A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Canine Cushing's Disease

Posted: Apr 5, 2011

I have posted before about my stepfather's beloved pets; Tiny, the little Chihuahua/Terrier mix, and Morry, the Amazon parrot.

Today our little Tiny was diagnosed with canine Cushing's disease. She was on a high dose steroid eyedrop for quite some time and began drinking massive amounts of water, and urinating on the floor. We took her back to the doctor, and she greatly reduced the dose of steroid, prescribing another eyedrop to replace the original prescription. After a few weeks we noticed her excessive thirst was improving, but then a few weeks later it started all over again. She begs for food almost constantly. I was afraid she had Cushing's disease, and today we got the diagnosis. My stepfather is to start Lydodren tomorrow. He is to give it for 9 days, or until her symptoms greatly improve. The doctor says she thinks we got the disease rather early.

I just did some research on this drug and I am fearful, as the person administering the pill is to wear gloves, and the dog may have loss of appetite and vomiting. Today she vomited twice, even before starting the pill. This is the first this has happened. My stepfather said the doctor seemed hopeful that she will improve.

If anyone has any experience with this prescription I would appreciate it. We both love her so much. She is 10 years old.

Thank you.

;

Correction - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
Name of drug is Lysodren.

canine Cushing's - ket

[ In Reply To ..]
My lhasa was about 14 when he was diagnosed. He was in a specialty hospital, and then I took him to a vet whose favorite diagnosis was Cushing's. I was offered the drug for him but chose not to treat him with that or anything else because of the possible side effects and with one treatment, not sure which one, he would have to get his blood tested every whipstitch.

He really did well on no treatment, just would have occasional "hyper" episodes and would bang on the cupboards for something to eat. He lived almost four more years. If I had it to do over, I still wouldn't treat him.

Best wishes to your stepfather. I know how terrible it is to have a sick one.

Don't do Lysodren!! - Shipwrecked

[ In Reply To ..]
I had a Border terrier with Cushing about 5 years ago, and opted to not use Lysodren. After a lot of research, I found a drug used in England (Lysodren is banned there), called Vetoryl. It worked wonderfully, had NO side effects.

Vets not up on the latest treatment always use Lysodren. Vetoryl has been approved by the FDA a couple eyars ago and is now available in the USA. I ordered mine from England.

Please don't use Lysodren - it isn't necessary and is quite harmful. Check out the Vetoryl. And find a vet who knows something about Cushing.

That poor tiny dog deserves something without the horrendous side effects of Lyso.

Dog with Cushings - Alice

[ In Reply To ..]
My dog was diagnosed 2 years ago. I chose to forgo the expensive and dangerous Lys drug. It was my understanding that the vet knew very little about canine nutrition, plus the drug had the side effect of possible fatality and needed a rescue due to its destruction of the adrenal system, with a possible trip to an emergency vet hospital 30 miles away in the middle of the night if this should happen. The drug is/was very expensive and I could not afford it on my MT income. I started my dog on a diabetic diet, low carb, high protein, and think this might have helped a little.

This experience has contributed to my hatred of the MT industry and doctors that make my job so difficult to make a good income, but that's another long story.

My dog is still alive, but has developed a pot belly. I worry about the pot belly, but he does not seem to be in any pain and still has energy. He is 11 years old, was diagnosed at age 9.

Until today, I had never heard of the Vetoryl. If you have any details on how to order it from England, please let me know by private email or posting the info here if it is allowed. Also, I will try to find sources via the Internet as well.

Thank you!

It's in the US - Shipwrecked

[ In Reply To ..]
Vetoryl is now available in the US - the trick is to find a vet who actually knows about it.

After Many Hours of research and discovering Vetoryl, here's what I did. I found the manufacturer in England and called them. They said they would gladly ship it to me at the request of my vet. I printed out pertinent info, including documentation describing the drug from the manufacturer in England and other technical stuff I could find, took it to my vet, and he agreed to order it for me. I don't remember whether the company mailed it to me or the vet, but it arrived quickly, and I started it immediately.

