Excess water/urintating/panting/throwing up

[badkitty4x4]

I have an older Beagle, not sure on the age as I adopted her fours years ago and she was already white on the face. I assume she is 12+.  She is on daily medication for an under active thyroid and has been for 3 years now.  Her intake of water was more than normal as the vet told me would be with the thyroid pills.  However, this last week it has increased gradually and today, allowing her to drink at will she has had about 144oz of water.  She has also thrown up twice, both had food in it.  This week she has also began panting at night and seems to be uncomfortable while trying to get to sleep.  I am worried about her, and would like to make her as comfortable as possible.  Is this an extreme concern for her health or just a type of toxin she is trying to eliminate?  Thank you!!!

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

It sounds as if she has hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Syndrome).
Have a senior blood profile and urinalysis performed along with an ACTH Stim test and/or, a Dexamethasone Suppression Test for diagnosis.

Cushing's syndrome can be well controlled with prescription medications, and occasionally with Herbal Medication.

[badkitty4x4]

Thank you for your help.  When I took her in on Monday and had blood tests and x-rays done it turned out to be a lot of little problems and two huge problems all intermingling together. She had developed diabetes with her blood sugar level at 600 and the blood test of her liver was so big the chart would not register it. Her liver was 3 times the size it should be and she had many signs of pancreas disease (tumor could not be confirmed without surgery) and the pancreas not performing correctly.  Pretty much she was in system shut-down.  She was horribly miserable and the vet told us we could give it the old college try but could not guarantee even close that she would walk out of there after treatment. Seeing her like that was horrible and I did what I felt was in her best interest, although for sure not mine. We put her down and hopefully she went peacefully and is in no more horrible pain. I don't recall any drastic signs over the last few months and I hope this wasn't something we could have caught sooner.  I adopted her as a senior dog and did not know her medical history, so the comfort I have is that I at the very least extended her life by 5 years and gave her a couch to rest on in her old days.  The vet placed her at around 15 years so she had a good run.

[Sandra_G]

I am so sorry to read about your dog. You are very courageous to do that for your pet.
It was so nice of you to rescue an adult dog. I know that you loved your dog & she had to love you too, for all that you did for her. I wish things were different for her & you.

I read about so many people waiting so long to put thier pet at peace.  It's a very personal matter..right , wrong or indifferent.  I can't imagine what I will do when it comes to my Julie's time but I hope that I am as strong as you are.
God Bless you
Sandy