Cushing's Disease

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Mjh516

Mjh516

Member Since 2014
We just have gotten the confirmation that Linus has Cushing's Disease. Hopefully, after being on new meds for a while, his loss of hair and black staining will decrease.
More immediately, for the past three nights, his BG numbers have been 114, 140 and tonight 98. The vet is closed and I am unsure of what dose of insulin to give him now, tonight. His usual dose is 4 units of Prozinc.
Suggestions on what dose??!!!
 
Hi, I am not experienced to help with dosing but I would suggest you change your title from Cushing's Disease to one of Dosing Advice or something similar so that it would get more immediate attention.
 
This is a member who had the diagnosis of Cushing's. Unfortunately she did not do well with the treatment, but that is not to say that you may not be able to deal with it and give a good quality as well.

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/members/rose.12044/

There is a drug normally used for dogs but has shown some promise with cats..trilostane. You need to make sure that your vet is either well informed about Cushing's or can refer you to another vet/specialist that is. This disease is considered rare in cats, but that may be because of poor reporting or owners that just gave up and had their kitties PTS. This disease can be dealt with...it is just another big challenge, but still possible. Prayers and hugs going your way.
 
Dahhhhh..of course, the dosing q was more important than the .cushing diagnosis. The two should have been separated.
I was able to get in touch with our vet for dosing advice.
The vet is consulting with another vet very familiar with the disease. Linus will be treated with trilostsne. The poor fella is such a trooper with all he has to deal with. Hopefully the meds will work and we can grow old(er) together.
 
Sending healing vibes to little Linus.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:

I'm not sure whether this might help but I'd suggest asking your vet about supplementing Linus' diet with B complex vitamins. Saoirse had post-shaving alopecia recently. She has just been diagnosed with early stage CKD and I followed Tanya's Site's recommendation to give her B complex. Her fur started growing back as soon as she started on the supplement. One to have on file. :)

Please keep us updated with Linus' progress.

:bighug:


Mogs
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I'm glad you were able to finally get a diagnosis for Linus, but sorry it was Cushings. At least you know what is the matter now and you have a medication to treat the disease. I will be really interested in his progress.
All the best to you and Linus:bighug::bighug:
 
Critter Mom said:
Sending healing vibes to little Linus.

:bighug::bighug::bighug:

I'm not sure whether this might help but I'd suggest asking your vet about supplementing Linus' diet with B complex vitamins. Saoirse had post-shaving alopecia recently. She has just been diagnosed with early stage CKD and I followed Tanya's Site's recommendation to give her B complex. Her fur started growing back as soon as she started on the supplement. One to have on file. :)

Please keep us updated with Linus' progress.

:bighug:


Mogs
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Linus currently gets methyl B-12 each day to help with his back leg problem. Upping that dose a few weeks ago has made a big difference in his stiffness. Are there specific vitamin B supplements I should look into? Are they all in one tablet?
He will start his Cushing's meds on Monday....soonest I could get them compounded. I will watch his numbers closely..they are a little goofy now anyway. High 200s to low 300 in the am, pre shot and ranging from 68- 140 pre pm dose. Nadir numbers are in the same range as am. I know, I need to develop a SS...it is on my to do list!
Thanx for all the advice and comments. Nice to have all this experience to guide us along this new path.
 
Sending good thoughts to you and Linus!
Do you mind if I ask how they confirmed the Cushing's dx? My kitty is suspected for Cushings and I can't stand that all the tests take hours and hours. Thanks!
 
The second part of this article, the section on hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings) describes the tests used to diagnose Cushings and also lists some of the clinical signs, including pictures. Cushings is complicated. There are three possible causes of it (tumor on the pituitary, tumor on adrenals, over use of steriods) and the treatment option is based on which is the cause, so you really do have to do the tests.
 
SpecklesandMe said:
Sending good thoughts to you and Linus!
Do you mind if I ask how they confirmed the Cushing's dx? My kitty is suspected for Cushings and I can't stand that all the tests take hours and hours. Thanks!
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Linus saw our regular vet, who consulted with another vet with more experience with the disease. His physical symptoms are consistent with Cushing's. Then Linus went for an ultrasound of his belly...to check the size of his adrenal glands. They were enlarged..about the same size, which is a good indicator. The test took about 1/2 hour.
The next day, Linus had an all day blood test at the vet..gave him a drug, took blood, waited 4 hours, did it again 4 hours later. Blood sent away and results came back positive.
Other than more bald tummy area, he handled the whole thing like a pro.
 
Having battled cushings in a dog, I must say your DX doesn't mean doom & gloom. Our Yellow Lab/Rhodesian, Mistie was DX with cushings at the age of 11 or 12. We noticed an increase in panting, water consumption, & she had started digging into the trash if we left something appetizing on top! We suspected UTI, diabetes, or some kind of nutritional problem. This dog had never been a problem child, when it came to food anyway! She was a Lab, so she was "problematic" in other, good ways!

She responded very well to trilostane & lived a full life, 3+ years with the disease. We never really had any issues with keeping the cushings in check. And when it was her time, it was due to hip & leg weakness, a.k.a. "old age."

Take a deep breath, do your research, & don't forget to love on that little fur ball a little more, but don't dwell on the DX unless you have to! (I know, easier said than done!)

Well wishes

These pictures show our sugar baby, Ernie & his big Sister (in EVERY sense of the word) Mistie, who was our Cushings Canine. (You can see the Rhodesian trait courtesy of the spiked ridge of hair along her spine.
462636_315951601801518_786682202_o.jpg


398636_265818243481521_1660151848_n.jpg
 
Ah, two cuties. Thanx for sharing.
Linus has been dealt some rotten cards. I am hoping we can get this under control and then his other ailments might follow suit. I will take whatever positives I can.
 
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