Mira, 7yr old Husky - Cushings ruled out; liver cancer (Mira has passed)

[Altira]

My Mira... There is defintally something very wrong but she has almost none of the normal Cushings symptoms yet the vet says itcould be. She recommended I read up on it. I don't think she would say that unless she was very certain. All we are going on right now is the first blood test results. I would love your opinion! I will just note the Highs and lows.

ALK - 1282 (10-150) high
ALT- 110 (5-107) high
AST - 98 (5-55) high
CK- 469 (10-200) high

AMYLASE - 444 (450-1240) low

TV02 - 16 (17-24) low
CHLORIDE - 119 (105/115) high
POTASSIUM - 5.8 (4.0-5.6) high

NA/K RATIO - 26 (27-40) low

ABS NEUTROPHIL - 12551 (3000-11500) high

T4 was done too and came out normal. We are waiting on the urine test. Please tell me what you think so far. Thevet circled the first four in the list. I took Mira in thinking she has allergies and it was nobig deal but I wanted a blood test done just to check. She is coughingand gagging, panting some, has lost fur around her eyes andmouth, sleeping a lot, looks sleepy all the time, has constant discharge fromher eyes, is limping badly, can't really do walks. We had been walking every day up until a week ago. She suddenly wonteat dry food and she is begining to reject thecanned too now. She drinks the normal amount of water which is slightly more than she was. I think she has lost weight. I was brushing her tonight she go up and went to her pillow and peed on it. She is housebroken!! She is acting so strange. And I'm prone to panic. I don't want to loose her so soon.

[labblab]

Hello! I am so glad you've found us, although I am very sorry about the problems that Mira is having. From what you have posted so far, it does sound as though Mira exhibits some of the lab abnormalities and symptoms of Cushing's. However, other pieces do not fit very well into the "Cushing's puzzle." The first four lab values that your vet circled do correspond with Cushing's -- elevated liver enzymes and evidence of muscle wasting are consistent with abnormally high levels of circulating cortisol.

However, Mira exhibits other symtoms that I think may be consistent with Addison's Disease, which is the opposite problem from Cushing's (cortisol/aldosterone levels are too low instead of cortisol being too high). Read this description of the symptoms of Addison's:

Symptoms of Addison's disease are very similar to other diseases and they seem rather vague. Symptoms may include but are not limited too; middle age female dogs, usually over 7 years of age, depression, lethargy, weakness, not eating, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea, drinking more, urinating more, dehydration, and a fast heart rate in some patients. Many times these symptoms may go unnoticed or correctly diagnosed and the patient finally presents in a Addisonian crisis. During an Addisonian crisis the patient may present in acute collapse and in shock. This is very serious, deadly, and scary to watch. Blood work will show low sodium level, high potassium level [the resulting Na:K ratio will be low], and high kidney enzymes...

You can also read more about Addison's here:

http://www.peteducation.com/article....2+2097&aid=520

Many of these symptoms do sound like your description of Mira. However, apparently her kidney values still fall within the normal range? (BUN, CR or "creatinine"). Anyway, regardless of how her urine test turns out, I am thinking that an ACTH blood test may be the next best test for Mira because it can help diagnose either Cushing's or Addison's. Also, as you will see from reading more about Addison's, it is a treatable disease but can definitely turn life-threatening very quickly if it is not properly diagnosed and treated. If Mira seriously worsens in any way, I'd encourage you to take her back in to the vet immediately for emergency assessment.

Marianne

[Altira]

Gosh I hope I'm doing this right! I can't thank you enough for your imput and for taking the time to read my post so carefully. As I mentioned i am prone to panic. What might be something that would constitute an emergency? Probably not peeing in her pillow but I got to tell you that's all it took to get me here.

[labblab]

Yes, you are replying exactly right!

If Mira starts vomiting or suffering from diarrhea, or becomes even more lethargic or unresponsive -- I would call your vet and/oir take her right on in.

As I said above, the elevated liver values do correspond with Cushing's. Panting, muscle weakness and fur loss are also Cushing's symptoms. And sometimes Cushpups can appear to lose weight due to muscle wasting, even though their actual weight has increased.

But your description of Mira's behavior sounds "off" to me in other ways. The lack of appetite (as opposed to ravenous Cushing's appetite), the rather sudden onset of her lethargy and weakness (could walk up until a week ago), the gagging -- she sounds like something is more acutely wrong, whereas the progression of Cushing's symptoms tends to follow a slower chronic course. That is what is making me wonder what else might be causing her symptoms. When do you think your vet will have the results of the urine test?

