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

Okay. I will watch her closer(if that is possible) LOL Thank's Tipper's Mom. She hesitated to eat her breakfast so I just left it down for a while. She waited about an hour and finished it all. Still going with smaller amounts more frequently. Then got her antibacterial pill in her. She is drinking well but not excessively.

Good she is eating and drinking that is a good sign. Watch and see if she gets lethargic, diarrhea, vomiting, & can't stand. She should be ok but those are just things you watch for in Cush dogs. Blessings
patti

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Originally Posted by gingerbread

Thank you all. Vet called yesterday evening. Her before numbers were 7.3 which he said were a little high, but He was not too concerned knowing I had stopped her Lysodren because she was sick. Her after numbers were 9.2(i believe) so they have fallen from the 11 reading from her test prior to this one on Tuesday and adding the extra 1/4 pill.

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Can you get your hands on copies of this ACTH stim test and post the results here, please?

Was the 1/4 pill added after the most recent ACTH stim test or before?

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Originally Posted by gingerbread

He said to wait until Sun to restart the Lysodren so her Gi tract has time to rest and recuperate. Then just keep an eye on her to make sure no symptoms start in again. He is thinking more that she got into something rather than it being the Lysodren, but I will be keeping an extra close watch on her. She slept well last night and was more interested in food today. Her eyes look clearing and she actually had a good bowel movement this afternoon! Made me so happy to see this!! LOL

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Lysodren is known to cause gastric upset, Pepcid AC given 20-30 minutes before the Lysodren is given may help with tummy upset.

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Originally Posted by gingerbread

Vet said if all was going well that we would not have to retest for 2-3 months!! You all have a blessed weekend!

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If this were me, I would not feel comfortable waiting so long to have an ACTH stim test done, especially if her dose was raised. After an adjustment in the dose an ACTH stimulation test should be done within 2 weeks.

Hugs, Lori

The additional 1/4 pill was added a little more than a month ago. She had been doing fine with the increased amount. This most recent ACTH Test was a follow up to them adding that extra 1/4 pill last month. So No increase this time around. I can try to get copies, but all I could do is type what they say as I do not have a copier/printer. I might could have them email then to me and then possibly copy/paste. I'm not too computer literate, so alls I can do is try. If nothing else when I pick up her new script. I'll se about getting copies and then let you all know. I will be picking that up this coming week.

Since this recent ACTH stim test does reflect the dosage increase I think waiting 1-2 months to have another would be fine. If she would start to show signs of cortisol going too low, which could be vomiting, diarrhea, or she is just not acting herself, than an ACTH stim test would need to be done.

You are doing a fantastic job!! Please do keep us updated. ;)

Hugs, Lori

Great job, you are doing good with Lori's expert guidance. Blessings
Patti

Just a quick note. Ginger has been doing fine since restarting her Lysodren after she was so sick. No adverse reactions! So Very Thankful! I pray you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! Blessings, Colleen

That is excellent news! Long may she do well! :)

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Just an update! We have moved to Indiana as my Dad's health is declining and it is getting to be too much on my Mom and Sister to care for him, so we are here to be closer and help. Ginger is doing fine. She was wonderful on the trip out! I could not be more proud of her. The 1000+ mile trip was long, but we had no trouble and she rode like a trooper. I only had to give her1/4 car sick pill and she was fine all day long. She only whined once, and that was to let me know she needed to go potty and then get a cold drink. Love that little beagle of mine so much.. Have already found a vet near here to take over her care with the Cushing's! She has enjoyed walking and smelling where all the bunnies have been around all of the cornfields! Hope you all are well.

I am so happy to hear Ginger is doing so well. Sorry to hear of your dad's ill health though. He is lucky to have you.

One of my favorite dog books is "Lauren's Story, An American Dog in Paris". Lauren was a beagle. It is a beautiful love story but it will make you cry so maybe don't read it. Anyway, whenever I hear "beagle" I think of Lauren.

Great to hear from you and wonderful that Ginger is doing so well. All that new area to be explored, she is going to be a very busy little girl.

I'm sorry that your dad isn't doing well. That is so hard when your parents get older and you are far away. I'm really glad you were able to move to be closer and help out.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Doing well! Ginger is having a blast smelling where all the bunnies have been. New vet lined up. The area is beautiful!Will post a picture to her album! Don't know how to do it here! LOL Hope all is well with everyone!

Oh love the pics. You're right quite lovely and she seems to be having a grand time exploring!

Hugs
Sharlene and Molly muffin

Going to post a few more pictures to her album! Yep! I'm a bit of a "doting" Mom! Hope you and yours are all well!

