Bug is an angel April 2018

[bugsmom]

Hello, I am new here, I have a 9 yr old boston/pug BUG, his name is Bug, I am Bug's mom, Michelle. About 9 mos ago Bug started having thinning hair on rear and legs, excessive thirst, no longer able to jump on the bed, and weight gain, he was up to 36lbs. In Dec of 2012 I had him tested, I thought he might be diabetic, the tests came back for Cushings. The vet started him on Vetoryl 60mg once a day. He seemed to get a little better. We did more blood work and his labs came back normal. About the first of april we did more blood work which came back normal. About this time, Bug started losing weight, the excessive drinking returned and he was hungry all the time. His weight went from 36lbs to 25 lbs in about 5 weeks. I had him tested again and now he is diabetic. Today, 5/28 he is having his 3rd glucose fast bloodwork done, we cant seem to get his insulin regulated.
Did the vetoryl cause the diabetes? He is now on 60mg of vetoryl every other day due the weight loss, as soon as I am out of the prescription the dose will go down. Bug is only 9yrs old and love of my life, he keeps me going. All my other dogs lived late into their teens and I thought I would have so much more time left with my Bug. What do I do? Can you manage Cushings and diabetes successfully? How much time do I have left? Please help ..... I am heartbroken.

[bugsmom]

Hi, I'm new here, My name is Michelle and I have bug / boston/ pug mix named BUG. He is 9yrs old and was diagnosed with Cushings in Dec of 2012. Last summer I noticed he was getting quite fat, pot belly, thinning hair, not jumping up like before, excessive thirst, excessive dry skin/ dander ... I thought he was just starting to age a bit. He was diagnosed in Dec 2012 with Cushings. He weighed 36lbs and was put on 60mg vetoryl. His symptons seems to improve a bit. With follow up blood work he seemed to be doing well.

About 6 weeks ago the excessive drinking and peeing came back and he began losing weight, he has dropped down to 25lbs and he was starving all the time. He had been on a weight control diet. I started increasing his food and he kept losing weight and was starving all the time. We went back to the vet and he was diagnosed with diabetes ...... I would like to know ..... can vetoryl cause diabetes or was this just meant to be.

Bug is at the vet today for his third glucose fast .... we are having trouble getting his blood sugars and insulin levels right. Since the weight loss the vet dropped his vetoryl down to 60mg every other day until the prescription was gone and then will lower the dose. (I am using up the meds I have as that they are so expensive .... will this hurt him?????????

I am devastated, Bug is the love of my life. All of my other dogs lived well into their teens, Bug is only 9. How much time do I have left? Can Cushings and Diabetes be managed together? This is killing me financially and emotionally. I am on disability and this is hard. What is is quality of life going to be? So far he is his sweet self .... a little more withdrawn, doesnt cuddle as much. Please help

[labblab]

Hello and welcome to you and Bug! I have only a moment to type right now, but you will see that I have moved both of your new replies into this one single thread for Bug. Even though some info is the same in both replies, I think each one also contains some unique info. So that's why I am leaving them both here to be read.

I am so glad you've found us and joined our family!
Marianne

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Michelle,

Welcome to you and Bug. So sorry for the reasons that brought you to us but glad you found your way here.

We have a sister site that deals with canine diabetes, the wonderful people there have a wealth of knowledge concerning diabetes in a dog, I do urge you to join there also, here's a link: http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/

Could you get copies of all tests that were done on Bug and post any abnormalities that are listed. We are especially interested in the results of all ACTH stimulation tests.

Every other day dosing is not a protocol that is usually advised, so I am quite concerned with Bug's vet experience with Trilostane/Vetoryl.

The diabetes can be difficult to get under control when a dog has elevated cortisol running through their system. The folks at the diabetes forum can help you get Bug's glucose regulated, so please do join them there.

We are here to help in any way we can so do not hesitate to ask any and all questions.

