Cushing's disease in dogs

[luvsmickeymouse]

Yesterday my dog was diagnosed with Cushings Disease. She is a toy poodle and will be 13 years old next month. Does anyone have any experience with this? The vet is calling back today with treatment options and cost to treat, but I am looking for anyone experiencing this with their dog. Her quality of life is still good so that is a plus. My thoughts are trying the treatment and see how she does before I make a decision about her future. I am very upset but I know that if I do lose her, that she has had a great life. It is so hard because they are part of our family.

 

[Jennasis]

Cushings is something I see often in horses. Didn't know that dogs could get it too. Often treated with cyproheptidine and tends to be very controllable with treatment.

 

[betsywdw]

My SIL has a Mini Schnauzer that was diagnosed with Cushing's over 2 years ago. She has her on a treatment plan and she is doing great! I'm not sure of her exact age but she is at least 10 years old and is tolerating everything very well.

 

[pixiegoose]

My parents' lab was diagnosed with Cushing's when she was 10 and she passed away this past winter at 13, so they treated her for 3 years. Initially she was given her Cushing's pill every day until they got it under control and then gradually weaned it down to getting it 3 times a week. She also got what was referred to in our family as the "wee-wee" pill that helped with the urinary issues that Cushing's tends to cause. She did reasonably well with the treatment but eventually old age (and a new, much colder climate) caught up with her and she passed away in January. I don't remember the drugs she took other than that the main was actually a human pill that my mom ordered from Canada to save a bit of money (I think it cost ~ $500 for a 6 month supply- expensive!). She did pretty well with the treatment but what a pain it was to get her to take her pills- she figured out every trick in the book!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Thank you for all the responses. I hope it goes well for us.

 

[Jockaroo]

LuvsMickey, I know you are worried over this diagnosis. I had a Scottish Terrier who was tested twice for suspected Cushing's Disease--she was negative both times, but I researched the illness a great deal. I wanted to give you a link that I found helpful:

http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html

This link also has good information about the disease and some of the most common medications used for treatment.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1597&aid=416

Getting the right dose of medication is trial and error at first. Once your dog can get on the maintenance dose it should be easier. Also, ask your vet about the risks of sending your dog into Addison's Disease (it is sort of the reverse of Cushing's). Also, discuss any other health issues your dog may have and how treatment can effect these conditions. This is scary, but your dog can have a good quality of life with Cushing's. Know I'm sending you and your doggie my best--Good Luck.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Thank you for the links. I read the articles and it was very helpful. I have been feeling guilty because I had taken some of her symptoms and blaming them on old age which the article says is easy to do. She can't tell me what is wrong. She has every symptom. Will be talking to the vet today, to start treatment and see how it goes.

 

[Jockaroo]

Please don't feel guilty. At 13 her symptoms are very much what you would expect for an aging dog slowing down. Dogs hide their symptoms for such a long time, we don't always know when something is wrong. Know that for your dog to reach 13 it is a testament to your wonderful care. I hope you will have great success with the treatment and share many more wonderful years together. Good luck.