Annie: Diabetic with new Cushings diagnosis

[labblab]

Judi, thanks for jogging my memory to mention a cost-saving tip! In terms of the ACTH, both parts of the test are given regardless of a dog’s weight. But for smaller dogs, the vials of the expensive stimulating agent can be divided so that the cost of each individual test is lessened. Here’s a link to an article by Dr. Mark Peterson that describes the protocol:

https://endocrinevet.blogspot.com/20...cortrosyn.html

Within the last couple of years, some clinicians have been experimenting with using baseline cortisol levels alone for monitoring dogs taking trilostane. But not everybody is “on board” with that approach due to the surfacing of some problems/questions. I’m not aware of that approach being used to monitor Lysodren treatment, however.

Judi is right, though, Karen. Hang in there! I think you’re doing a great job of juggling those balls for Annie. She’s so very lucky that you’re her mom ! I’m not meaning that you have to rush out tomorrow to have another ACTH done. But I was just worrying if you were planning on holding off indefinitely on additional monitoring.

Marianne

[katy1]

Annie’s curve was basically the same as it was a week ago, however, she has gained almost a pound during this past week. This tells me that maybe it’s time to back down on her food and keep the insulin the same. She has been on 1 can of Glycobalance 2x per day. I was thinking about cutting her back to 1.5 cans per day divided into her two feedings

I was not able to talk to doc when we picked her up today as he had an emergency he was tending to.

Any suggestions from anyone?

Blessings, Karen

[Judi]

I agree. Cut back on the food. Cushing makes them hungry. It’s hard

[Raysaint]

My dog is 25 lbs. and he eats 1.5 cans divided into 2 meals, and it maintains his weight perfectly.