Cushing Disease...............

[pesh]

Hi All

Just had a client on the phone, in tears.

One of her dogs has Cushing Disease, heart murmer, and a racing heart.

The blood test will be back tomorrow.

She's been told if the bitch starts to cough she's to go straight to the vets as it's likely to be going into heart failure.

Has anyone else had a dog with this, and what is it?

What was the out come?

Any tips?

Thx

Sharon

Edited November 23, 2009 by pesh

[dogbesotted]

check out here for some basic details:

http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/do...gs-disease.html

http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/viewers/uccushings.htm

aslo dogs with cushing are prone to all sorts of health problems: Dogs with Cushing's disease are prone to respiratory, skin and bladder infections as well as developing life threatening blood clots, diabetes and heart disease.

helen

[Loraine]

My heart boy (RIP) had Cushing's disease and a heart murmer that caused him to cough. Until the blood results come back nothing can be done about the Cushings. From memory my boy was on Fortekor for his heart, when he would cough I would just gently massage his throat.

On here we have a few Cushpups - Kelly Louise has Chloe who is on Trilostane. My boy was on Lysodren and then Trilostane. It really depends on whether the Cushing's is being caused by a pituitary tumour or an adrenal tumor.

My heart goes out to your client, as the initial info is scary. Tell her to make sure she learns as much about the disease as she can. My long time family vet diagnosed my boy, but had no clue how to continue his treatment, so I ended up phoning around with a bunch of questions I had learned the answers to, until I found a vet who knew exactly what to do.

Good luck to your client and don't hesitate to ask more Q's if you need to.

BTW, it is sensible to try and make sure that the dog is not eating too much fatty food (not good for the kidneys if is is Cushing's).

[Kelly_Louise]

My old girl has Cushings. She is controlled very well on daily medication. It can become expensive, and she requires regular testing to ensure the medication dosage is correct - however she is doing well 2 years after her initial diagnosis.

They need to be monitored - kind of like a dog with diabetes to look for symptoms. But once you understand the disease and know the symptoms and warning signs - it's not as hard to control as some think.

It's just a matter of ensuring that a cushinoid dog is getting the correct dose of medication... which can be tricky sometimes, but then can remain stable for a period of time - just depends on each dog. Every Cushings experience is different. Chloe remained stable on her meds for just over a year, and then changed dosage, went into remission and out of it onto a lower dosage this year.

It also needs to be determined what is causing the cushings disease (whether it be a tumour on the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands) as to how it will be treated, and how successful the treatment will be.

Until all that is determined, and the severity of the cause (Chloe has a small pituitary tumour - doesn't affect her at all so it's a matter of treating the symptoms only - another dog on here Diesel has a larger pituitary tumour that is affecting him also, so he must be treated for the tumour and the Cushings symptoms). The most common cause is a pituitary tumour - and although that sounds scary, they are usually slow growing and will not affect the dog in it's natural lifetime - however each experience is different.

I would recommend that the dog be taken to a specialist to deal with this disease. Normal vets, even good ones - I feel are not equipped to deal with is as well as a specialist is.

If you have any specific questions - please let me know. Happy to help.

[Kelly_Louise]

You beat me to it Loraine, and as always - some wonderful advice.

I agree that at first - the diagnosis is really daunting, and people's experience can be really frightening. But not everyon'e is. I won't say it's been an easy ride, but it's been manageable - and OUR experience, so far after 2 years, has not been anywhere near as scary as some others that I've read (touch wood and thank Dog).

I also agree that your client needs to arm themselves with as much info as possible... so that they can be prepared.

Loraine, just a quick note - wanted to share that Chloe is doing REALLY well at the moment. She's full of beans, looks fantastic - I'm really happy with her. She's not due for another test for a while, but might get her tested just before Christmas to ensure that all is on the right track.

[Loraine]

Loraine, just a quick note - wanted to share that Chloe is doing REALLY well at the moment. She's full of beans, looks fantastic - I'm really happy with her. She's not due for another test for a while, but might get her tested just before Christmas to ensure that all is on the right track.

That is fantasitc news KL. WTG Chloe :D

[chiquito]

There is group in yahoo with heaps of information on cushing's disease:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineC...AutoimmuneCare/

One thing I may add to all the information given above is that the standard testing to diagnose starts with blood test and urinanalysis. Then a ACTH test will be done followed by an ultrasound. The ultrasound will determine if the tumour is in the adrenal glands or in the pituitary gland. If the tumour is in the pituitary, the adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) will be both of normal size or enlarged. If the tumour is in the adrenal glands, then one of them will be enlarged and showing the tumour and the other gland would have shrinked.

But most importantly and as advised above is that your client seeks advise from a specialist.

[pesh]

Thx ever so much guys. Knew I'd get the advice needed in here. Once again, your help will be greatly apreciated.

Sharon