| Cushings Disease, also called hyperadrenocorticism, | | | | adrenalectomy. |
| is relatively common in older dogs. Dogs with | | | | There are natural alternatives that can be used in |
| Cushings Disease produce too much of a natural | | | | conjunction with the conventional options. In this |
| hormone called cortisol, producing symptoms such | | | | article, I offer several that you can try that may |
| as excessive drinking and urinating, a distended, | | | | help. |
| swaying belly, hair loss and a sparse hair coat, | | | | A possibly effective natural solution is to try |
| possibly an increased appetite, and frequent | | | | antioxidants. In Cushings Disease, the cells are |
| panting. | | | | more prone to injury from the high cortisol levels. |
| Dogs with Cushings Disease may have been | | | | The three most effective antioxidants are |
| tested for other causes of increased drinking, | | | | Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Selenium. These are |
| including diabetes, kidney and liver disease, where | | | | best given in combination: give 100IU of Vitamin E, |
| all tests have come back negative. This is another | | | | 100mg of Vitamin C and 20 ug if Selenium per 10 |
| sign of Cushings Disease. | | | | lbs of body weight daily. |
| The disease is an overproduction of a hormone | | | | Another natural solution is to try the herb Ginkgo |
| (cortisol) which produces the signs of excessive | | | | Biloba. It has been shown to reduce cortisol |
| drinking and urinating. The most common cause is | | | | production, similar to anipryl (see below). |
| due to a tumor on the pituitary gland (a gland at | | | | High cortisol levels will make your pet feel anxious. |
| the base of the brain). A small percentage of | | | | A herbal solution to reduce anxiety is to try |
| cases are caused by a tumor on the adrenal gland | | | | Valerian. The dog dose is 1 drop per lb of body |
| (a gland in the kidneys). In some cases, dogs can | | | | weight twice daily. |
| show all these signs by being on steroids, such as | | | | When it comes to conventional solutions, try |
| prednisone. In this case, the treatment is to wean | | | | Anipryl. This is a newer, safe medication to treat |
| your dog off the drug. | | | | the disease, available from your Veterinarian. It |
| To begin with, as always, have your dog correctly | | | | must be given daily, and can be quite costly to |
| diagnosed - take him to your Vet. If he has some | | | | treat a large dog. It works directly on the |
| of the signs of Cushings (excessive drinking and | | | | pituitary gland helping to decrease cortisol |
| urination) then it is first important to rule out | | | | production. |
| other diseases. Your Vet will check for diabetes, | | | | If you find these remedies useful, I guarantee |
| kidney disease, and liver disease. A general blood | | | | that you will find the other remedies in my book |
| screen will be suggestive of Cushings Disease. At | | | | and home study course, Veterinary Secrets |
| this time they may recommend further screening | | | | Revealed, just as practical. If you use only a few |
| tests and discuss treatment. | | | | of the remedies I offer, you will see how easy it |
| Treatments that your Vet may suggest might | | | | is to save money at your Vet. |
| include drug therapy with trilostane or mitotane. | | | | These remedies work - I use them every day in |
| Other conventional treatment might include | | | | practice. |
| radiation therapy or in some cases, | | | | Best wishes... |