Harley 14y/o Pom-PDH-Lysodren switched to Vetoryl (Harley has passed)

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi everyone!! Glad to see alot of you have made it here, I was so worried that I had lost you's just when Harley and I found such loving and supporting friends. So, Harley's U/S showed and Confirmed: Gallbladder wall hyperplasia, right adrenal nodule (7.3 mm at caudal pole), left adrenal gland normal in size ( high end of normal range), small splenic nodule, and an enlarged liver. Also confirmed: Hyperadrenocorticism ( suspect pituitary-dependent). His blood pressure was elevated at 180 mmHg. They collected a sterile sample of urine to test for a urinary tract infection. They performed an endogenous ACTH level to see if this will help to determine which type of Cushings he has and I also requested they run a full adrenal panel through the Tennessee lab. Someone will call me with the results (endogenous ACTH, UTI, full adrenal panel) next week, then finally we can start Harley on meds. Dr. O'Neill (Univ. of Penn. woman IMS) is leaning towards trilostane for treatment and I am just not sure, what do you all think? His NEW vet back here in York, which I had a consult with on Monday said he's not real keen on treating Cush pups with trilo, but he would do whatever I wanted to do and he really was interested to hear what Univ. of Penn. diagnosed and what they wanted to treat Harley with. Dr. O'Neill did tell me to take Harley off the raw food diet, so now I'm feeding him Innova senior.

Lori and Harley

[lulusmom]

Hi Lori.

I am glad to see that you made your way here too.

Can you tell us why your vet suspects that Harley has pituitary dependent cushing's. Just asking because from everything I've seen, the ultrasound findings don't clearly indicate PDH. My memory is bad and without the benefit of your thread on cc.net, I can't remember if perhaps Harley had an LDDS test that was consistent with PDH. In any event, the endogenous acth should give your vet a good indication as what you are dealing with.

I'm glad to hear that you are going to request a UTK adrenal panel. This is so important for anyone that is contemplating treating their dog with Trilostane. This test takes quite a bit longer to get results so I wouldn't expect them for about 10 days.

I think you need to get a confirmed diagnosis before you decide on an appropriate treatment. Surgery is usually the first option for an adrenal tumor; however, if treatment is chosen over surgery, then Lysodren would be a better choice of treatment. Trilostane is very effective in reducing cortisol; however, it is known to always elevate one or more of the intermediate sex hormones with long term use. This is particularly problematic for dog that already has sex hormone elevation(s). This is the reason why the UTK adrenal panel is so important before making your final decision.

My dogs are thriving and healthier than ever since switching them to a commercially prepared raw diet so I am curious as to why Dr. O'Neill had you change Harley's diet??

Glynda

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Glynda,
Harley's LDDS test results, taken 3/30/2009, were:
Suppression, 4samples
vet cortisol......................5.9................. ..............1-6...(resting)..uG/DL
Time 1:...........................10AM

vet cortisol......................9.5................. ..............uG/DL
.............................................Canin e...
.......................................POST DEX:..<1.0
.......................................POST ACTH:.5.0-18.0
Time 2:...........................2PM

vet cortisol.......................11.4............... ..............uG/DL
Time 3:............................4PM

vet cortisol.......................12.1............... ...............uG/DL
Time 4.............................6PM

I thought these numbers were pointing to adrenal cushings, but since the U/S did not differentiate between pituitary or adrenal, they are running the adrenal panel thru UTK lab. I was considering a CT scan on Harley's brain to see if we could find a pituitary tumor, do you know if anyone has had any luck with that? I asked down at Univ. of Penn. they didn't seem too hopeful that they would find a tumor.

As far as the raw food diet, I was making Harley's food at home, not getting the commercially prepared raw diet, like BARF, what do you feed your furbabies? If you don't mind me asking?

Thanks alot for replying back to me.....Harley and Lori

[lulusmom]

Hi Lori,

Thanks for posting those LDDS results again. I now remember looking at them and thinking "adrenal tumor". The ultrasound results are more indicative of an adrenal tumor as well. The UTK panel does not differentiate between PDH and an adrenal tumor but the endogenous acth does so I'm glad that your vet will be doing one.

My dogs eat Primal organic, hormone and antibiotic free chicken. I buy the frozen nougats. You thaw out what you need in the refrigerator and serve it up.

Glynda

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Lori,

So glad you to see you and Harley made it here!

I'm not well versed on the LDDS, but from the ultrasound does sound more like ADH to me. Usually with PDH, both adrenal are enlarged and relatively close in size. The one adrenal being so much larger in Harley's U/S, makes me wonder if he doesn't have an adrenal tumor. That could be good news, tho! Adrenal tumors are the only form that offers a cure, in the US currently anyway. Will be looking forward to the andogenous ACTH results along with you and everyone else!

Sounds like the folks and U Penn are some fine docs! I'm glad you have a source like that so close!

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi Lori,

FWIW - I feed my cushpup Primal chicken also. I used to give him kibble and after reading an article on Raw Green Tripe, I added some of it in his diet. I've been trying for years to get Wylie's coat softer - it's always been dry. I tried supplementing with olive oil, Foster's & Smith 3V caps, fish oil...nothing worked. After a couple weeks of supplementing with some tripe, his coat started to get softer. He then was diagnosed with Cushing's and now has an IMS vet. In December I decided to get rid of the kibble and switch him to raw. The IMS did not like that idea and sent me several articles, basically being worried about bacteria with a dog having a compromised immune system. I was torn because she has a valid point, but I had seen for myself what a little raw can do (improved coat in Wylie's case) and what I've read of kibble also worried me. In the end, I decided to go with the raw.

Alison (Alison & Mia) had posted an article or link to an article about somone going to a veterinarian conference and commented on the "bacteria hysteria" that was present. For me, it helped put things in perspective.

-Susy

[Roxee's Dad]

Hi Lori,
Well that is great news. Wow this has been a long and complicated diagnostic for you and Harley. You have to be commended for sticking with it.

Great job girl. Harley is such a lucky boy to have you on his side.

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Lori,

This is good news! Now on to bigger and better times for you both! Bigger as is facing the Lyso, better as in seeing work for Harley!

You will do just fine, I know it! You're a wonderful mom!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[MiniSchnauzerMom]

Hi Lori,

Well, we have great news, Harley's BP averaged out at 140 on Tuesday 9/2. Also his UPC results came back at 0.6 with the R.R. (< /= 0.5), down from 2.3.

Wonderful, wonderful.....fantastic news!!! Hope everything goes smoothly with the ACTH next week. I'll be curious to see Harley's numbers.

Hugs,
Louise....(slurps from Munch! )

[Buffaloe]

Hi Lori,

I think I mentioned before, Harley sure is a cool looking dog. If Shiloh ever ran into him, I know she would just love him...she'd flirt with him like a school-girl.

Shiloh had a very large adrenal tumor, a very successful adrenalectomy in 2006 and is doing great today at 14. Most certainly, if Harley has an adrenal tumor it is very much on the small side. At 7.3 millimeters, that is about 1/8 the size of Shiloh's tumor and much smaller than most we have seen here. That is very good news! The results of the LDDS test indicate that it could be an adrenal tumor. What the chances are based on the LDDS test, I don't have a clue. Hopefully, the endog. ACTH test will give you more certainty. The adrenal panel is also a great idea. Most dogs with adrenal tumors secrete an excess of one or more of the intermediate hormones. If Harley has any elevated intermediate hormones, I think Lysodren would be a better choice than Trilostane.

I'm sure no expert on diet but I discuss it with my vet quite a bit and Shiloh is an awfully healthy dog at 14 1/2. For her kibble, I've always fed her Solid Gold Hundenflocken. I just buy the very best canned food I can find and give her about 1/4 can/day. I buy those cooked chickens at Costco and give her the white meat along with some organic brown rice and some brocolli, green beans, carrots, etc. I feel real good about giving her the chicken, organic rice and veggies and she loves it. Her only supplements are glucosomine and fish oil, every day.

You sure are going the extra mile with all of Harley's testing. I hope and pray it all pays off beautifully. All the best to you and Harley and Shi sends your cool boy kisses.

Ken