Originally Posted by
littleberry
I know many people here have also dealt with Cushings dogs so it's good to have a place to go as questions arise. Ten year old Poodle has suspicious blood work and physical signs, thinning hair on body, slight tummy and constant ear inflammation.
Hypothyroidism and cushing's are two conditions that are not uncommon to toy and miniature poodles. All of the symptoms you have listed are symptoms associated with both conditions as well. I'm not sure about the suspicious bloodwork though. Can you please post the abnormal blood values, including the reference ranges?
80%+ of dogs with cushing's experience increase in appetite (polyphagia) and/or excessive drinking and peeing (Polydipsia/Polyuria) Have you noticed any change in appetite or thirst in your dog.
She recently went on Thyroid pills as that tested low but I learned Cushings can affect Thyroid levels. Not drinking excessive water or pottying too often yet
Yes, Cushing's can definitely affect the thyroid. As a matter of fact a good majority of cushdogs, prior to treatment, have what is called Euthyroid Sick Syndrome. The elevated cortisol levels in a cushdog transiently lowers thyroid levels (low total T4 concentrations are common); however, once the cortisol is brought down to desired levels via effective treatment, the thyroid levels usually correct themselves.
She has to retake the 8hr Dex test in a few weeks since the first one she took was lost in the mail. [We're waiting for inflammation from last test to heal before repeating the test]. I have new appreciation for everyone going through these difficult illnesses and I know many of these dogs are older and must leave us eventually but it's such a hard road to travel.
I didn't have time to post to your thread on cc.net but I do remember reading your post and thinking about how angry I would be if the blood for or results of an LDDS test were lost in the mail. This is pretty inexcusable and I certainly hope the second one is free of charge. We'll look forward to seeing the results once you get them.