So what we were worried about happening happened. Jack began the toxic meds (Mitotane) last month to kill some cells in the adrenal gland so they wouldn't produce excess cortisol. But we had to keep an eye on him because if it kills off too many, it could be life threatening from not having enough cortisol. Yesterday Damian texted me at work saying Jack threw up 5 times. We took him to the vet, they ran tests, he's now transitioned from Cushing's Disease to Addison's Disease. We have to stop the toxic meds immediately and give him another med (Prednisone) that restores some cortisol. His diabetes still isn't under control and we've gone from 5 units twice a day to 17 units twice a day. They ran a test that shows his average glucose over the past 3-4 weeks and they said it was pretty high. Me and Damian haven’t been successful in getting enough blood for the test strips so the vet prescribed a glucose reader gadget called Freestyle Libre 2. It will send the readings to my phone after they attach it to his neck with tape. The sensor works for 2 weeks, so we’ll use this route instead of doing a glucose curve that would mean a day full of needle sticks! We are trying another insulin to see if it makes a difference. We’re close to $4k since November for our boy and he still has a long road ahead. Prayers are needed and appreciated. All I can think of now is how we stopped paying him lots of attention years back, how we got a cat when we barely had time to spend with him and then his dad leaving him behind. It all just breaks my heart. But I will try and let the good memories consume me instead of the negative. I’m just really worried and the first place we all go is “I should’ve done this or that more...”. This is hard.
Additional info on Cushing’s & Addison’s Disease
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/addisons-disease-in-dogs-symptoms-treatment-prevention/
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