Dog with Cushings

[lrp16]

We have a "permanent" foster dog (Boston Terrier) who was dumped and tied to a tree for 3 days.  We approximate his age at 10yrs. He had all the tests run and has been diagnosed with Cushings. He's been on medication for the last 5 months.  We are babysitting a Boston/Pug and she keeps sniffing him and licking his face and belly.  Our vet seems to think there is a possible growth in his belly, but we are waiting to hear back from a Radiologist once she has examined the x-rays. Our foster Porter has been coughing much more and he can be a heavy breather at times. Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions?

[em722]

I'm so sorry to hear about you losing your Duke. They become a fixture in your life and it takes time to adjust to their absence, doesn't it?  I'm glad Duke got to be with responsible, loving pet owners. I'm sure he had a really good life with you.

Did the vet explain Porter's coughing? Buddy didn't cough and I just looked up the most common symptoms of Cushing's and coughing isn't among them. Sounds like you and the vet are on a reasonable course of treatment, though.
Take care and keep posting.
Em

[lrp16]

Thank you both. They feel confident about his medication levels he's on two different doses, 50mg Vetoryl in morning and 35mg Vetoryl at night. I talked to the vet and the BT rescue and they both agree that we should keep him on his meds, but not do any further testing. They feel that because of his age and our lack of his previous medical knowledge we could be going in circles.  As long as Porter is comfortable, eating and happy we will hang in there. It's heart breaking to see him coughing so badly and we feel a little helpless. We began fostering Porter exactly one week after losing our sweet Boston Terrier Duke at the ripe old age of 14 1/2. He too was a rescue, but his liver decided it was time to pack it in. Porter was going to be a temporary foster, but we all fell in love and now he's part of the pack. lol

[lindapalm]

I agreewith em722, Cushings is a horrible disease, but your dog is so lucky to have someone trying to help him live with it.  Our dog also didn't cough, but would constantly breath heavily.  Does the vet feel he's on the right dosage after five months?  Hows his appetite and energy level?

[em722]

I can only offer my empathy. Our 14 year old dog had Cushings and sadly died this year. We did not opt to put him on Cushing's meds because of their side effects and his advanced age. We did give him a homeopathic supplement that seemed to ease his symptoms. He became very anxious as the diseased advanced and we got a prescription to help calm him and also something for pain. He didn't cough, but did breathe heavily.
I am so glad you have rescued this precious terrier! He is so lucky to have loving caretakers who will get help for him for this disease.