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Expert: - 12/22/2009


Question
My 9 year old Brittany was recently (8 days ago) diagnosed with Cushings. His drug therapy is Lysodren which we started a few days ago. Over the past few weeks he developed facial paralysis, from I believe the Cushings. Once the Cushings is under control, do you think the facial problems will get better or is this permanent? Though it doesn't seem to bother him, I'm concerned about his eye. He doesn't appear to have the ability to blink. I assume this could lead to problems of the eye drying and/or getting infected.
He's been through enough with the Cushing's, I'm trying to minimize his discomfort.  

Answer
Well we can be sure the Lysodren is not the reason due to the fact that you just started it but facial paralysis can be a rare side effect of Cushing's.

Here is part of an article about Cushing's from vetifno.com:

Unusual complications sometimes occur with Cushing’s disease in dogs, as well. A small number of dogs develop severe muscular weakness (myotonia) that usually affect the rear legs predominantly. This can lead to a stiff gait or to collapse of the rear limbs in some dogs. Facial paralysis seems to be due to Cushing’s disease in a small number of dogs. Just like cats, a few dogs with diabetes will be very hard to regulate on insulin unless concurrent Cushing’s disease is controlled.

http://www.vetinfo.com/ccushings.html

You are correct in assuming that this can lead to problems with dry eye. If he cannot blink then his eye will get dry. You need to talk to your vet about this and get some ointment for his eye. The ointment will stay in longer than drops will.

It is hard to say if this is permanent because Cushing's itself isn't always permanent- it depends on what is causing it. Once the Cushing's is under control the eye may get better also.

I hope he does well with his new treatment.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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