It's a wonderful drug, no side-effects, and it actually worked. My dog was on it for a couple years, and died from an unrelated cause.

It was cheap too, way less than Lysodren. I think less than $1 a day. At least it was when I got it from England. Who knows what the US is charging - but I won't go there!

Please, please, please try to find a way to get Vetoryl. I'm lucky to have an open-minded vet (who now prescribes it for other Cushing pets. Many vets, like doctors, think they know everything, and only use Lysodren - because that's what they've always used. They're wrong. This is a legit medication, not snake oil.

Lysodren is banned in England - for a reason!

To Shipwrecked - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
I have read all the posts, and last night did a search on the drug you recommend. However, the information I obtained included a list of several paragraphs of the dangers of the drug, and the side effects listed were identical to the ones listed for Lysodren. I don't know what to do. They said in trials some of the dogs died using Vetoryl. Tiny has received one dose of Lysodren and vomited large amounts of food twice today.

Here is a link - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/vetoryl-side-effects.html

Hi Shipwrecked. Here is the link where I obtained the info. I am going to have my stepfather speak to the vet about this drug to see if Tiny may tolerate it better, but as I stated in my previous post, it seems the side effects are the same as those mentioned for Lysodren. Thanks for caring. I truly appreciate any comments. I am crying my heart out for our little girl.

Vetoryl - Shipwrecked

[ In Reply To ..]
Did your vet do the dexamethasone suppression test and ACTH test? I've discovered that some vets are basing their diagnosis on simple blood tests - and that doesn't work. The dexa suppression test is done over several hours with intermittent blood draws.

My only experience with Veto was through the UK (I think the manufacturer was Arnold at the time). I don't know if there are manufacturers in the US now, and if so, if they've changed the original formula.

Grizzie had absolutely NO side effects. The side effect profile when I used it was pretty benign - the reason I went that route to begin with. The side effects of Lyso scared me enough that I refused to give it to her. Yes, she had a disease - but the disease wasn't really making her feel bad, and I knew the Lyso would make her Really Sick.

For about the first 6 months after the diagnosis, I was treating her with homeopathic remedies prescribed by Christine Chambreau, DVM.
http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_pro/christina-chambreau.html.

This was all done via weekly telephone appointments.

I know how this is breaking your heart. Do your research. I'm almost positive there's a doggy Cush group on Yahoo. See how others are treating their dogs and what side effects they're having.

Hang in there. I will light a candle and say a prayer for your little one. It just rips out my heart picturing her being so sick.

PS - I didn't proof this - excuse typos.

Thanks again, Shipwrecked - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, our baby was at the vet's office the entire day. The doctor told my stepfather at length over the phone about what they would do, and the fact that our Tiny would be there several hours. She said the level was definitely too high, but she thought we got it early. I know she had several tests done throughout the day. I found a supplement tonight on line called NuVet Canine. There are testimonials saying how it has dramatically helped pets with Cushing's. The product is all natural, and was not made with Cushing's in mind; but is a dietary supplement to enhance canine health. However, the woman on the phone told me they started getting comments from pet owners saying how it has brought their dogs back to health. The woman said to give the wafers which are water soluable in double the doseage if you are treating Cushing's. She said it is entirely natural and will not harm her. Thank you so very much for your thoughts and prayers. Tiny and Morry are getting us through since we lost my mom November of 2009. The doctor told my stepfather tonight to stop the Lysodren since she got sick today, and we will go from there. God bless you and all who care, and those who are searching for answers.

NuVet Plus Canine - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
I seem to be having trouble with names of meds lately! I will post in the next few days to update. I hope our experiences, yours and mine, will help someone else. Our pets are our family.

Good news - Shipwrecked

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank God you stopped the Lyso!! I think that particular "cure" is worse than the disease, and your sweet girl didn't understand why all of a sudden she was sooo sick.

