Please can you help me with my Cushing's?

Hi, my name is Princess.

I'm a 10 and a half year old Mini Maltese.

Mum has suspected I had Cushing's for a long time, but because we have little money, she could only recently confirm this through basic blood tests.

If you don't know what Cushing's is, I'll tell you. I remember when my mum told me about it when I first had my teeth done. She was hoping and praying I didn't have it because she already lost another furbaby to Cushing's a year before she adopted me. So here's what she said to me, from vague memory:

Cushing's disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. This can cause a variety of symptoms and behavioral changes, including:

Increased thirst and urination

Increased appetite

Reduced activity

Excessive panting

Thin or fragile skin

Hair loss

Recurrent skin infections

Weight gain, especially in the trunk and face

A fatty lump between the shoulders

And I believe her now, because I have all of these symptoms, but I will continue with mum's explanation:

Cushing's disease is most common in middle-aged and senior dogs, and is more prevalent in certain breeds, such as Poodles, Dachshunds, and Yorkshire Terriers. There is no cure for Cushing's disease, but symptoms can be managed to help dogs live a quality life. Treatments include drugs like Trilostane (brand name Vetoryl®) and Mitotane (brand name Lysodren®). A high-quality, whole-food-based diet can also help, and dogs with Cushing's disease should avoid sugary treats and highly processed commercial dog foods.

Other conditions can present similar symptoms to Cushing's disease, including hormonal diseases, infections, and organ malfunction.

Mum has already changed my diet, cutting back on how much I eat, removing all fat, but she still wants to do more tests on me to work out what type of Cushing's that I have as there are a couple of different types, so she can get me the medicine I need to make me feel better. But she won't qualify to get more assistance from the Government until the end of January.

But I want to get my medicine sooner.

My doctor told mum that the official Cushing's test that determines what type it is costs $500. And the medicine to help me live as long as I can average at least $100 a month, possibly more.

Mum doesn't expect me to live very much longer. The vet has suspected early signs of Cushing's over a year ago when I had my teeth removed, but I didn't really start to show signs until middle of this year, around the time that I developed SARDS (Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome), so yes, I'm blind as well and the doctor thinks I may also be going a little bit deaf too, just because I get a little confused about which direction my mum calls me from.

The doctor explained that when treated, I could live 3 years after a Cushing's diagnosis.

But I have been untreated for quite a few months, and my mum feels really bad about this because she knows I can't get my Cushing's meds until it's officially confirmed with the big test. Then the doctor will know specifically what meds to give me.

I hear mum crying a lot and mentioning end stages, but I don't think I am. I mean, yes, I do get extremely thirsty, and because I drink so much, I can't help having little accidents here and there, and I'm always hungry and my tummy is so much bigger than it used to be, but I still love life.

I still love to dance, even if I do bump my head into everything when I dance in circles, but I don't care, it's fun. And I love to follow my mum around, and also my siblings. I love to bark at the washing machine when it growls at me, or the pipes on the wall when they make funny sounds, and I always enjoy sitting in the sun or walking in the wet grass.

I love the cuddles I get from mum and the bedtime hugs and I love the tummy rubs and all the treats she gives me. So I'm not ready to give up on life yet.

So please can you help me get the test I need and a start on the medicines? Mum had so much fun taking Christmas photos of me the last time I visited my doctor at GWAH, even if I was annoyed with her making me wear reindeer antlers and then a Santa hat just so she could take the pics.

I'd like to be around so I can give her more fun memories before I decide I'm too tired to continue.

This is all my mum wants, for me to have the test. She says she doesn't plan to celebrate Christmas this year. She feels too sad for me, but I want her to be happy.

Please can you help?