I have just lost my bichon who was 5 years old. First, they diagnosed Cushings disease and then decided it was liver disease. I was also told that she had bladder stones. Monday she went to have the stones removed and liver biopsy. We asked if the operation as really necessary and we were told that it was. My baby died on Wednesday morning. I miss her dreadfully and there seems to be no answers as to why she died. She has always been a bit timid and quirky, but we had no idea she was so ill. During the last year she had been to the vets four times for excessive thirst and frequent urination. A week before she died she was put on hepatic diet and antibiotics. Is this common in Bichons so young? Can anyone help?

Hi Bessie,

I am very sorry you lost your Bichon.   Five years old is too young.  

If does sound like she was having problems for a while from what you've said.  Dogs do not show pain the same way people do, so it is not surprising that she did not seem as ill as she might have been. 

I do not know the breed, you might want to contact either the breeder or the breed club if you are interested in knowing how common Cushing disease is in Bichons.

Stacey