posted on July 4, 2007 10:09:15 AM new
Yes this is Off Topic but I know there are dog lovers in the group who might offer some insights.
Hope you are all having a wonderful 4th! We are a bit low today but trying to still have a celebration. Our much loved 11 year old random breed dog was just diagnosed with Cushing's disease. I have been on line and read a lot about it. What I read says it can not be cured but can often be managed, even for years. We just learned the results yesterday and will meet with the Vet on Thursday to discuss her treatment. Have any of you had any experience with Cushing's treatment?
I don't want to make you paranoid but if you have older dogs it might be good to know the symptoms of Cushing's because we assumed that thinning hair, a bigger belly, and not being able to jump up on furniture where just signs of age untiil the semiannual liver function test she gets for her arthritis medication showed the liver damage.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on July 4, 2007 10:12:21 AM new
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, Photo! I've never heard of the disease, but I guess I'll start reading up on it.
posted on July 4, 2007 10:15:56 AM new
Sorry, I know this must be upsetting. I love YEP love my Kobe, he is getting older . I worry about him, but he seems to be healthy.
URRrrr the symptoms ..thinning hair, a bigger belly, and not being able to jump up on furniture
I need to make an appointment for my DH, he has ALL those symptoms
posted on July 4, 2007 10:35:22 AM new
Deur1, Yes we joked about having the symptoms ourselves. She does not seem sick but the Vet says the liver can be quite bad before they do. She also drinks a lot of water which is a symptom I did not notice before I read about it.
As I understand it they will give her medication to regulate the pituitary gland which is causing the adrenal glands to over produce hormones and damage the liver.
On one level I am hopeful because if the test for Cushing's had been negative they would look at things like liver cancer. We lost one dog to it and were holding our breath for the test results.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on July 4, 2007 11:51:27 AM new
Our dog was 7 when she was diagnosed with Cushings disease. After researching and much hand wringing we decided let the illness take its course as in her case the treatment could be worse than the disease. Shortly after diagnosis she developed severe diabetes and required daily insulin shots,she also went blind within few months.Sounds negative but is not, she lived a good,almost normal life another 3 years. She did not mind the insulin shots at all and unless you knew she was blind you would not be aware it,learned her way around the house almost immediately,a few days to conquer up and down stairs and even led us to her favorite haunts on her walks outside and then led us home. She was active,not in pain and only actually ill on her very last day and died peacefully,no prolonged suffering. I am only passing on our own experience to let you know even with Cushings,your dog may do quite well,ours did and lived very close to a normal life more than another 3 years. ** Diabetes and blindness may or may not have been side effects of the Cushings ,their are divided opionions, you may want to check with your Vet.
posted on July 4, 2007 11:56:56 AM new
We know how Lacy would cope with blindness. She had fast developing cataracts when she was 4 and was totally blind before she had successful surgery. She did so well that we did not know she was blind for some time.
The treatment our Vet is talking about for Cushing's does not sound to severe. We will see what is involved.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on July 4, 2007 12:34:35 PM new
McJane, the Vet does not think so. We did stop it when we got the first test with high liver function levels but she says we may start it again. From what I read on line a likely cause is small tumors in the pituitary gland.
Oceanfree, thanks for sharing your experience. I am hope that suppressing the hormone will help and she does not develop diabetes. We are no way ready to give her up. She is such an important part of our lives.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
[ edited by photosensitive on Jul 4, 2007 12:35 PM ]
posted on July 4, 2007 12:48:38 PM new
photo, you may have already read this, but there is a wealth of info here & if you know which form your dog has it will make a difference in his treatment.
Are you near a teaching hospital, I'm near University of Penn & that's where I would go.
Most vets, probably all vets, do not have the resourses a teaching hospital has.
.............................................
By Joseph Hahn
Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cushing's disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by an excess of cortisol in the body.
It is relatively rare in people, affecting between 10 and 15 of every million people each
year. The problem occurs more commonly in the dog than in the cat.
"Cushing's disease commonly affects middle-aged to older dogs," says Dr. Jennifer Brinson,
a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine at the University of Illinois College of
Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital at Urbana. "It is most commonly seen in poodles,
dachshunds, terriers, German shepherds, and golden retrievers.
"These animals typically present with symmetrical hair loss; excessive eating, drinking, and
urination; lethargy; and a distended abdomen," she says. "They commonly have other skin
abnormalities and secondary urinary tract infections as well."
