Suja,
I really don't want to read through the posts, much less bring forward
the ones about Franklin, when he was being treated.
I seem to recall you mentioning Cushing's and Khan. I believe that
you did not have a diagnosis and that you were giving him flax seed oil
and melatonin.
Would you please give me some more information on why you have decided
to give him the above supplements.
I believe you also mentioned a new med for Cushing's that is less
toxic?
I am not being lazy. I just do not want to read through that thread
again about Franklin.
I believe Buck has Cushing's. He has not been diagnosed. (15 yr old
Lab)
Thanks for any info you have to share.


Be Free.....Judy

"Judith Althouse" wrote in message:

Would you please give me some more information on why you have decided
to give him the above supplements.

Judy, Khan's tentative diagnosis is Atypical Cushing's, which is different
from regular Cushing's. Atypical Cushing's is caused by something going
wrong with the sex sterioids (Khan's Androstenedione was elevated - Pre was
4.1 (3.6 being the high end of normal, and Post was 62 (where 29 is the high
end of normal), whereas regular Cushing's is mediated by corticosterioids.
Atypical Cushing's can be treated with the drugs typically prescribed for
Cushing's, but more conservative means include the use of Melatonin and Flax
Seed Oil, which works in about 50% of Atypical dogs, although the mode of
action is not well understood.

I believe you also mentioned a new med for Cushing's that is less
toxic?

From what I have read, Lysodren (mitotane) is what was typically used for
the treatment of Pituitary Cushing's (keep in mind that there is also
Adrenal Cushing's), which causes necrosis of the adrenal cortex. Because it
causes irreversible damage to the adrenal cortex, the consequences of
overdosing can be to push the dog into Addison's disease (or crisis). More
recently, Trilostane has been introduced for the treatment of Pituitary
Cushing's, and it's effects are reversible.

I believe Buck has Cushing's. He has not been diagnosed. (15 yr old
Lab)

Why do you think he has Cushing's? There are several diseases that have
overlapping symptoms. The path to diagnosis is to do the necessary blood
test and urinalysis, and if that comes back indicative, to administer an
ACTH stim test. An abdominal ultrasound may also be recommended. If the
stim test comes back positive, the best means of distinguishing between
pituitary and adrenal Cushing's is to administer a LDDS.

You can find a ton of information at caninecushings.net. I strongly
recommend that you read up there, and you won't find a better support group
anywhere.

Suja

Suja,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question about Cushing's in
dogs. I certainly was not familiar with Khan's diagnosis. I hope the
supplements you are giving him are working well for him.
I have a tumor on my adrenal gland and`so I have been tested for
Cushing's and Addison's. I have been told if it grows or changes in
shape, they will remove it.
My daughter's Doxie died in the last couple of years of Cushing's. He
was 13, I think and had been on the meds (Lysodren I think) for about 6
months when he died. He may have been on something else for another
ailment, also. I have thought Buck may have Cushing's for some time.
He eats and drinks a lot. He does not ever pee in the house. All of
his symptoms over lap other things or could be nothing at all. He has a
pendulous abdomen, or probably more likely hanging skin, because I put
him on a big time diet. He has got to be arthritic, has a terrible time
getting up and down the steps. He has always had itches. He does not
now, but has something the Vet refers to as seborrhea/dandrudff. It
does not seem to irritate him, it just flakes off, almost like dry skin.
His hair is sparse on his belly and undersides (but when I think back,
it always has been). He pants a lot, lays on the cool tile etc
I tried to make an appointment with MY vet. She is gone. I have
located her, but we keep missing each other via phone calls.
The last time I took Buck and asked her if she thought it could be
Cushing's? She said it is possible, but can be hard to diagnose, and it
is treated with poison. I scooted out of there to get the dandruff
shampoo she suggested and do the test strips for diabetes at home as she
suggested, not wanting to know the truth.
When you posted melatonin and Flax seed oil I thought I would try
that. He has been on Flax seed oil for quite awhile now. I did not
understand that Khan had an atypical version of Cushing's.
I guess I will have to bite the bullet and find out of he really has
Cushing's.
I hope that I have Munchausen by proxy, and that I am just guessing
Buck has Cushing's because my daughter's dog died from it. Anyway, he
needs to be seen for his arthritis at the least. I just have to hook up
with my favorite Vet and get him checked out.
Thanks for the great web site. I thought I had already read every
item on Cushing's.
Best wishes for good health to Khan.


Be Free.....Judy