Trilostane for dogs can be a useful medication for Cushing’s disease treatment and has the potential to greatly improve a dog’s quality of life. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains what Trilostane is, how it works, and what you need to know when giving it to your dog.
Recently, I met Zoey, an 8-year-old, female spayed Standard Poodle. Her owner had just moved to town and made an appointment with me to get established as Zoey’s new vet.
In the exam room, there were a few things I immediately noted about my patient. Zoey had a pot-belly, was mildly overweight, and she didn’t have the typical beautiful, curly Poodle hair. Instead, some patches of her coat looked thin and rough.
Zoey’s mom told me that their previous veterinarian had diagnosed her dog with Cushing’s disease about six months prior. At that time, she’d opted to monitor her beloved dog instead of pursuing treatment. However, now Zoey’s mom was wondering if she’d made the right decision. Her dear dog was not as “glamorous” as she was even a few months ago, and she was spending a lot of time at her water bowl.
My client’s stress was evident as she talked through Zoey’s history with me. However, the worry turned to relief when I assured her that it wasn’t too late to consider treatment for her dog. Then I went on to explain that I would recommend starting Zoey on a medication called Trilostane to help manage her Cushing’s.
I have seen amazing improvement in my Cushingoid dog patients once I started them on Trilostane. Let’s take a closer look at this drug.
What is Trilostane for dogs?
Veterinarians most commonly use the medication Trilostane to treat Cushing’s disease in dogs (and more rarely, cats too). It is available as generic Trilostane or under the brand name Vetoryl® and it is approved by the FDA.
What is Cushing’s disease?
Let’s take a step back and talk about Cushing’s disease (also known as hyperadrenocorticism). Dogs with this condition have excess amounts of cortisol (a stress hormone) circulating in their bodies. This occurs for three main reasons:
- A small tumor in the pituitary gland (located in the brain) signals the adrenal glands (located near the kidneys) to produce excessive cortisol. This is called “pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism” or PDH.
- An adrenal gland tumor is producing too much cortisol. This is known as “adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism” or ADH.
- Taking steroids such as prednisone for dogs induces a condition called “iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism.”
Dogs with Cushing’s disease often show increased thirst in dogs and increased urination. They may also have a poor haircoat, pot-bellied appearance, and pant excessively.
How does Trilostane help dogs with Cushing’s disease?
In dogs with Cushing’s disease, there are three main treatment options: medication, surgical removal of the adrenal gland, and radiation therapy. (To learn more about this application for radiation therapy, check out an article on the effects of radiation on large pituitary tumors which was published in The Canadian Veterinary Journal).
When it comes to medical therapy, Trilostane is the most common drug of choice for treatment of hyperadrenocorticism. This is partly because it has been shown to be effective for both pituitary-dependent (PDH) and adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADH).
Trilostane, a synthetic steroid, works by inhibiting enzymes in the adrenal gland. In turn, this decreases the amount of cortisol the adrenal glands produce (and therefore the amount of circulating cortisol).
What is the Trilostane dosage for dogs?
Most commonly, veterinarians will prescribe Trilostane capsules that you can give your dog by mouth. Vetoryl (brand name Trilostane) comes in different size capsules including 5 mg, 10 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, and 120 mg. Your vet will select the capsule size that is right for your dog’s weight and symptoms.
Also, veterinarians may suggest Trilostane in compounded form. This means that a pharmacy takes the original form of the drug and makes it into a different form. In this case, the pharmacy would make it into a tablet or liquid, which the dog would take by mouth. Having a liquid option can be helpful for dogs who don’t take pills well.
(As a side note, if you are struggling to get pills into your pup, check out my article on what to do if your dog won’t take pills.)
Typically, your vet will recommend daily dosing of the Trilostane (i.e. every 24 hours). However, there are some cases where your dog may need it twice a day. Your vet will decide what is right for your dog.
Dogs need to take Trilostane every day in order for it to work properly. It is a short-acting drug, which means that the effects of it only last for a brief period of time if not given regularly. Additionally, you should give Trilostane with food. It can cause nausea if given on an empty stomach.
Every dog and case of Cushing’s disease is different. Therefore, it is very important to work closely with your veterinarian and follow his or her directions when giving Trilostane to your dog.
Is compounded Trilostane effective?
