Dus1988
10-13-2022, 11:57 PM
Hello, happy to have found this forum!
Our 13 year old Chihuahua Brady was diagnosed with pituitary Cushing's 3 months ago and it's been a rough experience. He was diagnosed because his cortisol levels were very high in some routine blood work (something like 1900 in whatever the measurement is when apparently it's supposed to be like 300). He never really had the Hallmark symptoms of increased thirst, peeing, thin skin, panting, ect. He did/does have the pot belly, elevated liver enzymes, and anxiety.
He underwent a low dex test that diagnosed pituitary as the cause
He was given a daily 15mg daily dose of vetoryl, which is close to the 1mg per lb (he was 14.5 lbs at the time).
After 3 weeks we did a ACTH and levels came back good. At that time we chose to go compounded from chewy so we could get 1 15mg capsule instead of a 5 and 10. His would start after we ran out of the vetoryl.
About a month after starting treatment he collapsed in his rear legs while doing his outdoor business one day. We took him to a emergency vet, to get examined. We were given some galiprant as he has luxating patella (for years) in both rear legs, but worse in his right. He recovered in a few days of rest and meds.
We then received the compounded a week or so later, and began treatment via that. 3 weeks later, started to see some anxiety again. Figured it was time to do a checkup. Doctor did blood work and indeed cortisol levels were very high again, about 2000. So we immediately switched back to vetoryl. Now 3 weeks later (6 weeks post leg collapse) he cannot walk on his rear left leg. We brought him in for another acth, and a x-ray. Acth results were "perfect" according to the lab, and the x-ray did not show any real issues. We had an additional radiologist consult on those x rays, for a disease that is caused by lack of blood flow.
We've scheduled a Ortho consult to get a better look at a small discoloration on the x-ray that could be anything from a cyst or cancer.
Something doesn't feel right though, both times he's been on vetoryl, 3-4 weeks later he can't walk. Am I being crazy? The coumpounded trilostane didn't seem to work at all so crazy gut feeling is that when we switched to the compounded a couple days after the fall, he regained mobility, and now again 3 weeks after switching back, we have to carry him every where.
Thanks for creating this website and compiling all the resources!
Our 13 year old Chihuahua Brady was diagnosed with pituitary Cushing's 3 months ago and it's been a rough experience. He was diagnosed because his cortisol levels were very high in some routine blood work (something like 1900 in whatever the measurement is when apparently it's supposed to be like 300). He never really had the Hallmark symptoms of increased thirst, peeing, thin skin, panting, ect. He did/does have the pot belly, elevated liver enzymes, and anxiety.
He underwent a low dex test that diagnosed pituitary as the cause
He was given a daily 15mg daily dose of vetoryl, which is close to the 1mg per lb (he was 14.5 lbs at the time).
After 3 weeks we did a ACTH and levels came back good. At that time we chose to go compounded from chewy so we could get 1 15mg capsule instead of a 5 and 10. His would start after we ran out of the vetoryl.
About a month after starting treatment he collapsed in his rear legs while doing his outdoor business one day. We took him to a emergency vet, to get examined. We were given some galiprant as he has luxating patella (for years) in both rear legs, but worse in his right. He recovered in a few days of rest and meds.
We then received the compounded a week or so later, and began treatment via that. 3 weeks later, started to see some anxiety again. Figured it was time to do a checkup. Doctor did blood work and indeed cortisol levels were very high again, about 2000. So we immediately switched back to vetoryl. Now 3 weeks later (6 weeks post leg collapse) he cannot walk on his rear left leg. We brought him in for another acth, and a x-ray. Acth results were "perfect" according to the lab, and the x-ray did not show any real issues. We had an additional radiologist consult on those x rays, for a disease that is caused by lack of blood flow.
We've scheduled a Ortho consult to get a better look at a small discoloration on the x-ray that could be anything from a cyst or cancer.
Something doesn't feel right though, both times he's been on vetoryl, 3-4 weeks later he can't walk. Am I being crazy? The coumpounded trilostane didn't seem to work at all so crazy gut feeling is that when we switched to the compounded a couple days after the fall, he regained mobility, and now again 3 weeks after switching back, we have to carry him every where.
Thanks for creating this website and compiling all the resources!