recent cushings diagnosis

[Daize'sMom]

Hi I am Trish and I am Daize's Mom. She was recently diagnosed with Cushing's/Pituitary. Her labs came back high liver enzyme last year. Every re-test her Alka/phos came back higher. The last test this past June came back 1300. Gave her Denamarin for a year and didn't help at all. They mentioned Cushings but she didn't have high water intake and really didn't have any symptoms until recently. She started eating like a starved animal, steals cat food every opportunity, and constantly whines in kitchen for food or dog biscuits and has become very annoying. She was obsessed with eating. She also began urinating everyday inside. Just had the Dexamethasone Supression test done and she has Cushings(pituitary type). Today was 4th day of Lysodren and she has stopped urinating in the house and isn't acting so aggressive eating but still eats faster than she normally ate before. I ordered a slow eating bowl a few weeks ago because she was literally gobbling her food up. I feed her half of her food then give the 1/3 of 500 mg. Lysodren in a piece of cheese. Then give her the rest of her food. I hope this avoids stomach problems. She is doing great so far. I have read her kidneys, liver and heart will be affected if I let let it go untreated. Her water has decreased by 1/4 of a cup. She weighs 15 lbs. and drinks 2 cups of water a day and eats dry food but I add water to it. They say her water isn't excessive. I am afraid of the medicine but all the different meds. sound risky. So far so good!! I am happy I found this forum. It helps us cope with our furbabies illness. The information on this site really helped me understand Cushings and will help me do the best I can for my Daize. She is Rat Terrier/Chihuahua and is 12 yrs. old. Just feeling nervous about this induction time. The veterinarian said to call when she decreases her water intake because she will have reached the level. Her eating and urinating is the biggest symptoms. Any advice, help is appreciated! Thanks

[molly muffin]

Hello Trish and welcome to you and Daize. :)

I'm not one of our lysodren mums, but some of them will be by to say hello and find out all the particulars.

So I understand that Daize is 15lbs. How much Lyso is she being given currently? Are you still doing the load on day 4?

I know this is one of the first things that they want to know. If she has slowed eating, even to just stop and look up at you instead of scarfing down the food nonstop, then that is usually a sign that the load is done and you stop the lysodren and schedule an ACTH within the next 48 hours, as Lysodren keeps working 2 days after the last dose administered. We don't want any crashes, so this is very important and is what our lysodren peeps are going to want to know first and foremost.

I'm really glad you found us too. This is an excellent support group and we've had members successfully treat for years on both drugs.

Welcome,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Daize'sMom]

She is taking 166 mg. of lysodren each day. Today was day 4.

[molly muffin]

I think that sounds right for where it should be. We have a 13lb that will be starting with 125mg.

Interesting, we have a couple that are starting or going to start or recently started lysodren treatment here on the forum right now. This is a big plus I think, for support, when you're in that special phase of just starting out and everything is a bit nerve wrecking. :)

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Daize'sMom]

I am confused if her water intake should decrease even if it wasn't excessive since the veterinarian said call when water decreases and didn't mention eating calmer. It has been months since she hasn't urinated in the house so that is a nice improvement for an entire week. She is also calmer. I see a big difference in her biggest symptoms so I am calling her Dr. tomorrow because another dose may crash her. I feel so much better talking to others. So much harder to deal with than "human" kids that can talk, makes me feel so nervous and worried.

[molly muffin]

This might help you to know what to watch for during the loading phase.
Some print this out and put it on their refrigerator, just so they have it for easy reference. I think that's a good idea.

If any of these symptoms are evident, then that is when you should stop and schedule the test.

http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181

Hope this helps.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Trish,

Welcome to you and Daize from me as well. Could you clarify if Daize is getting her 166mg dose of Lysodren once or twice a day? From my calculations for her weight she should be getting around 170mg of Lysodren twice a day.

That Lysodren link that Sharlene provided for you has a lot of information regarding Lysodren and I do urge you to read it.

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

Hugs, Lori

[goldengirl88]

Welcome to you and Daize:
I don't use Lysodren so others will speak on that. You are right about the organs being affected if you do not treat. Could you post all the testing you had done, and the abnormal numbers for the forum? I know it seems scary at first but you will get used to it. As long as you are vigilant your dog will be fine. Try and keep a doggie diary as you will need it to refer back to. Sound like you are off to a good start. Blessings
Patti

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Trish and welcome to you and Daize! :)

We are also a Lyso house and I wouldn't want it any other way. ;)

The dose sounds right but how in the world are you dividing that pill into thirds?! Is there a pill cutter that will do that? I'm impressed however you are doing it! I look like a drug addict when I have to divide odd portions because I grind the pill then take a straight edge like a knife and do my best to divide the powder into portions. No straws involved, tho. :D Squirt weighed 15 lbs when she started taking Lyso and we went with 1/4 pill (125mg). That is a little low for that weight but dividing the pill was more accurate. And Squirt didn't load due to the type of Cushing's she has, Atypical - she went straight to the maintenance dose.

With the water intake slowing I would have the ACTH done to see if Daize is loaded. If not, you will simply continue the load. If she is loaded then she will start the maintenance which will be the same dose given 2-4 a week.

You seem to be off to a great start, Trish. I'm proud of you! I know full well how scary this diagnosis and the drugs used to treat it are and you are handling this like a champ. :) I am really glad you found us and look forward to seeing those test results and getting to know you both better as time passes. You and Daize will never be alone. You are family here now and we will be by your side the whole way.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[grapey]

I was also wondering about how you cut a pill into 1/3! That sounds very tricky.

My Boston will be starting lysodren on a similar dose to your dog's--125 mg for 13 lbs. I understand that's on the low side, but I'm OK with that. I am also terrified to start this drug, but if it helps my baby girl, its worth it.

[frijole]

My girl Haley had the longest load in the history of this board so our dosing regime changed upwards over a period of like four months. I too was challenged in cutting the pills but it is OK to have uneven doses... for example 1/4 pill in morning and 1/2 pill in evening. I can't remember what her final dose ended up being but it was uneven and I successfully gave it for 4 1/2 yrs. Kim