Here’s Bingo. She’s a much loved Labradoodle, she’s a senior dog now (13 years old) but we think we still have a good few years with her. Bingo unfortunately has Cushing disease.
Basically what this means is that Bingo overproduces cortisol. It’s something to do with the adrenal glands not providing the normal feedback mechanisms. Cushing disease eventually results in negative effects on the body due to the sustained overproduction and release of cortisol. Signs associated with Cushing disease can include:
• Increased drinking and urination
• Increased appetite
• Thinning hair
• Muscle weakness
• Liver enlargement
Cortisol overproduction can also cause problems with the body’s regulation of sugar, a condition that can predispose a pet to developing diabetes. So it’s important to treat as soon as possible.
First off our vet did a blood test which involved a day stay at the clinic. They do the test by drawing a small amount of blood to check the baseline (“starting”) cortisol level. Afterward, a very small dose of cortisol is given by injection. Repeat blood samples are then taken at specific intervals (a few hours apart) to measure the cortisol level and determine if the body’s response to the injection of cortisol is appropriate. The blood samples are submitted to a diagnostic laboratory.
Following the test (which proved positive) the vet prescribed a dosage of Trilosane pills. Bingo is now on these pills for the rest of her life – she currently has 2 a day, but she still needs to go to the vet every 6 months for blood tests to ensure the dosage of her pills is appropriate to her needs.
You’ll be surprised at how the cost adds up, and also remember this is a chronic illness, so we will be paying these costs for as long as our gorgeous girl stays with us.
Blood tests 2 x per year: $600
Medication: $3,219 (yes that’s right – $8.42 a day for 2x a day– and these are the non-branded variety too).
Total cost per year, excluding heartworm, check ups and any other ailments: $3,819.00.
Now that’s when pet insurance comes in handy, and as this is a chronic (recurring) condition, it shows how important it is to have pet insurance, such as Petsecure, that covers chronic conditions (like Cushings Disease) for as long as you keep your pet insurance policy continuously in place! In the above example, with a policy that pays an 85% benefit, you would only be up for $572.00 per year, instead of $3,819. Now that’s quite a saving, even when you consider the cost of the premiums.
Thank you, this helps.
My 15 year old chihuahua has cushings and it seems half the vets say treat it while the others say don’t, and personally I know one pet owner who did treat their dog while another did not. Both of these dogs had similar lengths of life with similar health issues. It seems it’s a 50/50, leaving me with a constant inner debate of whether to treat my Chihuahua or not. Any suggestions?
Hi Corey, I would be taking advice from the vet. Every diagnosis and pooch is different so that needs to be accounted for. I treated my Labradoodle for Cushings over many years – she lived to 15 years old. Will never know if we would have had the same outcome with no treatment! Liz
Isn’t that about the average life expectancy of a dog after being diagnosed with Cushing disease and if you don’t have health insurance or those thousands of dollars isn’t it just as humane to let the dog live their lives with out the horrible side effects of the pills and then go save a different dog slated for death at the pound?
Hi Debbie, thank you for your comment. From personal experience, there were no nasty side effects from drugs for Cushings, but that’s not to say that it never happens. Complications of Cushing’s syndrome include high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and diabetes, and as you know it can be life threatening. It’s a personal choice (and I would think in consultation with your vet) whether you choose to medicate or not.
My sister in law has one of the off spring from my “bitch”, sorry, I hate that word, anyway, she pays $45 per month for medication, not $3,000.
Oh, I see you are in AU, maybe that’s why the high cost of meds.
^^I should have said $540 per year.
Hello Saundra, Yes being in Australia would potentially mean that the cost is higher, but also the cost will depend on the dosage of the pills that are being administered. Some pets need less to manage the condition. I can assure you that these costs are absolutely correct in Australia – they have been verified from vet’s bills. Thank you for your comments. Liz
Hello, I live in Michigan and I treat my dog for Cushing’s. I don’t see any adverse side effects from the medication Vetoryl 40mg. However, my bank account does! It cost me $1670.00 a year. I pay $375.00 for tests needed every 6 months (x2) + $110 for another blood panel also every 6 months or no perscription. Why so expensive? plus $60 a month for meds=1670.00. I have lost my job and will have to choose between paying for her meds or put her down. She is a mess without meds I can’t imagine having to pee every 15 mins and drinking gallons of water (if I would let her) not to mention bladder infections too. That would be inhumane in my opinion. Please I’m looking for a vet who can treat her in a more costly manner. If anyone knows a vet that can reduce my cost I would greatly appreciate it. I don’t want to put her down she is very healthy only when being treated.
Treating your dog with natural supplements. Is better and cheaper. Remember. The choice is not to treat or to treat. Of course you need to treat. But treat naturally. Search on line. Many many people treat effectively with supplements.
When our sweet cocker spaniel Buddy got an autoimmune disease, we were told he would need blood transfusions from a donor dog, at $1500 a treatment, and he would probably need several. We were unable financially to afford that, so we lost him. I will regret not borrowing the money, or putting the fees on a charge card, for the rest of my life, whenever I’m dusting his sad little urn of ashes. We lost our darling little furry friend and companion the day he died. Our present English springer spaniel was just diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, and I will make sure he gets the treatment he needs, cost be damned. As my husband battles Parkinson’s and cancer, he is a bright spot in our dark and hopeless days, and we will value whatever time we have left with him.
Hi, I’m so sorry to hear about Buddy and really hope you can get your Springer Spaniel the care and treatment he needs. It sounds like he brings you much joy, which is lovely.
I know how everyone feels. I just found out
my yorkie has cushings and I am devastated. I love him so much. I am retired and really cannot afford the money for the meds but I am going to do everything possible to make sure that he gets his meds.
My old golden is going on for 14. She has just been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. The treat or not to treat debate has been intense. However, since she has severe arthritis and allergies that have been eased by her own steroids, we have decided not to treat her as we are pensioners and the cost of the treatment, as well as the extra cost of treating her allergies/arthritis, makes it prohibitive. My vet agreed. I
Hi my doggies Benny was almost 15 when he diagnosed with DKA, the vet later also told me he had hypertension which required deep dive tests he might have liver tumor or cusing diseases that’s how I heard about cusing diseases. With 24 hours I had already spent almost $5000 ($1200 from the first vet who diagnosed DKA) the rest was his hospitalization. The vet suggested me to put him into sleep peacefully or I will need to commit to a long term time. Due to his age and complications, even long term treatment may not easy, he might end up with painful death like brain swelling or carats etc. the vet asking me is this for your vet or for yourself? Because it will be painful to see your pet leaving but they won’t suffer any longer, he won’t go back to normal like before and the quality of his life will not be there anymore. For hours of crying and consideration I had to decide to let my Benny go, he is in doggie heaven now and I feel painful here but I would also feel painful to see my dog suffer,,, the last day before he went to the vet he was not doing well, I was hurting to see him like that… so don’t let your vet suffer even you have money to spend…it’s not about money it’s about not let him suffering