Re: Alivia was recently diagnosed with Cushing's
Kim, thanks so much for taking the time to read all about Alivia. In answer to your questions:
1. Years ago when Alivia had IMHA and was on megadoses of Prednisone she drank and peed like a fiend - just as you describe. So, I do know what that is like. I would leave at least 8 puppy pads out for her when I went to work and come home to ALL of them being used multiple times. Now Alivia drinks a lot more than my other JRT but no where near what she did then. She (usually) gets up once during the night to use a pee pad. Most days when I am at work, although I leave one out for her, she does not need to use it. Initially, I attributed the night time pee to the fact that she is 13 years old.
2. I'd say her appetite has increased for Alivia, but not to the extent where she would get into the garbage or anything like that. She would eat her canned food faster than her normal. But, I always leave dry kibble out and she never finishes that, so obviously she doesn't think she is starving! Normal appetite - 60%, Increased - 30%, Decreased 10%
3. Her fur is extremely slow to grow back, but not thinned all over. Her belly was shaved for an ultrasound in March and is still bare. This happened before - her fur did not grow for a long time after having her groomed shorter for the summer last year. Then it suddenly started to grow and was just about back to normal. Now this. So, this too, seems to fluctuate.
4. She had an ACTH done with a full UTK panel in April. Everything was elevated before and after, except for Estradiol, which was always in the normal range. Cortisol was baseline 115.8 (2.1-58.8) and post ACTH was 249.0 (65.0-174.6); Androstenedione 3.90 (0.05-0.57) and post 7.85 (0.27-3.97); Estradiol 68.8 (30.8-69.9) and post 65.4 (27.9-69.2); Progesterone 1.09 (0.03-0.49) and post 2.55 (0.10-1.50); 17 OH Progesterone 0.91 (0.08-0.77) and post 3.25 (0.40-1.62); Aldosterone 222.1 (11-139.9) and post 414.5 (72.9-398.5). Her regular vet wants to do an ACTH now so she will probably have it done in the next week or so.
5. The only time I knew of her being feverish was during her pancreatitis. She stopped eating entirely (on her own) when that began. Her belly, since it is shaved, sometimes seems more pink to me than other times.
6. Yes, at times! When she loses her appetitie, I can HEAR it gurgling from 6 feet away.
The only time she has had scary panting breathing, as you describe, was during her acute pancreatitis and that was obviously from severe pain. Her symptoms have never been consistent. That was my biggest concern about putting her on Lysodren - I have no idea how or if I could know when she was loaded.
Alivia really is my miracle dog. When she had IMHA and I was taking her to Ohio State, they said she did things they could not explain and that they had actually thought were impossible. All of Ali's vets will say she does not have typical reactions/symptoms to anything. Even her pancreatitis results were not completely "typical".
Any thoughts? Anyone?
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I am really worried about her. 
When she had her acute attack, the things I read about the enzymes and the damage they can do to surrounding organs, etc. scared the crap out of me! I wanted her in the hospital so if anything else started going bad, they would be right there! I missed her terribly and was afraid the whole time but knew she was in the best place. You are brave!
