Dog with Cushings Disease

[April2]

Hello. I have a maltese mix who was diagnosed with Cushings Disease several months ago. The vet said there's medication but that it's very expensive and doesn't seem to prolong their life. I made the decision to just watch him and let him live out his life. He's 11 years old. This last year I've noticed a decline in him somewhat but not sure if it's because of the Cushings or just old age. He has trouble with his back legs a lot now just suddenly giving out especially on stairs. He struggles to get up if he's been laying down for awhile. I also don't think he sees or hears as well as he used to. He's overweight which seems to partly go with the Cushings. We have him on a low-fat diet and it doesn't seem to help much. I try to walk him but he tires out easily and I wind up having to carry him home because he'll sit down and refuse to walk anymore! And just last night he was breathing funny. At first he was panting really hard for a long time. I kept checking the AC and turning it on more. Finally he stopped panting but was snoring and making funny noises for hours before he finally quieted down. He has snored before but not sounded like that. Today he's acting ok. Is this all signs of aging? Could some of it be the Cushings? Also, I told the vet sometimes he will try to get up and his back legs act like they're frozen and he can't come to me. I'll call him and he struggles to come but can't for several seconds and then he can walk again. It's weird. I've tried to describe it to the vet. I wish I had a video of it. Could this just be arthritis? Or could he be having a mild seizure from time to time? He's kind of gone down hill more this last year. I wonder, sadly, sometimes if this will be his last year.

[Dazy69]

Rogue River, are you actually the VET?

[lindapalm]

Thank You for fostering the seniors, who often get left behind because everyone wants a cute puppy or kitten.  It is so great that this girl won't have to go through the Cushings on her own, and she'll get the love she deserves.  I'm not familiar with the meds you are using, we used Vetoryl, and had no luck, so I hope your meds do the trick and keep helping.  Its a shame there aren't more people like you, I wish you luck.

[ginger899]

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a similar problem with your dog, please start a new post. It will get a LOT more attention.

To post a question: Go to the top of this page, and click on the orange button on the left where it says "Post a Question". Then simply add a title for your question, and underneath, describe the problem (in as much detail as you like). Add "tags" if you wish, using main keywords in what you have written (but you don't have to)  If you wish to add a photo, click on "Add Photo", just underneath the "Tags" section.Then scroll down a little, and click on the green button where it says "post a Question". And your question will be displayed immediately on the Dogs Community page.

[ginger899]

JJ, it's great, what you have done for this dog. You are right. A sick dog has less of a chance of finding a happy home, and that is so sad. Thank heavens for people like you!

As this is a very old thread you contributed to, you would have a MUCH better chance of getting some excellent attention to your question if you were to start a whole new post. Sometimes, the old posts get kind of "sidelined".
I am sure there are a lot of people here who can give you some ideas and great support.

[JJ2744]

Hello, I came across this site by accident while searching for info. on Canine Cushings Disease.  I am a foster mother with a local dog rescue group [Last Day Dog Rescue, MI], and my newest house guest is an older boxer girl, probably 9 years old or so.  She looks pretty rough, and extensive testing shows she has Cushings Disease.  We are in the midst of determining a treatment plan for her.  She is my first foster with confirmed Cushings.

One thing that she is experiencing, that I have not seen mentioned elsewhere, is dramatic weight loss.  Despite small meals and treats continuously through-out the day, this poor girl has gone from 50.4 pounds to 43.1 in 33 days.  She is on a trial of Ketoconazole, 400mg bid, plus Cephalexan 500mg to address skin infection due to extreme hair loss.  Does anyone have any thoughts to share on this?

Today I ordered a trial of Cushex Drops by PetAlive to promote adrenal gland balance.  It was a fairly expensive product, but online reviews from various website were mostly positive.  Has anyone on this forum used this product, and if so, please share your comments/thoughts.

She is a sweet girl, very gentle and well trained; obviously someone's companion at some point in her life.  She was found exhausted, weak, and extremely underweight in a rural area by a good samaritan who took her in.  Although she is available for adoption, she may become a permanent house guest since most folks don't want to adopt a knowingly ill dog.

For all of you dealing with this disease, and others that affect our canine companions, know I understand your pain, both in heartache and financially.  Since I foster only senior dogs, I have seen many with various ailments and terminal diseases.  Losing a devoted friend is heart breaking.

Best to all,
JJ  

[petlover420]

It would help if you would spell check before you comment..cannot understand anything you wrote