Cushing syndrome

Status
Not open for further replies.
AliMA

AliMA

Member Since 2016
been told that Lunar has Cushing syndrome - only for sake of insurance not covering really.
But also I started to notice certain things and as she still very new in my home I kept phoning the shelter and asking them if she had the signs when there. Then it appears that she has Cushing Syndrome.
They passed on info to insurance company and I've just been told to get on with it, just monitor with specialised diet, and that insurance won't cover. But anything I should be aware of?
Any one else in same situation please?
Thank you
 
Do you know how it was diagnosed, it appears to be rare in cats. There are two types, one caused by the pituitary gland and the other by the adrenal glands. It can also be caused by long term treatment with steroids. Treatment depends on the cause but getting the diagnosis accurate is crucial. Did Lunar have scans, blood testing, urine testing, blood pressure measurement? You said you had few notes so did they tell you anything apart from the diagnosis? What are you noticing?
 
AliMA

How was the Cushing's (hyperadrenocorticism) diagnosed. It is very difficult to determine that it is Cushing's without some specific test and an ultrasound. Cushing's has been considered rare in kitties, but that may be because of lack of having the testings done and under-reporting/under-diagnosing. Since many of the symptoms can be linked to other conditions, often Cushing's is not thought of or investigated.


These are some of the common symptoms of Cushing's

  • Excessive drinking (polydipsia) and excessive urination (polyuria)
  • Increased appetite
  • Enlargement of the abdomen (a pot-bellied appearance)
  • Lethargy
  • Muscle wasting and weakness
  • Poor coat condition
  • Hair loss
  • Curling of the ear tips
  • Thin and fragile skin
In my kitty's case he has never lost weight even with the diabetes, in fact he has gained weight. Some Cushing's kitties will lose weight. Keep in mind that these symptoms can be linked to other conditions as well, so just because a kitty shows some or all is not a guarantee that they have Cushing's.



Cushing's can be either iatrogenic...which is caused by long term use of steroids. or tumour based...either pituitary or adrenal. The iatrogenic form is extremely rare in kitties as they can tolerate steroids much better than a person or a dog.

The PDH (pituitary dependant hyperadrenocorticism) is the more common type and is caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland. ADH (adrenal dependant hyperadrenocorticism) is caused by a tumour on the adrenal gland. The long and short of Cushing's is it causes cortisol to be released constantly, without the normal controls the body has to turn if off and on. Cortisol is a natural steroid type hormone that the body produces, but with both PDH AND ADH the body is not able to turn "off" the cortisol production.


These two links give a basic easy to follow explanation of Cushing's and are good as an introduction:


http://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/hyperadrenocorticism-cushings-disease

http://www.petwave.com/Cats/Health/Cushings/Treatment.aspx


The least invasive, least expensive and easiest test to do initially is the UCCR (urine cortisol creatinine ratio) test, which involves collecting a urine sample AT HOME. so there is no stress involved. This sample would be taken to your vet and they would ship it to IDEXX or another outside lab that performs the test. If the results are negative, then no further testing is needed. If the results are positive or border line, then further testing is indicated. This article expalins the UCCR test:

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.co...eatinine-ratio-most-useful-normal-test-around

It is written about the test for use with dogs, but at this time there is no specific feline UCCR test, so this is the same one that would be used with kitties.


I have rather rambled on at this point, and could continue to do so for many, many more paragraphs, but at this point the important question is whether your kitty does in fact have Cushing's and what method was used to diagnose it.

Hope this has been helpful to start with.
 
Last edited:
I was told adrenal they found it somehow within extra notes which weren't there originally; 2which I think is bit bizarre.
She certainly has the pot belly and weeing every five minutes! Yet hardly drinks; so unsure where the all the urine coming from!
I'm going to let her get fully settled in (a month maybe) then take her vets for a full over check.
 
AliMA said:
I was told adrenal they found it somehow within extra notes which weren't there originally; 2which I think is bit bizarre.
She certainly has the pot belly and weeing every five minutes! Yet hardly drinks; so unsure where the all the urine coming from!
I'm going to let her get fully settled in (a month maybe) then take her vets for a full over check.
Click to expand...

Was there an ultrasound done? With ADH it would show one adrenal gland larger than the other usually with irregular borders indicating a tumour. If this has been done, did they do the HDDS (high dose dexamethasone suppression test) ? This would show if the adrenal glands continue releasing cortisol even when induced high cortisone levels (with the test) should signal the adrenals to "shut off" production.

ADH can be treated with surgical removal of the adrenal glands, and supplementing cortisol meds daily for life.
 
Sorry I have no idea I just got told she has Cushing syndrome and it's downtown adrenal gland. Then they reeled off a load more conditions that I wasn't told about before/whilst adopting her.
So I'm a bit in the dark. So I can't tell you any more than that. Sorry.
 
AliMA said:
Sorry I have no idea I just got told she has Cushing syndrome and it's downtown adrenal gland. Then they reeled off a load more conditions that I wasn't told about before/whilst adopting her.
So I'm a bit in the dark. So I can't tell you any more than that. Sorry.
Click to expand...


You should ask then for more details, since you are the one that needs to deal with the extra considerations of a Cushing's kitty. They MUST have had some records and medical tests in order to have that diagnosis. I went through quite the testing regime before my kitty was diagnosed with PDH.
 
Last edited:
The owner died. So it's all hear say which is really annoying and keep coming upon bits apparently.
I am pestering then for more and more info as I can't even get the insurance set up as they won't allow me to set up an account until it's all verified
 
AliMA said:
The owner died. So it's all hear say which is really annoying and keep coming upon bits apparently.
I am pestering then for more and more info as I can't even get the insurance set up as they won't allow me to set up an account until it's all verified
Click to expand...


That really sucks!! Cushing's is not a disease that is usually thrown out there without any testing, so it is hard to say whether tests were done or whether someone "decided" that Lunar had Cushing's, without any testing. Would the shelter agree to pay for the UCCR test at least. When I had mine done it was about $100 Canadian including the shipping cost to IDEXX.
 
Last edited:
I've actually asked that for insurance reasons so it's confirmed up to date and for certain. But I'm awAiting a definate answer.
 
You need to get something in writing from them, it may take some work but they need to be able to trace some vet records - maybe in the previous owners paperwork? Someone obviously brought him to the shelter so they would know who is dealing with the deceased estate, or they could start by calling all the vets in the area to see if they have records. I wouldn't accept a throwaway remark about such important health issues without getting some proof. If it is an adrenal cause then that is more straightforwards to deal with, urinary cortisols alone can be unreliable but a dexamethasone suppression test seems to be a must do here. Even in humans where diagnosis is easier (wider range of tests available) a diagnosis by imaging alone is a big no no. Dynamic hormone testing is preferred.
 
They have shown me the papers they have with the few words on so it's not just words between people it is actually written down. But I will ask for proof
From what vet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top