New, old dog, Cushings/cognitive

[Denise]

Hi there, I'm Denise in Iowa. Reba is a stray spanial mix I've had for 11 years. She's had pituitary dependant Cushings for 3 years, Vetoryl 120 mg. per day controlled her well. Last month I blamed her for being deaf but it's more than that. She's losing her mind to doggy alzheimers or to that pituitary tumor. The reason I question that is that I lost a dog to this same behavior several years ago that didn't have Cushings but got lost in the house, stood in corners, got stuck under tables and chairs and then one a seizure started and it couldn't be stopped and I had to let her go. I'm scared of seeing seizures as the vet guessed the other dog had a pituitary tumor.

Anyway, on top of the odd behavior you all know that treating the Cushings has made her arthritis flair badly so when she wanders from room to room she doesn't walk well, falls often and can't get up in her own. The hard floors she could navigate are now a real enemy but she also falls on rugs. Her rear end is atrophying and so weak. She forgets to eat midmeal, she acts like she can't remember how to drink sometimes. Not to incontinence yet.

She is on Tramadol twice a day and that has heled her rest easier. I have Valium on hand in case of a seizure to use prior to getting her to the vet.

I guess I'm asking if anyone has any thoughts on discontinuing the Cush meds? Is it worth trying Anipryl? Can that be used WITH Vetoryl?

Would Lysodren be better in some way?

Are we at the end here? If so, it's hard to process when it's more mental than physical. Her lab work last week was very good, nothing alarming at all.

Just know it's good to talk to people who have been there. Thank you.

Denise and Reba

[littleone1]

Hi Denise,

Corky and I want to welcome you and Reba.

Corky has adrenal based cushings and is being treated with Trilostane. A few months ago, he started exhibiting strange behaviors, one of which was wandering aimlessly. He was diagnosed with Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. His IMS put him on Novifit S, which is one type of SAM-e that helps support cognitive functions in aging dogs and cats. After 1 month, he really improved and was taken off of it. Recently, he started exhibiting strange behaviors again, and he was put back on it. I don't know if this is what is going on with Reba, but it might be worth looking into.

Terri and Corky

[Denise]

Hi Terri, thanks for the reminder. My last dog with Cushings was adrenal and I had him on SAM-e. I also wondered if going back to the flax essence and melatonin might be worth it. She was controlled well by these alone for almost a year. I've not heard of Novifit S. Will have to research that. Thanks for that and the welcome!

Denise

[frijole]

Denise, I share my story in the event it helps... I used tramadol one time and it was the scariest night of my life. It is an opiate and very strong stuff. My dog walked into a corner and just stood there staring. It was awful. I came on this site and asked for help in the middle of the night... come to find out.. even though we used the recommended dosage every single one of us had a similar scary experience and ended up having to cut the dose down by 1/2. It made a huge difference. Perhaps it isn't cognitive? Kim

[Denise]

Kim, the cognitive stuff was going on before the Tramadol was started. She was roaming the house and getting stuck for a couple weeks prior to that. When at the vets it was more for her hobbling and falling and the Tram was started. She has rested easier since then, doesn't quiver in her sleep and when she wakes she can get around better. I'm glad to hear about that being a possibilty though as I have 7 other dogs and 9 cats that might need pain meds at some time. Thank you.


Denise, Reba and the Gang

[Harley PoMMom]

Is it worth trying Anipryl? Can that be used WITH Vetoryl?

Denise and Reba

Hi and a belated welcome from me! According to a renown Cushing's expert, Dr. Mark Peterson, Anipryl and Trilostane can be used together. This is an excerpt from his blog:

If you believe that Rigby has canine cognitive dysfunction, you can certainly use the drug selegiline hydrochloride, also known as L-deprenyl (veterinary trade name, Anipryl) along with the trilostane that the dog's already getting.

Which can be found here: Q & A: Pacing and Circling in a Cushing's Dog Treated with Trilostane

Love and hugs,
Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Denise and welcome to you and Reba!

One of our members here had a baby with a macro pituitary tumor and she has started a thread in our Everything Else section relating her experience and research. Other members are sharing their stories there as well in an effort to help those who may be facing a macro. You can find this thread at -

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3567

If it were me, I would look into the CCD first and consider treatment with either the Anipryl or Novifit S first. CCD is a big a possibility as anything else. I have several links on Anipryl and will give them to you as well.

I am glad you found us and look forward to getting to know the both of you. I want you to know that you and Reba are no longer alone on this journey. You have found the very best bunch of folks on this planet for support, not to mention the experience and knowledge. How you managed for three years I will never know....I was a total basket case when my Squirt was diagnosed and don't know what we would have done without our family here - of which you and Reba are now part of.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

The links -

Anipryl info*
http://www.pfizerah.com/product_over...=EN&species=CN

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

http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/dise...rylseniors.htm

http://www.lbah.com/anipryl.htm

http://www.selegiline.com/

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library...ryl/page1.aspx

http://www.drugs.com/vet/anipryl-5-mg-can.html