Checking in for January 2006

[acushdogsmom]

We suspect that we have a good number of folks here who read the messages regularly but who don't post very often. Maybe that's because their dogs are doing well and they don't have any questions to ask, or maybe they don't feel very comfortable about posting answers to other members' questions.

It's perfectly understandable and acceptable for folks to only post here once in a while, but when we don't hear from people, many of us find ourselves wondering what those folks have been up to recently and how their dogs are doing.

"Checking in" is a topic that we start on the first of each month, where folks can post a reply to let everyone else know how they are doing. You may just want to say "Hi! We're still here and we're doing fine" or you may want to tell us more -- about a really good test result, or something funny that your dog did recently, or a camping trip that you went on ... that sort of thing.

We'd love to hear from you! :)

[Loraine]

Hi all, Loraine here. Although I no longer have a Cushpup, I still read and try to help whenever I can. Wishing all Cushpups and their parents a very Happy New Year.

Hugs
Loraine (Coco's Mum forever, now Zedley's new Mum)

[pattyann3536]

Hi AllHiWe suspect that we have a good number of folks here who read the messages regularly but who don't post very often. Maybe that's because their dogs are doing well and they don't have any questions to ask, or maybe they don't feel very comfortable about posting answers to other members' questions.

It's perfectly understandable and acceptable for folks to only post here once in a while, but when we don't hear from people, many of us find ourselves wondering what those folks have been up to recently and how their dogs are doing.

"Checking in" is a topic that we start on the first of each month, where folks can post a reply to let everyone else know how they are doing. You may just want to say "Hi! We're still here and we're doing fine" or you may want to tell us more -- about a really good test result, or something funny that your dog did recently, or a camping trip that you went on ... that sort of thing.

We'd love to hear from you! :)
Hi All........This is Machomans Momma, an 8 year old Pom just diagnosed with Cushings and now we are waiting for the treatment. I am optomistic and know my little guy will do well once he starts his treatment.
Will try to keep you'all posted.

[Murphy'sMom]

Murphy's doing ok...for now.
She was on about day 5 of Lysodren loading, when all of a sudden she went into distress at 11:30 pm...shaking, crying, not being able to find a comfortable position, panting, and diarrhea. We took her to the animal hospital, they put her on a drug for her colitis to control the spasms and we started her on prednisone. I thought for sure we would lose her that night, but she's been much better since being on the prednisone and off the Lysodren. Unfortunately it was over the Christmas holidays, so the vet wasn't available for almost a week to do another Acth stim test. When she was finally tested, it was confirmed that she had overdosed on the lysodren. *sigh* One step forward, two steps back...

At the moment, she's still on the prednisone for another week then she will be tested again and the lysodren will be restarted at a lower dose. It breaks my heart to keep putting her through this. I hope we hit the right dose this time so she doesn't have to go through that nightmare again. This sure isn't fun :(

[MabelBudZoe]

Buddy seems to be okay - always a little "off" on his pill day but we "keep on trucking" he has another test at end of month to see if all is well - fingers and toes crossed

[James]

Our 11-yearl old Yellow Lab, Pearl, was diagnosed with Cushing's on November 21st. She hadn't suppressed on either the high or low-dose dex tests, so we had an ultrasound done. The ultrasound turned up no adrenal tumors and, just as several of you on this wonderful list had predicted, it has turned out that Pearl does have pituitary-dependent Cushing's and for whatever reason, the tests were not accurate in her case in diagnosing this.

We are treating her with lysodren and she was loaded in 10 days. We think we may have taken her a little too low as she was very lethargic and wouldn't eat (very unusual) on day 11. The vet had us give her prednisone and she bounced right back. We're now trying to get her maintainence dosage right and are experimenting with 750 mgs. of lysodren twice weekly.

She looks a bit of a mess with loss of hair on either side of her mid to hind quarters. It's interesting that the hair loss, which I had read is a symptom of Cushing's, didn't happen until we had completed lysodren loading. To top it off, her immune systems was apparently so suppressed that she picked up a skin staph infection and we've had to treat her with antibiotics and twice-weekly medicated baths to get that cleared up. To help her body fight the staph infection, the vet is also having us give her 5 mgs of prednisone daily which is delaying any further ACTH testing. I guess the pred throws the readings off too much. The good news is that Pearl is responding well to the meds, and some of her hair is even starting to grow back. We're hoping she'll be her old beautiful self in another month or two.

