10 year old female beagle just diagnosed with Cushings - Ginger has passed

Please do an ACTH stim test on Wed. as I'm very worried that Ginger's cortisol may be getting too low. I wasn't comfortable with her very low, blunted ACTH numbers from early Dec. and the subsequent maintenance regimen soon after.
Reading your post this morning was like you were describing how my Ginger was during and after her adrenals were being destroyed too much late last year except for my Ginger was already too weak to do anything by then. Eating was the only thing she did well before treatment but soon after her treatment had started she'd come to her food bowl like she wanted to eat and smells it (or just stands there) and then walks away... they still break my heart thinking about it.

Today is already Tues. so I wouldn't even bother with anymore Lysodren until tomorrow's test just to be on the safe side and it wouldn't surprise me if she ends up needing a break from Lysodren after her test results.
I wish you and your Ginger good luck tomorrow and hope you will get her to eat better soon. Hugs, Song.

So I took Ginger to the vet yesterday. Talked to her about her symptoms and all. She suspected her numbers were probably getting too low. Rather than do an ACTH test(which they need a weeks notice for to get the medicine in anyways) She did a complete blood work up. She said by checking certain levels that would be indicators her numbers were low. She checked her temp, eyes, ears, mouth, teeth and felt her all over. I took in a urine sample, but did not get much and did not know I needed to keep it cold. But they tested it and said it was clear but very diluted. So They called late today and said that her sodium to potassium levels were low(I believe) and that I was to stop the Lysodren and come pick up a script of something called a mineral condrindicator(or something like that). Sorry I do not know the exact wording. He said it will be 1 pill twice a day for a week and they will check the sodium/potassium levels then and if we have to increase, it would be 2 pills 2 time a day. She has not had a Lysodren since Monday morning as she did not eat enough Wed. for me to feel comfortable giving her one.(which now I am thankful for). So I will get the script tomorrow and we will go from there. Thank you all for your support. I just want to make sure that I do the best I can for her and that any problems that arise and not due to my neglect, or oversight. I'll keep you posted.

Did the vet say anything about giving some prednisone, too? If Ginger's sodium/potassium balance is off, there is every chance that her cortisol level is also too low. If she does not perk up quickly, I would question your vet about giving some prednisone in addition.

Marianne

If I had the pred, I would be giving it. ;)

I'd get prednisone ASAP if these pills are only to bring sodium and potassium levels. Talk to the vet.

It's possible that the vets included a resting baseline cortisol in yesterday's bloodwork (that doesn't require the stimulating agent). And if the resting cortisol was high enough, they may not think that pred is necessary right now. But I would definitely call back and clarify that today.

Marianne

So I picked up the pills about 1:00pm Friday. I bought a chicken strip from the deli and took it out to Ginger. She ate a little chicken first and then she took the pill in a small piece of the chicken. That was all she wanted. Then we went over to my parents to see them. About 4:30 Ginger walked into the kitchen and stood there, so I offered her some more chicken and she ate more. Took her across the street and she seemed to have a little more energy. She tried to get their dog to play a little bit, but he was not interested. We stayed for about 45 minutes then went back to Mom and Dad's. As I got my plate of food and sat down to eat all of a sudden I heard a little whine! There was Ginger wanting a bite of my supper! The first time in quite a while. I was thinking these pills are doing the trick and her being off of the Lysodren! Well today was a different story. She barely ate her breakfast of boiled chicken, enough I could give her another of the fludrorotisone. She slept some, but then wanted out I don't know how many times today. She drank normal and peed normal. She did poop good. And then a few minutes later poop again, a little softer stool. So we came back in. Within 10 minutes she wanted out again so I took her and all she walked to do was walk, walk, walk, even though she didn't seem like she felt that good. So I did and she poop a bit more looser, but not diarrhea. She finally came in and settled down for a few hours. Come supper time I tried everything to see if she would eat, but nope. She finally had a few bites of a hot dog. And then about 8:00 pm she was in the kitchen again so I gave her a small milk bone. She ate. The vet is closed until Monday. I could call the emergency number, but... I read a little moron the fludrocortisone and it really just sounds like a pill to balance her sodium/potassium and not much to raise her levels some. So I remembered that I had some prednisone from months back for her allergies. It is 20 mil. So I just gave her 1/4 pill. She has to eat!!! I pray I have made the right decision and will call the vet on Mon. (feeling scared for my Ginger).

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Originally Posted by labblab

Did the vet say anything about giving some prednisone, too? If Ginger's sodium/potassium balance is off, there is every chance that her cortisol level is also too low. If she does not perk up quickly, I would question your vet about giving some prednisone in addition.

Marianne

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Marianne is spot on here, I think giving her the prednisone was absolutely the right thing to do. The standard rescue dose of prednisone is 0.25mg/kg. With her weight of 30lbs that would calculate out to 3.4 mg of prednisone so the 5 mg you gave her should perk her up real soon. Keep us updated.

Hugs, Lori

I'm glad you gave Ginger prednisone if the pills are only to bring sodium and potassium up and not her cortisol level as I think that must be very low. I think she will perk up from prednisone and she might need it for a few days at least. If I were you I'd do an ACTH sooner rather than later.

So I called the vet and left a message. They finally called back and they said that was fine to have given the prednisone to Ginger. It made a difference the very first day, and has since I gave her one on Sat. I have not given her another since and she continues to eat, maybe not as much as is normal, but she eats!!! And I can give her the fludrocortisone! He said if she continues to eat and take the fludrocortisone then bring her in next week to check her sodium/potassium levels. If she does not bring her in sooner. Thank you all so much for your support, input, understanding and encouragement.