My dog was recently diagnosed. He is a 6 year old pure breed teacup
Pomeranian (cute as hell). All the typical symptoms - hair loss,
pigmentation, etc. We've read that incidence for the disease in his breed
and age is rare, more likely the symtoms are due to a tumor.

Anyone deal with this disease with their pet? I am looking for treatments
that work and are the least traumatic to the dog or any other
experience/information you can share with us in these anxious times.

We've tried Selegiline(?) for a month with no improvements - symptoms
actually worsening.

NYC metro area, but willing to make a day trip if necessary. Anyone know of
any specialists/hospitals with a proven track record for curing Cushings?
Thank you so much.

D + A (and "Peanut")

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear that your Pom has this nasty disease,I also have a
miniature (4 pounds)male Pomeranian ...yes,cute as hell...
I have done some research and at the moment it doesn't look like there is a
REAL cure for it,have a look at this
sitehttp://www.vetinfo.com/dcushing.html


Read this,it's very interestingUniversity of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine

Note: From Dr. Dunn... This article is presented courtesy of the University
of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. Visit their informative
website at UI, CVM.

Cushing's disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by an excess of
cortisol in the body. It is relatively rare in people, affecting between 10
and 15 of every million people each year. The problem occurs more commonly
in the dog than in the cat.

"Cushing's disease commonly affects middle-aged to older dogs," says Dr.
Jennifer Brinson, a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine at the
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital at
Urbana. "It is most commonly seen in poodles, dachshunds, terriers, German
shepherds, and golden retrievers.

"These animals typically present with symmetrical hair loss; excessive
eating, drinking, and urination; lethargy; and a distended abdomen," she
says. "They commonly have other skin abnormalities and secondary urinary
tract infections as well."

There are three types of Cushing's disease: adrenal cortical tumor,
pituitary tumor, and iatrogenic (veterinarian-induced).

An adrenal cortical tumor--a tumor of the cortisol-producing cells of the
adrenal gland--causes excess production of cortisol. Although there are two
adrenal glands, these tumors generally develop in one gland and will lead to
one abnormally large adrenal gland and one abnormally small gland.

Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism is due to microtumors in the
pituitary gland in the brain that produce excessive amounts of a hormone
that causes the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In this form, both
adrenal glands are enlarged.

Iatrogenic Cushing's is produced by an excess of cortisol being given to a
pet by a veterinarian, for example, to treat a skin disorder. The excess
cortisol in the body signals the adrenal glands to decrease their normal
production of cortisol, leading to a decrease in the size of the adrenal
glands.

Cushing's disease is first suspected with clinical signs, physical exam
abnormalities, and blood tests that are suggestive of this disease. A
definitive diagnosis is made using three-stage testing of adrenal challenge
gland function.

"The treatment for an adrenal tumor is surgical removal and supplementation
of cortisol until the shrunken adrenal gland returns to normal function,"
says Dr. Brinson. "It is uncommon for these tumors to recur on the remaining
adrenal gland.

"The treatment for pituitary-dependent Cushing's is generally Mitotane®
(O,P'-DDD), a chemical derivative of the pesticide DDT," she says. "This
drug destroys the zones of the adrenal cortex that produce cortisol. The
drug is administered until a reasonable level of cortisol production is
achieved and the pet is then maintained on the drug at that level for life,
with periodic rechecks to adjust the dose.

"The treatment for iatrogenic Cushing's is slow withdrawal from the external
source of cortisol," continues Dr. Brinson. "It is extremely important that
changes in the medication are not made without first consulting your
veterinarian. Quickly withdrawing the source of cortisol before the adrenal
glands can recover can lead to dramatic consequences, such as vomiting,
diarrhea, vascular collapse, and death."

The prognosis for this disease varies depending on the type. Surgery can
cure an adrenal cortical tumor that has not spread to other areas of the
body. However, about half the adrenal tumors are malignant and therefore may
have already spread, in which case, there is a much poorer prognosis.
Pituitary-dependent Cushing's has a good short-term prognosis, as the
microtumors do not generally cause other problems. Long-term, however, pets
with Cushing's disease are predisposed to other diseases, such as diabetes
mellitus, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, hypertension, and
pancreatitis. Iatrogenic Cushing's disease has a good prognosis, if proper
withdrawal times are maintained.

"It is important to remember two things about this disease," says Dr.
Brinson. "First, two of the most common signs of this disease are excessive
drinking and urination. Excessive drinking and urination are also the most
common signs of other serious diseases, such as kidney failure, diabetes,
and hyperthyroidism (in cats), which need to be investigated prior to
testing the adrenal glands. Second, other conditions, such as arthritis and
itchy skin, may be masked by the excess cortisol production. These
conditions are coincidental but may surface as the Cushing's disease is
treated and may require other forms of treatment."

Did you contact a good vet?You could (depending on the case)think about
surgery......
I don't know much about this,but you have all my sympathy.....is your pommy
drinking a lot of water and urinating alot?

I know I couldn't be of much help,but don't lose your hopes and consult few
different vets,in critical situations I found that it's the best way to
go.....
Good luck.....
Sincerely

Shan.




"dbritt" wrote in message
...
My dog was recently diagnosed. He is a 6 year old pure breed teacup
Pomeranian (cute as hell). All the typical symptoms - hair loss,
pigmentation, etc. We've read that incidence for the disease in his breed
and age is rare, more likely the symtoms are due to a tumor.

Anyone deal with this disease with their pet? I am looking for treatments
that work and are the least traumatic to the dog or any other
experience/information you can share with us in these anxious times.