Love the pics!!! Everything in the world to be proud of.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Just a note. Ginger sees the vet here on Monday morning. They will continue her treatment for the Cushing's and help me keep her as healthy as we can.
Also, I am happy to report that Ginger has lost 9 pounds since she was first diagnosed with the Cushing's disease. She has needed to for a few years, so I am thankful the Lysodren is working and she is now getting plenty of exercise! May you all have a blessed weekend!

That is wonderful! So glad to hear that you're getting everything in place for her.

Hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Posted a few more pictures!!!

She is so sweet. I have to ask, the tan, plaid bed, at least I think it was plaid, it has a name on it. Could I ask, where did you purchase it? It is similar to my Koko's and he needs a new one. I cant find them in the local pet stores.

I hope everything is still going well and you are all adjusting.

Absolutely! Any way I can be of help to any of you, please ask. I got it at Target. It is a Woolrich Brand. I think it was at a "Super" Target which means it is bigger than a normal Target store and they sell groceries as well as all the other things. I wish you well in finding one.

She is just precious! Love the pics

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Okay my friends. I have a question. Ginger is having quite a time with itching and allergies. A few years ago, before we knew she had Cushing's the vet would prescribe prednisone and it worked wonders. Well, now that she has Cushing's I am needing to know if any of you have a similar situation and a recommendation? I have been trying over the counter generic Benedryl, but it is not helping much. I would appreciate any input. Thank you

There is a new allergy drug for dogs that is suppose to be a wonder. One of the forum dogs is on it, it is called Apoquel. The problem is that it works so well, with few side effects that all over the world they want it and the manufacturer is having problems keeping up with demand. If your vet can get their hands on some, that is what I'd try. :) :) If not, we are back to trying benadryl, or something like that.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Okay, Thank you so much! Have a blessed Sunday!

Hi Sharlene.
Ginger's mom here. I have a question.
I have noticed in the last week That Ginger seems to be shedding again quite a bit. Her appetite is good and most of the time she is active. Some of the cooler rainy days she does lay around more than normal, but she is 11 also. No change in much else that I can tell. No sores or large areas of hair loss, just shedding. Is this anything to be concerned about?

It could be that she is blowing her coat. When did she last have an ACTH test to check levels?
She is eating okay, no diarrhea?
You can always get a thyroid check too.

Hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin

Last ACTH test was I believe early July. No diarrhea. Sometimes she leaves a bit of her food. Blood panel was okay for thyroid when they did that I think in May.
Allergies are still an issue but hoping with first freeze that will help. Am still doing the benedryl.

It is likely just her blowing her coat then and of course allergies to add to that.

hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin

Okay Thank you so much. I just want to be sure that I do my best to stay on top of things for her. Have a blessed weekend!

Good evening my friends. Just an update on Ginger. I took her on Tuesday for her ACTH test. Got a call yesterday from her vet. Her pre numbers were 1.4 her post numbers were 1.5 So they said she is within the normal range. I believe the normal range is between 1-5. So she is actually at the lower end of normal. They said to continue her dosage with 1/4 pill 4 times a week of the 500 mg Lysodren and just call if I see any changes or concerns. I would like some of you alls input please. Are we comfortable with these numbers? what to watch for? etc. Thank you and I pray you are all doing well. Oh and she is down to 24 pounds, which is a good thing!

How is Ginger acting? Eating, drinking, pooping, playing/interacting ok? Those numbers look pretty good to me but the post is getting down there so keep an eye on her for any signs the cortisol is getting too low. Things like loose stool, loss of appetite, loss of energy - if you see those things, do not give any more Lyso and have the pred ready to go just in case. Call the vet and let him know what you have observed and when her last dose was given. If her behavior is good I wouldn't be overly concerned, just aware. ;) And you know we are always here anytime you have a question or concern....or just want to chat.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

I always worry when I don't see any stimulation between pre and post numbers because that means there is no reserve especially at the very low end at 1.4 & 1.5 as one pill could make a difference. Yes, watch her very closely.

Okay. Thank you both so much. I just want to make sure I do the very best for her everyday. I don't want to over look anything. I want to be sure I ask all that I can, even if it seems silly or unimportant, I would rather ask now... then wished I had when it might be too late.
Have a great weekend.

I want to go back and read all of your thread but wanted to say "hi"--I also have an 11 year old beagle, Abbie. We are just starting week 4 of maintenance on Lysodren with the one month ACTH set for next Friday. Abbie's pre and post numbers at the end of loading were also quite low (1.8 & 1.9) so our pups paths are very similar. I do wish Abbie would get back to 24 lbs.--her last weight was 26. Like Ginger, Abbie is shedding quite a bit which is not typical for this time of year in Florida.

