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.

[petlover420]

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

[Telandee]

I have a patterdale x lakeland who's 13 and just been diagnosed with cushings.  We haven't started treatment yet as he needs to have more blood test.  I must confess I am a tad worried and hope he's going to be ok.

[twodogsinRI]

Thanks so much, I guess I misunderstood and thought there were some products that I could buy but I now understand that I will need a homeopathic doctor to make up a  remedy especially for my dog. That makes sense, and i do believe there is a vet in my state. Glad to hear your dog is doing so well. My dog has some symptoms but is still active and exhibiting what appears to be some age related issues. Cushings and old age are so tough to separate. Is there a blood test that can determine it definitively?

[RogueRiver]

Happy to help. The natural Vet I can recommend is:
Dr. Gerald Wessner. Phone: [phone]. He provides the homeopathic remedy, and the information on how to care for your pet.

I'm so relieved with the recovery of my boy - his hair was thinning, drank excessive water, became lethargic, slept a lot, wasn't interested in much anymore, had "accidents" , and couldn't jump like he used to. Before that, he was alert, energetic, and still acted like a puppy.

He's almost back to his old ways. Started treatment December 20. I am forever grateful to Dr. Wessner who also writes a column in one of the Dog magazines.

Dr. said it would take about four months - it's been just a little over two months, and I'm continuting until he says OK .

Wishing you the best for you and your pet.

[twodogsinRI]

Can you share the names of the homeopathic meds you gave your dog? My 11 yo std poodle/setter mix most likely has an early cushings issue. We are not experiencing the uncontrolled peeing yet but I do see the potbelly, weak hindend, loss of some fur, and he did have some odd bloodwork a while ago. If I could give him to help prevent it from going any further...I would!

[10sgal]

I have a dachshund, Frankie, that is 11 years old, and has had Cushing's for almost a year.  If it can be diagnosed early and your pet responds well to the meds, it is worth it if the pet is not in pain and you can afford the meds.  The blood test was only $150 and his meds each month are around $50...I know that is not affordable for everyone, but I just needed to try for his sake.  My dog had once been paralyzed, has lost an eye to a horrible infection, and now Cushing's, but his demeanor and spirit just wouldn't allow me to put him down.  He goes to the Vet twice a year to make sure his meds are sufficient, and to make sure he is not in pain...that will be the deciding factor.  I wish all pet owners of older dogs would at least try if affordable to medicate, but am told that so many just figure the dog is getting old and have them put down.  Again, if the animal is in pain, then by all means, do the right thing.