Anyone experienced with Cushings Disease? June 30 not Cushings

[Queen of Poop]

I took Sasha to the white coats today as I was worried about her health. She pants all the time, drinks lots of water, pees even more than I do and has a huge appetite now. Apparently these are all symptoms of Cushing Disease. We did a blood test and the vet will call me tomorrow (Saturday) morning with the results. She's booked for a full day of tests on July 6th. Does anyone know about this Cushing Disease? I'm going to research it but wanted PT help and advice as it's just the best! I appreciate anything anyone can tell me.

[Queen of Poop]

What I have found so far:

Untreated, can cause hypothyrodisim and kidney failure, along with a host of other things. We've been treating her for both of these since January. Did she have the Cushings Disease first?

A diet of raw meats and plenty of vegetables and antioxidants might be helpful.

New drug Anipryl, not a chemo drug, takes longer to work, has no adverse side effects.

At best she could have 2 years left with me! This is causing me a huge amount of grief.

[Queen of Poop]

More readings:

Petalive Cushex Drops might be a choice, they contain dandelion, burdock, huang qi, arsenicum, hepar sulph, mercurius and sulphur.

No treatment: pronosis poor, dog generally dies (THIS SUCKS!!!!!)

Treated: symptoms gone in 4-6 months, can live many more years. (THIS HAS TO BE THE ONLY WAY TO GO). I DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS.

[chocolatepuppy]

I don't know a lot about Cushings although my Lacey was tested for it years ago. My SILs dog had it, he lived a long life and did well. If that is what Sasha has your vet can help you choose the best treatment. I will keep Sasha in my prayers.

[crow_noir]

*hugs*

just did a quick search and thought i'd share. Thank you for sharing what you find with us.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...040402004.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...0402004_2.html

The link that was in the article
http://www.doctormwfox.org/
http://tedeboy.tripod.com/drmichaelwfox/
http://tedeboy.tripod.com/drmichaelwfox/id44.html

[Freedom]

You may want to try a forum with other dog owners who have and are dealing with this.

Do a google search. No quotes. Put in:
cushings disease in canines forum

There are quite a few hits.

Good wishes to you and Sasha.

[Queen of Poop]

Thank you to those who have replied. I do truly appreciate your input. I called the vet at 12:30 pm today as Sasha did a nasty throw-up. I wanted the blood results. Apparently if you tell the receptionist that your dog has barfed she will pull the vet from his current appointment and put him on the phone.

Sasha's blood shows Cushings, but the July 6th test will be the one to wait for. Her kidney values are now NORMAL!!! Keep on with the renal failure food. Her thyroid values are good, keep on with the tyroid meds. I also need to get a pee sample to the vet ASAP. Like she's willing to pee in a cup!!!

We could really use some prayers on July 6th and before then for dear Sasha. I think the visit to the vet plus the high temperatures outside have upset her and that is why she had no interest in breakfast today and threw up around the noon hour. I could also use some prayers for help getting the pee sample.

[Catty1]

Can the vet express her bladder for a sample like they do with cats?

Or wait til she squats and have a clean margarine container handy to run over with...I am sure the vet doesn't need a lot.

ALSO - there is a homeopathic Chinese vet near...shoot, the mall near the Jubilee. There is also the Kensington vet - I used to dogsit for a lady that used this vet, and she is apparently very good.

However, good to hear that Sasha's levels are normal. She just might have a head start on this thing!

HUGS and prayers!

[shais_mom]

I've often wondered if Keegan has it - she does pant a lot and has weight gain -she's already hypothryoid (on meds)
But when I called my vet they said that since she wasn't losing massive amounts of hair and didn't have a pot belly and the test was pricey they didn't think just her panting and weight warranted it.
She had lost about 6 pounds in a month - but I think she's went back up - but Its probably my fault that I haven't been watching her intake.
Does Sasha act like her belly is tender @ all?
Good luck to BOTH of you!

[chocolatepuppy]

I could also use some prayers for help getting the pee sample.

