cushings disease

[aarp]

My dog Trigger has been diagoned with cushings disease. The vet put her on 5 days of Lysodren and Predninsone.The dosage of Lysodren was 500m twice daily and 1 5m of Predninsone On the 6th day she started panting,anxiety,hypertension,urinating,weak could not walk. Could not lay still fo a minute. Just like someone on speed, She was given 1 500mg of Lysodren but no predninsone on the 6th day. Within 2 hrs after that she starting having these syptems. Called vet and he told me to give her 2 pills of the Predninsone.. Still got even worse after that. Took her to the vet twice that day. Scared me so muchy watching her. Vet finallt admitted she overdosed on Predninsone. She is no longer taking it. Still has the heavy panting,a little anxious.Can't sleep. How long before I see her start to relax.I'm also now nervous of giving her the next dose of Lysodren. She is down to 2 500mg a week. As you can see I'm so confused....Why are they recomending this drug(predninsone) when the reactions are so bad......Thanks for your time.It's been a hell of a week..

[Roamers]

I have my dog on Trilostane 150mg and from reading over several peoples comments i see the reactions to cushing treatment varies. Ive had Roam on this med for about 7 months and at first I really seen a difference and this was when he was on a lower dose but now im not seeing much improvement but his cushing level is where it should be. He does not have a problem eating however some days he seems really weak, confused, his swollen belly has not gone down like the vet said it should, he is not active, pants quite a bit and the look in his eyes some days just says I don't feel good. Im very concerned wondering if there is more I should be doing in the treatment of the disease. All his other blood work for his kidneys and liver ect. was fine. Do you have any sudjestions for me?

[lindapalm]

Our dog refused to eat anything while on Trilostane, it was such a chore to get anything down her, and this was a dog that would eat ANYTHING previously to being sick.  Try different brands of canned dog  food, then people food such as chicken, etc., and if all else fails, pizza or McDonalds.  In my opinion anything is better than nothing.  Good Luck.

[aarp]

Thankyou so very much for your response. The info you sent me was very helpful. I understand it alot better then when the vet tries to explain it to me. Trigger has calmed down alot now,but has no appetite. Would not eat dinner or breakfast. I'm suppose to give her Lysodren today. Hope all goes well...Thanks again.

[TwoBitsMom]

I found this reply from a previous post,.... I copied and pasted it here you you.....I hope it helps....

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I know I'm very late to the party.  But in case you were still wondering why prednisone can be used in combination with Trilostane here goes.  Trilostane (or an alternative treatment lysodren) can in some patients overly suppress cortisol production.  The signs of which may include GI upset- anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea- decreased ability to respond to stress and others. Prednisone (essentially synthetic cortisol) is often sent home with clients with instructions to be given if signs such as these develop.  Some vets may prescribe it at a low dose prophylactically.  The goal is to control cortisol production without allowing it bottom out.

Hope that helps!
Brendan
UC Davis Veterinary Student

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Now here is MY best explanation .....keep in mind, I have no formal veterinary training...I'm just a dog lover....so here goes....

From what I understand.....
When a dog has Cushings, it's adrenal glands are producing too much coritsol. From what I understand, this is usually due to a tumor on the pituitary gland that over stimulates the adrenal glands. The lysodren your dog is taking, will destroy some of your dogs adrenal tissue, thus reducing the amount of cortisol you dog's adrenal glands are producing.  However....if too much of the adrenal tissue is destroyed, your dog will not receive enough cortisol, and it can become a life threatening situation....ALL dogs who are going through the induction period of lysodren ( usually 7 -14 days ) or any other cortisol reducing treatment....should have Predisone available to them, for IMMEDIATE use, if an emergency situations occurs.  ( if cortisol levels start to bottom out )....Prednisone is  synthetic cortisone, and could save your dogs life.
As Brendan stated, some vets will prescribe prednisone at a low dose during the induction period hoping to prevent the cortisol from bottoming out.
It sounds like your First week of the induction period is over, but you still need to be watchful...(Since your dog has too much prednisone/ cortisol ) It will take a while for the prednisone to get out of your dogs system, and the next dose of lysodren may do the trick. It may also reduce too much coritsol...in which case, you may end up having to give her another Prednisone....!  So keep the Prednisone handy, and keep watchful for signs of lysodren overdose/ toxicity....( I assume the vet has informed you of what to watch for )......Getting the lysodren dose tailored for your dog may take a few weeks, but you're getting there....Hang in there, and don't hesitate to call your Vet if you are concerned about your dog....Your immediate action could save her life.

I hope things go well for you and your pooch, once you and your vet find the correct dose of lysodren for your dog, life should get a little easier.
Take Care...
Connie