Up date on Sassy--Ultrasound - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**sassy's mommy** · 03-10-2010, 04:04 PM

Sassy had her ultrasound on Monday Afternoon. It was done by an internal medicines vet. There seems to be some controversy as to what is normal size for adrenal glands in a dog Sassy's size. The vet that did the ultrasound seems to think up to 6 is normal. Sassy had one gland at 5 and the other 5.5 Her diagnosis on the ultrasound was Hepatopathy, possible "very early PDH" ie pituitary dependent Cushings. Eventhough she tested positive with her ACTH stim test since her glands are not crazy hugh it didn't 100% confirm Cushings. If I understand this correctly, if the Cushings is pituitary dependent then the glands should both be large. If the Cushings was adrenal based then only one of the glands would be enlarged. Sassy's were very similar in size, so the ultrasound was more in the gray area so to speak. If in fact Sassy doesn't have cushings, starting the meds at this point could possibly burn up her adrenals and then she would be the opposite of Cushings--Addison's. Dr. B gave us a liver supplement called Denamarin which will help Sassy's liver repair itself and we are going to closely monitor Sassy for any changes in behavior (symptoms) and if there are any minor changes we are going to do the LDDS test immediately in hopes of confirming Cushings or not. If Sassy does not exhibit any changes we are still going to retest her with the LDDS in 2 months.

I talked to Dr. Jaimie and Jackie (JMM) and they both think that we should go ahead and start Sassy on treatments. It scares me to think that not starting now could allow some of the other bad things that come along with Cushings could happen to Sassy. But on the other hand, if she isn't Cushingoid I don't want to cause her to have Addison's. This is such a catch 22.

Our vet is so good and is always open for learning new ideas. If anyone has any experience I would be happy to hear them. Right now I am sitting on pins and needles wondering whether or not we are doing the right thing for Sassy.

Thanks to all who have expressed concern and to all who are praying for my girl.

Hugs to all, ~Pat & Sassy

**Toby's Mom** · 03-10-2010, 04:23 PM

Hi Pat! I don't have anything to offer other than letting you know you and Sassy are in my thoughts.

**CeeCee's Mom** · 03-10-2010, 04:23 PM

Pat, I can understand your position on this matter. When something is in the gray area, you want to hold out to make sure the course is right. I am saying prayers for Sweet Sassy girl.......We love her and want the best for her too!!!! Please keep us updated!!

**gibbert** · 03-10-2010, 04:41 PM

While I'm happy to hear Sassy may not have Cushings, I'm sorry things are kind of left up in the air, with you not knowing which direction to take. I'm sorry ... I don't have any advice regarding whether or not to begin treatment. But I'm praying and sending positive thoughts for the best possible outcome. Please keep us updated. Big hugs to both you and Sassy.

**KAG** · 03-10-2010, 05:08 PM

Aww, Pat. Praying all comes together soon for you and your Girl. Praying you soon will have peace of mind.

Hopefully, Linda and Terry can add some input, also.
xoxoxoxooxoxo

**donnad** · 03-10-2010, 05:13 PM

I am sorry that you didn't get any definitive answers...just want you to know that I will be keeping Sassy in my prayers.

**lovesophie** · 03-10-2010, 05:14 PM

Do you think it'd be possible to get a second opinion? I would hate for her to take medications for something she may not even have.

I'll continue to send good thoughts and prayers your way.

**MaryH** · 03-10-2010, 05:19 PM

Pat, having taken in 3 Maltese with Cushing's, I would not start meds until I got a definitive diagnosis, i.e., the LDDS test. Don't know if you saw the PM I sent you last week summarizing how our rescues were treated. Good luck and keep up posted.

MaryH

**remy** · 03-10-2010, 05:25 PM

will keep Sassy in my prayers

**Morkie4** · 03-10-2010, 05:55 PM

I know you must be very discouraged that they weren't able to give you an answer.......only delays in getting the final answer to Sassy's problem. I will keep you and Sassy in my thoughts that things work out as best they can! Thanks for taking the time to update; sorry I don't have anything more to offer you but to say how sorry I am.

