khinkle
12-21-2013, 12:33 AM
Our dog Pierre (min-Poodle mutt, approx. 20 lbs.) is 11-ish (not sure b/c he's a rescue). About a year ago our vet suggested that he may have Cushings but at the time we were advised the tests for diagnosis would run almost $1K and we had just been through an expensive medical episode. Also he did not show any adverse symptoms at the time except a slight increase in water intake and appetite.
1 year later, he had a very bad week; ended up at the specialty hospital where they found an infected abcess in the liver, recommended surgery that would have been upwards of $6K. We promised ourselves we would not go into a cycle of endless debt to prolong our dog's life in the later years. We were given the option of treating the infection with antibiotics, which seems to have worked well.
Our vet and our specialist have been very attentive and after a few follow-up ultrasounds the specialist cannot detect any sign of the infection; however he recommended we continue Clavamox (antibiotic) for another 6-8 weeks until the next ultrasound.
Meanwhile, we have been treating the enlarged gall bladder with Ursodiol since a few weeks after we started antibiotics, and it seems to be effective.
About two months ago, when signs of infection were gone, we started Vetoryl @ 10mg per dose, twice daily. No bad side effects but no effect on his water intake and output after a few weeks, and another ACTH stim test indicated his cortisol levels were still at 20 or so (not sure what that measurement is exactly). The specialist said he wants to see that number around 4.
Bumped up the dosage to 20mg x 2 daily. Next ACTH test pegged at 12. Specialist recommended 30mg x 2 daily. After a week of that still no change in water intake/output, so (with advice of specialist) we bumped up the dosage to 40mg x 2 daily.
Pierre has not displayed any significant side effects from the Vetoryl -- no diarrhea, vomiting, etc. He's a bit lethargic but still up for playing a bit. He's weaker since this whole thing began but he has also gone from 26 lbs. to 17 lbs. -- he was always considered overweight and now we are trying to fatten him up. Since he still has increased appetite, he will eat all that we feed him.
After two days of the 40mg x 2 daily Vetoryl the incontinence and/or inappropriate urination has only gotten worse. We are using diapers/wraps but even these do not stem the tide of urine flowing onto our floors, furniture, bed, etc. This happens sometimes within minutes after taking him out for a (productive) potty trip. Patience is running thin and I'm afraid Pierre is picking up on it which may be exacerbating the problem.
Specialist recommended considering an incontinence drug but we (and our primary care vet) are reluctant to add another drug to the mix.
Any advice / shared experience / recommendations appreciated from folks who have had similar circumstances...
1 year later, he had a very bad week; ended up at the specialty hospital where they found an infected abcess in the liver, recommended surgery that would have been upwards of $6K. We promised ourselves we would not go into a cycle of endless debt to prolong our dog's life in the later years. We were given the option of treating the infection with antibiotics, which seems to have worked well.
Our vet and our specialist have been very attentive and after a few follow-up ultrasounds the specialist cannot detect any sign of the infection; however he recommended we continue Clavamox (antibiotic) for another 6-8 weeks until the next ultrasound.
Meanwhile, we have been treating the enlarged gall bladder with Ursodiol since a few weeks after we started antibiotics, and it seems to be effective.
About two months ago, when signs of infection were gone, we started Vetoryl @ 10mg per dose, twice daily. No bad side effects but no effect on his water intake and output after a few weeks, and another ACTH stim test indicated his cortisol levels were still at 20 or so (not sure what that measurement is exactly). The specialist said he wants to see that number around 4.
Bumped up the dosage to 20mg x 2 daily. Next ACTH test pegged at 12. Specialist recommended 30mg x 2 daily. After a week of that still no change in water intake/output, so (with advice of specialist) we bumped up the dosage to 40mg x 2 daily.
Pierre has not displayed any significant side effects from the Vetoryl -- no diarrhea, vomiting, etc. He's a bit lethargic but still up for playing a bit. He's weaker since this whole thing began but he has also gone from 26 lbs. to 17 lbs. -- he was always considered overweight and now we are trying to fatten him up. Since he still has increased appetite, he will eat all that we feed him.
After two days of the 40mg x 2 daily Vetoryl the incontinence and/or inappropriate urination has only gotten worse. We are using diapers/wraps but even these do not stem the tide of urine flowing onto our floors, furniture, bed, etc. This happens sometimes within minutes after taking him out for a (productive) potty trip. Patience is running thin and I'm afraid Pierre is picking up on it which may be exacerbating the problem.
Specialist recommended considering an incontinence drug but we (and our primary care vet) are reluctant to add another drug to the mix.
Any advice / shared experience / recommendations appreciated from folks who have had similar circumstances...