11 y.o. Black Min. Schnauzer, GRETEL, not diagnosed yet - Gabapentin

[bontemp]

Gretel has made 3 trips to the emergency vet for extreme panting. Was given Gabapentin in attempt to ease suspected pain and panting. Also on Ursodiol and several antibiotics. Drinking water ok and although lost appetite for regular RC SO will eat boiled rice, chicken, and beef. Urination and BM ok. Have meeting with internal medicine specialist in 10 days to determine if Cushings (has belly distension, panting, hind legs weak, etc.). Big question - can Gabapentin aggravate the panting? It seems that in two hours after administering the panting begins - she is on 100 mg 2X/day.

[labblab]

Hello, and welcome to you and Gretel! I’m very sorry for the problems she’s having, but very glad you’ve joined us. I’ll come back later when I have more time to add a more complete reply to your question. But I wanted to quickly have the chance to at least greet you and to welcome you and Gretel to our family!

So stay tuned…
Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Gretel!

It is possible that the Gabapentin is causing the panting from anxiety or pain but I would want her vet to check her out to be sure this isn't an allergic reaction. Gabapentin can make humans feel a bit drunk when they first start taking it so that may be something that is happening too. But I would talk to her vet just to be sure.

If you could get copies of the tests done so far and share those abnormal results here that will help us give you more meaningful feedback. Be sure to get copies of the Cushing's testing too as those results will be important. Those tests are likely to be the LDDS and/or ACTH and/or abdominal ultrasound. The LDDS and ACTH are both blood tests. The LDDS takes all day, the ACTH takes about 1-2 hours. Most pups do not need sedation for the ultrasound and it is non-invasive but gives a great deal of information and can help determine which form of Cushing's is in play - pituitary or adrenal or a combination.

Does your baby have any other health issues? Is she taking any medications?

Just so you know what the signs of Cushing's are, here is a list of the most common signs.

*increased/excessive water consumption (polydipsia)
*increased/excessive urination (polyuria)
*urinary accidents in previously housetrained dogs
*increased/excessive appetite (polyphagia)
*sagging, bloated, pot-bellied appearance
*weight gain or its appearance, due to fat redistribution
*loss of muscle mass, giving the appearance of weight loss
*bony, skull-like appearance of head
*exercise intolerance, lethargy, general or hind-leg weakness
*excess panting
*seeking cool surfaces to rest on
*symmetrically thinning hair or baldness (alopecia) on torso
*other coat changes like dullness, dryness
*slow regrowth and/or failure to regrow of hair after clipping/shaving
*thin, wrinkled, fragile, and/or darkly pigmented skin
*thin, crepey, easily damaged skin that heals slowly
*dark, bruised looking skin
*hard, calcified lumps in the skin (calcinosis cutis)
*susceptibility to infections (especially skin and urinary)
*diabetes, pancreatitis, seizures

I'm glad you found us and look forward to learning more as time passes!
Hugs,
Leslie

[labblab]

Here I am back again, and I’m delighted to see that Leslie has added her reply beforehand since she has really covered all the bases! In honesty, I really don’t have much more I can add right now, especially since I’m afraid I’m not too knowledgeable about Gabapentin. I have had no personal experience with it, so I’d have to rely on your vet’s feedback in terms of likely side effects. But as Leslie says, we’ll surely try to be as helpful to you as we can about any of your Cushing’s questions, and any additional info you can provide in that regard will give us a head start.

So once again, welcome, and we’ll be looking forward to learning more about your girl.
Marianne

[bontemp]

Thanks for your replies - we tapered down the Gabapentin to zero and within one day the panting is essentially gone (with vet approval). Needless to say, we are watching her closely! The full range of Cushings’ tests are scheduled for 1/20/22 and we’ll report after that. The primary symptoms have been the panting, bloating, lethargy, and increased water consumption. In addition the recent ultrasound indicated an enlarged liver along with high liver enzymes from blood tests - but now the panting may be resolved; its “wait and see”. In the meantime its a chore to get her to eat adequately.

[Squirt's Mom]

Thanks for the additional info! Based on what you have said I want to be sure the vet runs the ACTH first, not the LDDS. I am a bit concerned that your baby may have Addison's VS Cushing's based on the description of the changes you are seeing. Lethargy and loss of appetite as well as an increase in drinking and peeing are all signs of Addison's. The lethargy is sometimes seen with Cushing's but more often we see restlessness and anxiety because the excess cortisol makes them feel like we do on high doses of steroids. And the vast majority of cush pups have a voracious appetite, feeling as if they are literally starving 24/7. Addison's and Cushing's share some of the same signs so that makes it more difficult to tell just by behavior what is going on, hence the ACTH to be sure. The LDDS cannot pick up Addison's but the ACTH can. Here are some links on Addison's so you can compare to see if anything seems to fit with your sweet Gretel.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/addisons-disease-in-dogs-overview

https://hospital.vetmed.wsu.edu/2021/06/28/what-is-addisons-disease/

Another concern is the breed of your baby....Schnauzer's are prone to a condition called Hyperlipidemia and we have had more than one pup who had this condition misdiagnosed as having Cushing's....and the treatment for Cushing's made them very, very sick because the did not have the disease. So be sure to have this checked for Gretel too. Here are a couple of links on Hyperlipidemia in Schnauzer's for you to look over.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hyperlipidemia

https://www.innersouthvets.com.au/hyperlipidaemia-in-schnauzers/

While waiting on the testing day just keep on loving that precious girl and making memories with her!
Hugs,
Leslie