I have an 8 year old Cocker Spaniel. She is a rescue dog that I adopted when she was two. She has recently been diagnosed with Canine Cushings disease. The only symptoms she has had so far is swelling stomach, hair loss on her back, and excessive water drinking. The treatment for this is very expensive ($500/month). Whether or not to treat her isn't an option -- of course she will get the necessary treatment even if I have to dip into my savings. I was just curious if anyone has experienced this and how you handled the situation.

do a search of this forum as my doxie had it a few years back and I had started a thread. She had other issues that complicated her situation, but you might find some information on the thread itself.

Good luck with your cocker spaniel.

http://www.bankersonline.com/forum/ubbth...e=19#Post577514

See if this will work, I can't do the link here at work due to the scripts. It is back on about page 38, 8/06.

Yes, our little Scottish Terrier had Cushing's for several years before she went to doggie heaven at age 13 in March of this year.

Her medicine was very expensive also but of course we couldn't not get it for her. It was a liquid medication that had to be purchased at a special pharmacy that had permission to import it - from the UK I think.

She had similar symptoms to what you describe - especially the excessive thirst and the pot belly. We had so many tests done on her - poor little thing. We had to take her to a vet 'specialist' before a diagnosis was finally reached.

We loved her a lot - that's the best treatment - other than that very expensive medicine!

I can't remember exactly what age she was when she was diagnosed - probably 8 or 9. So I would think you have several more good years with your doggie. Best of luck!

Here's some info from my vet:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=619

Good luck!

Thanks for the input. I have read about the Trilostane, but my vet has recommended that I treat her with Lysodren. I will have to board both of my "babies" at the vet over the Thanksgiving holiday, so I guess I will get her started on the treatment at that time.

Lysodren was the treatment of choice for my mini schnauzer. All in all, very trying/expensive experience and within 4 months of receiving diagnosis I had to put my dog to sleep anyway. Good luck, find the best vet you can afford.

My thoughts are with you --

I will be sure to ask my family-member/veterinarian tonight if she has any advice with cushings. Meantime, I'll pray for your canine buddy.

Thanks. I talked to the vet today and we are going to go ahead and start the Lysodren treatment. He has a supplier who will put the Lysodren in Liver flavored treats so it will be easier to administer. The vet seems hopeful that the treatment will extend her life comfortably by another 4 or 5 years. I also have a 2 yr old Corgi, and I don't know what he would do without his "big sister" around.

Yep, Lysodren seems to be the drug of choice says the family vet. I will keep you and your dog in my prayers. I hope the medication helps her out a whole bunch and you have her with you for years to come!

Thanks everyone for your feedback. My Dixie (aka Dixie Doodle) will begin her Lysodren treatment on Monday. She will have to stay at the vet's office for the first five days while he regulates her medication and takes blood tests to monitor its effectiveness. She will also have to take Prednisone to counteract the side effects. After this initial treatment, she will have to continue the Lysodren the remainder of her life, only it will be in smaller doses and fewer times per week. She still has plenty of good years left!

ITGuy-good thoughts to you and your pup.

Good luck to you both.

Is she a house dog? If so, watch the prednisone. The steroid made our greyhound thirsty and he drank a lot during the day - and he couldn't get outside. Needless to say, we had lakes waiting for us for about a week after we got home.

Best of luck to Dixie on her treatment.

ITguy, I hope you and Dixie have many more years together! Give her lots of hugs.

ITguy, I hope you and Dixie have many more years together! Give her lots of hugs.

Yes, she is a house dog. But I have a pet door and she goes in and out as she pleases.

Dixie began her treatments 2 weeks ago. She is doing great -- the swollen belly is going away, she drinks a normal amount of water, and her hair is growing back. She took to the Lysodrine very well and didn't need the Prednisone to offset any side effects.

Yay Dixie!

I'm glad to hear she is doing well with the meds.

ITGuy, I'm so glad to hear Dixie is doing well.