GSD with Cushing's - Kaiser has passed

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome from me too.

Oh my goodness you do have a lot of things going on with your dogs right now it sounds like.

I agree that I think I would want to see a specialist, especially about the muscle issue, which may or may not be related to high cortisol.
Since that pre is fairly low, I would think about trying him on a lower daily dose. Maybe 20 or 15 even. And see if that will keep it low, but not too low. It can be a real balancing act to find what works And what keeps them comfortable.

Again, welcome to the forum.

[Junebugs]

Hello and welcome from me too.

Oh my goodness you do have a lot of things going on with your dogs right now it sounds like.

I agree that I think I would want to see a specialist, especially about the muscle issue, which may or may not be related to high cortisol.
Since that pre is fairly low, I would think about trying him on a lower daily dose. Maybe 20 or 15 even. And see if that will keep it low, but not too low. It can be a real balancing act to find what works And what keeps them comfortable.

Again, welcome to the forum.

Hi Sharlene, and thank you for your thoughts!
I do have a question regarding Kaiser's pre stim number being low... Since he is currently on 30mg once daily, would splitting the dose 15mg twice daily have any effect on his pre stim number? I was wondering because of the effective time the dose is in his system, so wondering if a smaller dose spaced out even though same daily total would change anything.

Thanks!
Theresa

[Junebugs]

Update!
Last week I restarted Kaiser on Hyaluronic Acid. I think that was Monday... This weekend was a really good one for him, for a change, and thinking maybe it's the Hyaluronic Acid that is helping... I also started him on oral enzymes today, as I read great things about their ability to help the body heal when chronic illness is present. I nearly cried Sunday, when he picked up a squeaky ball and started playing with it briefly. Tossed it and stomped it for a minute or two, and actually looked like he was smiling! I don't remember the last time he played with a toy, so it was a joyful thing to see

He looks really good and seems to be walking a little better. I have started taking him up and down the little hill in our front yard a couple times a day, hoping to slowly build up some endurance. He does do lots of steps in our house when he follows me around, but I read walking up and down inclines may be better for rebuilding muscle. Hoping he will soon be able to handle going to a park nearby that has bigger hills.

I sat and combed out his fur again to remove the skin flakes, and was thrilled at how much better his skin looks. The patch that the vet's office had shaved over his shoulder due to a large open crusting, is now healed and the fur has all grown back in. The flakes I removed overall were not big clumps of shedding skin like before. I can hardly wait to see the chiropractor on Wednesday so she can see how great he looks. It is officially 2 months on Vetoryl, and 1 month since she last saw him, so I know she will notice a big change in his appearance at least. I did not take any photos when he was looking very sick and losing fur, as I could not bear to do so... I did post 2 pictures from today, as he just looked so handsome for a change!

Theresa

[Joan2517]

Great update, Theresa! So happy for you and Kaiser!

[labblab]

Hi Sharlene, and thank you for your thoughts!
I do have a question regarding Kaiser's pre stim number being low... Since he is currently on 30mg once daily, would splitting the dose 15mg twice daily have any effect on his pre stim number? I was wondering because of the effective time the dose is in his system, so wondering if a smaller dose spaced out even though same daily total would change anything.

Thanks!
Theresa

Wooo Hooo! That's great news to hear that Kaiser is doing better!!

Also, your question is an excellent one. However, from some of the things we've been told here, twice daily dosing actually may have a tendency to increase the risk of cortisol levels falling too low. I guess this is because the cortisol never has the opportunity to rebound very significantly at any time throughout the course of 24 hours. So, for instance, a dog who previously received 30 mg. once in the morning might need to be decreased to only 10 mg. both morning and evening if a switch is made to twice daily dosing.

I am not saying this might not be an option for Kaiser, but if you are finally seeing some good results, I don't believe I'd shake up his dosing schedule right at the moment.

Marianne

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh I remember that day Squirt picked up a toy for the first time in ages! The joy and excitement that filled me instantly! I hope your sweet boy continues to improve. You might look into some glucosamine and condroiton for him, too. Both are often used in arthritic dogs.

[Junebugs]

Oh I remember that day Squirt picked up a toy for the first time in ages! The joy and excitement that filled me instantly! I hope your sweet boy continues to improve. You might look into some glucosamine and condroiton for him, too. Both are often used in arthritic dogs.

Yes, such an exciting moment!! Kaiser has been on Dasaquin with MSM for quite some time. I tried the Advanced Dasaquin that is only available from the vet's office, but did not see a difference, so switched back since the cost was much more.

[Junebugs]

Who Hooo! That's great news to hear that Kaiser is doing better!!

Also, your question is an excellent one. However, from some of the things we've been told here, twice daily dosing actually may have a tendency to increase the risk of cortisol levels falling too low. I guess this is because the cortisol never has the opportunity to rebound very significantly at any time throughout the course of 24 hours. So, for instance, a dog who previously received 30 mg. once in the morning might need to be decreased to only 10 mg. both morning and evening if a switch is made to twice daily dosing.

I am not saying this might not be an option for Kaiser, but if you are finally seeing some good results, I don't believe I'd shake up his dosing schedule right at the moment.

Marianne

Thanks Marianne, I will stay the course for now, and leave any changes for the specialist when we do go see one.

[Junebugs]

Great update, Theresa! So happy for you and Kaiser!

Thank you, Joan!! Fingers crossed we can continue progressing in a forward direction now!

[molly muffin]

Hi! sorry i've been absent and didn't see your question till now, but I agree with Marianne, i would stay the course for now and since he seems to be making great improvements, I wouldn't change anything unless necessary.