I'm getting 2 different opinions on how to proceed with Gypsy

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dawns2shelties

Forums Sage
The other day I told you all Gypsy's T5 came back normal and Dr.Dodds felt I should test her for Cushings Disease even though she is younger than the avg. age of diagnosis and my vet was waiting for some specialists to get back to him.
My vet called me and said he talked to the specialist and the specialist feels she doesn't need to be tested for Cushings instead put her on Science Diet Wd and walk her 2x's a day for 15 minutes each. I was so shocked that was the recommendation I explained we already take 4 walks a day and she barely eats and he told me he felt I should give WD a try. One symptom Gypsy does not have that is common in Cushings is increased hunger which I told to Dr.Dodds when I spoke to her and she said I should still test her not all dogs will have this symptom and hers is probably early onset. I've also read many dogs most likely have it for years before diagnosis and that's why it's some times perceived to occur in older dogs. I also emailed a vet out in the county who I used for years when I lived out there to see what his opinion is. I think I should go with Dr. Dodds recommendation and do the test. If it's negative I have peace of mind and if it's not my girl is diagnosed alot sooner than most and we can go ahead and start getting her as healthy and comfortable as possible.
How do you all feel about this and what direction would you take. I appreciate your opinions and also have any of you had a dog with Cushings? What symptoms were you seeing and when were they diagnosed.

Thanks Dawn Gypsy's Health advocate :confused2:
 
I would test her if that will give you piece of mind and rule out a potential problem. Her signs do sound like possible Cushings and true not all dogs have all signs. I had a patient only sign was heavy panting(all the time even in Mn winters) and reoccuring skin infecions. Chemistry profile totally normal, T4 normal. She started showing hair loss and a mild increase in drinking and I recommended a cushings test as a long shot. Sure enough that was it.

The test is not invasive it is a couple blood draws and an injection. ATCH stim or High or low dose dexamethasone test is the diagnostics usually done.
 
For me personally, I'd do the test. My co-workers dog has Cushing's and it took seriously, over a year to diagnose and no, she didn't have an appetite either. And an average, is just an average. It does mean dogs younger and older probably get Cushings too.

(I say this because I was diagnosed with atopical eczema, but was told it is very common in children and start when they're kids. Well, I'm an adult, into my 30's. They said it's beyond rare and wanted to run tests. They came back and said that's what it was and thought it was downright weird that I got it. Point is, I have it. I'm not even close to the "average".)

The test would bring me peace of mind. The only way I wouldn't do it is if I couldn't afford it and needed to save up (but even then, truth be told, I'd be begging for money).
 
I had a sheltie that was diagnosed with Cushings at 6 yrs old. I know he'd had it for awhile. I kept telling the vet we had at the time that something was not quite right with him but he was not concerned and kept telling me he was fine. I finally went with my gut feeling and got a second opinion and that's when it was found. The test is pretty simple and I too would advise getting it done if it gives you peace of mind. Heaven knows I wish I'd done it sooner.
 
I think in this case, I would go with the test. Basically, if the test comes out negative, then you can rule it out and proceed with your vets recommendations.

If it is positive, then you can start treatment.

It will give you a piece of mind.
 
I agree with the others--get the test done. Our vet thought briefly that Lexi may have Addison's, which is sort of the opposite of Cushings. It would have been extremely rare, but we got the test done to rule it out, at least.

I know someone whose sheltie has Cushings. Her dog takes daily medicine and is doing great! She is a little overweight (a constant battle), but she played with Bentley and Lexi and I would have never known she was sick if she hadn't mentioned it.
 
Justicemom said:
I would test her if that will give you piece of mind and rule out a potential problem. Her signs do sound like possible Cushings and true not all dogs have all signs. I had a patient only sign was heavy panting(all the time even in Mn winters) and reoccuring skin infecions. Chemistry profile totally normal, T4 normal. She started showing hair loss and a mild increase in drinking and I recommended a cushings test as a long shot. Sure enough that was it.

The test is not invasive it is a couple blood draws and an injection. ATCH stim or High or low dose dexamethasone test is the diagnostics usually done.
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I also forgot to add the panting all the time. Dr. Dodds recommended the ATCH test I think that tests for both forms of Cushings if I am correct.
 
dawns2shelties said:
I also forgot to add the panting all the time. Dr. Dodds recommended the ATCH test I think that tests for both forms of Cushings if I am correct.
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Yes I usually do an ACTH test. It is more expensive than the other but it does the best screening for both pituitary and adrenal Cushings.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
Seriously? The "specialist" is saying the dog is fat, and that's it? I'd be doing the test.
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Yes, I was shocked when he told me what she said I could barely reply to him I was so stunned. I am either going to just call my vet and tell him I want her tested or call Catonsville and see if they have someone who can see her,although as I am writing this I'm thinking that's probably where the specialist was from so my best bet would probably be to take her to Hunt Valley Hospital my old friend Allen Frank owns that facility.
I was going to email you and see if you had dealt with cushings with any of your dogs since you had mentioned the symptoms seemed to fit.
 
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