Before we go any further, I want to briefly talk about compounded Trilostane. While it is usually safe and effective, some veterinarians think it might not work as well as Vetoryl. This is because during compounding, the pharmacy will break down the Vetoryl capsule to make the new form.
Therefore, it is difficult to know for sure that the same amount of Trilostane is in every compounded tablet or syringe of liquid. Since Trilostane affects hormone levels, it is very important that every dose is accurate.
However, sometimes the compounded medication is necessary. For example, for dogs who can’t or won’t take capsules, the compounded Trilostane liquid might be the only option. Also, compounded Trilostane can sometimes be more cost effective than brand name Vetoryl. This can be a way for a dog parent to provide Trilostane to their dog that they otherwise would find more difficult to afford.
The good news is that as veterinary medicine has continued to advance, so have compounding practices. So the efficacy of compounded Trilostane may not be as much of a concern as it used to be. If you prefer or need to have your dog’s Trilostane compounded, please discuss it with your veterinarian and only use a trusted pharmacy.
What if I miss a dose of my dog’s Trilostane?
In order for Trilostane to be most effective, it is important to give it on a regular schedule. This means giving it every day at the same time of day (usually in the morning).
However, sometimes accidents happen and you might forget a dose of Trilostane. In that case, you can typically give it to your dog as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time that the next dose is due, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular time. If you are unsure if it is too close to the time of the next dose, contact your veterinarian for advice.
How quickly does Trilostane work?
One of the great things about Trilostane is that most pet owners notice a difference in their dog’s behavior within one to two days. They may observe that their dog isn’t drinking quite as much water anymore. This also means that the dog would not be urinating as excessively either. Some dog parents also notice that their dogs seem to pant less often than before.
Studies with Vetoryl have indicated that cortisol levels begin to lower and return to normal within 14 days of starting the Vetoryl. So if your dog is taking Trilostane regularly, hopefully the Cushing’s symptoms will continue to improve even more. However, every dog will respond to Trilostane differently. This means sometimes the positive effects of Trilostane may take a bit longer to show up.
What are the side effects of Trilostane?
Since Trilostane is a short acting drug, most treated dogs tolerate it fairly well. It is also considered to be fairly safe when the veterinarian’s directions are followed closely. The most common side effect of using Trilostane for dogs is nausea. You can usually avoid this issue by giving the Trilostane with food. The other common side effects include:
- Decreased appetite
- A lethargic dog (decreased energy)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
Typically, dogs only experience these more minor side effects during the first day or two of starting the medication. However, if they persist or worsen, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
Some dogs can be allergic to Trilostane. Signs of an allergic reaction include swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, or itching. If this happens, please call your veterinarian immediately and do not give any more Trilostane.
Serious side effects
The most concerning potential side effect is called an Addisonian crisis (hypoadrenocortism). Essentially, Addison’s disease in dogs is the opposite of Cushing’s disease—low circulating levels of cortisol and other hormones produced by the adrenal glands. In rare cases, an Addisonian crisis may occur if Trilostane decreases the adrenal gland hormone production too much. This can lead to destruction or rupture of the adrenal gland.
This damage could cause your dog to go into shock, which can be life threatening. Signs of an Addisonian crisis include any of the signs mentioned above plus:
- Severe depression
- Confusion
- Collapse
- Bloody diarrhea
- Pale/white gums
If you have any reason to suspect that your dog is experiencing an Addisonian crisis, please call your veterinarian immediately or head to the nearest emergency hospital for an emergency vet visit.
Any precautions or drug interactions?
While I mentioned earlier that Trilostane is generally considered to be safe, there are a few situations where it should be avoided. First, Trilostane should not be used in dogs who are pregnant or nursing. Since Trilostane affects hormones, this could cause miscarriages or serious side effects in puppies.
Also, Trilostane should be used with caution in dogs who have liver disease in dogs or liver failure. This is because the liver is responsible for metabolizing Trilostane. Finally, dogs who are allergic to Trilostane should not take it either.
Additionally, there are a few drugs that your dog should not take at the same time as Trilostane. The drugs listed below can interact with Trilostane and cause serious side effects.
