Can anyone out there give me a price range for the cost of doing the lab work for Cushings disease? Just an approximate cost, I cannot seem to get a straight answer from Vets in my area or my own Vet for that matter and I would like to have some idea what is reasonable. I do not need the cost of X-Rays or MRI's, just the general testing? Thanks.
Cost of Cushings Testing
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ChristyA
Super Boxer
Hi,
I actually have a boxer with Cushing's. I can tell you that we had an ACTH test done it was around $250, but that varies greatly from vet to vet. There are 2 tests one is the ACTH and the other is the LDDS. If the test does not confirm either Pituitary or Adrenal cushings an ultrasound is usually performed, but not always. Depending on the medication your vet prefers (we use lysodren) the cost will vary. The testing is the costly part the rest is not bad.
I will tell you from my personal experience if your vet isn't up to date on testing protocol, or hasn't had much experience with Cushing's - look for another vet that is experienced. Dexter had the Cushing's symptoms, drinking a lot, urinating a lot, accidents in the house, panting, eating all the time, lethargy, and hind quarter weakness. He was diagnosed in Dec. and our first vet was terrible, couldn't get him regulated on lysodren because he didn't do the proper testing. We are now at a different vet that does the proper testing and works closely with an internal medicine vet - he is doing much better. His drinking and eating is back to normal, he goes on walks again, and likes to go outside again.
I hope this has helped. If you would like more information an excellent forum that is much like this one is caninecushings.net
Christy
Dexter & Sophie both 9 1/2
I actually have a boxer with Cushing's. I can tell you that we had an ACTH test done it was around $250, but that varies greatly from vet to vet. There are 2 tests one is the ACTH and the other is the LDDS. If the test does not confirm either Pituitary or Adrenal cushings an ultrasound is usually performed, but not always. Depending on the medication your vet prefers (we use lysodren) the cost will vary. The testing is the costly part the rest is not bad.
I will tell you from my personal experience if your vet isn't up to date on testing protocol, or hasn't had much experience with Cushing's - look for another vet that is experienced. Dexter had the Cushing's symptoms, drinking a lot, urinating a lot, accidents in the house, panting, eating all the time, lethargy, and hind quarter weakness. He was diagnosed in Dec. and our first vet was terrible, couldn't get him regulated on lysodren because he didn't do the proper testing. We are now at a different vet that does the proper testing and works closely with an internal medicine vet - he is doing much better. His drinking and eating is back to normal, he goes on walks again, and likes to go outside again.
I hope this has helped. If you would like more information an excellent forum that is much like this one is caninecushings.net
Christy
Dexter & Sophie both 9 1/2
Khudson
Boxer Buddy
ChristyA I appreciate your response also!
Our baby has elevated liver enzymes found during pre-neutering blood checks. The Vet is retesting in a month (a week now), but after doing some research I'm finding so many answers to what I thought we're phases that he goes through - occasionally he'll pee in the house- its like he doesn't even know its coming he just explodes ... he has no rear end coordination we thought it was because he's still a pup- he itches the floor more than himself... and he eats everything ... food.. dust... leaves.. stucks.. anything he could eat he would.
we're keeping our fingers crossed and praying that these are just Jackson's quirks but your post helped me quite a bit now I know what type of testing to I may need to expect and have a ballpark on cost.
Thanks,
Kylee & Jackson
Our baby has elevated liver enzymes found during pre-neutering blood checks. The Vet is retesting in a month (a week now), but after doing some research I'm finding so many answers to what I thought we're phases that he goes through - occasionally he'll pee in the house- its like he doesn't even know its coming he just explodes ... he has no rear end coordination we thought it was because he's still a pup- he itches the floor more than himself... and he eats everything ... food.. dust... leaves.. stucks.. anything he could eat he would.
we're keeping our fingers crossed and praying that these are just Jackson's quirks but your post helped me quite a bit now I know what type of testing to I may need to expect and have a ballpark on cost.
Thanks,
Kylee & Jackson
Boxer_21
Boxer Insane
You may have seen that I'm having issues with Riley having accidents in the house. His accidents happen mainly at night when he's sleeping, but he has a couple during the day also while he's sleeping (I'm assuming since I'm not home those times). When Dexter had accidents was he awake or asleep?
As for the other symptoms you've listed, he's always had a healthy appetite and he was always been mellow though I wouldn't go so far as to say he's been lethargic. He plays and he loves a good walk, he's just not flying around the yard like Mason. He doesn't really have hind end weakness either.
ChristyA
Super Boxer
Khudson: Usually Cushing's happens in older dogs, but there is always the exception.
Boxer21: Dexter's accidents always happened while he was awake. But, on the Cushing's forum there are a lot of people with dogs that went undiagnosed and they stared having accidents in their sleep. One of the things that happens with Cushing's is the muscles start to weaken. Not only the muscles in their hind quarters, but other muscles which is why the accidents start, and the sagging belly.
Unfortunately Cushing's goes undiagnosed and people just think their dog is getting older or is sick and has to be put down.
If you Google Cushing's you will find a website Kate Connick, she had a boxer with Cushing's also and it has very good info.
caninecushings.net
Christy
Dexter & Sophie both 9 1/2
Boxer21: Dexter's accidents always happened while he was awake. But, on the Cushing's forum there are a lot of people with dogs that went undiagnosed and they stared having accidents in their sleep. One of the things that happens with Cushing's is the muscles start to weaken. Not only the muscles in their hind quarters, but other muscles which is why the accidents start, and the sagging belly.
Unfortunately Cushing's goes undiagnosed and people just think their dog is getting older or is sick and has to be put down.
If you Google Cushing's you will find a website Kate Connick, she had a boxer with Cushing's also and it has very good info.
caninecushings.net
Christy
Dexter & Sophie both 9 1/2
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Sablegirl
Super Boxer
We just had Sable tested for Cushings because a biopsy she had done on a dark spot on her skin came back stating it was benign but was sometimes found on dogs with Cushings. Needless to say I had to have the test done to know for sure. We live in Louisville Kentucky and the cost for the test was $150. It came back negative but I'm still glad I had the test done because I know now that she is fine. Good luck
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