Cushings disease (labrador, vet, stomach, skin)

[Orion2]

Finally have the scoop on poor Bruno. He vomits if he eats cukes, they just don't agree with his stomach for some reason. He had a bladder infection possibly as a complication of Cushings disease which hasn't been confirmed but he has classic symptoms and the vet is fairly certain that's what caused it. Poor doggy nearly died.

Bruno has weak back legs, is losing his hair - we thought he had mange but he doesn't fortunately, he drinks and urinates excessively, has a voracious appetite and a bloated appearance to his upper body.

Since he's been on antibiotics the past two weeks he's improved overall, has more energy and is drinking less so wanting to go out less as well. The vet tells us that the crystals in his urine indicate a bladder infection and that if he has Crushings it is a pain in the neck to treat but not life threatening in itself but can be when treating.

It's a relief to finally know what's happening and to see him feeling better. We were at our wits end trying to figure out how to help him, we recently changed their food because our other dog is sensitive to foods and itches or just won't eat it. And I didn't know Bruno pukes if he eats cukes until my brother told me after the fact. He normally won't eat them but since Judy eats them he will too, whatever she eats he wants as well so now I know better but it wasn't the cuke that made him ill, that was just a concidence and while it made him vomit once it wasn't the real culprit.

[runswithscissors]

Awww Bruno. Well at least you found out.

Bruno has weak back legs, is losing his hair - we thought he had mange but he doesn't fortunately, he drinks and urinates excessively, has a voracious appetite and a bloated appearance to his upper body.

Yeah, losing hair can be thyroid, weak rear can be Myasthenia Gravis (and it usually escalates quickly till they can't get up) but put them both together with voracious food and water and you get Cushings.

Meds can be tricky to get regulated but once they are, symptoms can be stabilized and even reverse some things. I took care of a Maltese with an advanced condition (on meds under care of an internal medicine doc)...and since stress makes the Cushings worse I charted her water amounts and diapers every day and she stayed consistent so the owners were relieved she didn't get worse when they went away. Poor girl she was going on 14, blind, incontinent, naked-ish, always HOT, wobbly at times but still enjoyed her life for about a year after getting that "bad".

I used to do photoshops of her to cheer the parents up on their trips LOL They're her REAL eyelashes.



One of these sling gizmos may help if he's wobby since from what I remember he's big? One of my clients just got one for her Lab after hip surgery. Before that were were using a beach towel which did not really work.

Dog Sling Harnesses | Handicapped Dog Support Sling | Knee or Hip Recovery Slings | Free Shipping

I don't know if you read the other thread about the Bassett with Cushings suspicions where I posted this Yahoo group? They are an invaluable resource and VERY knowledgeable and experienced with over 5000 members over 12 years. You just join with an email, and they have all kinds of information, posts and individual help for people. They have to approve members after you submit the email request. You can get emails of posts, no emails at all and just read online, or summary digest emails.
CanineCushings-AutoimmuneCare : Cushing's Syndrome | Autoimmune Disease

On a positive note, my BFF's dog age 12 got a dx and still has almost NO symptoms in 2 years (with no medication) so if Bruno needs meds and gets on meds, it will help for sure.

Joining the Yahoo group will especially help inform everybody of the med thing.

Hang in there and thanks for helping him.

[jasper12]

Sam had Cushings disease. He took medication, and I gave him those raw baby carrots for snacks. I got his meds thru Pet Meds, as they were cheaper on line. He did fine, died at age 14.

He was a Bassett mix.

[Orion2]

Ha ha, that's a great photoshop Running, I'm sure the parents appreciated it. Just as I appreciate your and Jasper's input. Bru is doing very well at the moment. He's back to normal and his legs are improved as well. He won't jump on the bed but I think that might be partly due to his being afraid of Judy - she's alpha, I think she believes she rules the universe after Orion. He snacks on broccoli because Judy sez it's the best dog treat in the world.

He runs to the door to great me now, something I didn't realize he'd stopped doing - you know how that happens? Gradual behavior changes you just don't notice? And he's really my brothers' dog so I didn't catch it. He is a sweet, sweet boy though and I hate to see him (or any animal) suffer.

His skin has improved tremendously as well so I think he's more comfortable in that regard as well. I'll check out Yahoo and check out Pet Meds, I noticed the meds are expensive and it'll be life long. He is big, weighs about 92 pounds, he's a chocolate lab. I'll post his pic if I can find it on my phone. I'm kinda dumber than usual t'day, donated blood and I think it's makin' me more stoopid.

[jasper12]

Sam's medication ran about $100 a month. Glucosamine, anipryl. I think he took another one, can't remember it now.
Lots of blood work.

You give your dog broccoli? Wow. Sam had too much stinky gas with broccoli.

[hhwtm]

I also had a dog with Cushing's, a Labrador Retriever. He was 9, was diagnosed with the disease at Michigan State University. Once they had the correct dose of the medication (was very pricey) he lived another 5 healthy years. I understand that sometimes the dog's liver cannot tolerate the medication, but my boy did fine.

[Orion2]

He's on cipro for the bladder infection and he's a changed dog. I hadn't seen him in a few years so thought he was just slowing down due to age - I was very wrong!! He's full of energy now and his funny self again. His back legs are also stronger now. He's drinking less but still more than would be expected. His skin is clearing as well. The vet is going to let the antibiotics run the course then recheck his blood levels before dosing for Cushings. I don't mind if his life is shortened as long as he's happy.

[rural lady]

Originally Posted by Orion2

Finally have the scoop on poor Bruno. He vomits if he eats cukes, they just don't agree with his stomach for some reason. He had a bladder infection possibly as a complication of Cushings disease which hasn't been confirmed but he has classic symptoms and the vet is fairly certain that's what caused it. Poor doggy nearly died.

Bruno has weak back legs, is losing his hair - we thought he had mange but he doesn't fortunately, he drinks and urinates excessively, has a voracious appetite and a bloated appearance to his upper body.

Since he's been on antibiotics the past two weeks he's improved overall, has more energy and is drinking less so wanting to go out less as well. The vet tells us that the crystals in his urine indicate a bladder infection and that if he has Crushings it is a pain in the neck to treat but not life threatening in itself but can be when treating.

It's a relief to finally know what's happening and to see him feeling better. We were at our wits end trying to figure out how to help him, we recently changed their food because our other dog is sensitive to foods and itches or just won't eat it. And I didn't know Bruno pukes if he eats cukes until my brother told me after the fact. He normally won't eat them but since Judy eats them he will too, whatever she eats he wants as well so now I know better but it wasn't the cuke that made him ill, that was just a concidence and while it made him vomit once it wasn't the real culprit.

Hi there,

All the help you need is here, all members have pets with cushings, your answers are here, tell them k9diabetes gal 18 sent you
Canine Cushing's Information and Support Forums - Powered by vBulletin

[Orion2]

Thanks, just registered.