Endings for Untreated Cushings in Dogs

[SpartacusGeorge]

My 14.5 yr old beagle was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease a few months ago. He is nearly blind and deaf already - we decided not to put him through the treatment. My question is how do most older dogs with untreated Cushing's begin to fail? I would really like to minimize any suffering in his final days. Right now, I am red-flagging every little twitch and thinking if I knew what to expect, I could calm down a little and hopefully not send any frightened messages to Spartacus. He is currently on Proin to control his urine accidents and that has worked for a few months now. Would just really prefer to look at him with joy rather than fear these days. Thanks, in advance, for your knowledge & stories.

[JanisM13]

Hi
I'm sorry your girl is having issues...I HOPE an aswer is found
for her and for you.
I'd really appreciate if you could come back and let us ( me)
know what your vet did to find out if it is Cushings? Tests?
I've always been told it is really hard to establish the dog for
Cushings,lots of testing and not a definate answer but I may
be wrong and there are better ways to know now for sure??
I have a dog who I am wondering if he may have Cushings
his Thyroid and all CBC blood work is fine..
Jan

[Nattyneeds]

It was really good to see everyone's stories so I thought I would add mine...
Our 11 year old collie-cross, Bobby, was diagnosed last October after some very strange symptoms of hunger....literally attacking the bin, drinking so much, panting and just looking very sad....this went on to weeing on the kitchen floor, constantly and looking really sad about it :( It was confirmed with the ACTH test but, the problem has been controlling it. He started on low dose Vetoryl, I think 60mg but now we are having to try double, 120mg, as nothing is bringing the levels down......I think if this doesn't improve things we will have to say goodbye to him as going from a happy, energetic dog to a lethargic, saddened dog is really not fair. We will enjoy him and love him all the more for now !

[WeLoveOur4Dogs]

Hello
We are taking our 4 year old Silver Labrador in the morning to the Vet. She is being tested for Cushings. She displays so many signs. Drinks lots of water, goes out to potty many times, her coat is not right for a lab and hair is very thin. She has had a compromised immune system and had to be treated on antibiotics a few times.
I know she needs this appt to get everything checked. They are keeping her all day which we hate because our dogs are always with us except when they were spayed and neutered ( never boarded. travel with us). She hates going to the vet for shots/check ups because every since she was spayed she has never been the same. You can't touch her belly or paws. We can but no one else can or she will growl/show teeth and could bite.  We had all sorts of test done post op but nothing. Normal spay surgery.  She started showing signs the last year and a 1/2 but they kept testing for diabetes and thyroid and never Cushings.  Any thoughts? Advice? Does the injection they give for the process make them sick?  Thanks for your help. Sending her with her blanket and will be checking on her :-)  Our dogs are our kids.

[Patrnfa]

My 9 year old Maltese, Gus,  was diagnosed yesterday with Cushings Disease.  He doesn't have excessive thirst, but he wants to eat all the time.  He has hind leg weakness (which is why I brought him to the vet), pot belly and pants a lot.  He is going in for additional testing in 2 days to confirm diagnosis.  I just don't know what to do - Treat or don't treat.  I do not want to extend his life if he is suffering.  But if it means his life would be extended and he would be the happy "pup" I know him to be, that would change things.  I've been his mother since he was 8 weeks old and only weighed 2 pounds.  This is heartbreaking.  

[WN2223]

My 13.5 Pomeranian was diagnosed with Cushings in the late stages.  She used to love to eat and now only eats a little if I put the food in front of her. She had a couple of seizures and hurt her left leg 2 weeks ago.  She only sleeps and doesn't do much of anything.  She looks so weak and sad. It makes me so sad to see her this way. ="(  Does anyone know how much longer I will have with her before she goes?  It breaks my heart knowing she is going to leave me soon. Thanks for reading.

[Pattibinalaska]

I have a 12-year-old Beagle who today has been diagnosed with Cushings. I had taken him in because he was losing weight, drinking more and having more bowel movements. We don't know what kind yet, adrenal or brain. So not sure where we're going from here. Has anyone had the weight loss, excessive BMs??

[lizziesfam]

We do the test as needed.  If it looks like our dog needs a higher dosage we give it to her.  She has been diagnosed for 6 years and has just started to show signs of aging .  She is a 13 year old lab.  I have spent a lot of money but I wouldn't do it differently.  I honestly think she probably has something else going on with her other than her Cushings now but I don't want to take her to the vet because I don't want them to give me bad news.  My recommendation and my experience says to use common sense.