CHOC LAB (CHLOE)

Question
MY DOG IS LOSING HER HAIR. SHE HAS A MONKEY LOOKING BUTT AND HER STOMACH IS ALMOST BARE. IT STARTED IN EARLY SPRING SHE STARTED LOSING HER HAIR ON BOTH SIDES. WE HAVE BEEN REMOLDING OUR HOUSE I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE PARTICAL BOARD ON THE FLOOR.WE WERE ALSO MOVING TO ANOTHER STATE THOUGHT IT WAS MAYBE STRESS. TOOK HER TO THE VET HE GAVE HER A STEROID INJECTION. SHE GOT BETTER FOR THREE MONTHS UNTIL WE STARTED GOING BACK HOME TO FINISH REMOLDING SHE STARTED LOSING IT AGAIN. SHE IS NOW ON STEROIDS AGAIN NOT HELPING MUCH. MY VET DID DO A THYROID TEST IT CAME BACK OK. HE DID SAY SOMETHING ABOUT MAYBE CUSHING DIEASE.HE WANTED TO WAIT ON TESTING HER. SHE IS DRINKING A LOT MORE AND SEEM TO BE BREATHING A LOT HARDER.I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS FROM HER MEDICATION. SHOULD I WAIT TO SEE IF SHE GETS BETTER AFTER WE STOP GOING BACK AND FORTH OR SHOULD I INSIST ON A TEST FOR CUSHINGS? WE ARE ALMOST FINISHED REMOLDING. OH I FORGOT MISS CHLOE IS 22MONTHS. PLEASE HELP IS IT ALLERGIES, STRESS, OR SHOULD I HAVE HER TESTED? DOES IT HELP ANY IF YOU CATCH IT EARLY IF IT IS CUSHINGS? SHE DOESN'T SCRATCH MUCH UNLESS WE JUST CAME BACK FROM REMOLDING SHE DOES RUB HER BACK AND FACE.



                        THANK YOU,
                                   P.W.

Answer
I can't say if it hurts to delay treatment for Cushings' disease.  I would hope that if it did, the vet wouldn't have put the test off.  

I think the particle board and other building products tend to outgas formaldehyde and other things.  Some people can't live in new construction because of it.  You might try limiting her exposure to the remodeling, even putting her in a kennel or finding a doggy day care near by.  Above all, work with the vet.