- ACE inhibitors—medications like enalapril or benazepril that vets may use to treat heart disease in dogs, hypertension in dogs (i.e. high blood pressure), or some kidney problems
- Potassium sparing diuretics—drugs like spironolactone that are also useful in heart disease treatment
- Potassium supplements
- Ketoconazole—an anti-fungal medication
- Aminoglutethimide— a medication sometimes used in dogs with PDH Cushing’s
- Mitotane—another drug used to treat Cushing’s disease
If your dog has been on any of these medications before or is currently on them, please let your veterinarian know prior to starting Trilostane. It is important to tell your veterinarian about any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements that you are giving your dog to avoid possible interactions any time your dog is starting a new medication.
Does my dog need any special monitoring after starting Trilostane?
Since Trilostane affects hormone levels, regular monitoring is important in order to ensure that it is working properly and that the dog isn’t taking too high of a dose.
Usually, within 10 to 14 days of starting Trilostane, your vet will want to re-examine your dog to evaluate the clinical signs. He or she will also typically perform an ACTH stimulation test at this time.
This is also one of the tests your veterinarian may have used to initially diagnose your dog with Cushing’s disease. It looks at the body’s response to an injection of ACTH, the hormone that normally stimulates cortisol production. Based on the results of this test, your veterinarian can determine if the Trilostane is keeping the cortisol at the appropriate level.
If your veterinarian adjusts your dog’s Trilostane dose, he or she may recommend running another ACTH stimulation test 10 to 14 days later. This will probably happen after every dose adjustment. Also, if your dog begins to show any side effects or abnormal behavior, your veterinarian may also recommend an examination, ACTH stimulation test, and/or other possible diagnostics.
Once your dog is regulated on Trilostane and has been at a constant dose, your vet may recommend re-examination and retesting 30 days later, then 90 days later. After that, your vet may want to see your dog every three to six months for further monitoring.
This is one possible monitoring plan, but it is important to realize that your veterinarian may suggest a different test or testing schedule based on your dog’s clinical signs and the Trilostane dosage. It is important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations closely in order to ensure the Trilostane reaches its full potential for your dog while also being as safe as possible.
Zoey’s happy ending
After discussing how Trilostane works, the cost, and the monitoring required, my client decided to pursue Trilostane for Zoey. I started her on the medication that day. Ten days later, I saw Zoey for her first recheck exam and ACTH stimulation test. She was drinking normal amounts of water and seemed more relaxed. Her mom was thrilled that she was back to her old self again.
Zoey’s recheck showed that her cortisol levels were improving already. Her mom cried with relief! She could not believe the difference the Trilostane was making. So, we kept Zoey on the same dose and continued to monitor her as described above. With each recheck, the gorgeous Poodle was improving and her blood work was closer to normal. Both Zoey and her mom seemed so relieved!
Give your dog more good days with Trilostane
I understand that it can feel overwhelming when your dog is first diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and you are looking at the potential of life-long medication and periodic monitoring. This probably isn’t what you pictured for your dog. However, I am here to tell you that there is still a lot of room for hope. Trilostane might be just the ticket to improve your dog’s quality of life (and indirectly yours, too).
Yes, like any drug it does have the potential for some side effects. Yes, you do need to be able to commit time and money to daily medications and monitoring. But the benefits of it can be amazing. It can potentially give your dog more good years with you, which means more memories, more smiles, and more joy. So, if your dog has Cushing’s disease and you are on the fence about starting a medication, please have an open conversation with your vet about whether Trilostane (or a different medication) could be right for your dog.
Has your dog been treated with Trilostane for Cushing’s disease?
Please share your experiences below.
My dog started showing early signs of “something” in early 2020. It looked like ascites to me, vague activity intolerance, just a lot of nonspecific “this isn’t right.” I asked to have liver and cardiac tests done. Nothing wrong. A year later, the vet started suspecting Cushing’s, and did an abdominal ultrasound and a round of tests. Came back negative. A year later same thing. It wasn’t until this year, 2023, that we were absolutely certain that her clinical presentation was Cushing’s, and the tests finally came back positive. So my poor sweet dog has been developing this for 3 years with negative tests, and it was only once it became severe that we were able to do anything for her.
She was so far advanced, that every symptom in the book was at the severe stage. Could hardly walk a mile, drinking constantly, stealing food, hair falling out, confused, sleeping 23 hours a day, belly like a piglet.
She started trilostane 2 months ago, and now she’s like a 12 year old puppy. Runs, plays, solicits attention. Not only doesn’t have food obsession, but sometimes she doesn’t even finish her bowl! No more confusion, lethargy normal to a 12-year-old dog.