I have had to get many pee samples over the years. I always use a tin pie pan, (like from a store bought pie) and slide it under dog as she starts to pee. Then simply pour into the container you're taking it in. Good luck!
It's good to hear some of the 'good' news about Sashas tests. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.

[Queen of Poop]

Does Sasha act like her belly is tender @ all?

She doesn't have any belly tenderness.

She pants ALL the time though. Keeps me up at night doing it. I bought a fan, just for her, if she sleeps in front of it she doesn't pant. It seems to help keep her cool. She takes in alot of water and pees alot. I can be up 1 to 5 times a night to let her out to pee. She's also got a huge appetite when she's feeling good. Can't wait for her breakfast and supper and needs a million cookies in between.

[dragondawg]

I took Sasha to the white coats today as I was worried about her health. She pants all the time, drinks lots of water, pees even more than I do and has a huge appetite now. Apparently these are all symptoms of Cushing Disease. We did a blood test and the vet will call me tomorrow (Saturday) morning with the results. She's booked for a full day of tests on July 6th. Does anyone know about this Cushing Disease? I'm going to research it but wanted PT help and advice as it's just the best! I appreciate anything anyone can tell me.

The treatment will depend whether it is:

Primary Cushings : Pituitary tumor, over production of the hormone ACTH, which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more corticosteroids.

Secondary Cushings: An adrenal tumor involving one or both adrenal glands.

The most common is the Primary, and there are three approaches:

Mitotane - destroys the part of the adrenal glands, and thus they are unable to produce as much corticosteroids in response to the continuous ACTH stimulation. If too much of the adrenals are destroyed then you end up curing the Cushings and end up with Addison's disease where too little cortisol is produced. It's a delicate balancing act with this drug, and your Vet will be monitoring the cortisol levels closely.

Anipryl - in an attempt to balance the pituitary production. It's also used after Mitotane treatment has been given.

Surgical removal of the Pituitary tumor - sheldom attempted in Vet medicine.

The best scenario for Primary is that the mitotane takes out the exact amount of the adrenals to keep the levels at normal, and the Pituitary tumor grows very slowly.

For Secondary Cushings the treatments are:

Surgery - if only one of the adrenals has a tumor on/in it, then it can be removed, and you have cured the Cushings. This is the best case scenario for Secondary Cushings.

Mitotane - again to destroy part of the adrenal so that its cortisol production goes down. With the tumor(s) continuing to grow it will be an up and down battle in cortisol levels.

Here's a link that discusses the treatments and will give you more information.

In depth Cushings discussion

As you have already found out, Cushings can readily affect the kidneys, in some cases causing kidney failure. It can also affect the liver, not to mention heart function. Needless to say if one goes down the holistic road independent of standard medical treatments your puppy dog will have a couple of months at best.

[mike001]

Lots of older dogs and horses go into Cushing's. They thyroid just gets worn out I guess. But the prognosis is not as bad as you seem to think. My sis had a horse with Cushing's that lived forever, she euthanized it at age 39 due to severe founder.
Dogs live quiet well after a diagnosis of Cushing's. my neighbor has a golden with Cushing's that was diagnosed 4 yrs ago, dog is doing quite well. It could also be Addison's , similar but treatment a bit different.
I'm sure your vet will explain the options to you.

[flip195]

I have a cushings dog BEAR.
She is currently on Selegeline (generic anipryl)
Only let them put your dog on lysodene as a last resort, it can cause many problems.
The is a new drug about to be approved by the FDA in JUly, in the UK it is called VETORyl.
We will be trying bear on that once it is approved.

Bear is on part home cooked part raw diet, she is 13 years old and doing fairly well.

If your dog is arthritic be aware that treating the cushings will make it worse, also one of the effects of cushings is the muscles become ridgid and eventually the dog is unable to walk, Bear is in the latter stages so we are going day by day.
Deramax helps with the pain when they get to this stage.

[MS_PAWS]

I knew couple ppl online who had their dogs with Cushings, and a friend of our family's his dog has Cushings as well

Go here
http://www.io.com/~lolawson/cushings/