice. We will be asking LOTS of questions and the answers to many can be found in those test results. ;) And it's just a good idea to have a file of all the records at home just in case he ever has to see another vet - you walk in the door with everything already in hand. :)

The most important thing you need to hold onto right now is this - Cushing's is not a death sentence. Most cush pups live out their normal lifespan and beyond, passing from something unrelated to Cushing's. My first cush baby, Squirt, passed at the age of 16+ of age related issues...and it had been about 7 years since we had first heard the word "Cushing's". ;)

I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more about you and your sweet boy as time passes IF IF IF he does have Cushing's. Regardless, we will want to hear from you every now and then to let us know how ya'll are doing.;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[Lozza]

Hi Sharlene, I think they are doing ACTH two hour test as he is having a respiratory check up as well as been having odd breathing episodes which they're doing after the blood test. Really worried for the poor guy.
Will ask gor copies

[Lozza]

Thanks Leslie - brought tears to my eyes!

[DoxieMama]

Hi Laura, welcome from me too! How wonderful you have taken in this sweet boy. What's his name?

If it turns out he does have Cushings, you are in the right place! And if he doesn't, well that's great... you are still welcome here. As Leslie said, you're family now. I no longer have my Cushings baby but still participate here regularly, as the admins and other members are some of the best people I have ever met... especially when it comes to sharing our love of dogs. 😁

Please let us know what you find out about those test results. And remember to breathe!

Shana

[Lozza]

Hi all, so Seymour has been confirmed with cushings. The cortisol post ACTH was 825.0 (help to understand this would be appreciated!).

Starting Vetoryl in the morning - have chicken at the ready to hide tablet in.

Is there anything I should consider now? Such as his diet etc?
Thank you in advance

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Laura,

Welcome to you and Seymour from me as well! I did see that you posted that Seymour's liver levels are high, could you post those values for us and any other values that are abnormal, and please include the normal reference ranges too, thanks! Also, the ACTH post number for Seymour, is that result in units of nmol/L? Can you tell how much Seymour weighs? And what dose of Vetoryl he was prescribed?

One important thing with Vetoryl is that has to be given with his meal so it can be properly absorbed, hiding it in chicken is fine but he should eat a meal too. I'm including a link to information regarding Vetoryl/Trilostane, please do utilize it and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask them. ;) Here's that link: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185

I sure am sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but so glad you found us.

Hugs, Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Ok...there should be some little letters after that ACTH post #...can you let us know what those are? And the range given from the lab that follows that post #? Should be two numbers something like -

210 - 550 (EXAMPLE)

What dose of Vetoryl is the vet recommending? The new starting dose for this drug is 1mg per lb (or 2mg per kg). HOWEVER not all vets are aware of this change and continue to start dogs at much higher dose (3x). So let us know that dose before before he starts taking it. ;)

It is important that Seymour get the med WITH a meal every time as Vetoryl is a fat soluble drug and must have food to work. Seymour will be very glad to hear this part! :D As for diet, it is best not to change anything right now. Changing foods can cause digestive upsets and those very things are also signs that the cortisol has gone too low. So we do not want to muddy the waters right now. Just let things remain the same UNLESS there is a medical reason to change the diet like IBS, allergies, etc.

I hope the vet told you the signs to look for that would indicate the cortisol has dropped too low - a life threatening situation. Just in case those signs are loss of appetite, lethargy, loose stools/diarrhea, nausea/vomiting. If you see any of these things STOP giving the Vetoryl and let your vet know what is going on. And talk with us. :) We will help you thru. The good thing about Vetoryl is that is has a very short life in the body so IF there is a problem the drug is leaving the body pretty quickly. It is also easy to stop and restart for that same reason.

You're gonna do just fine, Mom! Keep breathing, ok? You'll be a pro in no time!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

As the other mentioned it is important to Start at the recommended dosage of 1mg per 1lb or 1mg per 2 kg. So weight of the dog is important as you don't want to over do it. So keep a look out for any vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, can't walk.
Some dogs with cushings also have breathing issues, making their breathing sound kind of raspy.

Post ACTH - 835nmol would be 29.93 ug so definitely high cortisol.

so you want to feed in the morning and give the pill You can expect to have a repeat ACTH in about 12 - 14 days to see how he is tolerating the drug and again at 30 days to see where his cortisol levels out at on this dosage. (they drop for about 30 days on the same dose)

You can have him go up to 250 with symptoms being controlled. That is 9.0ug for those in the US. So that is your post ACTH goal.

[Lozza]

Thanks everyone,

The results read: 'Cortisol Post ACTH - 825.0 nmol/L High (<470)

He weighs 6.5kg and is on 10mg (which my vet said was the lowest dose) .

If he were to have a reaction, how soon would I see any of the side effects?

[Harley PoMMom]

Dogs can have adverse side effects at any time during treatment but usually if a dog is not tolerating the dose of Vetoryl they are on those symptoms would probably show within the first hours of taking the medication. The adverse side effects you want to watch out for are: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, or Seymour just not acting like himself, if you would see any one of these symptoms stopping the Vetoryl is required.

The 10mg of Vetoryl is an appropriate dose for his weight so I believe he will do fine, however Vetoryl is manufactured in 5 mg dosages too so if the 10 mg seems too much he can always be switched to 5 mg.

Hugs, Lori