Oakley's Treatment

[Jenna]

Hello everyone! I have a 9 year old Boston Terrier, and we took him for some testing last week, and found out today that he has Cushings. I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed. I feel terrible for my little guy. He has quite a few symptoms present.
I am also feeling overwhelmed because we went over the cost of treatment today. I wondered if this shock is normal?! $330 visits a couple times a month at first, and eventually every 3 months or so. We are going to start him on Trilostane this week at his next appointment. But have been trying to learn and read as much as possible before we go, because I want to treat my poor Oakley, but I don't know how I will ever be able to afford this. I feel kind of like a terrible dog mom to even have this as my concern.... but I have to. I don't know what I am going to do. Because I just learned that He has this Disease today.... any and all advice is welcomed! What should my next steps be? I just feel so overwhelmed and am so thankful I found this forum tonight!

[labblab]

Hello Jenna, and welcome to you and your little Oakley! We are so glad you've found us, and boy, we surely understand why you're feeling overwhelmed -- we've all been there! The costs are daunting for everybody and you're are not a bad parent at all for worrying about that. You're simply being reasonable about trying to figure out how to make things work.

Unfortunately, it's true that the testing and medication costs can be quite expensive, especially at the beginning. However, there are a few tips we can give you that can help reduce the cost. First of all, there are compounded versions of trilostane that are far less expensive than brandname Vetoryl. Since you mentioned "trilostane" in your threadstarter, I'm guessing that you may be going that route. If not, we can tell you more about compounded trilostane as an option.

Secondly, the test that's used to monitor treatment -- the ACTH stimulation test -- is so expensive because of the cost of the stimulating agent that is injected as part of the test. For smaller dogs, we are aware of a technique by which the stimulating agent can be divided and used for multiple tests, thus saving money in the process. I'll come back tomorrow and add a link that you can print out and give to your vet.

Last but not least, one of our members has recently brought an entirely new monitoring protocol to our attention which is being used experimentally in Britain and now by at least one university vet school here in the U.S. It doesn't require the stimulating agent, and therefore would be less expensive. Again, I'll return tomorrow and give you a link to related info that you can provide to your vet. Who knows, this new protocol might be an option that your vet could explore on your behalf.

So please try not to feel too down-hearted right now. And also, it'll help us a lot if you can fill us in on a few more specifics about Oakley's overall health history, as well as the symptoms and testing that have led to this Cushing's diagnosis. Again, we're so glad you've found us!

Marianne

[Carole Alexander]

Hi Jenna and welcome,

Please don't give up hope; I know the cost is daunting but it likely will get better after you get through this phase. The worst, in terms of diagnostics and monitoring the treatment is at the front end, unfortunately. The folks here are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive and can truly help you through in the most efficacious manner possible. please hang in and best to you and your baby.

[Joan2517]

Hi and welcome from me, too. There is also Care Credit, which was a godsend for me. The night before my Lena died she was in the emergency clinic and they wanted me to write a check for $2000! I applied on the phone right there and got it right away. I still use it for my other babies when something expensive needs to be done. You get to extend payments, interest free for a promotional period over a certain amount. It helps a lot.

[molly muffin]

Hello to you and your furbaby.

Care credit is great. compounded trilostane is much cheaper option.

As for the alternative test method, we have a member whose dog is going to be tested using both protocols and results compared. We'll definitely know more about that after the test results come back.

It is overwhelming and scary at first, getting past this first round of testing to get the dosage right, is the worst. Then the every few months testing can make things easier.