Originally Posted by LuvMySissy (Post 2607718)

Ann - I am so sorry to hear this. Good for you for being Wylie's advocate and listening to your instincts. Remember that Susan Davis may have some recommendaitons for Wylie as well. Sending our thoughts and prayers along.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 2607352)

I'll try not to make this too long...but let it be a real lesson if any vet keeps telling you that your dog's skin issues are *nothing*. I've taken Wylie to the vet about 4 times in the last 3-4 months bc something did not seem right. The issues were mainly skin, fur, and more recently - a huge increase in his water-drinking and peeing frequency. EVERY time, my vet said "all normal" and I left feeling like a crazy person.

In the meantime, the same vet told me that Marcel could absolutely *not* be given Atopica for his seasonal allergies. Here is a pause for you to imagine my blood boiling out my ears at that statement _________. That was the last straw - and I made an appt. with a Vet Dermatologist for Marcel bc I knew what my vet said was wrong. ON A WHIM, I decided to make an appt. that day w/ the Derm for Wylie as well -- just to see what she had to say about Wylie's skin/fur/drinking/peeing. [before I move on -- yes, Marcel *can* have Atopica and he's doing well on it, day 2].

So, she looks at Wylie and immediately diagnoses Pyoderma (secondary to disease state), which he basically has all over his skin (I KNEW it was not just "dry, seasonal skin" :(!). When I tell her about the thirst, peeing etc. - she says we need to check for diabetes, thyroid, and do a screening test (not diagnostic) for Cushing's.

Well, he is not diabetic - but he has hypothyroid and I'm bringing him to an Internist Tuesday morning to explore the Cushing's bc his urine had high cortisol (urine I collected at home, when he was not stressed, btw). The hypothyroid could be secondary to the Cushing's (if he has Cushing's) bc excess cortisol suppresses TSH.

Cushing's would mean either a pituitary tumor or adrenal gland tumor - and it is a tough disease. I sooooo hope he doesn't have it and that somehow the hypothyroid is all that this is, but I just don't know. If they do the test tomorrow (which takes 8 hours) - I don't know when I'll have results, if it's right away or takes a few days. Does anyone know?

Anyway, please keep Wylie in your thoughts.

And please...if you ever have an undiagnosed skin issue - push push PUSH - until you truly have a diagnosis of 1) confirmed allergies - or 2) secondary to disease - because it IS either/or. The skin is such a vital organ...and it can tell us so clearly that something is very wrong...and if your own vet won't listen, find one that will.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 2607639)

I'm glad you saw this, Kellie :).

Oddly, he doesn't have "pot belly" - but I have thought for months that he feels more boney and has lost muscle mass -- but his weight is pretty much the same. So, it "feels" like a redistribution of muscle mass - which would make one think more cushingoid. He has terrible polydipsia and polyuria, which worries me more about Cushing's. He does have an increased appetite - but since I feed 2x day - he can't really overeat. He has so many signs of Cushing's...

...but then again, I have to say that he has ALL of his usual tons-of-energy, is not lethargic at all (although his duration of fetching is a bit shorter - he tires a little quicker and I have noticed this). He definitely has the skin and fur issues that come w/ Cushings...although these could also be just from hypothryoid.

I'm not totally sure which test they'll do, but I'm kind of assuming after reading my eyes out that they'll do that 8hr test (and the Derm also mentioned that test) -- and then if they do feel it's Adrenal (please no...), then I'm guessing they'd want to do an US to see if it's operable...and we'd also have to figure out if it's benign or malignant.

Even though adrenal is somewhat worse in terms of prognosis, at least it may be operable. But the operation is said to be "extremely complicated" -- so that's scary.

This might be just hypothyroid though....my hubby keeps telling me to focus on it being only that...but you know how worried you get and you think the worst...:confused:

Originally Posted by kalina82 (Post 2607753)

How old is Wylie now? he's only a few years old right?

unfortunately with his symptoms is does sounds like cushings... :( but there is a possibility its not.

If it is cushings and its determined that he has an adrenal mass they will probably monitor it for the first few months. U/S will be needed to check the growth every few months. if its rapidly growing, i think they'll want to take it out since Wylie is young and otherwise healthy. I don't know if they do biopsies first under ansesthesia with a U/S needle guided aspiration. I don't know a lot about this as i was on the surgery end of the disease and not the internal medicine end.

I had assisted in a few adrenalectomies before and it is quite complicated. Not to get graphic but when the dog is on the operating table on his back all the other organs are basically on top of the adrenal glads. With a smaller dog it might be easier since they are not as deep. As you known and i'm sure you'd do, i recommend a board certified surgeon to do this surgery. Are you going to an Internist at a referral center? If so they probably have a surgeon there that would do the surgery. These dogs need to be highly monitored during and post surgery. Many test need to be run prior, during, and post to make sure the patient is doing ok. After all is said and done, many dogs do great afterwards. I'm not sure if they need to be on meds for life after surgery.

Wylie has a lot of things going for him and I know he is going to be ok no matter what happens! :)

Originally Posted by bchgirl (Post 2607858)

Ann, Ann, Ann....have we not discussed this today? He does not have cushings...step away from google, g-friend.

Sending prayers...crossing paws and fingers.