The Results Are In!

The lab has sent back the results of Molly's stone analysis. As I expected, they're made up of calcium oxalate. Risk factors for this kind of stone include breed (Miniature Schnauzers, Lhasas, Bichons, Miniature Poodles, Yorkies and Shih Tzus are predisposed), too much dietary vitamin D or C, diseases causing hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood stream), diets containing too much oxalic acid (nuts, beans, sweet potatoes, wheat germ, spinach, rhubarb) and Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's Disease). It's this last disease that I'm worried about in Molly as she's still drinking up a storm and peeing everywhere!

Cushing's Disease is a pain in the butt. It's relatively expensive to treat and monitor properly. With this disease, the adrenal glands produce too many hormones, especially cortisol. It can be the result of an adrenal gland tumor, a pituitary gland tumor or it can happen if a dog's been on too many glucocorticoids ("steroids"). It's usually seen in middle-aged or older animals and causes symptoms such as drinking and peeing too much, icky skin, a round, 'potty' looking belly... It's complicated. For a good read on the subject, visit "veterinarypartner.com" and check out the Cushing's section.

My favorite test for Cushing's disease is called the Low Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test (LDDS for short). We've run that on Molly and I'll post her results soon!