I have a 12 y.o. Irish Setter boy named Harry.
About a year ago, Harry, who had been a very picky eater, suddenly started to eat everything, including dry kibble. His blood panel in December showed mildly elevated Alk Phos.
In February, Harry had a bout of gastritis - blood panel showed further increases in liver enzymes. We noticed also that he was drinking and urinating more. Other values OK except elevated cholesterol. Ultrasound showed normal organs except bilaterally enlarged adrenal glands. The vet and I discussed a potential for Cushing's, but since his symptoms were not too bad, we decided to just observe.
Harry also has proteinuria, and we saw a sudden jump from mild proteinuria to much higher numbers. We ran all sorts of tests, including lepto, tick panel, Lupus, U Tenn Adrenal Panel and Michigan State thyroid panel. Thyroids normal, Adrenal Panel came back hyperestrinismm, no infectious disease nor lupus. Good thyroid functions for a geriatric dog.
We started to treat Harry's hyperestrinism with melatonin and lignans. We also started him on low protein food and benazepril.Harry's coat never grew back after the ultrasound. He started to develop skin infections and cysts. Worsening hunger.
By then, our regular vet referred us to a specialist. The specialist and our vet were more concerned about glomerulonephritis (proteinuria), but we were aware that Harry may be a dog marching towards Cushing's.
Finally, we ran LDDS test - Harry did not show any suppression, showing positive diagnosis for Cushing's. For the first time, Harry's blood glucose level elevated, but still less than 200. No sugar in urine. This was less than a month ago.
Harry had gastritis three weeks ago. We started him on Flagyl, and he had a very allergic reaction (eye swelling, chewing problems). Stopped the drug, problems went away. Then Harry developed a large cyst and nail bed infection. He has been on Clavomox since.
We also started Trilostane last Friday to treat his Cushing's. Dosage was 2mg/kg once a day in the morning. We also ran a full blood panel and urinalysis - which showed normal glucose, kidney values, the same elevation in liver values, continuing elevation in choleterol, no infection in urine.
Harry's back gave out on Sunday, indicating that treatment for excess cortisol was revealing arthritis.
Two nights ago, he started to urinate a bit more.
Yesterday, his thirst and urination became excessive - either he was eating, drinking or urinating NON-STOP.
We took him in to the emergency vet. The vet tested his blood glucose, and his glucose level was 650!! This was a HUGE shock as his glucose level a week before was normal.
Now Harry is taking 9 units of insulin twice a day - we started him last night, and he is already showing some improvement with his drinking and urination.
The ER doctor works at the same office as our internist. We have an appointment with our internist on Monday to evaluate Harry's Trilostane treatment and re-evaluate Diabetes diagnosis / treatment.
We are in utter shock - where is this diabetes coming from? Could it have been Cushing's? I also read that it is difficult to control diabetes in a Cushing's dog. Could Harry's Cushing's diagnosis been faulty? Is he diabetic at all? We are really upset, down and confused, and would really appreciate any helpful insight.
Sorry that this post is so long, but I wanted to give a good background info on our baby.
About a year ago, Harry, who had been a very picky eater, suddenly started to eat everything, including dry kibble. His blood panel in December showed mildly elevated Alk Phos.
In February, Harry had a bout of gastritis - blood panel showed further increases in liver enzymes. We noticed also that he was drinking and urinating more. Other values OK except elevated cholesterol. Ultrasound showed normal organs except bilaterally enlarged adrenal glands. The vet and I discussed a potential for Cushing's, but since his symptoms were not too bad, we decided to just observe.
Harry also has proteinuria, and we saw a sudden jump from mild proteinuria to much higher numbers. We ran all sorts of tests, including lepto, tick panel, Lupus, U Tenn Adrenal Panel and Michigan State thyroid panel. Thyroids normal, Adrenal Panel came back hyperestrinismm, no infectious disease nor lupus. Good thyroid functions for a geriatric dog.
We started to treat Harry's hyperestrinism with melatonin and lignans. We also started him on low protein food and benazepril.Harry's coat never grew back after the ultrasound. He started to develop skin infections and cysts. Worsening hunger.
By then, our regular vet referred us to a specialist. The specialist and our vet were more concerned about glomerulonephritis (proteinuria), but we were aware that Harry may be a dog marching towards Cushing's.
Finally, we ran LDDS test - Harry did not show any suppression, showing positive diagnosis for Cushing's. For the first time, Harry's blood glucose level elevated, but still less than 200. No sugar in urine. This was less than a month ago.
Harry had gastritis three weeks ago. We started him on Flagyl, and he had a very allergic reaction (eye swelling, chewing problems). Stopped the drug, problems went away. Then Harry developed a large cyst and nail bed infection. He has been on Clavomox since.
We also started Trilostane last Friday to treat his Cushing's. Dosage was 2mg/kg once a day in the morning. We also ran a full blood panel and urinalysis - which showed normal glucose, kidney values, the same elevation in liver values, continuing elevation in choleterol, no infection in urine.
Harry's back gave out on Sunday, indicating that treatment for excess cortisol was revealing arthritis.
Two nights ago, he started to urinate a bit more.
Yesterday, his thirst and urination became excessive - either he was eating, drinking or urinating NON-STOP.
We took him in to the emergency vet. The vet tested his blood glucose, and his glucose level was 650!! This was a HUGE shock as his glucose level a week before was normal.
Now Harry is taking 9 units of insulin twice a day - we started him last night, and he is already showing some improvement with his drinking and urination.
The ER doctor works at the same office as our internist. We have an appointment with our internist on Monday to evaluate Harry's Trilostane treatment and re-evaluate Diabetes diagnosis / treatment.
We are in utter shock - where is this diabetes coming from? Could it have been Cushing's? I also read that it is difficult to control diabetes in a Cushing's dog. Could Harry's Cushing's diagnosis been faulty? Is he diabetic at all? We are really upset, down and confused, and would really appreciate any helpful insight.
Sorry that this post is so long, but I wanted to give a good background info on our baby.
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