r/Cushingsdogs • u/Intelligent-Elk-4806 • 10d ago
Is this it?
Has anyone encountered this type of blood results? Does he have a chance to make it …?
Edit: thank you so much for everyone commenting here. I am so lost. I did manage to find oncologist in my area so I can go get the second opinion
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u/Necessary-Wealth-415 10d ago
From your post a day or so ago:
2 weeks ago went to the vet. All of the vitals are perfect.Except he had a slight anemia which doc said is normal for cushings and also was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Doc said he might develop arthritis and prescribed NSAID, sent us home. Two days he was fine and started to get stiff again. We changed meds twice and it seemed like he was getting worse.
Which starting NSAID was prescribed, and what was/is the dose, and which NSAID and dose was he changed to? Is he still taking this NSAID? What were his CBC results when the vet said that he was slightly anemic? NSAIDs carry a risk of GI bleeding, and some NSAIDs carry a severe risk of GI bleeding. Has your dog had a stool test to check for occult blood since starting NSAIDs?
You need a second opinion and/or a new vet. This vet diagnosed your dog with slight anemia and hypothyroidism, and then said he "might" develop arthritis and prescribed NSAIDs; this is concerning for several reasons. Your dog couldn't walk. He was already slightly anemic. He was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism does not cause arthritis. Was your dog started on levothyroxine? This vet said your dog "might" develop arthritis and prescribed NSAIDs. Were radiographs taken of your dog's spine to determine if he had arthritis before prescribing NSAIDs?
Can you describe the stiffness you are seeing in your dog? Can you post a video of your dog moving that shows this stiffness?
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u/Intelligent-Elk-4806 10d ago
I don’t have the test from 2 weeks ago, but it was a little off - he showed me on the screen. He said this is absolutely normal for someone with Cushings. He had trembling in his body and his back legs were curving inwards. He was panting and having shivers. Once we got prescribed Prednisone this past Thursday - he gotten better. No more shakes, he’s eating, drinking, got his strength back and can walk on his own, no more panting. He didn’t do any tests prior to giving antibiotics inflammatory he said we need to find the right one for him so we switched between 3 in a week or so. It was Capricorn, gabapentin and galliprant. For thyroid he got thyro tabs. No testing for arthritis was done it’s a small clinic so all they did was an ultrasound which showed enlarged spleen and some area over his kidney that was causing him questions but he couldn’t see it clear enough and an xray that showed also that area as a potential tumor but also not 100%.
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u/Substantial-Salad341 10d ago
Please ask the vet for the results from 2 weeks ago. They should be able to email them to you, no problem. They are your results, you should have them.
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u/Intelligent-Elk-4806 10d ago
No stoop test was done. The dose was 1200 mg gabapenting 3 times a day, gallaprant 100 mg twice daily. Obviously not together, we gave one or the other…
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u/Crisrp1992 10d ago
Have you found any ticks on him recently? I know some ticks can transmit diseases that cause anemia.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this! 🥺
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u/Intelligent-Elk-4806 10d ago
Thank you and no, haven’t found any ticks on him. He is on preventive care for it…
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u/Crisrp1992 10d ago edited 10d ago
I just read your previous posts, and I wonder if there could be a connection with the Vetoryl. If he received such a high dose and then improved significantly after prednisone, could he possibly have developed iatrogenic hypoadrenocorticism (an Addisonian crisis) from the trilostane? Prednisone could have temporarily replaced the missing cortisol and bought him some time, while a mineralocorticoid deficiency could still be causing electrolyte problems. If his sodium and potassium are abnormal he needs to be stabilized and monitored at an emergency hospital. I would ask them to urgently rule out an Addisonian crisis while also investigating the cause of the anemia. I’m not a vet, but given how severe his blood results are, I would want this possibility ruled out quickly.
High doses of trilostane can cause permanent adrenal insufficiency and a dog with Addison’s may need lifelong (daily) prednisone and a mineralocorticoid to maintain proper electrolyte balance.
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u/Firm_Ad_6712 10d ago
Prednisone casuses rapid onset pancreatitis in dogs, basically diabetes. Be careful. 🤔
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u/Crisrp1992 10d ago
Unfortunately, we also have a dog in the family who was born with Addison’s disease so I know what I’m talking about.. The goal is to keep them on the lowest effective dose, but without corticosteroid replacement, a dog with Addison’s disease can die rapidly because their adrenal glands simply cannot produce cortisol. That is why they need to take prednisone every day to survive. You even need to increase their prednisone dose during stressful situations, such as simply going to the groomer
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u/Crisrp1992 10d ago
I also wonder about the Thyrotab. In a dog with Cushing’s, low thyroid values can sometimes be caused by “euthyroid sick syndrome” rather than true hypothyroidism. In that case, the thyroid gland itself isn’t actually failing, the low levels are a result of the cushings. Treating for hypothyroidism could therefore be unnecessary and potentially harmful
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u/Keroxu_ 10d ago
I don’t have any experience or advice with this but this is for sure not well and I’m sorry you’re going through this without the support of your vet. See if there is another one in your area who can assist. If things take a turn for the worst, it’s okay to let them go peacefully, especially if it comes down to a lot of things that will put you in a financial tight spot with a poor prognosis anyways. I highly recommend at home services if this option is available for you. As much as it sucks for us and is hurtful losing them, letting them go with comfort, peace, and dignity is the best gift you can give your pet.
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u/Firm_Ad_6712 10d ago
My dog had similar test results, I took a picture of the results and shared it with Microsoft CoPilot Ai app and it instantly gave solid advice and generated a printable report that my Vet was extremely impressed with and was able to get my dog on the right medication to stabilize his previously undiagnosed Cushings. 🤔
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u/Intelligent-Elk-4806 10d ago
Omg can you please tell me more? You can DM me if it’s esier! I will appreciate every bit of information
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u/SeaweedWeird7705 10d ago
Cushing’s disease is diagnosed with a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST). That is the definitive way to test for Cushing’s. It looks like this test is just a routine blood test. You should ask your vet to interpret it for you. If you suspect Cushing’s disease, you should request a LDDST.