Possible Cushings Disease??
 

Hello, This may be a long post so I appologize ahead of time. I'll try to keep it simple. Approximately 3 days ago, my yorkie got into food that wasn't his. He ended up getting several bites of Little Ceasears food that is a treat for one of my other dogs. Mikki has a very sensitive stomach and when this happened once before, be vomited and had diareaha for one or two days and then began eating again. This time, I think something more serious is going on. He did not have any diareaha but did throw up for two days. This is the morning of the 4th day and he still has not eaten anything (so it's been 3 days with only just a handfull of chicken) he is drinking lots of water and I have given him karo syrup to keep his blood sugar up. He is walking around but is definitely not himself. While researching on the internet I came accross the symptoms for Cushings. Mikki has many of the symptoms like the potbelly, excessive drinking and peeing and is constantly hungry. Now I'm confused because although he has all of these symptoms on a regular basis, right now he's not eating at all and I understand throwing up is not a symptom for Cushings. I need to get him to eat something until I can get him to our vet tomorrow. I'm scared that it's been three days now with just water, karo syrup and a handfull of chicken. Could someone please help me know what to do for him? Thanks so much......Kayla

I would not try to diagnose him yourself over the internet. The main concern at this point is that he hasn't eaten for three days. He is probably dehydrated which can be very serious, even fatal, because it causes a dangerous electrolyte balance. Do you have an ER vet in your area? If he were mine I would not wait another day.

Letting him drink too much water will make things way worse as you are diluting the electrolytes. you can pick up pedialyte from your drugstore, it is in the baby section of the drug store and it is an electrolyte solution. You can give as much as 9 cc's at a time maybe acouple of cc's wait a bit give another bit wait a bit then the 3rd, doing this 3 times a day. BUT if he throws it back up it won't do any good.
To properly diagnose if it is cushings the vet needs to run a blood test for potassium/sodium levels. The symptoms can be similiar to other bowel issues.
I agree with the other poster, you need to try find a good Vet today that can take action with him. A vet can pull a blood sample, put him on IV or put inject fluid under the skin to take care of dehydration. They can go down and be in crisis in less than 24 hours.

My pom had Cushing's and one of the most prevalent symptoms were her excessive hunger and thirst. SHe had the pot belly and hair loss on her sides and tail. She was almost 10 when diagnosed. At first they thought it was thyroid, but meds didn't clear it up I took her to a specialist and they did special testing an an ultrasound to diagnose. I agree you need to get him seen by a vet right away an get a true diagnosis and then go from there. Cushing's usually affects older dogs, so I don't know how old your little guy is but if he is young, Cushing's may not be what he has. Good luck and keep us posted.

Update on Mikki
 

Hello and thank you for the response. Just after I read your messages, I took Mikki to the emergency vet. He is there now and after having xrays and bloodwork what they've told me so far is that he has a bad case of pancreatitis which may have been caused by the irritation of eating the food he wasn't used to. There are a few other things going on as well and they are looking at Cushings and Diabetes. They've told me they will know more after some of the intraveinous meds and more bloodwork to see if any of these elevated levels have come down. I don't have a copy of the bloodwork right now but from what I can gather (I was very upset and trying to take it all in) diabetes is what he is leaning towards. He said that he's very sick but is hopeful that the fluids and antibiotics will calm the pancreatitis down and we can manage whatever else is wrong at that time.

Any feedback on the things that I mentioned would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking on the internet but there are so many conflicting things, I don't know where to start.

Thanks again.

Kayla

I am so glad you listened to us and took Mikki to the vet! Pancreatitis is very serious and can even be life threatening if not treated promptly.

Please keep us posted on his recovery!

Mikki
 

Thank you. I just couldn't take the chance of waiting any longer. I just got an update from his Dr. and he said he is sitting up in his cage and looking around for the first time since he got there.......big change from when he was first admitted. He is receiving two antibiotics, fluids, potassium and insulin and his sugar was 402 which is still high but they are watching him closely and adjusting the insulin accordingly. Depending on his numbers in the morning, there's a good possibility he will be transferred to a specialist in my area around 9am. The Dr. at the emergency vet has already notified them and they will have their team waiting when we get there. I hope and pray they can get him stabilized from this pancreatitis so we can move on to treating the other problem, whatever it may be.......Diabetes, Cushings or both. Whatever I have to do to keep him comfortable and happy. Thank you again for your response and I will update as I hear from the Dr.

Kayla

I am so glad he is getting treatment. I hope he is much better tomorrow and can come home soon.

So they are treating him w/insulin already? They must suspect diabetes. Pancreatitis and diabetes go hand and hand.

Lady has been diabetic for eight years. Her blood glucose (sugar) was about 400 when she was first diagnosed. FYI, normal is 70-120.

I wonder if he is experiencing ketoacidosis?

http://www.caninediabetes.org/pdorg/ketoacidosis.htm

I am so glad you took him to the ER vet!

Prayers for Mikki. :)

Mikki
 

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?

Any and all advice much appreciated.

Thanks,

Kayla

Excessive urination and drinking, hunger are all signs of diabetes among other things, but truthfully, I wouldn't try to second guess the vets at this point. Mikki's got a lot going on and your vet will have to put his symptoms and test results together.

Try to just concentrate on getting him over the pancreatitis at this point. I know that's easier said than done!

Mikki
 

Ladymom, It is now 2:30 am and I just got another update from Mikki's Dr. They say that yes, he is experiencing Ketoacidosis and is not making huge improvements, but is not declining either. They strongly recommend that I transport him to the Specialist in the morning. I'm scared to death about disconnecting him from this medicine and moving him 30 minutes away but I guess they have no choice because they are the emergency vet and will be closing in the morning. I'm a wreck now and can't sleep. They told me that they have seen dogs in Mikki's condition recover from this quite well but it takes extensive intervention, which I am of course willing to do. I'm just so worried about moving him tomorrow. Do you know anything about the Ketoacidosis?
Thanks
Kayla

Ketoacidosis is actually just diabetes in a severe form. I would definitely think a specialist is in order here.
I am sure he will be ok for the trip....they will probably medicate him enough so that he can be transported.
I will say prayers that the specialist can stabilize him.

Here is a link with some information that might help explain this better:


Canine Ketoacidosis

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?

Checking for an update.

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

Mikki Update
 

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

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.

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 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).

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

Keeping Mikki in my prayers to make a speedy recovery.

How is Mikki doing today?

Mikki Update
 

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

Mikki and urine test strips
 

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

test strips
 

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.

test strips
 

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

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