Love and hugs, Lori

[Budsters Mom]

Hello and welcome from me too
You have come to the right place! There are many K9Cushing's angels standing by to help and stay with you every step of the way. They love details, test results, any information you can get your hands on. The more the better. We will do all we can to help. Others will be popping in to welcome you also. So again welcome to you and Bug.

Hugs,
Kathy an Buddy

[labblab]

Hi again! I am able to pop back for a couple of minutes, and just want to confirm what Lori has already told you -- I am afraid that dosing Bug with Vetoryl every other day is not a good idea at all. Since the drug only remains active in the body for approx 12 hours or so, Bug is getting too high a dose on one day, and then is essentially receiving no Vetoryl at all on the second day. Every dog metabolizes the drug differently, but we would expect that this is creating big peaks and valleys for him which cannot be helpful in terms of stabilizing his glucose level and insulin needs.

Dosing every other day is really not recommended for any dogs, and for the reasons above, I would think it especially problematic for a diabetic dog. In fact, specialists in treating both Cushing's and diabetes generally recommend splitting the daily trilostane total into TWO doses to be given at 12 hour intervals so as to keep the endocrinological system more evenly balanced throughout each day and night.

I surely do understand how expensive the Vetoryl is. But identifying and maintaining the optimal dose is going to be extremely important in terms of gaining the upper hand on Bug's diabetic control.

Gotta run, but will try to return later on to add some more thoughts in this regard.
Marianne

[bugsmom]

thankyou so much for all of your responses. I go tonight at 830 to pick up Bug and I have asked for all of his lab results to be copied and ready since this began back in Dec. I will also ask the Vet to change his Vetoryl to a lower dose. I've called several times today and his blood sugars have all been really high, even with the insulin.

As I've read other posts today I realize that I am not the only one totally devasted by Bug's medical issues. My husband of 13yrs left last summer and Bug is my main man now. He guards the house, plays with the grandkids, and is my snuggle bunny. I have been reduced to a blubbering, incoherant, non-functioning idiot over this illness and diagnosis. Mostly, I can't bear to watch him suffer, he seems okay right now .... but has gotton so thin, his little back bone sticks up, his collar used to be too tight on the longest notch, now it is on the shortest notch and just hangs around his little neck. I can hardly bear it. He has gotten a little witrdrawn, he does not like the insulin shots, but like the food after ..... he never seems to get enough food, he is always hungry and begging. At what point do I give up? Is there hope for a few more years? Anyone out there know?????

[maria]

So sorry Bug is not doing well. I wish I could offer advice but we are still waiting for a diagnosis on my dog. I do have lots of experience (being in rescue many years) with other illnesses. Both conditions should be manageable it just might take time and tweaking to get the right dose/drugs/combinations to work. It also, takes time for the Cushings to get under control with the meds. But if your dog is still alert, enjoys your company and enjoys his food, I don't think he is suffering. My dog is constantly charging the food bowls. Even after she finishes eating she will fight the others for food so I understand what you mean about him being hungry. And, his body is being deprived of energy with the diabetes as well so he has a double whammy. I am sure you will hear from others who are very knowledgeable about this but both conditions can be controlled as I understand it. What are you feeding him? Is he on a special diet? I will be praying for him. Try to stay positive.

[labblab]

Both on behalf of Bug's safety and also the high cost of Vetoryl, you will want to make sure there is a reasonable basis for the specific revised dose before you make another purchase. Has your vet been performing monitoring ACTH tests so as to judge the effect of the 60 mg. dosing on Bug's cortisol level? That info will be really important in terms of deciding where to go from here...

Marianne

[Peety's Fur-mom]

Hi and welcome, I'm so sorry your lil snuggle Bug is not feeling so good. I can't really speak to the Cushing med's or the diabeties, but I wanted to just say hi and let you know you are not alone. We have all felt disheartened and desperate at times. We understand and hope that you can rest knowing there are many caring people here to help in any way they can. So hang in there and big hugs to both you and Bugs.
Pat Peety's #1 fan