Re: Cody diagnosed with cushings
Hi Julie,
Welcome to you and Cody!
I am probably not the best one for you to hear from first off because of my experience with my little Trinket. But I will share her story anyway along with her sister's so you gain a better understanding of just how difficult it is to accurately diagnose canine Cushing's especially in the face of other health issues. Trink also had COPD as well as anal gland disease, colitis, allergies, was blind, and a few other issues when she was diagnosed with Cushing's. Her tail was getting the tell-tale appearance of a rat tail, her appetite was increasing, she was peeing and drinking more, labs were off a bit, and her ACTH was literally off the charts when it was done the first time. But because of all the other things she was dealing with I questioned the diagnosis of Cushing's. The dog who introduced me to the Cushing's world was her sister, Squirt, and when she was first tested Squirt tested positive on all the tests she had - LDDS, HDDS, ACTH, and UTK panel. But when we did the abdominal ultrasound a tumor was found on her spleen. Once that tumor was removed her cortisol returned to normal levels - the stress from the tumor had caused false-positives on ALL those tests. So Squirt's journey made me overly cautious about Cushing's diagnoses anytime another health issue was in play and Trinket certainly had other issues. However I also didn't want to add to her woes IF Cushing's was in fact present so I chose to use Lysodren. It helped with her signs. However I continued to question the diagnosis because the monitoring ACTHs never went back to normal - they remained high tho not off the charts like in the beginning. During Trinket's last weeks none of her vets could tell me what was causing the things she was going thru then so when she passed I had a necropsy done (autopsy for animals). That proved what I had always suspected - she never had Cushing's. Her adrenal glands were normal and they would not have been had she actually had Cushing's.
So I strongly advise that you have that ultrasound done before you start treating Cushing's AND that you not rush into starting treatment until you are convinced, NOT your vet convinced but YOU, that she does have the disease. Cushing's is a slow progressing condition, taking years to do damage but treating a dog who does not have Cushing's can quickly cause serious problems. Thankfully that did not play a role in my Trinket's death or I'm not sure I could function from carrying that quilt. Her death was unrelated to her medications or known conditions. So do.not.rush. Take your time, get that ultrasound, learn all you can about the disease, ask us and your vet every question you can think of, LISTEN TO YOUR GUT and then decide if treating is indeed the right path for your precious baby. The odds are you have plenty of time, use it. A few weeks or even months won't matter more than likely but rushing into treatment could.
I'm glad you found us and am sure others will be along soon to share their thoughts with you as well. Know you are part of our little family here now and we will do anything we can to help you and Cody along your journey.
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.