Veoryl help (12 y/o Black Lab mix)

[Squirt's Mom]

I thought the whining was a response to cortisol which is a stress hormone correct?

No, whining is not a sign of Cushing's nor elevated cortisol. Elevated cortisol is the result of stress, it doesn't cause stress. When this hormone is elevated, the pup can become restless but whining is not typically seen with elevated cortisol. So, in my mind, the whining is a sign of something unrelated to the Cushing's. Here is a list of the common signs seen in canine Cushing's -

The most common symptoms include:
• increased/excessive water consumption (polydipsia)
• increased/excessive urination (polyuria)
• urinary accidents in previously housetrained dogs
• increased/excessive appetite (polyphagia)
• appearance of food stealing/guarding, begging, trash dumping, etc.
• sagging, bloated, pot-bellied appearance
• weight gain or its appearance, due to fat redistribution
• loss of muscle mass, giving the appearance of weight loss
• bony, skull-like appearance of head
• exercise intolerance, lethargy, general or hind-leg weakness
• new reluctance to jump on furniture or people
• excess panting, seeking cool surfaces to rest on
• symmetrically thinning hair or baldness (alopecia) on torso
• other coat changes like dullness, dryness
• slow regrowth of hair after clipping
• thin, wrinkled, fragile, and/or darkly pigmented skin
• easily damaged/bruised skin that heals slowly
• hard, calcified lumps in the skin (calcinosis cutis)
• susceptibility to infections (especially skin and urinary)
• diabetes, pancreatitis, seizures

One of the side effects of Amitriptyline in dogs is hyper-excitability so the drug itself could be part of the reason for the whining, IF it is caused by stress alone.

http://www.petmd.com/pet-medication/...e#.UkGnyhBHZk0

While your vet is partially right, we also know that prolonged exposure to high elevations of cortisol will damage the kidneys, heart and other organs. The goal of treatment is NOT to cure the disease, but simply to control the signs and lower the cortisol back to a level the body can better handle. Here is a link that tells a bit about what happens in an untreated cush pup -

Complications from untreated Cushing’s –
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195

Hope this helps!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[frijole]

Any vet that tells you that treating cushings is for the owner and not the dog is a CLUELESS vet. Run away from that office. I mean that. Kim

[mypuppy]

Hi and welcome,

Agreed with Kim. Walk/run away from that vet as fast as you can. Vetoryl treatment gave me 4 years with my girl against the vet who told me not to treat and that she was drinking and peeing out of bad behavior. Really! Get a second opinion from an internal medicine specialist, get the necessary tests performed, including abdominal ultrasound if possible and proceed with treatment at the conservative dose and adjust accordingly. Do your research, stay on board here and in no time you will have the knowledge to be proactive and diligent in your baby's healthcare.

Praying and wishing for smooth sailing in order to proceed with treatment.

Tight hugs. xo Jeanette

[molly muffin]

Oh my gosh, what a horrid, ignorant thing to say. A dog on appropriate treatment, with a good vet and vigilant owner, can live out a normal lifespan. It is usually something else that gets them rather than cushings. Once you control the cortisol, the symptoms usually disappear.
No whining isn't something I've heard of being associated with cushings and we have tons of members, someone would have mentioned that, many someones probably, if it were a symptom.

Sharlene and Molly Muffin

[LtlBtyRam]

Here's hoping you get Sadie's symptoms under control. Welcome to the forums of PAWSOME folks.
Angela