What should I expect?

[Harley PoMMom]

Hi Laura,

Welcome to you and Seymour from me as well! I did see that you posted that Seymour's liver levels are high, could you post those values for us and any other values that are abnormal, and please include the normal reference ranges too, thanks! Also, the ACTH post number for Seymour, is that result in units of nmol/L? Can you tell how much Seymour weighs? And what dose of Vetoryl he was prescribed?

One important thing with Vetoryl is that has to be given with his meal so it can be properly absorbed, hiding it in chicken is fine but he should eat a meal too. I'm including a link to information regarding Vetoryl/Trilostane, please do utilize it and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask them. Here's that link: http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185

I sure am sorry for the circumstances that brought you here but so glad you found us.

Hugs, Lori

[Squirt's Mom]

Ok...there should be some little letters after that ACTH post #...can you let us know what those are? And the range given from the lab that follows that post #? Should be two numbers something like -

210 - 550 (EXAMPLE)

What dose of Vetoryl is the vet recommending? The new starting dose for this drug is 1mg per lb (or 2mg per kg). HOWEVER not all vets are aware of this change and continue to start dogs at much higher dose (3x). So let us know that dose before before he starts taking it.

It is important that Seymour get the med WITH a meal every time as Vetoryl is a fat soluble drug and must have food to work. Seymour will be very glad to hear this part! As for diet, it is best not to change anything right now. Changing foods can cause digestive upsets and those very things are also signs that the cortisol has gone too low. So we do not want to muddy the waters right now. Just let things remain the same UNLESS there is a medical reason to change the diet like IBS, allergies, etc.

I hope the vet told you the signs to look for that would indicate the cortisol has dropped too low - a life threatening situation. Just in case those signs are loss of appetite, lethargy, loose stools/diarrhea, nausea/vomiting. If you see any of these things STOP giving the Vetoryl and let your vet know what is going on. And talk with us. We will help you thru. The good thing about Vetoryl is that is has a very short life in the body so IF there is a problem the drug is leaving the body pretty quickly. It is also easy to stop and restart for that same reason.

You're gonna do just fine, Mom! Keep breathing, ok? You'll be a pro in no time!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

[molly muffin]

As the other mentioned it is important to Start at the recommended dosage of 1mg per 1lb or 1mg per 2 kg. So weight of the dog is important as you don't want to over do it. So keep a look out for any vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, can't walk.
Some dogs with cushings also have breathing issues, making their breathing sound kind of raspy.

Post ACTH - 835nmol would be 29.93 ug so definitely high cortisol.

so you want to feed in the morning and give the pill You can expect to have a repeat ACTH in about 12 - 14 days to see how he is tolerating the drug and again at 30 days to see where his cortisol levels out at on this dosage. (they drop for about 30 days on the same dose)

You can have him go up to 250 with symptoms being controlled. That is 9.0ug for those in the US. So that is your post ACTH goal.

[Lozza]

Thanks everyone,

The results read: 'Cortisol Post ACTH - 825.0 nmol/L High (<470)

He weighs 6.5kg and is on 10mg (which my vet said was the lowest dose) .

If he were to have a reaction, how soon would I see any of the side effects?

[Harley PoMMom]

Dogs can have adverse side effects at any time during treatment but usually if a dog is not tolerating the dose of Vetoryl they are on those symptoms would probably show within the first hours of taking the medication. The adverse side effects you want to watch out for are: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, or Seymour just not acting like himself, if you would see any one of these symptoms stopping the Vetoryl is required.

The 10mg of Vetoryl is an appropriate dose for his weight so I believe he will do fine, however Vetoryl is manufactured in 5 mg dosages too so if the 10 mg seems too much he can always be switched to 5 mg.

Hugs, Lori