Cushing’s-Vetoryl side effects?? HELP
 

Hello,
Our 13yo Lilly was having polydipsia, polyuria, frequent accidents in the house along with panting. Went to vet. Diabetes ruled out. Did a LDDS test for Cushings. Result were suggestive with a high level at 4 hours but high normal level at 8 hours. He starts her on 10mg Vetoryl. About 10 days in she not eating, panting and shaking. Back to vet and more test. This time we get the diagnosis of pancreatitis and get Reglan and gabapentin. Told to continue vetoryl. Now 3 weeks into vetoryl she has loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, muscle weakness especially in the back legs, mild lethargy and shaking. Another vet visit and more blood work and xrays. Diagnosed with a collapsed disc in the spine?? Continue vetoryl. Vet wants to do an ACTH Stim test tomorrow. I believe we are seeing vetoryl side effects that will kill our precious Lilly if we continue. Would like to have taken her to Michigan State University where she had her tracheal stent but that is not very close when follow up visits are important. Could do a large specialty vet practice that is closer but hate to put a couple more thousand into duplicating tests etc... Anyone with similar experience/advice? Thanks!!

Oh my that sounds terrible , I hope someone can give you some advice .

I am so sorry to hear all of this. It is so hard to have sick pups. I have a friend who is going through something similar. I will message her to perhaps help you out a bit....

I will add that with all of that, I would go to the specialist. They should not have to repeat tests that have been done already.....

.I have a 12.5 yo little female that also has been diagnosed with Cushing's, PLN, IVDD and numerous other problems. She was recently hospitalized with pancreatitis and what we thought was a flare up of her IVDD (ruptured disc). She is also on Trilostane (Vetoryl), as well as Telmisartan, Gabapentin and Benazepril. She was diagnosed early, so we never saw the signs of increased thirst or urination but I do have a male that was diagnosed with Atypical Cushing's that exhibited the panting you describe. We have seen no side effects from the medications and her blood work and STEM tests remain stable for now. We do go to an Internal Medicine specialist that is well versed in treating Cushing's and I think that has made a huge difference. I've yet to find a general vet that I trust completely to treat this complicated condition, especially considering her other problems. I'm sure there are very competent general vets out there, I've just not been able to find one I trust! How much does your little one weigh. I know they started Lola out on a very conservative dose and moved her up ever so gradually. If fact, we have to have her meds compounded and she still is only at 3mg of Trilostane(Vetoryl), but she is tiny at 3.5 lbs.

She weighs about 10lbs and was on 10mg of vetoryl. Stopped the vetoryl today as she is just getting worse since starting it. Going to let her cortisol levels come up and let her get back to herself. Will probably go to a IM specialist. Covid makes all this that much harder when you are mostly dealing with them over the phone while you wait in the parking lot.

I agree, I hated that. I know when we started the Trilostane we tested her, then tested her again at 10 days to check her levels, then again at 3 months. She usually goes every 3 months to be tested to make sure she's still on the correct dose. They have only increased her once and that was by 0.1ML - a really tiny amount. Good luck with you baby - it's a really costly disease.

They are expensive dogs in general. Wish I got insurance. Our Lilly has had both subluxating knees repaired and a torn ACL surgery. She also has the $5,000 tracheal stent. It only gets better because our 12 yo yorkie Lucy also has a tracheal stent she got about 5 years ago. I always joke I have over $20,000 in these dogs. Hey they are part of the family!!

Totally relate to both of you! Crazy expensive little ones. I now have pet insurance on three of mine...but of course they are healthy so far. What I spent in years past is horrifying. LOL

All I can say is, "No comment", as I have 6 little eyes staring at me now! I totally understand - others think I'm crazy...sometimes if I'd let myself add the total costs, I might have to agree!

The side effects are why I choose to treat my Callie the more suggested “natural” route. To much of that medication can send your dog into Addisins. I just was not comfortable with medication. I’m sorry you are having to go through this.

Thumper has been on Veteryl for about 3 years. Lucky with him he does not seem to have any of the side effects you mentioned going through with your pup. That being said since being diagnosed with Cushing's other issues have popped up and he is now on a mixture of meds.

If Thumper was having any type of side effects I would ask the vet if there was another medication to try. I know Veteryl is considered the standard drug but I believe when I started out on this journey with Thumper they mentioned other meds as options as well.

Update on Lilly. We took her to a specialty vet hospital. The vet believes her cortisol was over corrected. A week off vetoryl and giving her some fluids and steroids we have our old Lilly back!! She did an ACTH stim test and it was normal. If she starts showing symptoms of Cushings again we will do another stim test and start on a lower dose of vetoryl. Incidentally we found a lump in her neck which a biopsy showed it to be likely thyroid cancer. Of course they recommend an expensive surgery. Don’t know how we will approach this.

Thank you for updating. So glad Lilly is feeling better. Sorry about the thyroid cancer possibility.

I'm glad she is back to normal. I'm so sorry about the possible thyroid cancer. I know very little about it in dogs just humans because my dad had it and had to have his thyroid removed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.