I know that this is palliative, not curative, and she is 12 years old after all. But holy cow, this is giving her a new lease on life.
If anyone is hesitant, please don’t be. Any medication can be dangerous – and your vet will watch this one closely with you.
Hi Donna,
What a blessing to have your sweet girl back to her normal happy self! Thank you for sharing your story with our readers. It is great to hear the positive outcomes and offer hope to others in a similar situation. Take care and keep up the good work!
Hi
My dog is having Liver disease from last 2.5 years. His liver condition is stable. But in routine 6 months ultrasound they found out his both adrenal glands are little enlarged with no mass. He is absolutely fine with no symptoms. They are going to test his urine next week to check if he has Cushing.
I am scared to death thinking medicine will work for him. Or there will be no medicine available for him.vet is telling me he will be fine as there is a medication for him. But still I am so scared.
Hi Shru,
I understand why you are worried, but it sounds like your dog is doing pretty well. Even if the testing shows your dog has Cushing’s disease your vet may hold off on medications for now. The standard recommendation is only to use medication to control symptoms. Since your pup is symptom free and this was only found by coincidence, there may be no need in treatment at this time. I hope you find the answers you need to ensure your boy is well taken care of. Wishing you both the best of luck.
Hi Dr. Buzby,
My dog PaoPao, a 9-year-old bischon/poodle mix, was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. In fact, he’s getting his LDDS test done right now while I worriedly pace about the house, as we’re still working to figure out if it’s pituitary or adrenal based.
PaoPao doesn’t present most of the typical signs of Cushing’s; no pot belly, no excessive thirst, no panting, no real hair loss, but he has lost considerable muscle mass, is ravenously hungry, had high liver enzyme levels, and his hair has thinned a bit in certain areas. In fact, it was only because of an article I read by you that I urged my veterinarian to test for Cushing’s, as the vet had been treating him for hypothyroidism, which I suspect was really Cushing’s in disguise.
Our vet’s plan is to start a 10mg dose of Trilostane, while I’ll be using the alternative treatments of lignan, melatonin and Si Miao San under the vet’s routine testing to assure we’re not overly aggressive and turn Cushing’s into Addison’s.
Everything I’ve read seems to indicate that Cushing’s dogs only live 2-3 years after diagnosis. My question for you may be a bit complicated to answer, but if the treatment successfully lowers the cortisol levels, shouldn’t the dog be able to live a long life? What an I missing here? PaoPao is only 9, and I imagined we’d have so many more wonderful years together. Presuming his treatment is effective, the idea that our time together could still be cut so short, so soon, is absolutely devastating to me.
Hi Michael,
I am so sorry PaoPao is suspected to have this terrible disease. I think it is great you have been actively working to find answers and are such a strong advocate for your dog’s health and well-being. Unfortunately, I don’t have clear answers as to why Cushing’s treatment does not restore the normal lifespan of a dog. My educated guess is that while some medications can decrease the production of cortisol in the body, the effects of a pituitary tumor or adrenal issue are still causing problems behind the scenes. I think of it like a diabetic who is taking insulin. The insulin may have the blood sugar at an optimal level, but the diabetes has not gone away and is still causing problems for the body. How are things with PaoPao today? Were you able to get a definitive answer with the LDDS testing? Hoping you can find the best way to offer your sweet boy happiness and peace. Bless you both.
What (if any) supplements can be taken with Vetroyl that might help my Lucy?
Hi Arvilla,
Most supplements are safe with Vetoryl but you should always consult your vet before adding anything to your dog’s treatment regimen. What issue is Lucy dealing with that you are trying to find a supplement for?
My dog has been on Vetoryl for about 2 1/2 months. He isnt excessively drinki g, urinating or panting. His skin and hair are looking so much better. He has responded very well. I do wish there was some coupons or discounts for Vetoryl as it is expensive especially while we are being monitored with the ACTH Tests
Hi Michelle,
I am glad your dog is doing so well on Vetoryl and you are noticing a vast improvement in his Cushing’s symptoms. I understand that veterinary care is not cheap and can be a burden when treating and monitoring a chronic disease. Hoping things will begin to stabilize and the vet visits will start to become less frequent. Wishing you and your pup the best of luck. Keep up the good work!