03-10-2010, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
sassy's mommy Maltese Guru Name: Pat Dog's Name: Sassy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 15,379	Up date on Sassy--Ultrasound Sassy had her ultrasound on Monday Afternoon. It was done by an internal medicines vet. There seems to be some controversy as to what is normal size for adrenal glands in a dog Sassy's size. The vet that did the ultrasound seems to think up to 6 is normal. Sassy had one gland at 5 and the other 5.5 Her diagnosis on the ultrasound was Hepatopathy, possible "very early PDH" ie pituitary dependent Cushings. Eventhough she tested positive with her ACTH stim test since her glands are not crazy hugh it didn't 100% confirm Cushings. If I understand this correctly, if the Cushings is pituitary dependent then the glands should both be large. If the Cushings was adrenal based then only one of the glands would be enlarged. Sassy's were very similar in size, so the ultrasound was more in the gray area so to speak. If in fact Sassy doesn't have cushings, starting the meds at this point could possibly burn up her adrenals and then she would be the opposite of Cushings--Addison's. Dr. B gave us a liver supplement called Denamarin which will help Sassy's liver repair itself and we are going to closely monitor Sassy for any changes in behavior (symptoms) and if there are any minor changes we are going to do the LDDS test immediately in hopes of confirming Cushings or not. If Sassy does not exhibit any changes we are still going to retest her with the LDDS in 2 months. I talked to Dr. Jaimie and Jackie (JMM) and they both think that we should go ahead and start Sassy on treatments. It scares me to think that not starting now could allow some of the other bad things that come along with Cushings could happen to Sassy. But on the other hand, if she isn't Cushingoid I don't want to cause her to have Addison's. This is such a catch 22. Our vet is so good and is always open for learning new ideas. If anyone has any experience I would be happy to hear them. Right now I am sitting on pins and needles wondering whether or not we are doing the right thing for Sassy. Thanks to all who have expressed concern and to all who are praying for my girl. Hugs to all, ~Pat & Sassy __________________ Pat & Sassy.....Life is good!

03-10-2010, 04:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Toby's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Nicole Dog's Name: Toby Nero Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chicagoland Area Posts: 5,653	Hi Pat! I don't have anything to offer other than letting you know you and Sassy are in my thoughts. __________________

03-10-2010, 04:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
CeeCee's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Dianne Dog's Name: CeeCee (Jacob Maltese) Rain (Bonnie's Angel) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeastern United States Posts: 10,099	Pat, I can understand your position on this matter. When something is in the gray area, you want to hold out to make sure the course is right. I am saying prayers for Sweet Sassy girl.......We love her and want the best for her too!!!! Please keep us updated!! __________________

03-10-2010, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
gibbert Maltese Guru Name: Heidi Dog's Name: Tchelsi Ann & Tatumn Alexander Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 4,703	While I'm happy to hear Sassy may not have Cushings, I'm sorry things are kind of left up in the air, with you not knowing which direction to take. I'm sorry ... I don't have any advice regarding whether or not to begin treatment. But I'm praying and sending positive thoughts for the best possible outcome. Please keep us updated. Big hugs to both you and Sassy. __________________ CLICK HERE TO SEE TCHELSI'S DOGSTER PAGE!! CLICK HERE TO SEE TATUMN'S DOGSTER PAGE!!

03-10-2010, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
donnad Maltese Guru Name: Donna Dog's Name: Chloe & Summer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 2,908	I am sorry that you didn't get any definitive answers...just want you to know that I will be keeping Sassy in my prayers. __________________

03-10-2010, 05:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
KAG Maltese Guru Name: Kerry Dog's Name: Lola in Heaven, Crisse, Darla and Fallon Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 7,023	Aww, Pat. Praying all comes together soon for you and your Girl. Praying you soon will have peace of mind. Hopefully, Linda and Terry can add some input, also. xoxoxoxooxoxo

03-10-2010, 05:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
lovesophie Maltese Guru Name: Sarah Dog's Name: Sophie Bean Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bay Area Posts: 3,988	Do you think it'd be possible to get a second opinion? I would hate for her to take medications for something she may not even have. I'll continue to send good thoughts and prayers your way. __________________

03-10-2010, 05:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
MaryH Maltese Guru Name: Mary Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,150	Pat, having taken in 3 Maltese with Cushing's, I would not start meds until I got a definitive diagnosis, i.e., the LDDS test. Don't know if you saw the PM I sent you last week summarizing how our rescues were treated. Good luck and keep up posted. MaryH

03-10-2010, 05:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
remy Maltese Guru Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,186	will keep Sassy in my prayers

03-10-2010, 05:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
Morkie4 Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Kallie, Brandy, Buffy & Toby Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,614	I know you must be very discouraged that they weren't able to give you an answer.......only delays in getting the final answer to Sassy's problem. I will keep you and Sassy in my thoughts that things work out as best they can! Thanks for taking the time to update; sorry I don't have anything more to offer you but to say how sorry I am.

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