Cushing’s Disease: Quality of Life Questionnaire
INFORMATION FOR OWNERS
You have been handed this sheet as your dog has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and is being
treated with a drug called trilostane (Vetoryl). Until recently ACTH stimulation tests were the best way of
monitoring the effect of Vetoryl. Recently it has become clear that ACTH may not be available for some
time and even when it does come back that it may be more expensive.
Therefore your vet, working in conjunction with Glasgow University School of Veterinary Medicine, is
taking part in a study to see if we can avoid using ACTH. Instead we propose to use blood samples
taken before and 3 hours after the Vetoryl has been given.
Please bring your dog into your vets first thing in the morning. Do NOT give your dog their normal
breakfast or Vetoryl capsule but bring them in with you. Your vet will then take a blood sample and
between you and your vet , your dog will then get the normal breakfast and tablet. Three hours later
your vet will perform the ACTH stimulation test as they always have done. There will therefore be 3
samples of blood taken but which one will be useful to your vet in monitoring your dog, both now and in
the immediate future
If you have any questions then please ask your vet
Thank you for helping us and we hope that the results we get will help your dog
INFORMATION ABOUT YOU AND YOUR DOG
Today’s date........./....../........
Your surname..............................................
Your dog's name ...................................
What sex is your dog?
Male / Female (please circle one)
Is he/she neutered?
Yes / No
How old is your dog ?
What breed is the dog?
(please circle one)
.................................... (years and months)
..................................................................
When did your dog last have a Vetoryl capsule.................................(exact time and date)
How many times a day do you give Vetoryl ……………………………….
What size of Vetoryl tablets are you giving your dog……………………..mg
How many times in the last 28 days have you forgotten your dogs Vetoryl?
a) Not at all
b) Once a month
c) More than once a month but less than once a week
d) Once a week
e) More than once a week
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What other drugs is your dog on at the moment ?..............................................................
Cushing’s Disease: Quality of Life Questionnaire
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAST 4 WEEKS
1) Drinking. Do you think your dog has drunk:-:
a) less than normal
b) normal
c) more than is normal (for example 1-2 times normal)
d) very much more than is normal
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2) Urinating. Do you think that the volume or frequency of urination is:
a) less than normal
b) normal
c) more than is normal (for example 1-2 times normal)
d) very much more than is normal
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3) Appetite. Would you describe your dog's appetite as:-:
a) very poor (i.e. not eating at all or hardly eating)
b) poor (i.e. does eat some food but requires encouragement)
c) normal
d) increased (e.g. eats all food quickly and will look for more)
e) greatly increased (e.g. seems ravenously hungry all the time)
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4) Vomiting and Diarrhoea. How often has your dog had sickness and diarrhoea ?
a) never had sickness or diarrhoea
b) has had sickness or diarrhoea once
c) has had sickness or diarrhoea more than once but not every day
d) has had sickness or diarrhoea every day
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5)
Exercise. How active is your dog ?
a) Lays in one place nearly all of the time
b) Goes for walks and will also play on occasions
c) Very active, happy to run off the lead but does get tired
d) I cannot tire my dog out!
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6) Skin and Coat. How would you describe your dog's coat and skin condition?
a) very poor (e.g. thin coat, bald patches, very dull)
b) poor (e.g. slightly thin coat, hairs dull,)
c) reasonable (e.g. no bald patches, slightly dull)
d) very good (e.g. thick coat, shiny, no dandruff)
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7) Other problems. Does your dog have any of the following ?
a) Trembling/shaking/muscle twitches more than once a week
b) Persistent panting even at rest
c) Pain (anywhere)
d) Difficulty moving
e) Mental depression (not alert / asleep all the time)
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8) General. How do you feel your pet enjoys life
a) Miserable more of the time
b) Has more bad days than good days
c) Happy most of the time occasional bad days
d) Happy all of the time
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9) Overall. How good do you feel your dogs current treatment for Cushing’s is?
a) My dog has more clinical signs than before treatment
b) There is no difference now than before treatment
c) There is some improvement since starting treatment
d) My dog is nearly back to their normal self
e) If I did not know, I would think there was nothing wrong with my dog now
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