Possible Cushings

[Kayblair16]

Hey y’all! My name is Kayla, I have a 7 year old chocolate lab named Bailey. A week ago we went for her routine annual physical and shots. I have never had blood work drawn on her other than the usual heart worm testing .... I agreed to let them do blood work bc next year she will be consider a “ senior “ panel and it will be $100 more.

I got a call Wednesday that Baileys ALP levels were over 800. Dr Walker is concerned that she may have cushings. Clinically bailey has recently had insomnia and some increased thirst but nothing else. She usually wakes through the night and I have to go lay on the couch with her and she goes back to sleep. I’m beyond an emotional wreck thinking something is wrong with my sweet girl. I’m reaching out to others for comfort and guidance. She goes Monday for blood work and I’ll know Tuesday if it is indeed cushings. I couldn’t imagine her having problems so young. It has absolutely broken my heart and I’m at a lost of how to coupe and if I’m letting this be more than it truly is.

Thanks for listening.
-kayla

[M&Inu]

Hi! I am so sorry that Bailey is having these problems. I am very new to this all and have no medical related answers to give you, just to say that you found a good place to be advised, there are very knowledgeable persons here and they will help you so much. I do hope that maybe Baileys problems could be caused by another more easily resolved origin, and if not, do not despair with the help of the member's here and the medicine and testing available, I am sure you will find an excellent way to manage things so that Bailey has a good and long life. I wish you all the best on Monday with the blood works and not a too nerve wracking weekend.

[labblab]

Hello Kayla, and welcome to you and sweet Bailey. As you can tell from my avatar, I am a Lab-lover as well!

We surely understand how scared and worried you are right now. But Inu’s mom is right — we’re all here to walk right beside both you girls. Probably the most important thing to know is that Cushing’s is typically a very slowly developing disease. So regardless of the test results on Monday, you’ll have plenty of time to educate yourself and think things over before making any big decisions. In fact, many experts do not even encourage starting treatment if the only abnormalities are those noted on lab results. Unless a dog is overtly symptomatic, the diagnosis may remain somewhat suspect since conditions other than Cushing’s can elevate liver enzymes and cortisol levels.

One thing for you to think over this weekend is whether or not there are indeed other symptoms that you may not have been noticing. When you say she has insomnia, can you tell us more specifically what she does during the night. Is she just restless, or does she need to go out and pee? Overall, is she needing to pee more frequently either day or night? How about increased appetite (although I know that most Labs are born ravenous!). Any skin or coat issues, or exercise intolerance? Inability to jump up or climb stairs? Seeking out cool places to lie down? Pot belly? Excessive panting? These are all symptoms that may start out only subtly.

And in terms of those lab results, how about any other abnormalities beside the ALP? Has her urine been checked in addition to her bloodwork? Cushpups typically have very dilute urine with a low specific gravity.

I apologize in advance for asking so many questions. But all this info will help us to help you and Bailey! Most importantly, though, please know that Cushing’s tends to be a chronic condition rather than an acute crisis. So as I said above, no matter what, you’ll have time to take some deep breaths and sort out your options.

Once again, we’re so glad you’ve found us!
Marianne

[Kayblair16]

Hey thank you the response! They said all of her other labs looked normal. She hasn’t had a urine test. As far as the insomnia, she usually has no problem falling asleep but wakes at 2:00 in the morning sometimes to drink water ( which was my first questioning behavior I noticed) or sometimes she just walks around the house and looks out the back doors from the couch. I’ve started to just get up with her and if I lay on the couch she will lay back down and sleep but sometimes she’s restless. If I don’t get up with her she usually comes back to bed about 4:00am and barks until one of us gets up with her or finally persuaded her to get back in the bed! This started about 3 months ago.

She has started getting some skin cyst like places that come up around her eye but then go away on their own. That’s the only skin problem she has. I haven’t noticed her eating any more than the usual, nor does she drink during the day bc she sleeps in the bed until we get home. I have noticed that during our daily walks sometimes her hind legs get tired and she’ll drag her foot for a step or so and then she’s ok again. She doesn’t pant unless being exercised and has been struggling more with the heat the past year or so. But I assumed that was normal with age.