I googled NuVet, and that sounds terrific. I feel better that she's getting something natural. Nothing will cure Cush, but I'd rather have her feeling good than die being sick the rest of her life - well, you know what I mean.

Now for your next assignment... See if you can find a special doggy diet for Cush dogs. And maybe some Bach Flower Essence "Reecue Remedy" for her water bowl. It will keep her calm - and maybe your stepdad and you!!

Thanks for the update - I was worried.

Hopeful - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
I am ordering the NuVet Plus tomorrow. They said it will take about three business days to arrive. I am thinking we may get it Monday. I don't know if my stepfather will rely solely on that, but I gave it a good try today. He, as well, does not want her taking anything toxic. I also think, however, that he wants to work with the vet. I am going up to the house tomorrow to visit, and I am going to write down the name of the supplement so he can talk it over with the vet. He told me today on the phone to order it. Keep us in your heart and mind, please! I have gotten so much support from the board today, and it helps more than I can say.

Vets and stuff - Shipwrecked

[ In Reply To ..]
I really think you're on the right tract with the NuVet.

I wish you were going to the vet with your SF tomorrow. My fear is that your SF will put too much trust in the vet. Unless you go to a holistic vet, regular vets are not trained in supplements or nutrition in vet school. They are also set in their ways and they don't like their treatment to be questioned. It's their way or the highway.

Don't let them medically abuse the puplet! I want to come and snatch her away and fix her.

I googled cush diets - there's lots of stuff out there. She's tiny and it wouldn't be expensive to give her lean meat, scrambled egg, or cottage cheese.

Tell me what she looks like and what state she's in and I'll send her some Reiki healing energy. Can't hurt.

NO MORE LYSODREN - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
Hello again, Shipwrecked.

Pleas read my new post at top of board concerning Tiny's condition and a description of her. She is so beautiful and so precious to us.

Reply from Doc Stoll - Reader

[ In Reply To ..]
Hi, Well I have owned a dog with this problem and don't have a dog now, but since I love animals and was moved by your post I asked Walt Stoll, M.D., who knows a lot about endocrine issues. This is what he had to say:

It should be VERY hard to produce Cushing's from eyedrops! All it should take is stopping the drops at once! If Cushing's persists it was not the eyedrops and the dog has serious problems with adrenal overproduction.

The people at The Whole Dog Journal (archives) would be your best bet.

Let us know what you learn.

Walt

Thank you so much - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for helping to put my mind at rest concerning Tiny's eyedrops. I know the steroid doseage was relatively high, and at first she was give the drops twice a day in both eyes. Then they reduced the doseage to every other day at a lower dose, ONE time a day. Her eyes are looking pretty good now. I am trying to learn everything I can to help my stepfather and my darling little friend. Your post is so appreciated. Thank you again, Walt. I'll be updating in a few days.

Read your post again - Christine

[ In Reply To ..]
My apologies for calling you Walt. I understand now this was the doctor's name. In any event, thank you for caring enough to do that for us. Each and every bit of information is valuable.

Similar Messages:

Feb 10, 2010
I have a 12yo lab mix who has a huge, and I mean huge lipoma on her back/side as well as many other smaller bumps around her body. The big one has grown significantly in the past year from the size of a softball to the size of a oblong medium watermelon. So far the vet has said that surgery to remove it may be more dangerous than to just let it be. We have not had any biopsies to date because of the expense and fear of putting her under anesthesia. Has anyone el ...

Mar 27, 2012
We just found out yesterday that my 15-year-old son who has perfectly straight teeth, still has his left canine baby tooth and an impacted adult tooth above it. I wasn't given much information other than he probably needs braces. I've researched it on Google and it sounds horrible. Braces, bracketing, putting a gold chain on the impacted tooth to pull it down, surgeries, several years of treatment. Has anyone had anything like this at all happen? It sounds ...

