Loraine

Poor bare belly Chloe Once this big set of tests are over, the type of testing lessens (I am sure that the dogs are pleased about that ) As it appears that her adrenals are normal it sounds like you will be going the pituitary route. After the loading and once on maintenance you should start to see a lessening in the drinking and eating (if she has been ravenous, my boy was) and therefore a lessening in the peeing. Also she is probably suffering some muscle weakness in the legs and that too will improve. This test is usually the longest as far as waiting goes, but it all comes good. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help (send me a PM with your phone number and I can call you if you need a chat, as that is sometimes better than emailing)

Kelly you have found one really good specialist. He is prepared to work with you whihc is fantastic. My final vet used to say that I knew my dog and if I noticed signs and things then they were important to him, to assist in the treatment of my boy :rolleyes: If you go here http://caninecushings.net/forums/showthread.php?t=180 You will find heaps of info from people dosing with Trilostane.

On the website addy I gave you we have one dog who lived to be 19! Many dogs on that site have been there for up to 10 years and still going strong. Vets will often tell you that this disease shortens the life span, and that you can only expect to get another couple of years life from the dog once diagnosed - this is a bunch of rubbish, as most dogs life out their normal lifespan, depending on breed.

Hey you are entitled to be a sook when faced with something like this (((HUGS))). It is relatively rare, usually it is pituitary based. Once you get into the swing of meds it is easier. I also have a girlfriend who had Cushing's and is now Addisonion, and that gave me a better understanding as to how my pooch was actually feeling The most important thing is to make sure you have a vet who can not only diagnose, but treat the problem. I ended up having to find a new vet as my long-time family vet had no idea about the medication protocols, he hated that I surfed the net for information (and ended up knowing better than him what to do with the meds). I phoned around with a list of questions until I found a vet who understood the disease and was prepared to let me be involved. When we moved my boy onto Trilostane I imported it as it was only available in Australia thru vet Uni places - my vet was great, and enjoyed being at the 'leading edge' of Trilostane in Perth ETA my boy lived to 15.5yrs and was sent to the Bridge with a third time kidney failure, which was not related to his Cushing's.

I had a mini poodle with Cushing's disease and he lived out the whole of his life. He was diagnosed at 12.5yrs and put on the chemo drug Lysodren. Later we moved him on to the newer drug Trilostane. Neither drug are as terrible as you might think, although care in cutting pills is recommended. Here is a great site for information and support: http://caninecushings.net/ If you would like email assistance send me a message to [email protected]. I support another gal over in Melbourne too. I have a fair bit of literature in Word which I would be happy to share if you like.

That could be good for Zedley as it has no oats (he is allergic to oats). Down to the CV markets I will be going :rolleyes:

Hi Paul, my Wire Haired gets very itchy, smelly (kinda yeasty smell) and flakes of dandruff like stuff. Try Malaseb, and/or a visit to the vet as it could be an allergy.

Glad to hear it is something treatable for Olliedog. Still keeping him in my prayers

Thanks Wylie, I will persist with the EPO. His skin had become 'clear' and is now burbling again 21. I do blow him dry - guess patience is the watchword here :D

Sl you are having a real fight with Ollie. I am sending healing thoughts out to him and you. Good luck tonight with Ollie

OK I have bathed Zedders once with the Vet Grade EPO (as told by Lynda) then I have done him every three days or so with the normal grade EPO (he also has EPO drops in his food) His skin is really lumpy (where he has scratched himself). Does it take time for the EPO to settle things down Not sure if I should go back and try Aveeno (he is allergic to Malaseb and a few others do not work either).

That is not good for Zac, I hope it is the former of the two options, and I hope that Chemo helps the lad. Not a day for you love (((HUGS)))

Thanks for that Tess32. I was just shocked that my vet would advise me to use Advocate when she gave the boy his shots

Thanks for that Colleen. I am going to see if I can move him to the monthy chewy things next year. I have just realised that he was given the shot when I first got him - and since then his skin has been itchy - hey it maybe something to do with the injections

I was advised by my vet to use Advocate on Zedley as it controlled mites - and his skin condition might be caused by mites. he had a skin scraping and they couldn't find any! I started to use Advocate about 5 months ago - only yesterday read the box (with my glasses on ) and noticed that it is also a treatment for heartworm. Zedley has a once a year shot at the vet for heartworm. I called the vet and asked if it was actually safe to use Advocate given that Zedders has the shot - the answer was a huge NO it is not! I was gobsmacked as the vet prescribed the Advocate. Anyone else who has the Moxidectin annual heartworm shot - please be careful if using Advocate.

Totally no in topic, but I take Biotin which I buy from a health food shop - I take it to stop hair falling out, together with silica. One tab a day of each, and it works

Ginger's Mum I am so sorry that the EPO did not work on your Chelsea. As you say 'horses for courses'. It appears to be working very well on my Zedley.

That is fantastic WestieMum, So far Zedley has a vet grade bath, then a normal grade bath (he is due for another bath, but time is a problem at the moment) his skin is less pink, hair is lovely and not greasy any more, no more itchy bumps. This is fantasic stuff as it also is helping my psoriasis on the hands :D

I have psoriasis on my hands, and they are really much better after shampooing Zedley only twice so far

It may have something to do with separation anxiety - my dog is also toilet trained and has his own door. When I have had to go out for an appointment and leave him home he has pooped in the house right in the middle of a room. He knows he has done wrong and never does it when I am home. I think it is just to get back at me :rolleyes:

Thanks Daggles for the response - yes (brain dead this morning) I do blow dry him and he is also taking the EPO in his food. It has only been a week, so I do not expect to see miracles but I was curious about his coat. Just wondering if you have ruled out mites? just a thought because they leave the coat with a greasy feel. Yes Daggles, I had thought of mites and I use Advance which covers fleas and mites. Wylie I wasn't expecting it to work for some time, I do have patience - we have been dealing with his itchy probs for some long time now Thanks for your responses.

Thanks Daggles for the response - yes (brain dead this morning) I do blow dry him and he is also taking the EPO in his food. It has only been a week, so I do not expect to see miracles but I was curious about his coat.

Input anyone - I washed Zedley with the vet grade EPO and then 4 days later I washed him with the normal grade EPO (followed Lynda's instructions to the letter). I am noticing that Zedley has a slight greasy feel to his wire coat. I did rinse him really well. I am wondering if the shampoo leaves this residue or if this is still part of his skin problem. Before starting the EPO (having tried just about everything else) Zedley would get itchy and his coat would get a greasy feel with a yeasty smell - not really nice to touch.

Once a day in general. Meat and veggie pulp in the evening. Every other day I give him a couple of chicken wings in the morning.

My shampoo's have arrived with the food supplement and the conditioner is on back order. I ordered a 500ml vet grade EPO plus 2.5ltr regular grade shampoo, 500ml of the food additive. Post and packing to Perth was $12.00. Once I placed the order Lynda phoned me and was very helpful. I used the vet grade on Zedley yesterday and am waiting to see how things turn out