Her spirits are good, the excessive water drinking and urination have stopped, and she has the usual Labrador appetite (i.e. will eat just about anything, anytime). The only thing that has yet to improve is weakness in her hind legs. She's fairly unstable and has a difficult time going up an incline or climbing stairs. The vet is certain that this is not due to any kind of hip dyplasia and was caused by the Cushing's. We're hoping she'll get strength back with time.

We're hopeful that Pearl will continue to make good progress.

James

[EllieEskies]

Snowdrop had an appointment with her Endocrinologist recently, and he arranged for an Orthopedic Specialist to examine her. Nothing remarkable was found, and it has been determined that Snowdrop has arthritis as well as Cushing's/Hypothyroidism. What has been added is 1 Cosequin capsule (Glucosamine/Chondroitin) twice a day, and as far as her mishap on the ice is concerned, I was told to keep her as quite as possible for a few weeks and that her leg should heal. Not easy considering that she is so full of energy and wants to play no matter what...including the limp. I am just happy that there is such a thing as a Kong to fill and chew toys to keep her busy.
Snowdrop's thyroid panel taken the same day came back fine. So, she will remain on a 3mg Soloxine pill 2 times per day. That is a reduction from her 4mg pills.
Overall, she is still doing extremely well on Trilostane, and I am so happy to say that in February we will have been a member of this board (I am counting our old place) for 3 years. I always have and always will appreciate all of the help and support we have received here over those years.
Oh, yes, this coming March we will have been going to the same veterniary teaching hospital for 3-1/2 years. She is definitely considered a success story.
All I know is that with excellent veterinary care, a choice in meds to try, and continual monitoring at home, a Cushing's dog can do great for years. :D I am definitely over the 2 year prognosis now.

Ellen & Snowdrop

[wwhall]

Coda is still doing well for an old Dane Cushing’s dog. (Nine and a half years old, started Lysodren 10/03, after Anipryl proved ineffective.)

After two good results on ACTH tests in March and June 2005 (between 2.9-3.8 each time) we actually went five months on maintenance before re-testing. On 11/25/05 his numbers were up just a bit, to 6.9/6.8, so we dosed for 4 or 5 days straight, then back to maintenance increased by 25 percent, from 2000 to 2500 mg per week. His latest ACTH on 12/30/05 was 3.4/3.3, so we are back in range.

Meanwhile, Coda still occasionally poops on the floor. Not really sure why; he seems to get the urge suddenly and can’t get out the doggie door soon enough. I’ve given up on fixing this, and just try to keep track of when he goes, and try to get him to go out about 12 hours later and encourage outside pottying. Most days are okay, it seems to go in cycles.

One change in behavior that I think IS Cushing’s related is his aggression towards one of our other dogs, Lydia. Before we ever began treatment, we noticed growling when she would come near, usually with either me or food around. This aggression disappeared when we treated with the Anipryl, but Anipryl didn’t help with the excessive drinking, etc. The Lysodren also seemed to help.

In November we were noticing more aggression again, and also evenings of restlessness when Coda would pace and bark out the window for no apparent reason. The vet mentioned that those may be symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, and that sometimes Grapeseed extract (an anti-oxidant) helps. I also read that Anipryl is used to treat this condition. (It’s possible the indoor pooping is a symptom, also.)

Now that Coda’s numbers are lower, he seems a bit better. However, I decided to go ahead and give some Grapeseed extract and see if that helps. Coda takes several supplements already; he has his own pill boxes for AM and PM pilling. I think the aggression subsided a bit once his Cortisol was lowered. I’ll probably do the Grapeseed for two months and try to see if he seems calmer.

So, small bumps in the road, but happy to be here with Coda 2 1/2 years after Cushing's diagnosis. I remember just wanting Coda to make it to 8 years old, and now, we're closing in on 10 this June. Still happy and loving life. Caught an opossum in the yard in December and tried to bring it in the house to show Mom. Enjoying evenings on the couch with his head on my lap. Life is good.

