Can anyone tell me about Denamarin?

[Kathryn Burke]

Just got diagnosed Monday and was given this medication from the vet but I can't find any information on this particular treatment. I can only find references to Lisodren and Vitoryl.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Kathryn,

Welcome to you and your furbaby! So you have a Cushing's diagnosis? If so, can you share more information about your furbaby's health history, such as the results from the tests that were performed to diagnose the Cushing's and all other test results? Does your furbaby have any other health issues?

We have information regarding Denamarin plus other liver supplementation in our Helpful Resource Thread and here's a handy link to that: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?192-Milk-Thistle-Sam-e-and-more-(for-liver-quot-support-quot-)

So glad you found your way here and we will help in any way we can.

Lori

[Kathryn Burke]

Eddie is a 14 lb chiwawa, about 12 yrs old. he has never peed in the house before but started so I took him in and the blood test shows something called ALP is 913 and he had a bladder infection. so the vet said it was cushings and started him on the denamarin and an antibiotic for the bladder infection. I've also ordered the melatonin and HMR lignin. he has no other signs of cushings like the excessive drinking or panting. I can't find any reference as to how effective denamarin is so I don't know if I should ask for the other medications instead.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi! Welcome to you and Eddie!

Your vet has not tested for Cushing's so he has no way to know if Eddie has it or not. Elevated ALP does not mean Cushing's nor does an UTI - even combined that does not mean Cushing's. There are some very specific tests for Cushing's; they are the ACTH, LDDS, HDDS, abdominal ultrasound, and full adrenal panel. Eddie has not had any of these based on what you have shared so far so his vet cannot say he has Cushing's.

Denamarin is a supplement used to help the liver. The ALP is a liver enzyme so that is why the vet gave him Denamarin - to see if it will help lower the ALP. Denamaris is not used to treat Cushing's. The drugs used to treat Cushing's are Vetoryl (Trilostane) and Lysodren (Mitotane). The lignans and melatonin probably won't hurt Eddie but since we don't know if he has Cushing's (and what you have shared does NOT say Cushing's to me at all) those supplements aren't really needed. Melatonin can be handy if he has storm phobia, tho, as it will calm him. The lignans can help with digestion but unless he has an issue there I wouldn't use the lignans myself. This combination can lower intermediate hormones that come into play with Cushing's but if Eddies' aren't elevated (and we don't know because no testing has been done) then we don't want to lower those hormones.

So for now, I would focus on getting the UTI banished and work on the ALP. AND if his vet truly diagnosed Cushing's based on no testing for Cushing's and no signs, Eddie needs a new vet...now. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie

[labblab]

Hi Kathryn, welcome to you and Eddie from me, too. Gosh, I’ve definitely got some big questions about what your vet is telling you. At this point, it doesn’t sound as though your vet can possibly know whether Eddie actually has Cushing’s or not. Many things can cause an elevation in ALP. And if Eddie has a bladder infection, that could be the total explanation for peeing in the house. If he doesn’t have any other Cushing’s symptoms, I honestly don’t even know why your vet has Cushing’s in mind.

A Cushing’s diagnosis requires specialized blood testing that measures cortisol levels under varying circumstances. It’s not recommended that these tests even be run unless a dog exhibits observable symptoms of the disease — and you say that Eddie does not. If a dog truly has Cushing’s, Denamarin does nothing to lower the elevated cortisol levels that cause the symptoms. Instead, its only benefit is to soothe liver irritation that may may result from elevated cortisol. It won’t likely hurt Eddie, nor will melatonin and lignans. But unless it’s established through specialized testing that he actually suffers from adrenal abnormality, there’s absolutely no benefit and unfortunately you’re wasting your money.

Do you have a long relationship with this vet? I’m sorry to say that based on what you’ve told us, I’m afraid your vet does not understand the proper way to test for Cushing’s, nor the reasons to do so. At this point, I’d wait to see whether Eddie’s peeing issues clear up after the antibiotics are finished. If so, I really doubt that Cushing’s enters into the picture at all.

Marianne

P.S. I see that Leslie and I were typing at the same time, so I apologize for any duplication in what I’ve written!

[Kathryn Burke]

thank you so much. he has finished the antibiotics and is no longer peeing in the house. the vet said the presence of the bladder infection was a sign of cushings(because male dogs don't usually get them)along with the elevated ALP. she wants to recheck his blood in 6 months. it is so hard to find a competent doctor or vet. I don't know how to find a good one. I guess i'll start by asking the neighbors. I don't even know what ALP is or what to look up on the internet. thank you, thank you.

[Kathryn Burke]

thank you very much. I wish I knew how to find a competent vet. or doctor. i'm so glad I found this forum. you've been an extreme help.

[Harley PoMMom]

ALP is the abbreviation for Alkaline phosphatase which is an enzyme produced by the liver, bone, kidney, placenta, and the intestinal lining. Many factors can elevate the ALP and it is not unusual for an older dog to have a high ALP.

To aid in finding a veterinarian, try searching online for one in your area and look at the ones with good ratings. For an IMS (Internal Medicine Specialist) use this link: http://find.vetspecialists.com/...hope that helps.

Lori

[molly muffin]

I just want to say hello and welcome to the forum also.

You know there was a time, when vets didn't diagnose cushings very well at all and it wasn't really on their radar. Then we came to this period of where it seems every vet around was jumping on a cushings bandwagon, even when it wasn't cushings.

Male dogs do get UTI's, it happens, it just might not happen as frequently. And as the other said, ALP does tend to go up as dogs get older.

So, actually having a general blood test done in 6 months is a good plan. To see if the ALP is going down, stabalized, etc.

[YukiesMom]

Just got diagnosed Monday and was given this medication from the vet but I can't find any information on this particular treatment. I can only find references to Lisodren and Vitoryl.

Hi,

Denamarin is a supplement containing Milk Thistle and Sam E. It is supposed to help keep the liver cells regenerating because a lot of times dogs with Cushings have high liver enzymes. I have been giving it to my dog for almost 3 months now and it is helping him.