Cushings in a dog

[Joni686]

I am waiting for an answer from my Vet. regarding blood work done today on my dog Sadie.  She said she looks like she has Cushings.  She said it is treatable but not curable.  Does anyone know the standard treatment for Cushings in a dog?  I am so worried about her.  She is 12 years old.
Joni

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Luckily there are several treatment options for Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Syndrome).  Treatments include: Anipryl, which is a cognitive dysfunction medication that helps with the symptoms of PU/PD (increased urination and increased drinking), or, ketoconazole, or, lysodren, and  the newest medication, Trilostane.  Other treatments include radiation therapy which selectively destroys a pituitary tumor,(if a pituitary tumor is present, and is the cause of the Cushing's).  There are also Chinese herbal formulas such as Rehmannia 14 which are good supportive therapies and which can sometimes be utilized as the only therapy on occasion.

Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms and the severity of the disease.  Many veterinarians will begin with Anipryl, for example,  to just control the symptoms of Cushing's.   If Anipryl fails they may then try ketoconazole.  If ketoconazole is ineffective, then they may try Lysodren, etc, etc.

Good control is achievable with the correct medication, or combination of medications, and hopefully Sadie should do just fine.  Let us know the outcome,  and, Good Luck!

[Joni686]

Thank you so much for your answer.  I am somewhat relieved to hear there are treatments that will help her.  The last thing I want to do is have her live in pain.  She also seems to be limping on her front right paw and the doctor felt around on her and said she thought maybe a vertibrae in her neck area was giving her some trouble but she din't seem to be in a lot of pain and she couldn't give her steroids because of the Cushings.

Thanks again so much for your answer.  I really appreciate you.

Joni