Re: Thoughts on Possible Cushings?
Hi Mark,
Welcome to you and Kiwi!
You said -
Vet isn't crazy about my theory and wants to do ultrasounds and a bunch of other expensive tests that I don't think are particularly indicated given what we have found thus far.
First, I agree with your vet. I don't see anything that says Cushing's with the possible exception of the increased difficulty in controlling the glucose. HOWEVER, that could be related to the diabetes very easily. It is hard for us to accept aging in our babies but a 12 yr old pup is in the mid 60's in human years so you can certainly expect to see conformation changes. Trust me on that.
Second, and MOST important is the latter portion of your statement saying you don't see the need for testing. Testing for Cushing's is CRUCIAL...not optional; never, ever optional. Canine Cushing's is one of, if not THE, most difficult canine condition to correctly diagnose. It is as much a process of ruling out as ruling in. The fact that Kiwi already has a serious endocrine disease means that testing is that much more important...and in depth testing to be sure false positives are not being returned because of the diabetes. Diabetes can and does skew Cushing's tests....as can any illness. This is one thing that makes this disease so difficult to diagnose - there are no sure tests, none are 100% accurate, all can be skewed for many reasons. For another, Cushing's mimics other diseases, diabetes included. Hence the ruling out process. So if I were you I would focus on the glucose for now and see if changes in insulin, diet, etc. might not turn things around. If Kiwi can be spared the extra stress of frequent testing not to mention powerful drugs then do all you can to spare her.
Hugs,
Leslie
"May you know that absence is full of tender presence and that nothing is ever lost or forgotten." John O'Donahue, "Eternal Echoes"
Death is not a changing of worlds as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding.