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gillybob
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My Anna has been diagnosed with Cushings and the vet thinks she has had it for a while. Its been like a rollar coaster, last night she ate a small amount of chicken, first food in three days. When she came back from the vets she threw upp all the meds they gave her. She isn't interested in food today and is very quiet.

This has been going on for a month or so up and down. She isn't happy either. We are off to the vets next week to organise meds for her and after seeing the time lines for this disease, I feel we don't have a lot of time Anna and I. But I will do what is needed and take some of your advice about blending food and see if that will work. Its so hard because she loved her food and would eat everything. Now she wont eat anything its hard to see.

I only found out late yesterday so its only just hitting me and Im crying for my lovely girl.

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Gillybob, I had a rescue dog with Cushings, which is when there is too much of a hormone called cortisol. She had the ACTH stimulation test which measures how well the adrenal glands work. I did a lot of searching on this when this dog came to me and the vet told me that there are two types - tumour on the pituitary gland or a tumour on the adrenal gland - with the adrenal one, there could be a possibility of surgery. My dog was booked in for an ultrasound to determine what type she had but she also had other unfixable problems and passed away before we could do the ultrasound.

It requires a bit of maintenance and tweaking of the medication to get the right dose, and the meds are a bit expensive but they can live a reasonably normal life.

I hope Anna has a good outcome, and I recommend the ultrasound to determine what is happening to her and how you go from there.

Edited by stellnme
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Gillybob, I had a rescue dog with Cushings, which is when there is too much of a hormone called cortisol. She had the ACTH stimulation test which measures how well the adrenal glands work. I did a lot of searching on this when this dog came to me and the vet told me that there are two types - tumour on the pituitary gland or a tumour on the adrenal gland - with the adrenal one, there could be a possibility of surgery. My dog was booked in for an ultrasound to determine what type she had but she also had other unfixable problems and passed away before we could do the ultrasound.

It requires a bit of maintenance and tweaking of the medication to get the right dose, and the meds are a bit expensive but they can live a reasonably normal life.

I hope Anna has a good outcome, and I recommend the ultrasound to determine what is happening to her and how you go from there.

Yes an ultrasound is a quick and (relatively) easy way to see if there is anything untoward internally.

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She isn't well the vet came and got her ( I don't have a car) and doesn't understand why she is so ill. Even with Cushings she should be showing signs of improvement. I spoke to him about an operation but he thinks this is in her brain and said he cant operate on it. He also said she would have to go to a specialist for an op because its so close to major arteries.

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Cushings is fairly easily treated, especially after being properly diagnosed through blood tests and ultrasound.

Sounds like something else could be going on, can you ask for a referral to a specialist medicine vet?

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Vet just called he is really confused her calcium levels are really high as are her liver tests.

She is staying there for tonight to get her on a drip and get a lot more hydrated.

To me it sounds like whatever it is its spreading.

Her last bloods were all perfectly normal, except for a little rise in calcium, now that is way up, that was about a month ago.

Can get to a specialist wouldn't know where one was closest would be Tamworth,h that's 370ks away and I don't have a car.

The vet thinks she may have had cushings for longer than both of us thought.

Edited by gillybob
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Vet just called he is really confused her calcium levels are really high as are her liver tests.

She is staying there for tonight to get her on a drip and get a lot more hydrated.

To me it sounds like whatever it is its spreading.

Her last bloods were all perfectly normal, except for a little rise in calcium, now that is way up, that was about a month ago.

Can get to a specialist wouldn't know where one was closest would be Tamworth,h that's 370ks away and I don't have a car.

The vet thinks she may have had cushings for longer than both of us thought.

OK -big breath. Just trying to be practical here - maybe you could have a phone consult with someone to review her blood work? It's great that you have recent bloods too - it;s a good base to start from.

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That's good your vet is ringing the specialist to get his opinion. I'm certainly no expert on cushings or anything but from what I've learnt, a vastly increased appetite is one of the symptoms but you said Anna wasn't eating very much - I agree it sounds like something else might be going on.

Sending good thoughts, hope you can find out what is wrong with Anna.

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After talking to the vet yesterday arvo and all the info we have collected I have made a decision.

Anna they believe has a tumour that has metastasized to her liver and proberly other parts of her body. Because her calcium levels are so high we are going to try to get them in control with steroids and Im bringing her home and keeping her comfortable until it is time for her. I want her to be with me for her last bits of life and not shipping her around to places that will stress her make her sicker. I thought about this all day yesterday and slept last night for the first time for a while. I feel its the right decision for her. She can come home eat whatever she likes and do whatever she wants to do. We don't know, she might be ok for a long while but the vet has told me to be ready.

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The non eating and the ups and downs sounds like Addison's disease which is the opposite of Cushings. Not saying it is addison's but since having a dog that had it the non eating and being really quiet/depressed is something I noticed with him.

It sucks so much to see them practically change overnight and not be able to do anything about it. The constant shuffle back and forth to the vets to try and the worry about if they will be coming back home that night or will they have to stay in is awful.

I hope you guys get some answers and can get a treatment plan in place.

--Lhok

Ahh I should have finished reading all the thread before I commented. So sorry to hear about the results.

Edited by Lhok
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I feel its the right decision for her. She can come home eat whatever she likes and do whatever she wants to do. We don't know, she might be ok for a long while but the vet has told me to be ready.

I think that this is the very best a loving owner can do. Hugs to you and Anna and may she surprise you all.

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I went down to see Anna today she is feeling a lot better, she is still on the drip but ate a little bit last night. She wagged at me and woowooooed when I left so that's good news. She isn't better but she has more energy and maybe we can now start her on more meds. I hope she can come home this arvo.

ps to say she is coming home this arvo.

Edited by gillybob
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Gilly I'm so sorry to read about Anna - while I'm glad she's at home and feeling better, having recently got off this roller coaster myself I know just how hard and emotionally draining it can be. Yes it does sound like something that is spreading but I'm no expert. There does come a time when you know its time to simply be comfy at home. I hope you can have some really special time with Anna now - you are an incredibly courageous sole to so bravely put her needs first - as I know how hard that can be. hug.gif

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