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I have two elderly dogs from the same litter (15 years old in March).
They have just been diagnosed with potentially having Cushing's Disease. They have all of the symptoms and the blood test showed that it is likely.
They can do a test to confirm it (£120 ea) and once diagnosed it can be treated with tablets that are £70 per dog per month.
Has anybody had a dog that has been diagnosed with this disease? If so, at what age and did you treat them?
As with most elderly dogs, the insurance became way too expensive so we stopped it several years ago.
15 is quite a grand old age and I am now torn between going ahead with more tests/treatment or letting the condition take its course. The vet says they are not in pain but it is a life shortening condition if not treated. I just wonder how much longer they will go on if we did treat them (although I am not sure if I can afford £140 per month on top of their optimmune eye drops and incurin tablets). They will probably be costing £200 a month then.
They both seem quite well at the moment.
I knew we may have something like this happen this year because of their age, I wasn't expecting it so soon though.
My other half just said to tell you to find out if the tablets are also a human medication because you can get a written signed prescription off your vet and take it to a chemist (way cheaper)
Oh and my mate spent a fortune on tests and eyedrops for his scottie dog over a year and they did precisely Nothing!
After having had a chat to my wife about it I think I am going to make an appointment with one of the vets who has looked after the girls over the years.
We were given the results over the phone but I think it needs a proper discussion.
my old jack russell molly had it and she was on tablets for a year until she collapsed and died in my living room while i was out riding. one of the worst days of my life losing her but i love the time we had and to remember her every day. that was 7yrs ago 🙁
Its a difficult one with a dog of that age, yes its a life shortening disease but at 15 does that make a massive difference? There are lots of undiagnosed cushings dogs out there tootling along quite happily, a bit pot bellied , increase thirst and appetite and thinish hair coat, many owners put it down to old age.
The drug is not a human product but you can ask for a specific veterinary prescription, however the ongoing costs are the repeat blood sampling in the short term to ascertain the correct dose, once stabilised, sampling goes out to 6 months max.
hope that helps?
Thanks catvet, yes that does help.
I have got my head round it a bit now. I am going to book an appointment with the vets next week for a chat.
We will all try to make the most of the next few months/however long they have left.