Hello! I am new to the forum and I have a 13yr old Shetland Sheepdog named Sadie who might have Cushing’s. She has been drinking and peeing excessively for quite a while now. Originally I was told it was a UTI but antibiotics didn't help and a further urinalysis showed no signs of a remaining UTI. It was then suggested that I try a drug for incontinence because other than the drinking and peeing you would never know she was a 13yr old dog. We then tried what seems like every drug available for incontinence but with no improvement (Proin, Imipramine, Incurin). Frustrated that nothing was helping I tried another veterinarian for a second opinion. I had a CBC/Chem done as well as another Urinalysis. The Urinalysis results were:
Specific Gravity 1.006
Protein +2
Urine Protein/Creatinine Ratio 8 (normal is less than 1 ideally less than 0.5)
The CBC/Chem showed increased liver enzymes:
ALT: 217 (10-55)
AST: 49 (12-40)
ALP: 389 (15-120)
ALPCAP: 312 (0-6)
GGT: 9 (<3-6)
In addition I was told her Blood Pressure was too high and she was placed on Enalapril. I was also told that she is stage 1 out of 4 for kidney disease due to the protein in her urine. However her kidney values were normal. Due to the increased liver enzymes I decided to have her tested for Cushing’s and first we went with the easiest test Urine Cortisol Creatinine Ratio. Her UCCR result was 609! (Cortisol 11.9ug/dL and Creatinine 41.2mg/dL) (a normal ratio is <34) Now I know that this test is not specific for Cushing’s and an increased UCCR can be caused by several other non-adrenal disease. Mainly I’m wondering if anyone else has had a UCCR performed on their dog and what the value was? 609 seems so high that neither I nor my veterinarian can think of anything else that would cause this high of a result other than Cushing’s. I am interested since she doesn’t have many classical signs except for polyuria/polydipsia and a few patches of hair on her belly that haven't grown back after it was shaved by a groomer 1 yr ago(who had no reason to nor permission to shave it in the first place > ). i.e. she’s not potbellied, she doesn’t pant excessively, no weight gain, and I haven’t noticed excessive hunger. Thanks so much for all your help and sorry for the long post!