Wendy and Coda

[barb may]

January already? Yikes...
I see that many posts note initial doses being too high. I was concerned about this with Sister before she was started on Trilostane. At 67 pounds the recommended dose was 120 Mg per day...well now we are down to 30 mg a day and due to retest again at this dose...
a WORD OF FFINANCIAL HOPE TO THOSE WITH BIG DOGS...your dosage may end up being far less than expected and it may be another thought you should consider when you initially decide to try treatment for your Cusher pet.
(I am lucky to be able to afford the meds...I know others are not so fortunate.)
As for Sister...her hair is like a brillo pad, and shedding, her skin is still dry but not cracking anymore...she still drinks a little over her recommmended amount...but it is negliable at this small amount. She 's always been a chow hound and continues to eat well. At thanksgiving she was grouchy and not getting along with our dog relatives, but
she is feeling well enough to have been able to go to Tahoe for christmas with our family and the dog relatives and she enjoyed the snow and the company!!! She still has a bare belly from her initial sonigram (sp?) so a sweater was in order. (the hair is JUST starting to come back...it has been about three monthes since the shave.)

I am going to try pure lanolin next for her skin and hair. Baaa baaa.
happy new year...I hope you are all healthy and happy and that my sharing can be of assistance to someone.

barb and sister

[barb may]

Hey Kim, how is Skeltie???
barb and sister

[ernietsmom]

Hi all,
Ernie is doing well. He is still on 5 mg of prednisone every three days, but we're going to do an ACTH stim test in a week or so. Just have to schedule it on the 3rd day after the pred so the test won't be affected as much. I still don't see signs that his cortisol level is raising much on it's own, so it may be awhile before we start the maintanance phase with the Lysodren. Other than that, he seems to be doing very well. Actually grabbed a tennis ball and went running through the house with it yesterday! I haven't seen him do that in a long time!
Hope the rest of you are all doing well!
hugs,
Audrey, Ernie's mom

[ap424]

Hi Everybody

This is Annie Cookie's mom. I know I haven't posted in quite awhile. Things have been a little rough with Cookie. She has had her ups and downs. Mostly downs, but we seem to have her on the right track. Besides cushings Cookie has chronic renal failure and has had some bouts with pancreatitis. The last few months have been tough. But she is a tough old girl.

We have basically been treated her for the renal failure and not the cushings. She has been pretty stable now. She gets an epoygen shot twice a week to get her red blood cells up and she has her sub-q fluids everyday. She has her PCV test every 2 weeks and the rest of her blood workup once a month to check her BUN and Creatintine levels and also Phosphorus. She is not in any pain and there are days she is like a puppy again. She is a 14 1/2 yr old mini schnauzer. She is on 5 different meds 2x a day so just keeping track of everything is a job in its self. My Doc said she is doing good and she is our little miracle girl. Back in September we didn't think she was going to make it. Then to top it off her sister Bella( 8 1/2 yr old yorkie) had a bout with pancreatitis. She is doing fine. I feel like I am part of the vet's soffice furniture. Besides some job issues we are all hanging in there and I really did miss the boards.

We are now back and will be keeping in touch. These boards have really helped me with all the support and questions that were answered. Keep up the great work.

Annie & Cookie & Bella :)

[SkeltiesStepMom]

Hi all - SkeltiesStepMom here.

Skeltie has been on 20mg of Trilostane since mid-November. Her numbers have been going down down...now at 4.5 (she started off at 22).

She's always had a healthy appetite, so that wasn't a clear sign of Cushings for us. Her water drinking was one of the first big tips to a problem for us, and while it's not as frantic as it was before being diagnosed, it is still a concern for us. I'm not sure if it's due to Cushings or something else (she was checked and cleared for diabetes). Recently she has started shaking a lot, so we actually are adjusting her dosage down to 15mg (in case she's being overmedicated).

This is all a learning process for us, but she's still the loving and stubborn little Scottie we've always known - in other words, worth all the efforts!

Take care.