Hello,

My 11 year old Pug bitch has been diagnosed with Cushing's Syndrome(sp?). I do not know very much about it yet and would appreciate any information.
The vet has said it is a cortisone problem perhaps due to anxiety, (she has lost her sight in the left eye due to a cornea infection, so I think she is nervous, she fell down the stairs into the basement twice and is terrified of all the staircases in the house now!) She is v. thirsty, destended abdomen, cortisone levels are 3 times what they should be.
She's having a scan on Wednesday to check her liver, but I'm not sure what they are checking for? Damage? They've done a lot of blood work and injected her with some medicine. So we'll see...
On top of this, she's got pneumonia.
Many thanks,
Megbel

Hi Megbel

There is a lot of info on Cushings Syndrome on the internet - try here for just one site. Cushings is generally either caused by a tumour or by an auto-immune problem or sometimes by excessive use of steroids (to treat other conditions) - haven't heard of it being caused by anxiety before. I had a Cocker with Cushings for many years & once her condition was stabilised, she lived a fairly normal life though she was on quite expensive medication for the rest of her life (she died at 15) Feel free to email me if you want any more info or just to swap experiences :-)

Jane

The hunt terrier here has it & although it took about 8 months to get the tablet level right, he is now fine, maybe still a touch distended to look at, but acts 100% normally and enjoys life and still has enthusiasm for his work.

Jane,
Many thanks for the info. and link.
She has been on & off Pred her entire life, so it's no suprise she's got this illness, I just would have thought it would have presented it's self sooner, so it may be a tumour, etc. It's funny I have thyroid disease, and have been tested for this(cushing's) last month. The dog is in NYC and I'm here in the UK, so the info is being e-mailed to my folks (quarentine was never an option.) who are caring for her theses days.
It's strange that the vet brought the anxiety thing up...I must investigate.
It's hard not to be there to deal with it ...
Cheers,
Megbel

Megbel,

My Irish setter was ill recently and it was thought he had cushings. (he doesn't)
There are piles of info on it if you search the web, just want to wish you the best of luck.

Theresa :)

Hi there,

I've just found out that Isabelle (pug) does not have Cushing's, but is suffering from an enlarged liver, probably due to years of Prednasone and clavamox and other meds. She seems to be shedding and drinking less and is still happy in herself, etc.
She is being treated with Chinese herbs, medicines. The vet uses both eastern and western meds. in his practice. So they are trying to clense and detox her, I guess.
I am v. worried about her, but she is 11 and has been ill a great deal. Pug's do have a long life expectancy, so we will see.
Best,
Megbel