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.

[Phillgrl1]

My Mickey blue eyes is 13 and diagnosed a few months ago. The vet told me his type could be treated with medication.  I decided that the side effects were bad and didn't want to put him through that. I'm rethinking my decision.  He's alway been a nervous dog but he shakes off and on. His hind legs are week of course,  pants, whines a lot and has typical signs but I'm wondering if I should go back to  the vet or can I get the meds myself. I cant afford a lot but I will do what is necessary.  Oh one last thing, is he in any pain? Most say no. Thanks for your anticipated help

[lldance]

How do you determine which probiotics are best?  So many to choices.

[dolcesmom]

My heart goes out to all of you.  This desease is brutal. I put my 14yr old maltese down two weeks ago. The hardedt decision i have ever made. I loved my little dolce so much. He started limping, anf vet attributed it to arthritis. 1 year later it progressed to weakness in front legs. Weakness eased when i did daily full body massages, up and down back, limbs, and stretching of limbs as well. Two months ago, he started panting, trying to balance on hind legs and falling backwards, he did this all day long. After dome X rays and blood work, vet said he might neef more tests by a specialist but dhe was certain it was cushings. Prescribed selegiline, steroids, and tramadol in case of any pain. After 4 weeks, besides sleeping alot, and getting weaker, i started pureeing his food, and having eat out of my palm brought up to his mouth while sittin in up right in my lap. He could not drink unless i was home to bring the water up to his mouth. He however was famished and thirsty. Panting continued, peeing even in his bed which told me it was time. He ran away from the smell of his own pee, now he would lie in it till i came home to wash everything. He would poop and fall backwards in it. He had trembles in his front legs too. He had been blind and deaf for two years, but my tough baby still tried to play with me through his misery. He is free now, but I still cry when i think of him. Hope this helps someone. Good luck!!

[lindapalm]

I agree with you about the Trilosane.  Our dog was put on it, and after she started getting worse I read the package directions that said dogs should be retested after being on the drug, our vet never did.  When I told him to it turns out she had too much in her system and it caused a reverse effect, so then she had to be put on steroids.  She never improved, and not long after we had her put to sleep, she was so bad.  Cushings is a horrible disease to watch your dog go through, and  I don't know what I'd do if it happened to another one of my dogs, but I do know I would go to a vet that specializes in the disease and not our regular one.  

[Billiejedwards]

Our 13 year old female lab low thyroid (she is being treating for it), arthritis and suspected Cushing Disease. We are not treating Cushing, as the thyroid treatment is critical and the excess cortisol in her body helps with the arthritis. She is losing muscle mass and having difficulty with her rear legs. The hardest part is she is always starving. We cannot feed her more than the recommended amount as her weight must be kept at optimal level. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help curb her appetite. I forgot to mention, she has acupuncture every three weeks to help with pain management and boosting of her immune system.

[Stewess]

Our 12 1/2 year old beagle was diagnosed with Cushing's in February.  She had been very hungry and thirsty for a year and I decided to have her tested.  However, in retrospect, I think I should have had the Cushing's run its course.  She was never so thirsty or hungry that my family and I couldn't manage it.  After she was diagnosed, I started her on Vetoryl, Trilosane.  About 7 weeks after she began taking it, she started to show adverse reaction signs to the drug.  She was lethargic, depressed, no appetite and shaking a bit in her hind legs.  I took her to the vet and she had a low red blood cell count - had been 45 for most of her life and when her bloodwork was done prior to starting Trilostane.  Now, 7 weeks later, she was anemic with a red blood cell count of 29.  My vet did not think it was due to the meds, but I am certain that the trilostane contributed towards that.  She ended up showing nodules on her lungs approximately 3 mos. later.  And then passed shortly thereafter.  Although I can't say medically how trilostane harmed her, I feel certain that it changed her and brought on her demise.  Prior to taking the meds, she was always happy and interested in a walk - granted always hungry, but vivacious, full of life.  After taking trilostane, it's as if she shut done.  I feel that in some dogs, the medicine stops their cortisol production and then somehow it triggers something else that causes them to shut down.  I've read now that internal medicine veterinary specialists believe in not treating Cushing's and letting it run its course.  I also believe my vet was negligent in not running a full blood test workup after about 2 weeks of the dog taking trilostane.  Even the makers of trilostane, Dechra that produce Vetoryl recommend having a dog's blood tested. But they are only guidelines and vets don't have to follow any specific standards.  If you are thinking of starting your dog on Trilostane, do your research, start with the lowest possible dose, have their bloodwork checked regularly and really say to yourself: do you they have a good quality of life except for being hungry and thirsty?  If so, leave them be.

[CushingOwner]

I had a dog that had all the symptoms of Cushings since age 3 and died at age 11two days ago  from gallbladder and liver issues.

[CushingOwner]

I forgot to mention that the dog was never treated for Cushings,  just had all the symptoms,  including the painting,  the exercise intolerance,  the heat intolerance, the thin skin,  the thin coat and the excessive thirst and hunger.

[NanetteD]

My heart is with you.  I have recently done studies and found the chemo drugs only control the symptoms but destroy other organs.  Pet Wellbeing has  natural alternatives to help with the diabetes that can be taken with insulin and have not tried the Harmony Gold for cushings.  In my study, the only treatment that does not destroy other organs (and only has a 40% chance of destroying the tumor) is the drug Cabergoline.  I too do rescues so funds are tight (not sure how much this drug would cost and i'm unemployed).  All life needs to be considered.  I will comment further should I put her on the drug.  However, it sounds like your insulin amount is not balanced correctly. Maybe 1 unit more or less would help.  If eating, more is okay, if not eating, less is okay.  My vet recommended 4 units for my Diamond.  Too much if she didn't eat around the same time.  They recommended 2 units if she doesn't eat.  It was too little.  I put her in-between at 3 units and she does okay.  p.s. you can find the study at www.sciencedirect.com on the cushings study.