We've tried Selegiline(?) for a month with no improvements - symptoms
actually worsening.

NYC metro area, but willing to make a day trip if necessary. Anyone know
of
any specialists/hospitals with a proven track record for curing Cushings?
Thank you so much.

D + A (and "Peanut")

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear that your Pom has this nasty disease,I also have a
miniature (4 pounds)male Pomeranian ...yes,cute as hell...
I have done some research and at the moment it doesn't look like there is a
REAL cure for it,have a look at this
sitehttp://www.vetinfo.com/dcushing.html


Read this,it's very interestingUniversity of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine

Note: From Dr. Dunn... This article is presented courtesy of the University
of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. Visit their informative
website at UI, CVM.

Cushing's disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is caused by an excess of
cortisol in the body. It is relatively rare in people, affecting between 10
and 15 of every million people each year. The problem occurs more commonly
in the dog than in the cat.

"Cushing's disease commonly affects middle-aged to older dogs," says Dr.
Jennifer Brinson, a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine at the
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital at
Urbana. "It is most commonly seen in poodles, dachshunds, terriers, German
shepherds, and golden retrievers.

"These animals typically present with symmetrical hair loss; excessive
eating, drinking, and urination; lethargy; and a distended abdomen," she
says. "They commonly have other skin abnormalities and secondary urinary
tract infections as well."

There are three types of Cushing's disease: adrenal cortical tumor,
pituitary tumor, and iatrogenic (veterinarian-induced).

An adrenal cortical tumor--a tumor of the cortisol-producing cells of the
adrenal gland--causes excess production of cortisol. Although there are two
adrenal glands, these tumors generally develop in one gland and will lead to
one abnormally large adrenal gland and one abnormally small gland.

Pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism is due to microtumors in the
pituitary gland in the brain that produce excessive amounts of a hormone
that causes the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. In this form, both
adrenal glands are enlarged.

Iatrogenic Cushing's is produced by an excess of cortisol being given to a
pet by a veterinarian, for example, to treat a skin disorder. The excess
cortisol in the body signals the adrenal glands to decrease their normal
production of cortisol, leading to a decrease in the size of the adrenal
glands.

Cushing's disease is first suspected with clinical signs, physical exam
abnormalities, and blood tests that are suggestive of this disease. A
definitive diagnosis is made using three-stage testing of adrenal challenge
gland function.

"The treatment for an adrenal tumor is surgical removal and supplementation
of cortisol until the shrunken adrenal gland returns to normal function,"
says Dr. Brinson. "It is uncommon for these tumors to recur on the remaining
adrenal gland.

"The treatment for pituitary-dependent Cushing's is generally Mitotane®
(O,P'-DDD), a chemical derivative of the pesticide DDT," she says. "This
drug destroys the zones of the adrenal cortex that produce cortisol. The
drug is administered until a reasonable level of cortisol production is
achieved and the pet is then maintained on the drug at that level for life,
with periodic rechecks to adjust the dose.

"The treatment for iatrogenic Cushing's is slow withdrawal from the external
source of cortisol," continues Dr. Brinson. "It is extremely important that
changes in the medication are not made without first consulting your
veterinarian. Quickly withdrawing the source of cortisol before the adrenal
glands can recover can lead to dramatic consequences, such as vomiting,
diarrhea, vascular collapse, and death."

The prognosis for this disease varies depending on the type. Surgery can
cure an adrenal cortical tumor that has not spread to other areas of the
body. However, about half the adrenal tumors are malignant and therefore may
have already spread, in which case, there is a much poorer prognosis.
Pituitary-dependent Cushing's has a good short-term prognosis, as the
microtumors do not generally cause other problems. Long-term, however, pets
with Cushing's disease are predisposed to other diseases, such as diabetes
mellitus, urinary tract infections, kidney disease, hypertension, and
pancreatitis. Iatrogenic Cushing's disease has a good prognosis, if proper
withdrawal times are maintained.

"It is important to remember two things about this disease," says Dr.
Brinson. "First, two of the most common signs of this disease are excessive
drinking and urination. Excessive drinking and urination are also the most
common signs of other serious diseases, such as kidney failure, diabetes,
and hyperthyroidism (in cats), which need to be investigated prior to
testing the adrenal glands. Second, other conditions, such as arthritis and
itchy skin, may be masked by the excess cortisol production. These
conditions are coincidental but may surface as the Cushing's disease is
treated and may require other forms of treatment."

Did you contact a good vet?You could (depending on the case)think about
surgery......
I don't know much about this,but you have all my sympathy.....is your pommy
drinking a lot of water and urinating alot?

I know I couldn't be of much help,but don't lose your hopes and consult few
different vets,in critical situations I found that it's the best way to
go.....
Good luck.....
Sincerely

Shan.




"dbritt" wrote in message
...
My dog was recently diagnosed. He is a 6 year old pure breed teacup
Pomeranian (cute as hell). All the typical symptoms - hair loss,
pigmentation, etc. We've read that incidence for the disease in his breed
and age is rare, more likely the symtoms are due to a tumor.

Anyone deal with this disease with their pet? I am looking for treatments
that work and are the least traumatic to the dog or any other
experience/information you can share with us in these anxious times.

We've tried Selegiline(?) for a month with no improvements - symptoms
actually worsening.

NYC metro area, but willing to make a day trip if necessary. Anyone know
of
any specialists/hospitals with a proven track record for curing Cushings?
Thank you so much.

D + A (and "Peanut")