Possible Cushings Disease??

[Ladymom]

Lady had ketoacidosis once about a year after she was diagnosed. It was very scary and she was hospitalized for close to a week, but she recovered fully.

Pets with Diabetes: Ketoacidosis

How is Mikki this morning?

[Ladymom]

Checking for an update.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Checking for an update.

Me, too. I am so concerned about this little one.

[kokopelli]

Hello,

Well, a long day. My husband and I were at the emergency vet at 7am to take Mikki to the specialist this morning. Last nights updates were scary for me because at 9pm, 12am and 3:30 am they were reporting to me very little change but what change did occur was in the positive direction. When we got there to speak with the Dr's this morning, there had been significant change between 3:30 and 7:00 am......his numbers were looking much better at that point. Mikki made the trip with me holding him in the backseat in his favorite blanket while Daddy drove us to the new hospital. He was awake the whole time and seemed more alert. He was happy to see us for sure. When we made it to the new place, he decided he wanted to walk around and check things out...of course we let him. His little bandaged leg with the cath still in he wandered around and explored. We were sooooooo happy to see that but he did get a little tired and then we said our goodbye's and they took him to the treatment area. The specialist met with us and went over everything. She thinks that he is still not out of the woods yet but he is moving in a positive direction. Pancreatitis is responding to the antibiotics and he is handling the insulin. The other numbers are slowly improving. She called me after his ultrasound and reported that his adreanal glands look good and she does not suspect cushings at all. His liver is enlarged but she thinks that is due to the diabetes and she saw no indication of tumers, cancer, etc. She will be treating him specifically for the pancreatitis and diabetes and with all hope, we should be able to bring him home in three or four days and begin his insulin shots. She told us that he is still in kedoacidocis (sp?) and the next day or two will be critical in knowing how things will turn out. She will NOT tell me that he is out of the woods yet....no matter how much I dig for it but she is hopeful that all will go as planned. She also said that "most" dogs recover from it but there are so many things that could go wrong until he's out of this danger phase. We are hoping and praying that things go well..........we miss him being here so much. He has not ever been away from us, even for a night, in 4 years except to be neutered. Please send positive thoughts our way and I will let you know how things evolve as I get updates. Thank you all so much for your concern.....it is wonderful to know that this site is here when things like this happen and you don't know where to turn for support. Now, I have to try to sleep......I have been up since 6am Sunday......I guess that's almost 40 hours straight now. I'm so tired I can't think....lol. Please pray for my little Mikki....thanks again. Kayla

[ladyjane]

I am SO relieved to see this update and so happy to hear that Mikki is responding to the meds.

He is a lucky boy to have such a wonderful family that is clearly providing the best for him! Bless you both!

I will keep little Mikki and you, Kayla, and your husband in my thoughts and prayers.

[Ladymom]

Thank you for updating us! I know how scary ketoacidosis is.

I know they can't promise you that Mikki is out of the woods, but the fact that he is responding to his meds and insulin is very good news. When Lady had ketoacidosis it took about five days, but she recovered 100%. The last couple of days my vet even allowed me to bring her home at night when they closed and bring her back right at 7:30 in the morning when they opened. She ate and slept better at home.

I will keep Mikki in my prayers and please update us when you can.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by kokopelli

Thank you so much for the link. The Dr. didn't mention anything about Ketoacidocis but definitely does suspect diabetes. I have a question and maybe you will know......or if anyone reading this knows, please feel free to answer as well.

Mikki is showing so many signs of Cushings but he is only 4 years old. He has the excessive drinking and peeing, always hungry, calcium bump on his back, potbelly and I've noticed a tiny bit of his hair coming out when I pet him. Are these symptom also associated with diabetes or pancreatitus? Or, what is something else that has the same symptoms and also, can a 4 year old dog get cushings?

Wylie was 4 yrs old when he was first diagnosed w/ Atypcial Cushings...so, yes, it's not unheard of. If Cushings is suspected, they should also check the thyroid and diabetes (which you already are).

Originally Posted by kokopelli

She called me after his ultrasound and reported that his adreanal glands look good and she does not suspect cushings at all. His liver is enlarged but she thinks that is due to the diabetes and she saw no indication of tumers, cancer, etc.

Normal adrenals does not rule out Cushings AT ALL, just so you know. Many dogs, including my Wylie, have perfect-appearing adrenals - and still have Cushings. Your dog has/had very classic signalment for Cushings - so please don't discount this, as yet.

To rule out/rule in Cushings - there need to be very specific tests that accompany an ultrasound. If/when Cushings is suspected -- one usually starts with the Cortisol-Creatinine Ratio Urine test. Then, based on those results - the progression would be to LDDS test and Ultrasound. Since you already did the U/S - it may be more prudent to think about the LDDS test.

Cushings can be very difficult to diagnose (even more so if it's Atypical Cushings)...so, just keep this in mind as it may be too soon to completely rule it out. And ultrasound alone cannot diagnose (or rule out) Cushings.

This is probably my favorite overview for Cushings: Cushings

[Patti]

Keeping Mikki in my prayers to make a speedy recovery.

[Ladymom]

How is Mikki doing today?

[kokopelli]

Hi Everyone,

It's been a couple of months since our scare with Mikki. He is doing very well and is getting his insulin twice a day. He doesn't seem to mind at all and is back to his crazy little self! He is on Hills Perscription Diet WD and absolutely loves it. I'm so thankful for that because our previous Yorkie, Milo, had liver shunt surgery and had to stay on LD and he just hated it.

I was wondering if there is anything I can feed him in the event he can't get his WD? We almost had that situation and do everything to prevent it but I don't want to be in the situation and not know what to give him. Also, does anyone know what treats I could give him? Out other two either miss out on treats because I can't give them to Mikki or I have to be really sneaky and give them.........and I'm convinced Mikki can tell when they've had a treat and he hasn't! lol.

We love our Little Man so much and even though it's alot of work keeping him healthy, we are just so grateful that he is still with us and seems to be handling the diabetes like a little champ!

Thank you all again for all of the concern and advice you showed me when we were going through all of this......it really helped get me through.

Kayla and Mikki Man

[kokopelli]

Hello, I forgot to ask this in the previous post. I'm supposed to be checking Mikki's urine with these test strips but I can't seem to catch him peeing and if I do, he usually takes off when he see's me coming!

How do I get a urine sample from this little Monster?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kayla & Mikki

[angeleyes]

Originally Posted by kokopelli

Hello, I forgot to ask this in the previous post. I'm supposed to be checking Mikki's urine with these test strips but I can't seem to catch him peeing and if I do, he usually takes off when he see's me coming!

How do I get a urine sample from this little Monster?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kayla & Mikki

Kayla, does Mikki use pee pads or go ouside? If you can get him to use a pee pad and put a doubled newspaper down on top of the pad it should leave a little puddle on the newspaper. You can quickly dip the stick in that. Hope that may help. It also saves on pads as then I throw the paper away and replace it and still use the pad several more times. Good luck.

[kokopelli]

Thank you Angeleyes. Mikki uses puppy pads and goes potty outside too. I will definitely try the newspaper trick. Great idea and Thanks again!

Kayla & Mikki

[Sammy Mommy]

Sending good thoughts and good wishes to you and Mikki!!