Wylie has Hypothyroid, Pyoderma, and maybe Cushing's Disease

[Jenn218]

Oh Ann.......I am sorry to hear about this ordeal! I am so glad that you took that leap of faith and went to another vet.....Good for you!

Please keep us all posted.....and give that baby a big hug from all of us here!

[Yorkielove1]

i am SO Sorry your going through this.. my prayers are with you...

[LuvMySissy]

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.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

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.

good call Jodie- never thougth of Susan- definitly worth a call!

[chandracz]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

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.

Oh Ann,

I'm sooooooo very very sorry about little Wylie. I will keep the little guy in my prayers. Please keep us updated on how your little baby is doing...

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

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...

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!

[LDandPasquale]

Thank god you followed your motherly instincts. Hopefully Wylie can now get the help he needs. I will keep Wylie in my prayers and please keep us updated on how he's doing.

[Cinq1964]

I am so sorry! I defintely keep you both in my prayers!

[Trixter]

Just reading this. I know you must be worried. Thinking positive thoughts for your babies.

[YorkichonBella]

Sending Prayers for Wylie!
Thank goodness you got him the care that was needed! I hope u get the opportunity to tell the original Vet Wylie's story (in person) & how upset u r. This happened to me.....I always regretted never telling the doctor what he misdiagnosed or should I say didn't even try to diagnose. This was about my own health.
Hoping that the meds will now help Wylie & that it isn't anything worse. HUGS!

[bchgirl]

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.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by kalina82

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!

That's also what's odd about this...he's only 4.5 years old, so it's unusual - but not unheard of. Isn't that weird? I will say, he did not come from a good breeder, so there is no telling if this is in his line or what. It seems the cause of Cushing's is not really understood.

I've been reading about the sugery...and I agree, it looks very complex and risky - and the dog is at quite a risk for the 6 mths following the surgery; I will be sure I check out the surgeon if it comes to that. The "mecca" of clinics I'm going to has all kinds of specialties - this is where the derm is - and she is the one who recommended this specific Internist - so at least I feel good about seeing this new vet tomorrow. I will ask the Internist about the surgeon specialties they have there too.

I don't even know what to hope for...I mean, on one hand - I'd rather it was adrenal so we could remove it...on the other, I almost hope it's pituitary and tiny and he could live w/ it forever w/ meds. But then, you get into the medications to manage it - and those are awful medications too.

And then the prognosis is alllll over the board ! Some say 2 years, some say a dog can live 10 more years. I think I need to remember that *most* dogs are diagnosed so late in life -- and that's probably why the prognosis numbers are skewed. Don't you think?

Thanks for all of your help and kind words...I know I'll get him through this...and I'm still holding out that it's only thyroid - but either way, it just helps to post about it and hear others' thoughts.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

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.

LOL! I know!! I was thinking "I hope Deb doesn't see this bc she had me ALL calmed down earlier today...and now I'm catastrophic AGAIN" -- seriously, I started googling again and I was right back in worst case scenario. I told you I needed you to lock me a dark closet! Thanks for making me giggle.

[pea496]

I'll be thinking of Wylie and hoping for the best.

[Maxi]

Oh Ann! I am sorry to hear about this problem. I will keep Wylie in my thoughts.