[Dailydrool] Canine Cushing's

[Emily Weiss Dodd]

Hi Patti,

My basset Sally doesn't have Cushing's, but my mom's mini-Doxie  
recently started treatment for adrenal Cushings, which we found  
completely by mistake. Two years ago, Avery had a herniated disk in  
her neck and in order for the vet to treat her properly with surgery,  
she needed an MRI. Along with the results of the neck MRI, the vet  
found growths on Avery's adrenal glands. At first we thought they were  
just swollen because of the prednisone she had been taking for her  
neck, but we kept an eye on them. After the neck surgery, and after  
some subsequent treatments for a malignant melanoma tumor on her lip  
(these crazy dogs!), we finally got her stable enough to look at her  
possible Cushing's. Blood tests showed that it was indeed Cushing's,  
but like your pup, Avery didn't have the outward pot-bellied  
appearance or excessive thirst/urination. Now, she's taking daily  
doses of Vetoryl (trilostane) which is safe and very effective, but 1)  
isn't manufactured or sold in the USA and 2) is a bit on the pricey  
side (something around $100/month). She's doing great so far, the only  
thing we've noticed is that she's a bit more ginger in her movements,  
which my mom attributes to her cortisone levels finally being under  
control and they've stopped masking arthritis. Avery's going on 12,  
and all things considered, she's doing great!

Please keep us posted ... Cushing's is a manageable condition and as  
long as you work closely with your vet, you can definitely keep it  
under control and keep your pup healthy and happy.

Slingin' drool!
emily & sally