My dog is on mitotane for cushings, she on a cycle of 725milligrams of one day, skip a day then 250 milligrams, skip a day then back to 725. She's been sick with diarrhea off and on now for months. Now she wont eat anything at all, she'll drink but has no intrest in food. She's been at the vet for 4 days now. The vet office has no solid explanation as why she wont eat. They've ran tests. Nothing comes back too abnormal. I've asked if it could be the the high does of mitotane they said they didn't think so.... I read a ardicle from here about another person that had almost the same problem with their dog. Please help! I do't want to start the same dose again if its going to cause pain. I fear the drug as done significant damage already to her liver and we will have to put her down....
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Golden Retriever Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: 14 Already Tried: Pepto, chicken with rice, broth, taking her off the medicine. And vet
Welcome to JustAnswer! I am a licensed veterinarian and would be glad to help!
Did they run a cortisol or ACTH stimulation?
No
I'm bringing her to a Vet who has the technology to do a Ultrasound.
Ok - that is a concern.
That should be considered, as a dose that may be too high for her, can lead to iatrogenic addisons.
The vet did say that it the cushings has the potential to change to addisons. No tests have be ran.... Just blood work to check the white blood cell count
Yes - that would be considered here for certain!!!
If the vet thinks it may have changed over why no urgency to run tests? They didnt ask if I wanted to run any. Just theory.... no action. Shes been on IV for 4 days and no food. They've been giving her Anitbiotic for an infection they think is happening in her stomach.... nothing in concern to the medicne causing this problem. They wanted to start her back up on the mitotain.
I can not say why no urgency - but if concerned about the dose, Cushings, and the risk for a possible high dose, it is reasonable to consider a cortisol / ACTH.
An ultrasound may help rule out other causes, but would be reasonable to consider these tests specifically
I just read up on addison's on dog and this....."Other symptoms include gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Pain in the hind quarters, or generalized muscle weakeness such as a dog that can't jump onto a bed or couch as he has done in the past is not uncommon. Shivering or muscle tremors may also be present. The most important thing to remember is that you know your dog better than anyone. If something seems amiss, have it checked out." This is my dog to a T now..... I thought it was her Old Age and her head nods from tremors to be normal with age once again..... Can any vet clinc run ACTH test?
Is this test cheaper than the ultrasound?
I cant say any clinic can run an ACTH.
Any specialty hospital, or 24 hour ER with specialists should be able to.
Fantastic! Where she's going for the ultrasound is a 24hr specialy clinc...
If they have ultrasound they should be able to do that.
But call them first to confir,m
confirm
I will. I hope that the problem whatever it may be, which it sounds like addisons.... has not done damage where we would have to put her down. She seems in good spirits other than not eating and being a bit down in the dumps.
Is it also possible that her problem has gotten too severe that attempting to treat her for addisions (if it be the case) may not help her? I'm trying to get a better perspective so I dont let her suffer -if she is and I can prepare myself for the worst tomorrow
No - it would be uncommon for it to be"too severe:"
what would you recomend on getting her to eat.... 4 days is unheard of for her. And my oncern is she wont at all
Thank You for the help
Experience: Emergency and Critical Care Specialist