Marianne

[Altira]

That's what I'm thinking, this testing is taking far too long... and yes this did happen suddenly. My dogs and i were running the streets two weeks ago with Mira right out front. Well really she's been acting strange for about a month. Oh I forgot to mention she has incontance (sp?) too.

The urine test results Might come in today the vet said. I'm very worried. What should I do?

[Altira]

Ok I'm panicing. I should mention other then the peeing in the pillow thing she had a pretty good night. Only coughed twice and she ate all her canned food last time pretty well and she's be a tad more active. Limping is very bad, seems to be just the front left leg. You can just look at her and tell something is wrong though. My husband thought she looked out of it sort of.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi and welcome to you and Mira!

Bless your heart! Man, can I relate to your fear! When my Squirt was first diagnosed, I was an absolute basket case. She is the light of my world and I cannot bear the thought of losing her. When her vet said "Cushing's", I could tell by the look on her face this wasn't the best of news and I broke down into tears right there in the exam room. For the next few months, I was overcome with grief, anger, fear, guilt, frustration, and confusion. My poor old mind just couldn't grasp anything except that my baby was sick!

Nothing I read, nothing anyone said made any sense to me at all...it was all Greek! Even when they told me it would get better all I could think was, "Are you freakin' NUTS?!?! My baby is SICK with an incurable disease!!!! omg omg omg omg omg......" A dear friend here later described me as a woman who had stuck her finger in a light socket - hair standing on end! She kindly left out the lunatic rantings, the flying slobber and bulging eyes! Now, nearly 3 yrs later, I almost have the slobbering under control.

I know exactly how you feel, honey; many of us do. And, you are right where you are supposed to be; your reaction is completely normal. How else would a loving mother react to news that her baby may be facing some serious health issues? You're a good mom, as evidenced by your obvious love for Mira and your willingness to seek out help on her behalf. So, see? You are already ahead of the game and have a great foundation to build on!

Two things -
1) during this panic phase, try to take a few minutes to breath from time to time; just a few deep breaths, holding and slowly releasing - then you can resume "omg omg omg omg..."

2) start your education. This is the most important thing you can do for Mira regardless of what the final diagnosis turns out to be. You are her first and last defense, her only voice, her advocate, and the more you know the stronger you will be in these roles. Get copies of all her test results and question the vet about anything you don't understand. Take notes during her exams, or take a tape recorder, or a friend so you can remember what was said. Start reading up on Cushing's here; our Helpful Resource section is full of good info. Go online and read about Addison's, which is, in very simple terms, the opposite of Cushing's. Then ask questions, lots of them. We will do our best to help you understand. Education is key and we are all here to learn and share.

Last, but in no way least, know that you and Mira are not alone. We are here to help in any way we can. The collective experience found here is astounding and we are more than happy to share. When it comes to support...well, you couldn't have found a better place for good old-fashioned hand-holding. In fact, we have our own little looney bin here; all you gotta do is holler and I'll scoot over!

You're doing a good job, Mom! Keep your chin up!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls - always

EDITED TO ADD LINKS:

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=180

http://www.lbah.com/canine/cushings.htm

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html

http://www.newmanveterinary.com/CushingDiag.html

ADDISON’S INFO:
http://www.addisondogs.com/

http://www.k9addisons.com/

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/addison_s_disease.html

http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-addiso...-symptoms.html

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com.../detail/569664

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm.../detail/574393

[Altira]

I was in the kitchen cleaning up the thanksgiving dinner mess. Bud hollered... I let Mira out. I know I just saw her go by the window. Oh god she's heading toward the planter. No running, jumping or playing. Her liver could rupture. I fought down the want to run after her. Jumping up in the planter and investigating the bushes was her favorite thing to do. Well If she should hurt herself and died, at least she died doing something she loved. So I keep cleaning up thinking about what I'd feel if I saw her out there struggling. God. I moved toward the sink to rinse off more dishes and this is what I saw when I looked out the window.

Mira laying on the cool cement peering in the kitchen window watching for me.
I'm going to miss her.

[Squirt's Mom]

awwww....how sweet is that!

[jrepac]

very cute pix

I always wonder if the dogs KNOW it is a holiday? Or, do they think..."hey, these guys are nuts today and are giving me all kinds of good stuff!!"

Jeff & Angel Mandy