[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Oh Linda, he is just PRECIOUS. Can I just say, once again, thank you for all that you do in rescue !!! I am so happy he is with you.

I wonder why they aren't Dx Cushings since he has the elevated cortisol along w/ some unique signalment (skin infection, hair loss - this fella's pattern loss is SO like Cushings - Wylie only had some thinning). Did they say they wanted more signalment (because you usually look for at least 3)? Dogs may only have a few at a time.

You have such a marvelous vet though - but it might be worth contacting Dr. Jack Oliver when cases are not clear cut - for Cushings/adrenal stuff. He is very responsive and he is incredible at dealing w/ the oddball cases (look at his published studies, just amazing). I can't recommend him enough - Wylie's internist (who specializes in Cushings, and her own dog has Cushings) consults w/ him often and my generalist just consulted w/ him in Dec. for Wylie again (for a med change).

Oh! And I forget to answer one of your original questions - yes, melatonin can work great for some dogs! And, there are Melatonin implants you can get, if it does work. It really depends on the Dx and/or if there is something going on w/ the sex hormones. See this Treatment sheet, and also #13 for Dr. Oliver contact info. And here is their endocrine lab - this is where blood is sent to test the intermediate sex hormones.



I didn't even *see* that ! I was tracking right with your description, and did not even see the "excessive" - my brain edited it out once I saw the poly, lol! That's funny . Excessive polyexcessiveness, I'm on board .

He was diagnosed with cushings by the first vet to see him. (But, I must add he did not do the testing he should have done.) I had someone else foster him for a couple of months before I could get him. I brought him to my home in December...when my vet saw him and reviewed his records, she immediately questioned the diagnosis of cushings.

She is confident it is not cushings and took his records to rounds a couple of weeks ago. She does rounds with other vets and specialists in the area and they agreed with her diagnosis.

She said that he simply would not have the normal blood and urine results that he has if he had cushings. I have questioned her a few times about this. I will consider whether or not to have her consult with someone else. I honestly believe she knows what she is talking about. I suppose she could be wrong, but my instinct tells me she is right. Yes, there is hair loss...but that is what happens with pseudo cushings. That is the only real sign he has. He has NO other symptoms at all.