There are three types of Cushing's disease: adrenal cortical tumor, pituitary tumor, and
iatrogenic (veterinarian-induced).
An adrenal cortical tumor--a tumor of the cortisol-producing cells of the adrenal
gland--causes excess production of cortisol. Although there are two adrenal glands, these
tumors generally develop in one gland and will lead to one abnormally large adrenal gland
and one abnormally small gland.
Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism is due to microtumors in the pituitary gland in the
brain that produce excessive amounts of a hormone that causes the adrenal glands to
produce cortisol. In this form, both adrenal glands are enlarged.
Iatrogenic Cushing's is produced by an excess of cortisol being given to a pet by a
veterinarian, for example, to treat a skin disorder. The excess cortisol in the body signals
the adrenal glands to decrease their normal production of cortisol, leading to a decrease in
the size of the adrenal glands.
Cushing's disease is first suspected with clinical signs, physical exam abnormalities, and
blood tests that are suggestive of this disease. A definitive diagnosis is made using
three-stage testing of adrenal challenge gland function.
"The treatment for an adrenal tumor is surgical removal and supplementation of cortisol until
the shrunken adrenal gland returns to normal function," says Dr. Brinson. "It is uncommon
for these tumors to recur on the remaining adrenal gland.
"The treatment for pituitary-dependent Cushing's is generally Mitotaneﾮ (O,P'-DDD), a
chemical derivative of the pesticide DDT," she says. "This drug destroys the zones of the
adrenal cortex that produce cortisol. The drug is administered until a reasonable level of
cortisol production is achieved and the pet is then maintained on the drug at that level for
life, with periodic rechecks to adjust the dose.
"The treatment for iatrogenic Cushing's is slow withdrawal from the external source of
cortisol," continues Dr. Brinson. "It is extremely important that changes in the medication
are not made without first consulting your veterinarian. Quickly withdrawing the source of
cortisol before the adrenal glands can recover can lead to dramatic consequences, such as
vomiting, diarrhea, vascular collapse, and death."
The prognosis for this disease varies depending on the type. Surgery can cure an adrenal
cortical tumor that has not spread to other areas of the body. However, about half the
adrenal tumors are malignant and therefore may have already spread, in which case, there is
a much poorer prognosis. Pituitary-dependent Cushing's has a good short-term prognosis,
as the microtumors do not generally cause other problems. Long-term, however, pets with
Cushing's disease are predisposed to other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, urinary tract
infections, kidney disease, hypertension, and pancreatitis. Iatrogenic Cushing's disease has a
good prognosis, if proper withdrawal times are maintained.
"It is important to remember two things about this disease," says Dr. Brinson. "First, two of
the most common signs of this disease are excessive drinking and urination. Excessive
drinking and urination are also the most common signs of other serious diseases, such as
kidney failure, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism (in cats), which need to be investigated prior
to testing the adrenal glands. Second, other conditions, such as arthritis and itchy skin, may
be masked by the excess cortisol production. These conditions are coincidental but may
surface as the Cushing's disease is treated and may require other forms of treatment."
posted on July 4, 2007 02:21:07 PM new
McJane, I did read that site. We will not know till we me the Vet which kind she has. I am hoping it is the kind that can be treated with medication. I think it is the not the type that is induced by steriod treatment from what she told me.
I hope we can see her tomorrow and learn more.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on July 6, 2007 08:30:29 AM new
Jane asked for an update is here is it.
We have been given seven days worth of medication that is designed to suppress the production of the hormone that is causing the problem. It is to be given till there is a change in her appetite, eating less, eating slower, any change even a minor one. We then take her back for more tests and she will be put on a maintenance dose. Here is the problem that has me in a panic... She has always, since a little puppy, eaten when she wants, as much as she wants. Her first Vet said let her set her own pace. We put out a bowl of dry food and replenish it when it is low. I have no idea how much she eats in a day. I see her wander by and eat a bit from time to time but have never measured.
The directions say that if the medication goes too far she will get Addison's disease which is the opposite of what she has now so the first, slightest change must be reported.
I measured what I put in the bowl today and will check it tonight but I am not sure if this is a typical day or if she even has typical days. I wish the Vet had mentioned this earlier and I could have had time to set a base line. The directions say this point may be reached in two days but may take up to nine.
All I can do is my best but this has me really worried.
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
[ edited by photosensitive on Jul 6, 2007 08:34 AM ]
