7.5yr old boxer mix, poor appetite, not currently on meds

[JaketheDog33]

Hello. We're new here. My 7.5 yr old boxer mix was diagnosed with Cushing's in Jan. She has always been a picky eater/low appetite but always maintained her weight (48lbs).

Her original symptoms were PU/PD. She was initially diagnosed with hypothyroidism based on the cheaper thyroid test (I can't remember if that's the Free T4 or Total T4). She went on thyroid meds for about 1 month. Her PU/PD got worse and she lost weight. We then took her off her thyroid meds for a month. We ran both T4 tests and the ACTH test. Vet diagnosed her with Cushing's and said the initial low T4 results were the result of euthyroid sick syndrome.

Because she lost weight while she was incorrectly on thyroid meds and her normal low appetite, her vet did not recommend treatment for Cushing's since that could lower her appetite even further.

Her PU/PD is still there but has decreased since she's been off her thyroid meds. However, I can not get her to gain her weight back. She's 43lbs (has lost a total of 5lbs). I've tried changing foods, adding canned foods, adding cooked ground turkey, etc.

I'm just not sure what to do. Are there meds that don't effect appetite? Is it possible for dogs to not get an increased appetite with Cushing's? I'm confused and worried.

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi and welcome to you and your sweet girl!

There are a small percentage of dogs with Cushing's that do not get that ravenous appetite as a symptom. If a dog with Cushing's doesn't have a robust appetite than Trilostane is the medication I would recommend, but before we get into that we sure would like to know more about your precious girl!

Could you post the results of all tests that were done on your girl, we need only see those values that are marked abnormal with the reference ranges and units of measurement...as an example: ALP 150 U/L (10 U/L - 50 U/L), we are especially interested in the test/s results that were performed that diagnosed the Cushing's. Does she have the pituitary or adrenal form of Cushing's?


I'm providing this post from one of our Moderators, Leslie, which has information regarding food that helps with weight gain:
Some recipes for Satin Balls, and other food ideas, designed to help pups gain weight -


Satin Balls - (Cat's recipe)

1 lb ground lamb, turkey or venison (or combination)

1 8 oz package of ricotta cheese

2 ounces almond butter

2 ounces coconut oil

4 ounces ground flaxseed

1 dozen egg yolks

2 cups rice cereal cooked

Other things to try include green tripe, sardines(canned in water and
drained) scrambled eggs, novelty meats like ostrich and rabbit, and certain
types of baby food. Baked treats can be good too, if the meat content is high
enough to get them interested. Don't OD on protein (as you know) with
Cushing's.

Kathy’s recipe
TO ADD WEIGHT - SATIN BALLS

20 pounds ground 70/30 beef or lamb
2 pounds beef or chicken livers pureed in the blender (gross I know)
12 eggs pureed in the blender
1-pound bag of cranberries pureed in the blender with the eggs
2 containers high fat ricotta cheese
2 cans jack mackerel or Salmon - drained
2 big cans spinach drained
1 box total cereal
1 jar wheat germ
1 big round box oatmeal
1 can of pumpkin
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
Bake at 350 like a meatloaf.

Again, welcome to the family, I am sorry for the reason that brought you here but so glad you found us and we will help in any way we can.

Hugs, Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and your baby!

With the low appetite and weight loss I am concerned about diabetes and Addison's more than Cushing's. Has the glucose been checked RECENTLY? And please share the results of the ACTH -that test can also determine Addison's as well as Cushing's.

Hugs,
Leslie