11 year old Doxie with tumor on Adrenal - Bondo has crossed the rainbow bridge

Me again.....I really need to get to bed but wanted to post some results of the blood work. ALT (sgpt) 188 ALK phosphatase 2530 Calcium 11.5

Cortisol Sample 1 5.2 Cortisol Sample 2 dex 2.8
Cortisol Sample 3 dex 2.4 I have no idea what any of this means but these number are all really high from the normal. Night, everyone

Hello, and welcome from me!

Just wanted to pop in to confirm that the elevated liver values and the Dex Test results are indeed consistent with Cushing's (I'm assuming that this was actually a Low Dose Dex test and not a High Dose Dex test?). If this was a High Dose Dex test, can you give us the Low Dose results, too? I agree that performing an ultrasound can give you a lot of good information about the state of Bondo's internal organs, and will be a very helpful final diagnostic before starting the trilostane.

If you do proceed with the trilostane, however, I want to reassure you that we have had a number of members for whom adrenal surgery was not an option and they therefore ended up medically treating their dogs. Historically, both Lysodren and trilostane have been used to treat adrenal Cushing's, but it does seem as though the trend is for specialists to prefer trilostane in this situation. I think it is because higher doses of Lysodren were often required to control symptoms caused by adrenal tumors, and therefore the likelihood of medication side effects were also greater. Apparently, trilostane is often more effective at symptom control with adrenal tumors.

The usual starting dose of trilostane recommended by the manufacturer of brandname Vetoryl is 1 mg. per pound of the dog's weight. As Sharlene has already mentioned, no matter what dose Bondo is started on, it is always good to have some emergency prednisone on hand. However, there is no reason to think that Bondo will react negatively to the trilostane just because of his age. We have any number of members here with senior dogs who are doing just fine on the medication.

So once again, welcome to you and Bondo. And please know that he is in good company -- we have many success stories to report for dogs being treated for both the pituitary and adrenal forms of the disease. :)

Marianne

Hi!

My dog started Trilostane about 22 days ago for Pituitary Cushings & everything has been running smooth. He has a few days were he is a little down. But, for the most part he has more pep in step & seems more happy.

His main symptoms were accidents, grumpy, a little lethargic (didn't every want to play), EXTREMELY hungry & thirsty. So hungry that he never hungout with us. He just looked around the floor for food 24/7. I had noticed a little bid of clumsiness/weakness in his back legs. but, fortunately not too much. He is only 8 going on 9 years old in Oct.

I was really scared of the drug. but, now I am glad we did it. He still isn't completely leveled out. We are still seeing him have accidents in the house. But, he has improved overall for the better. He is almost as good as new. :D

I am glad you are waiting to start the meds after your trip. You never know when you are going to need the vet when you first start.

Hope you guys have a good trip & we will all be here for you when you get back & ready to start the pill.

Just popping in to let you know about My little Min Pin Sunshine who has PDT and has been on Trilostane (brand name Vetoryl) for 32 days now.
She presented these symptoms: excessive thirst, hind leg weakness, lethargy, accidents at night, urinary tract infections, and just general not being herself.
We were at the Dr yesterday and Sunshine is doing very well!! It took a little while to start to see symptoms reduced, but little by little they are all improving!! She defiantly acts like her old self again! Some days she has little set backs but everybody has bad days and the overall improvement is awesome!!
So don't be afraid of the meds, they are easy to give and they do make them feel a lot better!! Everybody is so scared in the beginning but keep yourself informed, and this group is the best thing ever!!!! When I started giving Sunshine the Vetoryl, I also started a daily journal to bring to the vet when she had appointments. This is a really helpful tool as it is so easy to forget day to day and especially when you get to the vet and they ask you how is it going (the mind goes blank!!) So when my vet asks me I just hand him the print out of day to day and he loves it!!

Shannon & Sunshine

Dear Shannon/Sunshine , Borris and Lablab...
Thank you so much for making my mind rest a little easier. Since finding out all the results of the tests I am not sure if Bondo is the sick one or me (smile) Upset stomach for a week now. Anyway.... on the test results how do I know if High Dex or Low Dex? Looking over the test results, I think it was a low dex test.. AND Shannon, great idea about a journal. I did a journal when my husband had prostrate cancer. *he is fine now ....10 years cancer free.

I will keep everyone updated and the future looks a little brighter for us now. The other thing I would like to add is when I , acutally, see Bondo's name in print when you write your notes , it makes me feel that I am not alone in this. Thank you from my whole heart. Night.

It's true, when our little ones are in flux with their health and we worry so much, we end up with upset tummies too. Bondo probably wonders why mom is all over the place emotionally these days. :) I'd get upset just looking at Molly playing and start to cry and then she'd be all over me trying to make me feel better. Which of course just made the tears come even more. That was prior to finding this site and being able to get some information. It really helps to have others to talk to you who "Know". The more you too know, the more you can feel better about dealing with it.

Hang in there! Go have a good vacation, enjoy yourselves, this will all still be here when you get back.

hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

Good Morning ....
Well, little Bondo is doing good this morning. He is SO hungry (ha. he always is) so I like to see that his appetite is good. Of course, that is one of the symptons. Another concern, tho, is the calicum sores he has. Has anyone dealt with that?? They do not itch or anything like that. I spray him and bathe him every 4 days with a medicated shampoo.

Some good news that helps my worry. This morning, after church, I was taking my small nylons off and he grabbed one and I had to chase him all over the house. Bondo will, still, lie around more but little things that he does make me smile which is good. I will be posting from the road and Bondo will be looking forward to all the new smells he will have.

There are quite a few here who have delt with calcinosis cutis. Do a search for "calcinosis cutis" and the threads will appear. If you live in the US, you may want to investigate dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) gel. This stuff smells really strongly of garlic, so you will want to apply it with a cotton ball or wear gloves. Otherwise the gel will get on you and the garlic smell will leave a bad taste in your mouth!

That is really great that Bondo was playing with your nylon and you had to chase him around the house! He wouldn't be doing that if he was feeling lousy. I'm glad you are working with an Internist; you'll get everything figured out. Have a great trip. Ken

Good Evening everyone.

Well, the motorhome is all packed....I told Bondo to pack his things and he just kinda stares...(smile). Thank you so much for letting me know about calcinosis cutis.... I will look into that.....I am doing my best to act normal around him. I will be setting up the appointment for an Ultra Sound just to see what is going on and then more than likely start him on the meds. I am taking one day at a time. Why do these silly dogs get to us in such a way?????? Night