If this isn't appropriate for a new thread it can be merged with one of the other pet threads. I was going to stick it in the dog food thread but that didn't seem to make much sense either.

I know there are a ton of dog owners in here so I thought maybe someone has personal experience with this...

I took my 10 year old mixed breed dog to the vet today for some tests and I'm like 90% certain they're going to come back positive for Cushing's disease. She's been been drinking a ton of water and thus peeing a lot and she's insanely focused on food right now. Add to that virtually non-stop panting, some weight loss, not running, etc.. She basically hits all the symptoms and the vet feels pretty strongly that the tests are going to reveal Cushings. I was fearful it was diabetes but that's been 100% ruled out, now I wish it was just diabetes.

So I got home and researched the disease and now I feel like ****. It's basically a disease where the pituitary and/or adrenal glands are massively overproducing cortisol, which in these high doses is toxic. We aren't even talking treatment yet, still in the diagnostic phase, but I understand this disease isn't all that uncommon among older dogs. Prognosis isn't great - if the disease doesn't kill the dog the medication, which destroys some of the gland to slow down cortisol production, can have some nasty side effects.

Any pet owners here have experience with this? We've been using this vet for years and I really like him and trust his judgement but I'm curious if others here have experienced the same. I go back to the vet Monday morning so I'm trying to arm myself with as much information as possible prior to the visit.

No experience with this but sorry your dog's sick.


<-- This guy lasted till 14 years, it's sad but inevitable seeing your dog lose his health.

How bad are the side effects of the medication? Would it be better for the dog to have him euthanized?

Sorry about your dog.

Yeah, dogs are awesome and great companions. Sadly they just don't live long enough. I've owned dogs my entire life and surprisingly this is the first one I've had that developed a serious illness. All the others lived relatively long and healthy lives until age caught up with them.



No, we're not talking euthanization now however if we don't treat the condition that will be a discussion at some point down the road. It's a degenerative disease that progresses at different speeds for different dogs so nobody can know what that means for mine. Time will tell, I guess.

The medication is hard on the system and some dogs tolerate it better than others. Again, time will tell.

I love my dog but I'm not cruel and I wouldn't allow her to suffer. I was feeling pretty ****ty when I wrote the OP and kind of regretted posting it shortly after but no big deal. I feel more educated on the subject now and I'll find out more on Monday. I just thought maybe it was something a few other OOT dog owners had experienced and could offer some advice or insight.

Just keep Ur dog of your cushions and it should be fine :/

Had a client who's dog had this years ago and she had meds and occasionally seizures(a few years after diagnosis). She lived happily with it for many years. She was a small dog though. I don't know much but it seemed manageable. So hope it helps op

Next door neighbour to my parents home is a vet, her 14-yo Jack Russell has it and has for a few years. No need to put the dog down but some simple things to follow:

a) keep on the med programme
b) switch foods if the vet recommends a different diet (is it kidney based too? I don't remember)
c) resist the urge to feed them more, or human food
d) they'll also eat cat food given the chance rather than nothing

That dog's been a few years in and is still happy - slower, sleepier but happy. No need to panic.

Best,
Pete