The dangers of untreated Cushing's disease

What on earth caused this? Most of us have heard of Cushing's disease, but did you know that left untreated this is what the dog goes through?

This is a true story about Ella. Her story is brought to you thanks to Northeast Boston Terrier Rescue (NEBTR).

NEBTR Foster Ella was a stray rescued from a shelter on January 13, 2016. Due to the horrific photos we were sent, we scheduled an appointment at the Holistic Vet the following day. Her condition when she arrived was even worse than what we had suspected.

Her skin was bloody, raw and oozing with large patches of missing hair.

She had very little muscle tone and it took all she had to walk up one step.  We just could not imagine what had happened to this poor girl.

To our surprise she was diagnosed with untreated Cushing's disease! Cushing's disease -hyperadrenocorticism, is the overproduction of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands that are located in the belly near the kidneys. We started treatment with the Holistic Vet and she slowly improved over the next 6 weeks. We were all relieved.

The beginning of March 2016, the sparkle in her eye was fading. She could care less about playing ball, going for car rides, and needed assistance going up any stairs in the house. Her thirst was increasing and the urination was so bad that she could not make it more than 20 minutes without having to relieve herself. She started developing more lesions on her small, weak body that oozed, and became bloody and raw, and we are back to having additional patches of hair falling out.

After careful consultations with both the holistic and conventional Veterinarians, we had blood work done. With her numbers from those tests, it's clear we will need to have a more extensive ACTH Stimulation blood test to monitor the cortisol levels in her blood. In addition, an ultrasound needs to be performed to determine if she has an adrenal tumor, and/or any liver abnormalities.

Ella May is feeling better, but she still has a long road ahead. She is being lovingly fostered by Desiree Shearer Schellinger who is also a member of For The Love Of Bostons group.

 Foster mom Desiree Shearer Schellinger tells us "She was extremely guarded for the first few months. Her skin has improved and gets better every day."

Jeanne Orlando "A good source for Science-backed info is www.caninecushings-autoimmuneCare@yahoogroups.com . I have had quite a few BTs with Cushing's disease and this helped with great info and input from a veterinary endocrinologist."

 Desiree Shearer Schellinger "In Cushing's dogs, their bodies make too much cortisol and that's where the incredible thirst and hunger comes from. And the urination! Uugh!!! Ella was so bad when she was at her worst. She couldn't go 15-20 minutes without going. I thought I would lose my mind. She is so much better right now. Accidents are now few and far between and at night she wears a Huggies diaper. Now she hardly ever wets her diaper, but that wasn't the case a few months ago. This is my first experience with a Cushing's dog and I have learned so much and the more you talk to others the more enlightened you become. "

 Ellie Gibberman  "I feel this article helps answer and explain Cushing's better than any other,Canine Cushing's Disease.  As Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a common disorder in older dogs, it is important for the regular pet owner to have a basic understanding of how to recognize and treat it."

 

Desiree Shearer Schellinger  "She is feeling so much better and becoming a little spitfire.

It is Calanosis Cutis. Because she was not being treated for the Cushing's, her body was making massive amounts of cortisol and it caused the Calanosis Cutis. And, yes, when she came to me her nails were crazy long. I dremaled them but can only do a little at a time because the quick is so far out. We are getting there!"

Marilyn Morgan Holzerland "Our old poodle had Cushing's too. Our vet gave him trilostane, I think it was, which he had a bad reaction to. So, she said just don't treat him at all. That was NOT an option! We took him to the University of Minnesota where they treated him holistically with Melatonin and flax oil with lignans. He bounced back like nobody's business! He lost a lot of his hair and had bad sores on his belly.  We were so blessed with the U of MN and the natural treatment they put him on. It saved his life and he lived to be 15."

 UPDATE: MAY 14TH 2016

 https://www.facebook.com/desiree.schellinger/videos/10209193720550452/

 Just look at how good little Miss Ella is doing! She is feeling and looking so much better. With the Cushing's she will need Meds and care for the rest of her life, but thanks to NEBTR and all her donors she is taking full advantage of living the good life!

Northeast Boston Rescue (NEBTR) is comprised of volunteers based in NY, NJ, PA, CT, and parts of other states, and serves Boston Terriers in need within reach of our helping hands. If you want to follow up on how Miss Ella is doing, or help with her medical costs or just send her a toy, contact the rescue.   Northeast Boston Rescue (NEBTR)    

Edited by Jan Mitchell