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Ask the Vet About Cushing's Disease in Dogs & Cats

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While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.
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dog drinking to much
Often this will be a sign of diabetes, kidney failure or Cushing's disease - all treated very differently so see your veterinarian for some blood work and a urinalysis to see what is going on. Keep your dog for urinating for a couple of hours before the appointment, because they will probably want a urine sample as well.

My vet says my dog probably has cushings, however, He does not have any of the symptons that I have seen except for drinking a lot of water and always hungry. The vet suggests a test that will cost $1000. I wonder if that needs to be done. The dog it 7 yrs
Since drinking a lot of water and increased appetite are two of the main symptoms, if his preliminary, routine bloodwork suggest Cushing's, I would go ahead and test for it.

I have a 12 pound, 13 year old Mini Dachshund who has been doing pretty well on 5mg Vetoryl twice a day up until a week or so ago. She now has heavy breathing, reduced appetite, and pretty extreme lethargy (all can be seen with Cushings). She has a significant heart murmur, (which she was born with), but has increased in the last year significantly. She has a vet appointment tomorrow, and will be getting a chest X-ray and bloodwork done. Her vet thinks it is heart related and not Cushings, but I feel like she might respond to a higher dose seeing as how she is only at about 1.8mg/kg. and the dosage recommended for Vetoryl says 2.2-6.7 mg/kg. I was thinking of increasing her to 10mg in the morning and then 5mg in the evening. Would the 5mg increase even be enough to see a change in her physically, or would you recommend she be increased to 20mg? Worried about adverse reactions to higher doses given her heart issues and current condition. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. I should also mention that she had bloodwork done about 3 weeks ago (just a singe blood draw and not a full Cushings workup) and the vet said her numbers looked good then. She also had a few vaccinations at that same time and had an allergic reaction to one (face swelling, vomiting). She recovered, however, I wonder if it is relevant to her current meds possibly no longer working. Thanks, Melissa
I would definitely wait to increase her Vetoryl until you see your veterinarian tomorrow to determine exactly what is going on - it can have serious side effects, so it's great that she is responding to the lower dosage.

Can Amoxicillin be given with Vetoryl?
Yes - there is no adverse interaction between the two drugs. I would spread them out throughout the day and not give at the exact same time just to not upset the stomach.

Liver Happy Concentrate
I don't see that we carry that exact medication but this is the Ask the Vet section for medical questions, so contact customer service for that exact product. Here is their contact information: Toll Free Number (Call or Text) 1-800-PetMeds® (1-800-738-6337) Email Address customerservice@1800petmeds.com Denamarin is probably our best liver support product - here is a link if you would like to read about it: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Denamarin+Tablets+-prod11008.html

our dog has cushings, can he take cosequin? He is also taking Dynosyl and Ursodiol.
Probably but your veterinarian, that has access to all of his bloodwork and history, is definitely the best one to ask.

My dog has been on Vetoryl for approx. a month now (he's 13). A few days ago, he started showing, what seems to be the side effects of Vetoryl. But the vet said if he was going to experience side effect, it should've happened within the first week, not after a month. He also takes medication for his thyroid & I just discovered that he apparently has kidney disease. His levels for everything were tested 3 weeks ago. Everything was fine. But now he's shaking, barely has an appetite, is lethargic, has diarrhea. My fiancé gives him his medication. He went one day without giving it to him (w/out my knowledge). He said the next day, Scrappy was energetic, he ate well, no diarrhea, seemed happy & wanted to play. But I worry about the symptoms of Cushing's coming back, so I told him to give it to him again, until we can figure out what's going on. He recently had surgery, to have a tumor removed. He's been through a LOT lately. I've given that vet a LOT of money in the past few months. I'd like to avoid having to go back for a while, if I can. What's your opinion?
Honestly, his case is so complicated, I would really need his entire chart (with his whole history but most importantly with his bloodwork) to really advise you so continue working with the veterinarian that has access to all of that information for the best advice.

