Breeds that are prone to Cushing's disease include:
Poodles, especially miniature poodles. Dachshunds. Boxers.
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's)
This is a common problem in dogs, and your Aussie is more likely than other dogs to be affected. The condition usually develops slowly, and the early signs are easily missed.
In dogs, Cushing's disease occurs naturally and is either pituitary-dependent or adrenal-dependent. About 80% to 85% of Cushing's is pituitary-dependent, meaning it's triggered by a tumor on the pituitary, a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain.
Cushing's Disease Symptoms in Dogs
Some common symptoms of Cushing's disease include hair loss primarily on body, unusually thin skin, propensity for bruising, hard calcified lumps on skin, lethargy, swollen belly, increased appetite, thirst, and urination.
The increased appetite is a direct result of elevated levels of cortisol, which stimulate appetite. Lethargy (drowsiness or lack of activity) and a poor hair coat are also common in pets with hyperadrenocorticism. "Many dogs with Cushing's disease develop a bloated or pot-bellied appearance."
Items like beef and pork liver and kidney as well as sardines and some fishes should be avoided. “ “Moderate purine foods include chicken, beef (non-organ meat), turkey, tripe, rabbit, pork and lamb. “
According to the American Kennel Club the average survival time for a dog with Cushing's is about two years, with only 10 percent living beyond the four-year mark.
Latrogenic Cushing's syndrome, which is rare, is caused by excessive steroid treatment for conditions such as skin allergies. Meal- or food-induced Cushing's can happen in very rare cases.
Recommended Foods for Canine Cushing's Disease
For many dogs who have Cushing's disease and are a little overweight, a high-quality adult dog food that's designed to help prevent weight gain is appropriate. Good options include: Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight. Nutro Natural Choice Healthy Weight.
If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy in dogs, tremors, or loss of appetite, contact your veterinarian immediately. These may be signs that your dog has flipped from Cushing's disease (too much cortisol) to Addison's disease (too little cortisol).
The disease can lead to further health complications. Treatment is available and can help alleviate the symptoms of Cushing's Disease and improve your dog's overall quality of life.
Though they can be pet owners' forever friends and companions, dogs have their limits. So we continually ought to consider while it's time to place them down. The best time to euthanize a dog with Cushing's disease is when they appear lethargic or less active than usual.
Most dogs with Cushing's who receive treatment go on to lead a good quality of life and can live a long time. However, if Cushing's disease is left untreated, it can severely impact a dog's quality of life and life expectancy.
Many pet owners want to know how to lower cortisol in dogs naturally. Our clients report the best results when phosphatidylserine, liver support supplements, lignans and melatonin are used together to help balance cortisol levels.
Cushing's syndrome is reported to occur in approximately 0.20 to 0.28% of dogs attending primary-care practice (O'Neill et al.
Can You Prevent Cushing's Disease in Dogs? Unfortunately, you cannot prevent Cushing's disease if it is caused by a pituitary or adrenal gland tumor. However, you can avoid long-term use of high-dose steroids to minimize the risk of developing iatrogenic Cushing's disease.
Other diseases that may cause similar symptoms include tumors in the spleen or liver, bladder stones, gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease.
Yogurt is also a food to consider, especially if you are giving your dog flaxseed lignans for Cushings Disease. Yogurt with live active cultures is very beneficial in expediting the uptake of the lignan.
In Cushing disease in dogs' final stages, affected dogs will experience rapid weight gain and a decline in activity level. The Complete Guide to Final Stages of Cushing's Disease in Dogs is a resource for pet parents who need to know what to expect when their dog enters this stage.
Usually, licking is not listed as a sign of Cushing's disease. However, excessive thirst, which is a common clinical sign of Cushing's disease, can result in excessive licking. The following symptoms of Cushing's disease in dogs are: Increased drinking.
Many western and Chinese herbs can help a dog with Cushing's. Herbs like dandelion root, burdock root, nettle, astragalus, and milk thistle are thought to be helpful for adrenal gland function. There are also combination herbal remedies (especially in Chinese medicine) that address adrenal function.
A combination of Melatonin and Lignans offer an excellent natural treatment for both Cushing's and Atypical Cushing's disease in dogs. In fact, supplementing with melatonin and lignans helps your dog's system return to normal.
Melatonin also helps Cushing's disease by inhibiting certain enzymes. A general guideline for dosing melatonin is: Dogs under 10 lbs – 1 mg of melatonin every 12 hours (also for those who want to give their dogs very low doses of melatonin) Dogs under 30 lbs – 3 mg of melatonin every 12 hours.
While dogs with surgery to remove adrenal tumors need to rest for up to two weeks post operation, Cushing's dogs without severe joint problems can benefit from regular walks or playtime once symptoms are managed. The key is to find out what works best for your dog.