10 y/o cushingoid dachshund, vetoryl?

[Eloftis]

I'll try not to cause any trouble-Lol! At first it was telling me I didn't have permission, but since I was accepted I can finally snoop around I think my next hurdle will be actually getting test results on here!

[lulusmom]

Hi and belated welcome to you and Munchie.

I just read your posts and I have real concerns with your vet and have lots of questions for you. I've listed them below in numerical order. I'll also try to clarify the reasons for my questions.

1. Did your vet do a comprehensive thyroid panel on Munchie to confirm a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and can you get a copy of whatever test it was that he used and post the results here?

The reason I ask is because cushing's and other disorders can cause a transient decrease in the T-4 hormone. This is not primary hypothyroidism but something called Sick Euthyroid Syndrome. Once the underlying condition is addressed with effective treatment, T-4 usually normalizes. T-4 is the only thyroid hormone value that shows up on a normal blood chemistry and should not be the used for purposes of confirming a diagnosis. A full thyroid panel should be done.

2. Did your vet recheck thyroid levels after starting Munchie on Soloxine?

The fact that shortly after you started giving Munchie the Soloxine, she started peeing and drinking a lot makes me wonder if the dose of Soloxine was too high. If dose is too high, it makes a dog "hyper"thyroid and the hallmark symptom is polyuria (excessive peeing) and polydipsia (excessive drinking). You mentioned that after a month of this, your vet ran every test in the world. Before launching into every other test, he should have checked the thyroid levels first.

3. Did your vet mention that is extremely unusual to see abnormally small adrenal glands on ultrasound in a dog with cushing's? Did he see both adrenal glands well?

Dogs with pituitary dependent cushing's usually have normal sized or symetrically large adrenal glands and dogs with an adrenal tumor usually have one large adrenal gland and the other is smaller or even atrophied from lack of use. Unless the ultrasound is done on a high end machine and performed by a skilled radiologist, readings are not always accurate and both glands are not always visualized. At this point, and despite the fact that dachshunds are at the top of the list of breeds that seem to be predisposed to cushing's, I am beginning to doubt the diagnosis. It will be much better for us to try to figure this out once you have provided us with test results and answers to questions.

4. Did your vet explain why Munchie went blind or refer you to a veterinary opthamologist to determine the cause?

I believe Lori mentioned that a condition called SARDS can cause a dog to go blind overnight and an opthamologist can confirm if this is what Munchie has. Many dogs with SARDS will start to show symptoms of cushing's before or even after loss of sight. Most, if not all, have hyperadrenal activity involving the sex hormones which can cause the same symptoms as cortisol, which is the adrenal steroid associated with typical cushing's. SARDS sounded a lot more likely when I read that the first diagnostics for cushing's were negative. Vets familiar with cushing's and SARDS may not choose to treat this atypical cushing's, as quite often symptoms resolve without treatment in a matter of months.

I'm sure I'll have more questions but don't want to burden you all at once. Your responses will really help us sort through things with you, as well as provide you with appropriate feedback.

Glynda

[molly muffin]

Hello and welcome to you and Munchie. So glad you found us, whether it is cushings or isn't cushings, this is the place to be.

Interesting that you said sometimes it appears that the eyesight comes back and then Munchie is very happy and running around. How often does this occur?

Glynda has raised some very good questions that really need to be looked into before progressing onto the vetroyl. You don't want to give if if there is a chance that it isn't cushings and small adrenal glands are almost the opposite of what one sees with cushings. Glynda has already mentioned what is normally seen and why.

Again, welcome to the forum!

Sharlene and Molly Muffin
At what point exactly did the blindness show up and what medications was Munchie on at the time. If there is eyesight coming and going, it could be medication related, just have to figure it out and for that doggy eye doctor.

I think it would be worth it to see a doggy ophamologist and get those eyes checked out.