Is the Adrenal Harmony Gold Large Canine sold without prescription and does Pet meds have the same item?
I am not familiar with this product but it looks like it does not require a prescription and I can't find that 1-800-Petmeds carries it. Contact customer service to be 100% sure though - here is their contact information: Toll Free Number (Call or Text) 1-800-PetMeds® (1-800-738-6337) Email Address customerservice@1800petmeds.com

My vett wants to give my dog Vetorol. He cannot swallow. I see they have trilostane in a compounded chew and would like to try that. Can the chew be cut into smaller pieces? I understand that the powder in the caps is dangerous to humans even if it touches the skin? Thank u.
In general, it is not ideal to cut the chewable pieces because the active ingredient may be dispersed unevenly throughout the chew. I am unaware of the powder being that dangerous but contact the manufacturer (Dechra) for the best advice about that. Here is a link to their contact information lower on the page (email and phone number): https://www.dechra-us.com/our-products/us/companion-animal/dog/prescription/vetoryl-capsules-trilostane

I JUST RECEIVED MY DOGS BLOOD TEST RESULTS AND HIS ALT AND AL KP LIVER ENZYMES ARE HIGH IS THIS A CLUE THE HE HAS CUSHINGS DISEASE ? THE VET PUT HIM ON DENAMARIN TO SEE IF IT BRINGS THE LEVELS DOWN THEN HE WILL CHECK IF HE HAS CUSHINGS DISEASE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Yes, that is usually how we approach elevated liver enzymes, depending on how elevated and what other, if any, clinical signs he may have.

My doxie is only 11 yrs. old. All of a sudden he started getting confused (almost like human alzheimer's) & stands around alot without moving. He also got cataracts in both eyes. Does he really have Cushings? That's what my local vet came up with and he's on 3 meds. Is there something natural he should be taking to help?
I personally have not had good success with alternative medications, BUT we also don't have good success with our traditional medications, so this is really a good question and asking your veterinarian for a referral to Cushings specialist and/or seeing a veterinarian that specializes in natural, homeopathic treatments might be a good idea. Here is a link to our article, written by another veterinarian, about treating Cushing's disease and it mentions some options at the bottom: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/cushings-disease-treatment-3.html

My 8.5 yr purebred (apricot) miniature poodle has been losing hair in one main spot. Hair is now growing back but is very dark and flat -- not curly, poodle hair. He has other (not as noticeable dark spots hidden under his fur). I took him to my vet and although he did not really have any other typical symptoms of Cushing's (nor have we changed food, shampoo, etc.---all is same) we ran blood work. All blood work came back in normal range. The vet said he did not know what was causing the hair loss. Could this be an EARLY sign of Cushing's and I should insist on retesting blood work six months from now or at his annual exam every year or what other time frame? I want to do whatever I can to help my dog. My vet said I could try giving him melatonin supplements for 8 mg twice a day. If after 4 months and no change with his fur, then to stop giving to him. Any thoughts? Thank you for your opinion.
I think melatonin is a good next step for him. Retesting in 4 months if the melatonin isn't helping and checking his thyroid at that as well might be a good idea.

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That should be fine. Your veterinarian, that has met Jasmine face-to-face and has all of her blood results, will have to approve the medication. When you are ordering, it will ask for your veterinarian's contact information.

MY 14 YEAR OLD DOG HAS CUSHING"S AND DIABETES WHAT FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION WOULD BE SAFE FOR HER SINCE I AM HESITANT USING TOPICAL SOLUTIONS AND COLLARS WITH THESE DISEASES ARE THEY SAFE TO USE
Ask your veterinarian, who has access to all of her medical records, blood work, history, etc., for the best advice, but Nexgard and Bravecto are working best this year and they both seem very safe.

My dog Max is a Terrier Mix is 12 yrs old and I would like to know if there is a med for Cushing's. He was diagnosed 3 yrs ago. He is on galaprant and Cosequin. How can I help him lose weight. He can't run and walking is very limited because of right shoulder
Yes, there are multiple treatment options for Cushing's - here is a link to read about them: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/cushings-disease-treatment-3.html They lose weight exactly like we do (1) decrease the calories and (2) increase the exercise - since you are limited on the latter, really decrease his food.