I started my yorkie-poo on V (t0 mg) a week ago under vet supervision. No changes yet but came across this forum accidently and feel so much better – appreciate people and the Dr taking time for such thoughtful responses and feedback!!! I took him to the vet for the sudden appearance of a rat tail (lost much of the fat and hair on his tail seemingly overnight). He had also developed cystic lumps over the years. Dr suspected cushings but said since the dog appeared fine otherwise to just monitor him. He maintained the testing and treatment are expensive and many times inconclusive. Well, within a few months he went from a happy energetic dog to an old one – shaking, panting, excessive drinking, insatiable appetite (almost food aggressive), confused, having accidents in the house, pot belly, thin scaly skin and dull patchy coat. I took him in as soon as I could get an appt. The dr didn’t prescribe until all the testing was complete which took another few weeks. Anyway I wanted to provide some details so others could benefit if they are suspicious and hopefully start the process of testing sooner rather than later. I had zero idea the disease would progress so rapidly:(. Praying my little love recovers as nicely as some of the dogs described here!
J
Hi JG,
I am glad you were able to get a diagnosis and have started treatment with your little pup. How are things going? Are you noticing an improvement in your boy’s symptoms? Hoping he is feeling better, and his quality of life has been restored. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best for many happy days ahead.
Dear Dr. Buzby, My 12 year old beagle (42 lbs.) was just diagnosed (pituitary). Compounded Vetoryl has been ordered, 40 mg. I am scared to death to give this to him! He suffers now with loss of appetite and diarrhea and I fear I am going to make him sicker. I have heard that he needs to be on an initial lower dose to begin and I don’t know what to do. Have also heard that if his symptoms are not severe we don’t need meds at all. I am at a loss.
Hi Andrea,
I know you are worried and want to do what is best for your senior boy. While any medication can have unwanted side effects, Trailstone can be nothing short of a miracle for dog’s suffering with Cushing’s disease. It is very possible this will help your sweet boy feel better and improve his quality of life. Your vet will advise you on what dose is appropriate and will help you adjust things as needed based on routine blood monitoring. Try not to focus on all the “what ifs”. I am hopeful you will be pleased with the results.
My Chinese Crested is 14.5 yes and has been on Vetoryl for 2 years. This week he suddenly got very shaky, unstable and disoriented. I honestly thought we were going to lose him. He then slept for about 30 hours, we woke him up only to pee.
Now he seems better but isn’t eating. We saw the vet today. We were told to keep him on the Vetoryl, gave him some pills to increase his appetite and keep him on a sub cu drip twice a day. I now read Vetoryl can affect appetite. Should we be concerned? He’s already significantly underweight, if he refuses to eat I doubt he’ll last a week.
Hi Gillian,
What a scary few days you had with your pup. I’m so glad you were able to get him to the vet for an evaluation, and I hope that he continued to improve and started eating again. Since I haven’t personally examined him and looked at his bloodwork, I can’t say with any certainty if the lack of appetite was from the Vetoryl or from whatever made him so sick to begin with. Lack of appetite is definitely concerning, especially for dogs who are already underweight, so I usually ask my clients to give me a call in a few days (or less) if their dogs haven’t started eating better again or don’t seem to be improving. Hope your little guy is feeling better!
What about atypical cushings, can that be treated with melatonin and lignans?
Hi J,
That would be a great question for your vet! Each case is different, and it is hard to make specific recommendations without having personal knowledge of all the details.
I have a 12yr male neutered Siberian Husky. Last year, we had to start him on Galliprant for arthritis. In this year’s spring, took him to vet for lethargy, and some hair/fur loss. He was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and is now on Levothyroxine (0.5mg/day). The hair/fur loss did not improve so we requested he be tested for Cushings. ACTH test came back “equivocal”, but due to symptoms, decided to put him on lowest dose Vetoryl (30mg/2x day) Was just re-tested and his levels are now where they should be. Definite improvement on happier & a little more like his old self, water intake/output, panting has improved, has gained some weight (possibly muscle gain as no difference in food). Possibly slight improvement in fur regrowth and hope this will continue-but for the winter, my Husky will wear a warm jacket. Even though Vetoryl is expensive, we thought we’d make changes to our lifestyle to provide him with the best quality of life!
Hi Diane,
Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers! It is so nice to read a success story and I am sure it will be a beacon of hope to others in a similar situation. I am glad your sweet boy is showing some improvements since starting the Vetoryl. I am hopeful he will continue to improve and have many happy days ahead. Best wishes and bless you both!
