Hello! My sweet Chip was diagnosed Atypical Cushings last Thursday. Chip is a Pomeranian, he will be10 in March. Chip has been diabetic for almost3 years. 3 months after his diagnosis he went into a honeymoon phase and was taken off of his insulin. 3 months later he was back on insulin and we couldn't get control. He became very sick, didn't want to eat, lost10lbs ( he weighed20-- was very overweight) we thought he tore his acls but couldn't do surgery because his diabetes was out of control I had to do physical therapy on his legs so he could walk again. With an appetite stimulant he started eating again, we got some control and then the vet said he might have food allergies so he was put on ketoconazole We then got good diabetes control. After a food trial, Chip does not have allergies During the food trial, Chip's sugar shot up, he was over600 in the mornings, he should be around100-200The vet said not to worry is probably dawn phenomena, which is where hormones are active at night and blood sugar elevates. 600 is pretty high answer can cause damage. I went for a second opinion.
The new vet suggested Cushings and we tested and also did an ultrasound. I should mention we did an ultrasound2 years ago-- his liver was enlarged, his intestinal wall was slightly thickened and they thought he might have lymphoma or IBD. He was too sick for exploratory surgery and the symptoms never developed. These results are the same in the second ultrasound The vet sent the Cushings test to University of Tennessee and we got the atypical diagnosis. His medicine was delivered today, compounded trilostane from Roadrunner Pharmacy in Arizona. Im going to start it Saturday, I'll be off for2weeks.
When Chip was diagnosed diabetic, the vet actually thought he had Cushings, but the ACTH was negative. I now question if he was atypical all the time. Chip has always been a big eater. He would eat his food and go after the other2 dog's food. He was a20 lb Pom !
So I am here to learn as much as possible. I am a bit intimidated by this medicine. I learned about canine diabetes from Facebook groups. I am so glad this group is here and appreciate your knowledge and experience .