She had lost 4lbs when we took her to the vet with no change in diet or treats! That was a shock. Otherwise she’s happy as can be.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Kayla, welcome to you and Bailey! :)

From what you have said so far, I do not see Cushing's in play at all. To help you, here is a list of the most common signs seen in Cushing's pups:


Increased thirst and urination (polydipsia and polyuria, respectively)
Increased hunger
Increased panting
Pot-bellied abdomen
Obesity
Fat pads on the neck and shoulders
Recurrent infections of skin, ears, urinary tract, etc.
Loss of hair
Lack of energy
Inability to sleep (insomnia)
Muscle weakness
Infertility
Darkening of the skin
Appearance of blackheads on the skin
Thin skin
Bruising
Hard white scaly patches on the skin, elbows, etc. (associated with the disease calcinosis cutis)
Neurologic abnormalities (circling, behavioral changes, seizures, etc.)

Now, there is a disease called Addison's that is the opposite of Cushing's and these are the most common signs of that condition:

Lethargy
Lack of appetite (anorexia)
Vomiting
Weight loss
Diarrhea
Shaking
Increased frequency of urination (polyuria)
Increased thirst (polydipsia)
Depression
Dehydration
Weak pulse
Collapse
Low temperature
Blood in feces
Hair loss (alopecia)
Painful abdomen


So as you watch her and think about the changes you have seen in her keep these signs, for BOTH conditions, in mind. If you do see signs that match the signs on either of these lists, let us know asap and we can help guide you toward the best test. It would help us a great deal if you could get a copy of the test that showed her liver enzyme were elevated and then post all of the abnormal, too low or too high, results here to share with us. ;)

Now, take a deep breath and try to relax. You have found the very best place to be to not only get valid information backed by scientific studies and personal experience but outstanding support as well. You and Bailey are part of our family here now and we will be with you every step of the way.

Hugs,
Leslie

[Kayblair16]

I’m not sure what could cause the elevated enzyme besides cushings. Part of me hopes it is Cushing bc who knows what other things can cause elevated alp. I’ll get a copy of her labs tomorrow! Tuesday we will find out what the lab results are! It just breaks my heart to know something is wrong.

[Kayblair16]

So on the way to the vet the tech called and said they didn’t get the drug in this weekend to do baileys test so it’ll have to be rescheduled for sometime this week! She said the levels and baileys age indicate cushings and are possibly too high for a thyroid problem. Playing the waiting game is hard! I’m a little concerned that they seem to think that’s what it is but most of the symptoms do not correspond and from talking to y’all it doesn’t seem that’s the issue either

[Squirt's Mom]

You wrote:

I’m not sure what could cause the elevated enzyme besides cushings.

Here are some links that will provide that answer for you -

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/elevated-liver-enzyme-activity-dog-algorithm-help-you-determine-now-what

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/endocrine/c_dg_hepatotoxins

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/diagnostic-approach-asymptomatic-dogs-with-elevated-liver-enzyme-activities

http://www.doglivershunt.com/elevated-liver-enzymes.html

https://www.vetinfo.com/what-causes-elevated-liver-levels-in-dogs.html

That should provide a few options for elevated liver enzymes other than Cushing's.

Please let us know what the vet has to say when you can!
Hugs,
Leslie

[molly muffin]

It sounds like they plan to do an ACTH test and that should tell you if her cortisol levels are elevated or low or normal.
So don't panic, if it is either, it is treatable.
Have you tried some melatonin maybe at night? My dog was a stresser and melatonine did help her when she would suck her tail nonstop at bedtime. (her key thing instead of walking around the house) Another member who is the owner of a golden, used CBD oil I believe it is to help calm her boy at night.
So even if cushings isn't involved, there are other things to try, safe things, to help you all get a good nights sleep, and that includes Bailey :)

Welcome to the forum!

[Kayblair16]

The cushings test was negative! Now they are running a thyroid panel. My only concern is the potential for liver disease or other causes for elevated alkp. She’s slept every night but 2 this week. We walk her a mile every day, keep her playing until bed time. I’m not sure what’s going on with the no sleep

[lulusmom]

Hi, Kayla, and a belated welcome to you and Bailey.

It would be very helpful if you could please ask your vet for copies of all tests that have been done and share the results with us. Sometimes there are abnormalities that may be so negligible that a vet may not mention it to you but it might be helpful for us to know. For blood labs we need only see the highs and lows and please include the reference ranges. Regarding your concern about liver disease, there are other abnormal values besides the liver enzymes that would be consistent with primary liver disease. There is also a much different pattern in liver enzyme abnormalities between primary liver disease and cushing's so seeing the results of the blood labs will help us understand your concerns and provide you with appropriate feedback. I will look forward to seeing those test results.

Glynda