Cushings

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • D

    Does anyone have a B with Cushings? I am interested in the testing and diagnosing of Cushings.

    Two of my Bs have had inconclusive results for it. My girl is 12 1/2 and also has Fanconi and a gallbladder problem. She is having an adrenal test done next week which is being sent to the Univ. of TN and it is expensive-almost $500. She has had all the other tests done for Cushings previously. When she was examined last week by the specialist she had a potbelly and had gained weight. She had a recheck ultrasound done for her gallbladder and her stomach was distended with fluid and ingesta and wasn't moving well. She is now taking Reglan. I fed her only 1/4 cup of food in the morning along with her pills and supplements. My boy is 10 1/2 and had a high urine cortisol/creatinine ratio test but the low dose dexamethasone suppression test was negative. The high urine test can be caused by other problems. He looks like he could have Cushings and he had been on steroids for an autoimmume problem over a year ago. He has had some kind of lung/breathing problem and has had different tests done for it.

    Jennifer

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  • DebraDownSouthD

    Wow Jennifer, are they related dogs? If not, I'd wonder if there is some toxin in the environment that would cause the problems, not both with cushings.

    I know of some dogs with it, and my daughter's pony had it, but really not that experienced. Would you mind if I ran it by the a couple of the vets for VeterinaryPartner.com and my old research vet? If you want, send me really detailed info and I'd be glad to ask them for thoughts since all have pretty amazing experiences to draw on. They are all pretty used to me crying out for info. :)

    Debra

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  • S

    Jennifer, sorry to hear this, have not info to help but hugs to you and your dogs!

    Sharron Hurlbut

    BRAT, basenji rescue

    Evergreen basenji club

    Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

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  • RivermoonR

    I don't have any experience with it..but I can send you and your pups some hugs too!

    Lynn, Apache, Cheyenne, Zuni & Marlowe![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • D

    No they are not related at all. I am curious if Cushings is difficult to diagnose. I was wondering if it is difficult due to it possibly being in the early stages or if because they are Basenjis. I do not know of any Basenjis with it nor have I heard of any. I was wondering if the Fanconi Syndrome and all the supplements she is on could be messing up her tests.

    Jennifer

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  • KipawaK

    Have you contacted Dr. Gonto to tell him what has happened?

    Here is an informative link: http://kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html

    Fran Harder, BAB

    With Barney in my heart

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  • nomrbddgsN

    I haven't had a lot of experience with it. But I am researching it because I think the Boxenji has it, and, for those interested, here are some items about Cushing's Disease.

    There are different types of Cushing's as follows.

    Pituitary Dependant Hyperadrenocorticism-Most common
    Adrenal-based Hyperadrenocorticism
    Iatrogenic Hyperadrenocorticism

    The most common symptoms include:
    • increased/excessive water consumption (polydipsia)
    • increased/excessive urination (polyuria)
    • urinary accidents in previously housetrained dogs
    • increased/excessive appetite (polyphagia)
    • appearance of food stealing/guarding, begging, trash dumping, etc.
    • sagging, bloated, pot-bellied appearance
    • weight gain or its appearance, due to fat redistribution
    • loss of muscle mass, giving the appearance of weight loss
    • bony, skull-like appearance of head
    • exercise intolerance, lethargy, general or hind-leg weakness
    • new reluctance to jump on furniture or people
    • excess panting, seeking cool surfaces to rest on
    • symmetrically thinning hair or baldness (alopecia) on torso
    • other coat changes like dullness, dryness
    • slow regrowth of hair after clipping
    • thin, wrinkled, fragile, and/or darkly pigmented skin
    • easily damaged/bruised skin that heals slowly
    • hard, calcified lumps in the skin (calcinosis cutis)
    • susceptibility to infections (especially skin and urinary)
    • diabetes, pancreatitis, seizures

    There are three tests they use to diagnose Cushings-depending on what type of cushings they have. Either there is too much cortisol or too little in the blood.

    Urine Cortisol/Creatinine Ratio Test
    ACTH Stimulation Test
    Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test
    High Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test

    The high dose test is generally used as to diagnose which type of cushings the dog has.
    The low dose test is the one generally used to diagnose that the dog has cushings and is said to be about 90-95% accurate in diagnosing.

    Arlene, the Basenji Brats with the Boxenji![](images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin")

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  • D

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    Here is the test information that Missy had done and an article with the portion that includes Melatonin for treatment. I have inlcuded the webpage for the entire article. She has not been on the Melatonin long and I am slowly increasing her dosage but she is definitely not as puffy in the intestinal area as she was. The Adrenal Panel with Combined Dex Supp/ACTH Stim Test for Dogs: The following hormones are tested in the adrenal panel: Cortisol, Estradiol, Androstenedione, 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Progesterone and Aldosterone. REVIEW ARTICLES Steroid Profiles in the Diagnosis of Canine Adrenal Disorders Jack W. Oliver, Proceedings 25th ACVIM Forum, Pp. 471-473, Seattle, WA. 2007. http://www.vet.utk.edu/diagnostic/endocrinology/pdf/Steroids%20Profiles%20in%20the%20Diagnosis%20of%20.doc Melatonin. Results of in vitro cell culture (human H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells) studies in our lab55 revealed that both 21-hydroxylase and aromatase enzymes were inhibited by melatonin. Also, in dogs with adrenal disease that are treated with melatonin, and repeat adrenal steroid panels are done, cortisol levels are consistently reduced, and estradiol levels are variably reduced.29 Inhibition of the 21-hydroxylase enzyme would lower cortisol levels, and inhibition of the aromatase enzyme would lower estradiol levels. Estradiol levels were decreased in a prior study of dogs treated with melatonin.31 Results of in vitro studies with human MCF-7 breast cancer cells also revealed that melatonin inhibited aromatase enzyme, which resulted in reduced estradiol levels.56 Melatonin treatment for cases of mild adrenal disease in dogs may be effective, and particularly in cases where sex steroids are increased. Jennifer
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