HuskyMom3
03-10-2018, 04:55 PM
I am a new parent to Cushing's Disease in my 5 and half year old Siberian Husky, Duchess.
About 2 years ago, she appeared to lose her hair around her neck; we just assumed that it was from an allergy to her collar which she was not normally wearing a collar. Our groomer assured us it would grow back, never did. Then about 6-7 months ago, Duchess began to pee and drink excessively; she just couldn't hold her urine. I was concerned about hot spots as she was constantly cleaning herself. Country vet we took her to at the time; leaned down smelled urine and treated her for peeing as it is common in middle age dogs. Still wasn't happy with the outcome, so when finished meds didn't go refill and went to doggie diapers to hopefully save the carpet and her embarrassment when she couldn't hold it. In early December, I had to board the dogs for a month, while transitioning cities to be with my mother. The day I picked up Duchess, I cried. She had spots on her skin that hair was gone, she could barely walk, was trembling and looked like she might not back it through the night. I worried for a week until I could find a vet in my new location. I walked into the vet that first Saturday and the vet immediately looked at her and said endocrine disease! I was at once relived and terrified as my son's dog has Addison's.
We did the blood panel and it came back with high liver and it was suggested that we do the short test; although she has ALL the symptoms of Cushings. Surprisingly, the test came back normal for Cushings. We then waited for a couple of weeks, as she did have good days and bad days and did the full day test. I received a call the next morning that she had definitely tested for Cushing's Disease. We have immediately started her on Vetoryl 10 mg 2 x day. It is amazing the difference it has made in her! She is now "talking to her brothers"; engaging with other dogs at the doggie park, less peeing and drinking and some energy level back. Unfortunately, she is now losing plugs of hair and she has a rat tail as a husky but at least it is wagging again! The muscle mass is still not improved and she sometimes face plants when she overdoes her walking, hunting for moles or climbing out of the car.
The vet wanted to do another test after 2 weeks of meds, however, she also said based on her results from the short test, that we were really going to have to monitor by behaviors then test results. My thought is for now; to monitor her and keep her on the meds and then test after 30 days. It costs SO much to finally get a diagnosis plus meds; I need to save a little up since I only get paid monthly. Am I putting her at risk as long as I closely monitor for any changes.
Note: unfortunately, she did not get her undercoat this year; so she does lots of shivering not sure if do to cold or Cushing's symptom. I recently went out and got a doggie sweater and she loves it! Fact, when I try to take it off, she runs. Am I doing in harm covering up her hair is she is gaining bald spots? The vet told me that hair loss was not a symptom of Vetoryl; but that maybe the skin was finally repairing itself and that the hair loss was do to that. She has a "crusty feel to her entire skin now; or a bacterial infection of the skin. We are monitoring for the weekend to see if she really is going to be bald or just in spots.
For those of you that are old pros at this; can you give me any advice or am I going about this all the wrong way?
I was thinking that Cushings was a disease that treatment could give a better quality of life, but now I am seeing that life expectancy may be diminished due to the disease. Thanks for listening!
About 2 years ago, she appeared to lose her hair around her neck; we just assumed that it was from an allergy to her collar which she was not normally wearing a collar. Our groomer assured us it would grow back, never did. Then about 6-7 months ago, Duchess began to pee and drink excessively; she just couldn't hold her urine. I was concerned about hot spots as she was constantly cleaning herself. Country vet we took her to at the time; leaned down smelled urine and treated her for peeing as it is common in middle age dogs. Still wasn't happy with the outcome, so when finished meds didn't go refill and went to doggie diapers to hopefully save the carpet and her embarrassment when she couldn't hold it. In early December, I had to board the dogs for a month, while transitioning cities to be with my mother. The day I picked up Duchess, I cried. She had spots on her skin that hair was gone, she could barely walk, was trembling and looked like she might not back it through the night. I worried for a week until I could find a vet in my new location. I walked into the vet that first Saturday and the vet immediately looked at her and said endocrine disease! I was at once relived and terrified as my son's dog has Addison's.
We did the blood panel and it came back with high liver and it was suggested that we do the short test; although she has ALL the symptoms of Cushings. Surprisingly, the test came back normal for Cushings. We then waited for a couple of weeks, as she did have good days and bad days and did the full day test. I received a call the next morning that she had definitely tested for Cushing's Disease. We have immediately started her on Vetoryl 10 mg 2 x day. It is amazing the difference it has made in her! She is now "talking to her brothers"; engaging with other dogs at the doggie park, less peeing and drinking and some energy level back. Unfortunately, she is now losing plugs of hair and she has a rat tail as a husky but at least it is wagging again! The muscle mass is still not improved and she sometimes face plants when she overdoes her walking, hunting for moles or climbing out of the car.
The vet wanted to do another test after 2 weeks of meds, however, she also said based on her results from the short test, that we were really going to have to monitor by behaviors then test results. My thought is for now; to monitor her and keep her on the meds and then test after 30 days. It costs SO much to finally get a diagnosis plus meds; I need to save a little up since I only get paid monthly. Am I putting her at risk as long as I closely monitor for any changes.
Note: unfortunately, she did not get her undercoat this year; so she does lots of shivering not sure if do to cold or Cushing's symptom. I recently went out and got a doggie sweater and she loves it! Fact, when I try to take it off, she runs. Am I doing in harm covering up her hair is she is gaining bald spots? The vet told me that hair loss was not a symptom of Vetoryl; but that maybe the skin was finally repairing itself and that the hair loss was do to that. She has a "crusty feel to her entire skin now; or a bacterial infection of the skin. We are monitoring for the weekend to see if she really is going to be bald or just in spots.
For those of you that are old pros at this; can you give me any advice or am I going about this all the wrong way?
I was thinking that Cushings was a disease that treatment could give a better quality of life, but now I am seeing that life expectancy may be diminished due to the disease. Thanks for listening!