Canine Cushings Disease...Mini Schnauzer

I am interested in visiting with others who may have a Schnauzer with Cushings Disease.
I would like to find out what treatment is being done, what symptoms the dog is having, how old the dog was at diagnosis, and any other information that you may be able to supply. I am wanting to know all I can to see if we are doing alright with our dog, Spencer. He is 6-years-old now and has been on medication for about two years. We have been told that it is unusual to receive a diagnosis of Cushings when the dog is so young...they are trying to assure us that he should have a relatively normal life span...but I can't help but worry.
Any information that someone has would be much appreciated.
Thanks! Margaret D
Boone, IA

margaretanndavis@gmail.com

I'm sorry that no one has responded to you yet, Margaret. Apparently no one here has had any experience with this disease.

I used to groom a Cushing's dog and he was probably 12 when we moved out to the country and away from the city. Another one belongs to an acquaintance of mine, and he was diagnosed last year at the age of 10. His hair has now grown back, but he has gone blind from SARDS. Otherwise, he is doing very well. I saw him recently socializing at an agility trial, and no one would ever know he was blind as he walked confidently on leash alongside his owner.

Thanks Karen, for answering. I don't get back on the computer very often anyway now that I am babysitting with my 3-year-old grandson.
Spencer seems to be the exception in everything that I am reading about canine Cushings...and I am not sure if that is good or not. He was diagnosed at about 5-years-old, and has the type of Cushings that is caused by a pituitary tumor. Not sure if I mentioned that before or not.
He is on Trilostane, which is having to be compounded for us at about $50 a month. I would love to find out if there is anything remotely possible to try, that we could afford, anyway.
I just read in the Country Woman Magazine tonight about a place in California that is doing stem cell treatments for a variety of horse and dog related illnesses. I have sent for information, and hope to hear more about that. Though I can't imagine being able to afford anything that new, I always keep hoping for something new.
Thanks for the information that you sent, it does help to know that there are others with this going on.
Spencer has not had any problem with bare patches so far, though I have heard of this symptom. When he was first diagnosed, he was extremely sick and was in intensive care at Iowa State University Vet Hospital for 4 days. He had pancreatitis, hepatitis and a couple of kidney stones.
He is currently on a nearly fat free, restricted calorie diet and is doing okay, but I would love to have him doing better. I know that his energy level is affected by this and he pants a lot, even in cool situations.
Since his original dx he had a kidney stone pass into his urethra and lodge there, we had a non-emergency, laproscopic surgery performed about a week later...poor little guy! I don't think he was very happy with me, the Cushings dx, the stone surgery, and nutered all within 6 months time!
Well, I better shut up for now, I will check back later.
It is good to see that there are Schnauzer breeders as close as MN!
Bye for now, Margaret

I have a mini schnauzer with cushings and diabetes. She take 50 mg of Trilostane once a day and 8 units of insulin 2x a day. She also have skin problems, joint problems and cataracts. She see a specialists for all her needs. I give her supplements and vitamins daily and only feed her Halo food or I cook for her. Theres a book called THE WHOLE PET DIET by ANDI BROWN that has good advice on how to get a healthy balanced diet naturally. I try to do all I can natural and see what works and what does not.

I have a Giant who has just had the first blood test to find out if she has Cushings, she's just been given 10 days worth of Vetoryl which she starts tommorrow and then back to vet in 10 days for another test.

Seems like cushings it common in schnauzers. I've been trying to read up on it just in case mine were to ever get it.