Ask the Vet About Cushing's Disease in Dogs & Cats
As a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Dym has over 19 years of experience and dedication to enhancing the overall health and well-being of pets. His commitment and passion for pet health continuously drives him to learn more about the art and science of homeopathy through ongoing training and education.
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Question:
Answer: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.
Question: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
Answer: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.
Question: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
Answer: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.
Question:My dog who is a 11 year old Yorkie has Cushings disease. My question is what is the best heart worm and flea medication recommended? I want something that has worked well with Cushings dogs. My dog also takes Vetoryl and Denmarin.
Answer:I don't know of any that work necessarily better or worse for a dog with Cushings. The most common question I get along these lines is should I take him off of heartworm medication because he takes so much other medication and you definitely shouldn't. Your veterinarian is the best one to ask about exactly which one is best for him based on his history (like if he has a sensitive stomach, I might tell you to avoid Trifexis), blood work, etc.
Question:Is there a alternative medicatoin to Vetoryl my dog has Cushings and has been on 10mg /2 times a day of Vetoryl for around 7 years and the cost of it has gone up almost double he is also diabetic as most dogs with it are
Answer:Yes, there are generics. Call your local pharmacies and ask the price of their "trilostane" - you will be surprised at the range. Find one that is more affordable, then ask your veterinarian to call a prescription in to that pharmacy.
Question:Visiting my dad and observing their female 7yr old cavalier King Charles with Cushing’s disease. I’m worried at her poor condition but especially because they constantly feed her table scraps all day long. Pieces of cheese, fruit, twinkies, milk poured directly in her bowl every night, and even chocolate. When I express concern they say “it’s only a little bit” - yet every time anyone eats the dog gets a piece and/or licks the plate or bowl when they are done. Isn’t Cushing’s greatly affected by diet? Couldn’t this be hurting her?
Answer:It is not ideal with Cushing's, but it may not be too terribly bad - would totally depend on the percentage of her diet that is made up by people food.
Question:My Corgi mix will be 9 in January. A few days ago, I noticed one of her dewclaws was missing. There is no break in the skin or bleeding, and she does not appear uncomfortable in the area. Do dogs retract their dewclaws? The said dewclaw was there ( visible, in its proper place) last night, but again, not today. She is being treated for Cushing’s (since July) with Trilostane. Some moderation of symptoms with the medicine— Vetoryl 30mg in am and 10mg with supper. Recently she has lost hair on her elbows—due to Cushing’s? She has sometimes caught her dewclaw ( I’m not sure if it was the one that “disappeared “.) in the metal ring attached to her collar—where the leash attaches. She is a short dog. Most importantly, is the dewclaw disappearance something that needs to be treated? Also the the vet tech said the hairless patch looked tike rug burn. She does strongly jump on and off the furniture to the rug and also rests ( sometimes noisily lands) on the kitchen tile. Is it likely hair loss from Cushing’s or rug burn? And can anything help restore the hair and prevent more loss? Thank you so much for your help
Answer:1- Do dogs retract their dewclaws? No. 2- is the dewclaw disappearance something that needs to be treated? Possibly if it is swollen or painful or she licks it excessively. 3- Is it likely hair loss from Cushing’s or rug burn? Could be either or something else entirely. 4- And can anything help restore the hair and prevent more loss? Regulating her Cushing's disease will help more than anything
Question:Hi Doc Michael, it's clear my dog has Cushing's, but I've not yet had him tested to see if it's adrenal or pituitary. I love Kirby and want to treat him but I'm strapped at this time. Are the meds dedicated to EITHER adrenal OR pituitary? Or will a good med treat both either type? Thank you so much! Very honorable vocation you've chosen by the way. - Susan Hall
Answer:There are medications that can treat both but they can have serious side effects. Work closely with your veterinarian, based on the blood work, to find the right medication and dosage for him. Here is our article about Cushing's disease, detailing many of those treatments: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/cushings-disease Then here is a good article written by another veterinarian, from a site that I trust, about Cushing's disease: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951495
Question:We have 2 Brittany Spaniels (related thru bloodline) both 8.5 +/- yrs old. "Rustee" has a few cyst type bumps on him and our vet wanted to check and remove them. Before doing so they checked his blood and they thought he had Cushings. So they tested further and now say he does have it. Not much was explained to us but I have looked it up for symptoms and he has none that have been listed. Like NONE. (i guess besides elevated numbers concerning his liver.... not sure of the medical terms that were used) Anyway... My main questions is, Does him not having any visual symptoms mean that this was caught early? Also, what is the best option. Our vet said it was very expensive to treat but, like I said, not much else was explained. So I have just been looking online. But I still don't know what to do. I mentioned we have 2 in the same family because our vet said that cushings was genetic so our other dog may have it also. (I think like their grandfather was the same or something like that - would have to check their papers again) Thanks!
Answer:Does him not having any visual symptoms mean that this was caught early? Probably. Here is a link to our article about Cushing's disease: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/cushings-disease And here is a link to another helpful article about Cushing's disease, written by another veterinarian, from a site that I trust: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951495
Question:My dog is a cockapoo with Cushing and she’s on Vetroyl for treatment. However she is losing her hair and gets warts. Is there a supplement which can help with her hair loss and to stop warts?
Answer:You can try fatty acids, but really controlling her Cushing's disease really well with rechecks and medication is what helps the most with their haircoat. (There are no known medications that stop warts.) Here is an example of a good fatty acid product: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Welactin+Omega+3+Canine-prod11837.html
Question:The Vet recommended Hepatotrubenefits for Liver please advise
Answer:Yes, that is a good product. I like Denamarin as well: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Denamarin+Tablets+-prod11008.html
Question:A lot of shin lumps.
Answer:Masses can be benign, malignant and everything in between. It is impossible to tell, just by looking at a mass, what kind of cells it contains. Have your veterinarian check it out - they will usually do a "fine needle aspirate" - a little mini-biopsy where they stick a small needle in it and suck some cells out and either look at it right there in their office or send it off to a pathologist. Then you can make a plan for it - if it is definitely benign, your veterinarian may recommend doing nothing.
Question:My dog needs medications for cushions disease she is a senior vets are closed right now so trying to see what meds she needs so I can purchase online thank you
Answer:The veterinarian that met her in person and diagnosed her has to prescibe the medications. Here is a link to our article about treating Cushing's disease: https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/cushings-disease-treatment-3.htm
Question:Doeshe have Cushings? Drinks more water oflate...less control over peeing in house. Seems to have difficulty with bowel movements some of the time. Only feeding him canned soft food now. More info please. Was at our vet's in Dec. and Jan. for annual checkup (all good) in De. and constipation issues in Jan. He recovered with change in diet. Next test by Dr. ultrasound...too costly. Have not returned.
Answer:With those symptoms, it's certainly possible, as are other things. Did they run blood work? That might be cheaper than the ultrasound and would also rule out other possible causes like kidney disease and diabetes.
Question:My 6 year old dog's ALP level was 800 last month, this month it is 900. We did the steroid cushings test and it came back negative, his platelet count is also increased, what could be causing this, he did have 3 types of bacteria growing in his eyes and 1 year ago had cryptosporidium could that have caused this problem. Please help!!
Answer:Cushing's disease is still possible. Liver disease is as well. Ask your veterinarian if a product like Denamarin might be a good idea to try to lower his ALP phos levels. Here is a link to read about it: https://www.1800petmeds.com/Denamarin+Tablets+-prod11008.html
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