Just wanted to alert both you gals that it is pretty common for Cushpups to start shedding fairly voluminously once their cortisol levels are controlled. We think this is because the hair regrowth cycle starts normalizing again after having been negatively affected by the Cushing's. Once the new hair starts filling back in, some folks have noted changes in the color or nature of the new growth. But overall, the fact that new hair is regrowing is generally a welcome sight (although your vacuum cleaner may be overworked in the meantime!).

Marianne

Okay all. Hope your Christmas and New Years were wonderful.
Just wanted to touch base. I had called the vet last week to see about reducing Ginger's Lysodren down from 4 days a week to 3 (1/4 pill of 500 mg.) I had noticed she was not finishing her food. I thought maybe she didn't like it anymore so I slowly switched her to a different brand. The first few times I feed her she ate it all. Then she slowly started not finishing it either. So I placed the call to the vet. They finally called me back and said they wanted to leave her on the 1/4 pill 4 times a week because that was what was keeping her numbers in check and that by her not finishing her food meant it was working. So yesterday and today I couldn't get her to eat hardly at all. Yesterday she ate just enough breakfast that I got her Lysodren in her. Then we went for a ride. We went to a town about 30 minutes south of us and she got out and walked around and pottyed. I always take plenty of water with us when we go. I put her in the car and then went into the store for about 5 minutes. Then I came back out and took her in the store with me. It is one she loves walking around in. she gets to see the bunnies in cages and sometimes baby chicks during certain times of year. So she did okay. Then we stopped and got some lunch. I just went in and bought 2 hamburgers plain and took them back to the car. Usually Ginger is right up between us whining for a bite, but she just smelled the air a bit. She did eat a bite to 2 but that was all. So we came back home and she just laid in her bed. The trips she usually enjoys and they do wear her out, but she just acted like she didn't feel that well. So I fixed her some supper after we had been home about 3 hours. She smelled of it, but didn't eat any. She did eat her goodnight small Milk Bone before bed. This morning I fixed her some rice and canned chicken. She ate 2 bites of the chicken and that was all. Not enough where I felt comfortable giving her her Lysodren. So I talked to the vet and they said to get some fresh chicken breasts and boil them. The canned chicken has too many additives. They said if she won't eat to call and bring her in. SO I went ahead and made an appt. for Wed. afternoon just in case I need to take her. They said if she eats and I need to cancel I could do that. I just did not want to wait and then they were booked up. So I went to the store, bought some fresh chicken and boiled her some. She did eat a nice portion of it and then I gave her her Lysodren. She has done okay, no diarrhea, no vomiting, she drinks a little more than her normal amount of water, but we have had the heater running pretty regularly. she goes for a walk willingly and sometimes asks to go out. She did not act too interested in our food, which is unusual, but she did eat her chicken and some rice for supper. She did not want her treat which she always has wanted in the past. And she still once in a while shivers like she is cold which she has done off and on since the Cushing's started. Okay, now that I have run on so and I apologize,I just want to make sure I cover everything, Are there days that our pups will have "off" days? Does Cushing's change their tastes where what they used to like, they do not? Do they hit different stages where they do not eat much and then they level out? She has about the same amount of energy as before. So any feedback is much appreciated. I am keeping an eye on her and log as to what she is eating and drinking and how much. So much right now, I feel overwhelmed at times. Husband has surgery tomorrow also so my plate is full and I am just trying not to overlook anything with either of them. Thank you all so much. Hope this finds you well!

I would keep an ACTH test to see where her numbers are at right now. Could be she is going to low for her.

Okay Thank you. I wondered about that and thought by perhaps dropping one day off of the Lysodren that that would help, but the vet said no. I do not want her numbers to go too low where we a whole other problem to deal with. I will keep you posted and let you know how she is and what is going on. Thank you so much.

All dogs are different and react differently to the same medication, the same goes for the ACTH stimulation test numbers. What may be good for one dog may not be good for another. Those ACTH stim numbers are really just a gauge, the actual determination for the cortisol is how the dog is feeling. Ginger may need her ACTH stim numbers to run a bit higher. When a dog doesn't want to eat, to me that is a red flag that something is going on. I think going down to 3 days of week for the Lysodren instead of the 4 might be a good decision.

Keep us updated. ;)

Hugs, Lori

I think you are on the mark and I would be thinking the same thing - that dose needs to be cut back by one day. We have to gauge our babies behavior and meld that with the numbers for the whole picture. YOU are the expert on her behavior. ;) So I would insist an ACTH be done now if for no other reason that to establish at what number she isn't feeling her best and then try to keep her cortisol a bit higher and see if that doesn't improve things. If not and the signs start to come back, you can always increase the maintenance dose again.