Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've got an elderly yellow lab (she's 14 in April) and am wondering if anyone has any experience of cushings disease. Up until about 9 months ago Meg was healthy apart from OCD and hip dysplasia and she goes to hydrotherapy for that. We've been going for past 5 and 1/2 years and that has certainly kept her mobile. About 9 months ago she started getting urine infections which were treated with antibiotics and then one day she collapsed, panting heavily and I thought this is it, I'm losing her. Vets were excellent, saw us straight away and started Meg on propentofylline which is good for older dogs as it gives them a boost. Certainly worked for meg, the effect it had was amazing. She then started with urinary incontinence and excessive drinking. Vet took blood and urine sample thinking it may be something sinister but luckily all results came back negative, so vet started Meg on propalin which worked for a time. Last week she was really dribbling heavily and the smell was awful. Vet booked her in for bladder ultrasound for last Wednesday and sent urine off for culture as she thinks Meg may having cushings. Trouble being apart from excessive thirst and weeing a lot she doesn't fit the standard picture of cushings i.e. she's not got a pot belly, her appetite hasn't increased and her head isn't skull like. Ultrasound didn't show anything which was good so vet started meg on incurin as well as propalin. She's still dribbling but not drinking so much and this morning noticed that when she dribbled it smelt fishy so phoned vet and left a message for Julie our vet to let her know as think she's probably got another infection. Am now waiting on urine test results, but just wondered if there is anyone who has had experience with cushings. Phew don't our doggies worry us!
Re: Cushings disease Poor Meg, she's been through it hasn't she. I'm afraid I don't have experiences to share with any similar ailments in my lot, but wanted to send warm get well wishes for Meg. Couldn't just read and run! Hugs from us all here. Do let us know how it goes when the vet gets in touch.
Re: Cushings disease Same here sorry no help at all. Very warm wishes to you and Meg and definitely let us know how she gets on poor love. xxx
Re: Cushings disease Hi there, masses of Cushing's Syndrome experience here. Back in the 1980's when this syndrome was first really recognised in dogs, the "classic cases" were around in abundance - flank alopecia, pot belly, thin skin full of blackheads, big liver, temporal muscle atrophy in the skull and of course increased thirst, appetite and urination. We used to have 3-4 cases per month in the kennels for treatment at the university hospital. However, as time went on, vets and owners got better and better at recognising cushingoid dogs earlier in the course of the disease and it is some years since I was referred a "classic" Cushing's case with all the clinical signs mentioned above. The vast majority of cushingoid dogs are picked up at the drinking and wee'ing phase and are treated before all the other signs really kick in. Just a case of waiting for blood and urine test results really, but again it is not unusual for results to be inconclusive at the outset of the disease - trying to pick the cases up really early makes interpretation of results difficult at times. I hope this helps, good luck and hope she feels better soon.
Re: Cushings disease Poor Meg. Much sympathy here, for you and Meg, as I have been through quite a lot over the last few years with elderly dogs, both now sadly passed on. Aren't old dogs lovely though - they have shared so much of your life, and are such an important part of the family. I hope you manage to get things sorted out for her, and enjoy many more happy months with your friend.
Re: Cushings disease Ah, thanks everybody. Am hoping to get results today. They got sent off last Wednesday and was told it would be a day or two. Doesn't time go slow when you're waiting. Will let you all know once I hear anything.
Re: Cushings disease Waiting for results is just awful , I feel for you, but hopefully your lovely girl will soon be able to start treatment and feel a lot better x
Re: Cushings disease Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. Quick update. Just rang vets (couldn't wait any longer!). Results are back, but our vet has been called out and will ring after 6. Nice receptionist said not to worry, if it was urgent some-one else would have rang. That was reassuring.
Re: Cushings disease Me same as TM couldn't just read and run lablover when your beautiful,old girl is having such a rotten time.i can't help as we have only experience of our first dog....another condition I've never heard of :-[ so thankyou for bringing it to the forum but sorry it's due to possibly first hand experience ..... Let us know what the vet says but it does sound hopeful xxx
Re: Cushings disease My old lab got to 15 so I know how difficult and worrying it is when things go wrong. We had liver failure, vestibular syndrome (symptoms similar to a stroke) then pneumonia and dodgy heart. He practically rattled towards the end but the medicines the vet can give work wonders. I hope you get good news with the results and if it is cushings at least you know there is treatment that will help. Fingers crossed Jen
Re: Cushings disease Fingers crossed for your phone call with the vet. Please let us know how you get on. Hope Meg gets the help she needs x
Re: Cushings disease Hi everyone Vet just rang. Urine results show bacterial infection and apparently there is only 1 antibiotic. Tomorrow I've got to get her to vets for 8am for a blood test, injection to stimulate adrenal glands and then hour later another blood test. Good thing is I can stay with her. Should know more later tomorrow. Thank you all for your kind thoughts. Its a lovely forum. Wish I'd joined earlier. X
Re: Cushings disease Hope tomorrow morning's round of blood tests goes well - glad you can stay and wait with her. Sounds like your vets re being very helpful too - hopefully you'll get the info you need soon. Will be thinking of you, Clare
Re: Cushings disease Hope tomorrow goes ok. Good news that you can stay and wait with her . Let us know how u get on x
Re: Cushings disease Hi everyone, Took Megs for blood samples this morning. Our vet is really lovely, she knows megs gets nervous so said it was ok to wait with her. Even offered me a cup of tea! Bless her. I had to wait for an hour between blood tests as Julie gave her an injection to stimulate her adrenal glands after the first blood test. Should get results back tomorrow. At least then we'll know what's going on. Megs seems fine, she's started on antibiotics for the nasty urine infection. Apparently there's only one antibiotic that the bacteria is sensitive to. Everything was fine until I got back in the car to find it wouldn't start. It's 3 years old so called RAC and they came really quickly cos i'm also carer to my 91 year old Father so RAC put us on priority as I needed to get back to him. Needed new battery. £118.00! Just glad it was ok getting us to vets. Once again many thanks for your kind comments and interest. Will let you all know tomorrow when results come back.
Re: Cushings disease Oh it never rains but it pours does it ....sorry you had that to deal with too.... Not fair Your vet sounds lovely and took as good care of you as she did Meg.hope your dad was ok when you got back and you have an easy eve.glad Meg is responding to her treatment ,let us know tomorrow if they have a diagnosis for you Nnite x
Re: Cushings disease Glad Meg seems to be ok and hope the antibiotics work quickly. What a day you've had! Keep your chin up and let us know when you get the results x
