4/23 Pedro AMPS 118 Vet visit-Cushings??

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Amy and Pedro

Amy and Pedro

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Yesterday:http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12679

So we had the vet visit last night and I am a bit stressed. He wonders if he may have Cushings and he is scheduled to run the 8 hour test on Monday. After doing some very initial reading, I'm now thinking I may want to delay testing. Would like some thoughts. I should probably post on Health too.

I feel like the diabetes is under control and we just made it through pancratitis. I feel like he needs a break. The whole process for dealing with Cushings in cats sounds daunting. I just lost my dog last summer and had been dealing with Cushings for her but it sounds very different than for cats.

Vet spent a lot of time on the tail - lots of little black and whiteheads and a number of places where he could squeeze a lot of pus out (the larger cysts). He was somewhat perplexed.
He has been pleased with Pedro's condition overall.
Thoughts on why maybe Cushings:I mentioned that he does still urinate quite a bit for a well regulated cat - sometimes up to 6 good size balls of pee over a 24 hr period. Not the little UTI type spots of pee.
He has had the on-going tail cyst issue for a year or so but it comes and goes. Hence poor skin condition. And over the past year he has not grown hair back well after it has been shaved off in an area. Although most recently the hair has been growing back.

Libby asked yesterday if there was any difference between AM and PM feeding to account for the blue vs. green numbers. He eats free choice and just grazes. i try to keep wet food out for him all the time as he is picky. he does eat more at night.
 
I hope he doesn't have Cushings. There is a lady over on high dose whose cat was diagnosed with Cushings, although we think it's possible he's actually an acro. You might wander over there and post...Casey did have some tests so she might be able to provide you some input.
 
I wonder if Pedro's numbers would be this good if he has Cushings. I would think the cortisol levels would cause his numbers to be completely wonky. Definitely post over in Health so Jess or one of the other vet techs can respond.
 
Amy...I am so sorry to read this about Pedro. I just quickly went to some sites to read about it quickly and t does say that some cats cannot be regulated on insulin very well and that is one of the symptoms. Pedro is more regulated that others, so I am wondering how that squares with the other symptoms.
Are you still feeding the raw? Is that the primary food that he gets or do you mix it with canned? I am wondering if the sores on his tail can have something to do with some random bacteria in his mouth from the food if it's been sitting out. I am grasping at straws here. I like the idea of raw food...but my two eat it right away and it is not sitting out for them to go back to. I mix it with canned, but still...if they groom after eating, and there is an open sore, I am wondering if that impacts it in some way.

Not sure of the treatment once the diagnosis is given....the surgery sounds as if it's really "iffy". Guess more information is needed and I hope you can go to ask the lady in High dose more about what she has discovered.... We have to get as much information for you as we possibly can. Hang in there Amy....
oh....anything that he eats regularly that might cause excessive thirst? Salty fish or treats? Do you see him at the water dish all the time? Do you add water to his food?
 
Sienne - I agree about the issue of his numbers being good. Seems like they would be high with Cushings. The little reading I've done indicates that it is usually hard to control BG if Cushings. Makes me hesitate to rush to test.

Pat, he is completly rejecting his raw food diet. After pancreatitis I've had trouble finding food he will eat (other than dry food which I only give 1 piece as a treat after a BG check) He won't eat any of his old FF favorites - but i know there is a whole discussion about FF changing the mix. Right now the only flavor of food he seems to want to eat is tuna - that could make him thirsty. I don't see him at the water dish that much but seems like it's a lot of pee for a cat.

I'm hoping to get to a petsmart to try sophisticat flavor. Only one store in my general area-
 
Feline Cushings disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a rare disorder in cats. When it does occur, it is usually seen in middle-aged or older cats, and is more common in females than in males.
Symptoms of feline Cushing’s disease include:
* Increased water drinking
* Increased urination
* Increased appetite
* Weight gain or loss
* Bloated or “pot-bellied” appearance
* Excessive panting
* Thinning hair or baldness
* Dull, dry coat
* Thin skin that is easily bruised or torn
* Diabetes

Amy~~it seems that a lot of thought and research is in order... What bothers me is that after diagnosis, the options don't seem to be all that great at first reading, ya know? I just don't know what to say....what a dilemma. Poor little Pedro...are any of those other symptoms applicable? I hope someon will come along and be able to give good information to you.... (((((Amy)))))
 
Sending good health vibes to sweet Pedro--Amy I hope all will be well with him!--Sorry for what you are going through right now-
You are such a great momma bean--Looks like we all are going for that sophistocat-- :-D
Hugs to you & Pedro from us~!
 
So last night as I was not sleeping and fretting about this, I seemed to recall that when the dog had to go in for her Cushings test we had to wait because she was on Pred and the Pred had to clear her system.
Called the vet this AM and reminded them Pedro has been on Pred and had some this week - so fortunetly we have to wait at least two weeks now to do the test. This will give me time to really think about what I want to do.
 
That's great to have the added time to research and understand the options...whew...I hope you have a good day Amy...hugs to Pedro from us...

ETA: We read your post and decided to have a party on Saturday...for NO Reason! :lol: Tell Pedro we need him to be here cause we are all going to watch the sun setting at the beach (for no reason) and we are going to dance the night away (for no reason) AND we are going to laugh until our sides hurt.(for no reason at all!)
Please spread the word....at least we all have each other and this place needs some merry making, right?
Lets PAR-TAY!!! :idea: :dizcat bcatrun_gif party_cat flip_cat haha_smiley drinking24 :RAHCAT
 
I'm sorry to hear about the possible Cushings. It's an interesting theory on the tail cyst issue. Bear Man has Iatrogenic Cushings as a side effect of his long term high dose steroid use. He never had any diagnostic tests done (we were not going to pursue any treatment anyway), but was diagnosed based on his classic Cushingoid appearance: balding, poor thin haircoat, pot belly, very thin fragile skin, and hind end weakness. The skin is EXTREMELY thin and translucent, and has very fine wrinkles. You can basically see right through it. At one point he was bald on his abdomen from his front legs down, and all the way down his back end. The remaining coat was sparse and coarse. (This has improved somewhat with a change from Dex to pred). He has a pot belly that hangs down and protrudes on the sides. There is muscle wasting in his hips and back legs. I don't know if Pedro has the Cushingoid appearance? Jojo did recommend at one time that we have the urine cortisol:creatinine ratio test done, although my vet said not to bother since it would surely be positive, and it was not the best test for Cushings. I wish you well with Pedro's issues, and I'm sending vines for negative tests if and when you do get it done.

ETA: Bear is not a high dose cat, and back when he was feeling better, he could have some OK blue and green numbers, even on steroids and dry food.
 
((((Amy))))

Linda's Bear has Cushings, she would be a great resource. I know nothing about it, but to me it seems like kind of a stretch. Try not to worry yet, and talk to Linda and see what she thinks.
 
((((Amy and Pedro))))

I have a feeling you were going to call it off anyway, but it sounds the two week respite that the pred provided is much needed for Pedro and you. Now you have time to figure some things out.
 
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