Concurrent
Diabetes and Cushings
Concurrent
Diabetes and CushingsNow you may be thinking that Tyler's misdiagnosis couldn't happen again-because it was our vet fault. I don't believe that's true. I had Tyler's test results and I fully understand why he thought what he did. But as the internist also pointed out-more than the lab results have to be looked at (symptoms need to be present also).
What is scary, I feel it maybe happening quite often. Just the other day, I responded to a post on a Bulletin Board concerning a diabetic/Cushings dog who wasn't responding. Another woman posted afterward telling about her diabetic/misdiagnosed Cushings Lab. Her dog also tested false positive . They began Lysodren treatment, however her dog deteriorated. Before she could have her dog's adrenal glands sonogramed-her dog died. She doesn't know if her dog died from the Lysodren or from a tumor or from another illness. She does know it wasn't Cushings.
Not every diagnosis is a misdiagnosis however. But when your dealing with a diabetic/possible Cushings dog-it becomes very complicated. Since the symptoms of both diseases mirror each other it gets even more complicated.
Possible Situations
 | Your dog could only be diabetic. The stress from the diabetes could be affecting their whole system. This could also cause false positive readings on the Cushings tests. |
| On the other hand, your dog could only have Cushings. The diabetes maybe a side effect. Once the Cushings is controlled your dog may not require insulin at all. |
| Your dog could have both diseases. Once the Cushings is controlled the insulin requirement could be significantly reduced or become more manageable. |
Unfortunately you-yourself wouldn't have anyway of knowing which your dog falls into. However, it's important you do your homework on both diseases. More importantly, ask questions of your vet. These are some questions I now know I should have asked:
| Does he know about the false positive readings on Cushings tests and what factors can cause them to trigger the false positive readings? |
| At what point would he consider your dog to be resisting his insulin? (pin him down on how many units, how many times a day) |
| What symptoms should be present with Cushings and if there are no symptoms present could he explain why he suspects Cushings? |
If the diabetes is not stabilized-is he willing to attempt to regulate-before starting any type of Cushing medication?
The following pages have moved to
the Owners
of Blind Dogs site
The following page has moved to
the Pet-Diabetes site:
cajones_2000@yahoo.com
Date Last Modified:
2/15/2000