Mar 15, 2017
How many times will Rachel get away with promoting fake news? Oh, boy, did I have a good laugh last night. ...

Dec 06, 2009
Hi, My mother has been diagnosed as having kinbox disease. he doctor didnt have much to say about it and sounded very negitive. We would liek to know does anyone know exact what it is? Is there any treaments for it? Thanks Sally ...

Jul 13, 2011
Please say a prayer for my husband. He was dx with Lymes disease end stage. And also a prayer for me to find a job, my husband hasnt worked for over a year now. I would like to get back into med trans job. I have very little experience but I am an RN. I want to stay out of nursing, burned out. thank you so much ...

Apr 17, 2014
I had gum surgery years ago, never again. Total misery for months, like ongoing birth except no drugs to help me out. Told my dentist all the teeth could fall out before that again so that is how strongly I feel about it. Fast forward now, I am reading on line about laser surgery, lesser pain, fast recovery and wanting to know if others had this and if so what was the outcome. ...

Jan 16, 2011
I'm battling the big battle with this. After the end of 8 hours my legs are just throbbing. I've already had 3 bypasses, and I fear anymore symptoms I've be due to the aortobifemoral bypass. Anyone have any tidbits of wisdom on how ya fight leg aches and pains after sitting in this chair so long? ...

Aug 02, 2012
I am looking for any information in how you (or someone close to you maybe) was treated for Lyme disease. Was it done only with antibiotics, pulsed antibiotics, or something else? My sister-in-law is really in a bad way with this. She apparently has neuropathic pain too and nothing seems to be helping it. She's hardly gotten out of bed in 2 wk. Any experiences, suggestions, ideas, would be much appreciated. Thank you. ...

Jan 05, 2011
Hi all, I am asking for prayers from my fellow MTs out there. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease over a year ago still undergoing treatment. It has been a long road to recovery, but my finances are in shambles right now. I lost my job typing because of my inability to concentrate and incorrect work constantly. I went from $700.00 weekly down to $400.00 and still could not do that level of work. Now I cannot apply for unemployment as I was an IC. My husban ...

Oct 14, 2010
Hi, all. I was diagnosed last year with hearing loss and this year went back for test and there is a significant drop. They are doing a couple of tests to rule out Meniere's Disease at the end of this month. No matter what, I am going to have to get something to help me continue in this field or go with another job (nursing, coding, etc.). I am working with the Ability Works in my state and they will help me get equipment like hearing aids, specialized heatsets, etc. ...

Aug 28, 2012
Don't know to post this here or the main board: I have struggled with odd complaints all my life, dry eyes, numbness and burning in extremities (most likely peripheral and other neuropathy), extreme fatigue, brain fog, teeth falling out, dry itchy skin and ears, mouth ulcers due to dryness, weird rashes, chronic pain. Finally diagnosed with raynauds and sjogrens. I was an MT employed by hospital, worked out of my home. I was on FMLA but hours were changed (attorney is wor ...

Apr 04, 2016
This is the hospital I worked in for years. I also was a patient over the years. Sometimes our little hospital has to send people there if they cannot provide the right services (ours a little hospital). Latest on this is that the person got Legionnaire's from the hospital. They were not at all sure of how he acquired it. On the local news, they said no one would say the condition of the man, but that he had been extremely sick. Said the tests won't come back for at least 10 days, ...

Nov 11, 2014
Don't believe the link? Just google key words then. ...

Sep 06, 2012
I think the chairman has apologized today, but not sure. Below are 3 that I have heard and seen this week. I'm sure there are plenty more. Then the dems wonder why some people hate their party so much! Duh. On Wednesday, South Carolina Democratic chairman Dick Harpootlian compared Gov.Nikki Haley - a Republican - to Eva Braun, Adolf Hitler's long-time mistress, The State reported. "The comparisons of Nazis and Hitler to the Republicans seems to be an e ...