Red Dog NZ

Mmm that is low. The electrolytes are just checked on a normal blood draw - our vet checks potassium and sodium. We sometimes also get liver values checked as well. Here in NZ it only costs about $20-30 to get the electrolytes checked. When we think that something is slightly amiss I request the vet to take more blood on the first draw, they courier it with the other vials and it's at the lab as a back up if we want further tests done. I have a rather large folder with all of Sabre's tests and always get copies of the results. I keep these not only for my reference but just in case he crashes when on holiday or we have to go to an emergency vet who is not familar with his case so all the information is on hand.

Kelly Louise ... from what I have read .... electrolytes should always be checked every time a stim is done for those dogs on trilostane as it can increase their potassium. With Lysodren I have only had Sabre's electrolytes checked when he is low ie low ACTH stim test or non-stimulatory stim test. His electrolytes were ok. If the aren't then florine (think that it what it is called) is required to bring their electrolytes back into balance. Does he/she give you the results .. out of interest how low has she gone?

Kelly Louise … personally I would not want to make a dog addisonian on purpose. I know of a few dogs that have gone into remission on trilostane … one of which was in remission for over two years – from recollection didn’t go above post of about 7 (about 200 nmol/l). Lysodren erodes the adrenals but trilostane acts in a different manner. Here is a link to the product insert from dechra Dechra product insert Does the vet or IMS check her electrolytes every stim test as well? All the best

Loraine I was making a BIG guess but I thought I might as well make the guess. The group is absolutely fantastic support and knowledge wise. Your own knowledge just expands and you are also able to help others. I read daily and post occasionally to others and give them an update on Sabre when things change. You really become part of "the family".

Mmmm been there done that. Sabre was low last year and was off Lysodren for four months but we have adjusted our dose and he is great now. I am sure that you will get it all sorted out for Chloe.

Whoops. I sincerely apologise their old site used to be .net and I have bookmarked the new site and don't type it in. It is www.k9cushings.com. There is a link on that page for the forum ... I have bookmarked this page www.k9cushings.com/forum. I have never actually read the first page. The site is new, however the old site had been going for years and the people there have great knowledge on cushings.

I have just come across this thread ... I usually am one of those just reading here but couldn't help myself from joining in here. As previously said there is a good yahoo group on cushings and there is also another group www.k9cushings.net which is fantastic (great to see you here Lorraine ... I am guessing who you are). Both of these sites have great resources sections. I have a nearly 11 year old Hungarian Vizsla with cushings and he has been treated with Lysodren for nearly two years. With regards to tests ... my understanding is that the ACTH stimulation test is less likely to amount to false positives. However the LDDS (8 hour test) can have false positives particularly when there is non-adrenal illness present. Other things to look at are hypothyroidism and diabetes.