Thank you for your reply.
Update after 50+days on Vetoryl: My fur-baby is still doing well. I have him playing/running a little bit each day. I have seen what I believe is “blowing coat”, so I presume this is due to the fact that his system is now getting adjusted to levels and re-starting the “blowing coat” process. Hopefully, the “bald” spot on his neck (the worst spot) will come back over time.
I wanted to let others know that not every day will be a home run. I am so grateful that his quality of life has improved and appreciate every day with him! Seeing his daily smiles/kisses, reassure me that I did the right thing with treatment.
Also, in regards to price – if others have access to Costo pet pharmacy, they were 1/2 the price of other places!
Thanks, Diane
Hi Diane,
This is such good news! Thank you for the update and for the pharmacy advice. I am sure this will be helpful for others needing to find cost saving solutions for their dog’s medical care. Best wishes!
Hi, we have a 11 year old Pomeranian that was diagnosed with Cushing last week. The Dr. Has ordered Trilostane 10 mg we are waiting on delivery. The price is really high for a limited income any recommendations?
Thank you
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
I understand that medications can be expensive and cause a burden on the family. Unfortunately, for Cushing’s disease there are very limited treatment options. Like the article mentioned, if your veterinarian can order the generic or have the medication compounded it may be slightly less expensive. I am sorry you are dealing with this issue in your senior pup. I hope your dog will respond favorably to the treatment and have many happy days ahead.
My puggle was diagnosed almost 5 years ago and has done great on this medication.
From what I’ve read she has out lived the expectation and I’m thankful ❤️
Hi Kathy,
What a blessing! Thanks for sharing. ♥
Hi Dr. Buzby my 10 lb dog was diagnosed with Cushings in April 2021. We have been trying to get his cushings under control with Vetoryl thus whole past year. He’s now on 100mg and hes peeing alot overnight, every hour to hour and a half. This has been a few months. Any idea how I can reduce the peeing? Im 65 and need jy sleep badly. We’ve checked his urine a few times, done bloodwork. Any insight? Thank you
Hi Shelley,
I can only imagine how frustrated you and your vet must be. You have done everything right and still don’t have the answers you need. Unfortunately, some dogs are just very complicated cases, and it sounds like your little guy is one of those. I am suspicious that something else may be going on that just hasn’t been diagnosed yet. It can be very difficult to unravel these issues especially if there is more than one thing happening at a time. It is not uncommon for dogs with Cushing’s to also develop diabetes. I think that is one of the things your vet was looking for with testing the urine and checking blood work. My best advice is to schedule a consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. They deal with extreme cases like this every day and may have recommendations on next steps to take with testing and treatment. I hope you can find the answers you need to get these severe side effects under control. Praying your sweet boy finds some relief soon. I wish you both the best.
I have a 25 lb doxi, age 13. He has been on 25 mg of trilistone for about a year now. I feel his peeing has been better when I cut the pill in half, giving him half in the morning and half at night with food.
Can a dog with iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism from taking Prednisone daily for an immune mediated disease, also take the Trilostane? Thanks!
Hi Jenny,
I would think the prednisone and trilostane would be fighting against each other. Ideally, if prednisone has caused iatrogenic Cushing’s, the prednisone would be discontinued. I understand there may be cases where this isn’t an option. I recommend you talk with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. They can let you know if there are other medications that are good options to help suppress the immune system and would allow you to avoid the prednisone. Once the steroids are discontinued, the iatrogenic Cushing’s should resolve as well. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for and make the best decision for you and your dog. Good luck!
My sweet Yorkie Abby is 10.5 yrs old and has been on Vetoryl since 2017. She has done fantastic on it! Her pot belly has gotten better as well as her beautiful hair. Her thirst is also better. We can’t tell about anything else because unfortunately she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure last year and is on a ton of meds for that including Lasix, which makes her urinate constantly. But I have been extremely happy with how her Cushings is going. She gets tested every 6 mths and her dosage has stayed contant. It’s very easy for a dog, with the proper mediation and veterinarian care, to live with Cushings.
Hi Vicki,
I am happy to hear Abby is doing so well with her Cushing’s treatment! Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. Praying the CHF can be managed with medications and allow your sweet girl to have many more days ahead. Wishing you both the best. ♥