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Thread: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing (Chemo has passed)

  1. #11
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Alrighty then!!!

    I'll go ahead and leave my lengthy babbling in place, though, for the benefit of other newbies who may read our conversation.

    Sounds like you're all set to go, and please keep us updated!

  2. #12
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Thank you for the support. One more thing could his prostate being so enlarged and dropping into his abdomen to touch the adrenal glands?

  3. #13
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Hello from me too. I don't know that a prostrate would touch the adrenals, it can certainly cause increase in urination and flow though.

    Do you have a schedule to have his follow up ACTH done at the 12 - 14 day mark? That will tell you how he is doing on the medication.

    High cortisol can cause ligaments and tendons to weaken, along with muscle wasting, which hopefully will improve as the cortisol comes down but it can take some time to rebuild that strength up.
    Sharlene and the late great diva - Molly muffin (always missed and never forgotten)

  4. #14
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    Aug 2017
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Thank you for a warm welcome in my time of need I really appreciate it.
    My vet asked me to call her every day they are open and give updates on his symptoms tracking. Said in about 10 to 14 days we will do the acth.

    he was also diagnosed with prostatitis and orchitis. About 30 days ago forgot to say that. The recheck with the ultrasound showed his prostate was looking better and his testical swelling is all gone.

  5. #15
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    What symptoms would I look for to give my boy prednisone to correct it?

  6. #16
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Hi again! Symptoms that cortisol level may have dropped too low include things like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, stumbling, trembling. Prior to advancing that far, you may see things like lack of appetite and just a general dullness. Untreated Cushpups typically exhibit excessive thirst and hunger, so you are wanting to see a decrease in those symptoms after starting the trilostane. But while seeing a decrease back to a more normal level is good, not wanting to eat or drink at all is very worrisome.

    Sometimes dogs can feel yucky when their cortisol levels first start to drop, even though the cortisol level has not dropped to a level that is actually physically unsafe. This is one reason why so many clinicians now recommend starting off at a lower dose of trilostane and working upward if need be -- this approach lessens the likelihood that your dog will feel unwell from a sudden, large decrease in the circulating cortisol.

    So coming back to your question about prednisone, if Chemo were to exhibit severe symptoms like acute vomiting or diarrhea during a time that your vet's office is closed, you'd probably want to go ahead and give him some emergency pred. However, if the issue arises while your vet is available, I'd contact the vet and try to take him in directly to be seen prior to giving the prednisone. This is because prednisone skews the results of the monitoring ACTH blood test, which is likely the first test your vet will want to perform if low cortisol is suspected. If possible, it's better to run the test first, and then prednisone (or an injectable steroid) can be given immediately afterwards while you await the test results.

    So, bottom line, the prednisone is good to have on hand as a safety net if Chemo becomes acutely ill at a time when you cannot get him in to the vet. But if your vet is available, it's usually best to quickly take him in to be evaluated beforehand. Also, if you are ever concerned that Chemo is acting "off" even though he's not actively ill, you can always just temporarily withhold giving any more trilostane until you've had the chance to consult with your vet about your concerns.

    Marianne
    Last edited by labblab; 08-12-2017 at 12:34 PM. Reason: To add.

  7. #17
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Thank you so much. Will keep you updated.

  8. #18
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Quick question. Since his prostate is enlarged still would that cause a false low dose dex. Same with testicular cancer he might have it the vet pointed out that his ball has a hard spot on it?...

    Also forgot to say he has head tilt and his eyes are draining clear liquid. Tilts his head to the side that drains more. Both eyes has styes. The eye that drains more looks like he has trouble closing.

  9. #19
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    The drawback to either of the two diagnosistic Cushing's blood tests is that they are not 100% specific to measuring Cushing's. What they do measure is elevated adrenal activity that is characteristic of Cushing's, but can also be caused by other stresses to the body including other disease processes. Whether or not Chemo's prostate/testicular issues are severe enough to falsely skew the LDDS, I do not know (nor probably does anybody else). But that's why the existence of other overt and laboratory abnormalities that are consistent with Cushing's play such an important role in determining whether treatment seems to be appropriate.

    In Chemo's case, he does exhibit some of these other symptoms, and I assume that's why your vet thinks it's worth it to try the trilostane. Ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding -- if Chemo improves while taking the trilostane, it's fair to assume that Cushing's is truly the culprit. If he instead worsens or reacts poorly to the trilostane, you'd have better reason to believe that perhaps the Cushing's diagnosis is inaccurate after all. So, bottom line, we'll all be very anxious to see how he does!

    Marianne

  10. #20
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    Aug 2017
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    Default Re: Scared! Dog just got diagnosed with Cushing.

    Talked to the vet this morning. His poop was a really soft hit the floor like a cow patty in a circle. She advised me to stop giving him the meds while she seeks advice from a internal medicine specialist.

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