feline cushing's

[Raye1977]

Hello all! I have a 14 domestic long hair that was recently diagnosed with cushing's syndrome. I worked as a vet tech for 3 years before switching to management of exotic pets at a large pet store. I am fairly familiar with cushing's and addison's in dogs but have never seen a case in a cat before. I thought that something was going on with her starting around late december (when I still worked at the vet's). We did repeated blood tests and x-rays to see what was going on. I and the vets thought she was developing either a thyroid problem or diabetes m. Her bloodwork was always normal but she was having increasing pu/pd, polyphagia, and inappropriate urination, along with hair loss and hair not growing back where it had been clipped. Her abdomen is severely distended, so much so that I had to take the top off of her litterbox for her to be able to fit into it. I am having the hardest time finding any information on this illness in cats. I even went so far as to call the Cornell Feline Health Center because I figured if anyone knew anything it would be them. From the literature they sent me, which I later found on the web (but it is the only info I have found) in 2001 when the University of Georgia Vet School did a study on feline Cushing's there had been fewer than 100 cases reported in the past 26 years, which is when the first case was discovered. I have an appt. with a specialist on the 29th of this month (July) and today am taking her in for some repeat bloodwork, to make sure she has not developed DM and any other problems. Her cushing's was diagnosed via Ultrasound which showed that both of her adrenal glands were about the size that say an Australian Shepard's should be. The information I got leads me to believe that surgical removal of both adrenal glands followed with steroid replacement therapy is the best and really only treatment option for her. I just don't know if I will be able to afford this. Actually I am fairly positive I will not be able to afford this. My greatest desire is that the specialist will comp the procedure because she has not done it before and will take a special interest in the case but I am trying not to hope for that too much. Besides she is 14 and post surgical complications would be severe. I don't know if anyone has any info that could help but any comments, suggestions, or just support would be so greatly appreciated. Thank You All!

[CairnTerrierMom]

There was an inquiry about a cat with Cushing's a few months ago and another member on this Board, Acushdogsmom, found this information for her so I'll just cut and paste her reply for you:

Here is are two links that I have about Feline Cushing's:

www.kween.net/foundation/cushings.htm

www.vin.com/VINDBPub/Sear...R00106.htm

Dr Peterson is mentioned as a Vet with experience in treating Feline Cushing's in the first article (link above). He is located at the Animal Medical Center in New York but I have heard that he does do telephone consultations with Vets all over North America and with Vets in other countries around the world too. Maybe your Vet could contact Dr Peterson for information and advice.

I hope you are able to find qualified medical help for your cat. Best of luck to you both.

--Mary

[acushdogsmom]

Hi,

Here are those links again (in "active" form) so that you can just click on them to get there:

www.kween.net/foundation/cushings.htm (http://www.kween.net/foundation/cushings.htm)

www.vin.com/VINDBPub/Sear...R00106.htm (http://www.vin.com/VINDBPub/SearchPB/Proceedings/PR05000/PR00106.htm)

Dr. Mark Peterson has published about feline Cushing's and as Mary said, I have heard that Dr. Peterson does do consultations by phone (with other Vets) and that he may be the right person to get in touch with to consult about a case of feline Cushing's.

To help you (or your Vet) reach Dr. Peterson, look here for his contact info:

www.amcny.org/directory/default.htm (http://www.amcny.org/directory/default.htm)

or here:

www.amcny.org/cvs/peterson.htm (http://www.amcny.org/cvs/peterson.htm)

I think that Dr. Bruyette (see link to other article posted above) is also well known in the field. (feline Cushing's)

I do also have another link which may be helpful to you where the story of a cat who had Cushing's is told by the owner. Grimalkin did have the surgery and lived for a good four years afterwards. (I believe Grimalkin died due to kidney disease)

www.io.com/~lolawson/cush...alkin.html (http://www.io.com/~lolawson/cushings/grimalkin.html)

I hope this helps.

Please update us when you can.

[Raye1977]

:(
I took Morgie to her initial exam and to get a blood profile. This was just a geriatric panel and not an ACTH stim test or a Dex suppression test. I had not really thought about how badly she looked until I noticed other people's reactions to her appearance. I guess since it was a sort of gradual progression and I see her everyday it just hadn't occurred to me. Besides I always think my babies are beautiful. The vet did not seem to think she was a very good surgical candidate at her age and overall phsyical condition. When her bloodwork came back the prognosis went from bad to worse. The Dr. and I talked for some time about attempting surgery and quality of life issues insomuch as the length of the healing process from the surgery itself and all of the follow up care required. She also had a remarkably high blood glucose that would need to be stabilized as best as possible before attempting surgery. But these cats are generally insulin resistant so that brings up a whole other set of problems. I decided to let her go. I think she understood, I am still hoping I made the right decision and questioning whether I should have tried the surgery. She hated the vet's so much and I think cats even more so than dogs do not understand hospitalization at all. They are generally far harder patients to care for, much more likely to greet you with a hiss and scratch as opposed to a wag and lick. Often they stop eating because of the stress and then they can develop liver problems rather quickly. I know I don't need to justfy this to anyone but myself, I just... I don't know. Thank you for the information though, one page was derived from what I already had, but the other was not.
Thank you.
Rachel

[vbjscats]

Rachel,
My Emily has Cushing’s also and we have been treating her for almost a year with prednisone. She was doing fairly well until last May when we moved and has been deteriorating ever since. I have had to put her in a kennel twice for a couple of days. This last month she has lost a lot of muscle and seems to be lost a times and looking for her place to sleep. I know the time is close to have her put down, but she has lost all zest for life. This website was very helpful for me.
When Emily doesn’t have the will or energy to chase a lizard, which she dearly loved, I know the life she has is not filled with joy for her. As hard as it is to let her go, she does not have the quality of life she deserves. She has been a friend and comfort for 14 years and I know I have done all I can she will understand.