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Last Updated on March 25, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS CUSHING’S DISEASE IN DOGS
Cushing’s disease in dogs also called Cushing’s syndrome in dogs is also called Hyperadrenocorticism. Cushing’s in dogs can be adrenal dependent or pituitary dependent.
Adrenal glands are located near the dog’s kidneys and the pituitary gland is located in the brain. Most dogs that have Cushing’s syndrome are pituitary-dependent.
When a dog has Cushing’s syndrome it usually has a tumor that is causing excess cortisol to be released in the dog’s body.
Cortisol is important for many different reasons as it controls stress responses in the body and immune responses just to name a few.
WHAT CAUSES CUSHING’S DISEASE IN DOGS
Cushing’s disease in dogs can be caused by either benign or malignant tumors on either the adrenal or pituitary glands.
Another way, Cushing’s disease in dogs can happen is by too much administration from steroid medication and this can be in the form of topical, ingested or injectable.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPERADRENOCORTICISM IN DOGS
NOTE: A lot of these symptoms mimic other diseases as well, as my little fur kid had almost all of these symptoms and we also did the LDDST test listed below, as well as a Thyroid panel and it turns out she was Hypothyroid.
Update: Now, 3 years later, I have learned was a misdiagnosis (big surprise) and it almost killed her because of the veterinarians’ mistakes!! Now we have been doing the all-natural remedies listed below using lignans and other herbs with great results and she is better than ever!
So, symptoms of Cushing’s Disease in dogs can include;
- Excessive panting
- Thinning skin
- Increased appetite
- Increased water drinking
- Increased urination
- Thinning hair
- Distended abdomen or pot-belly stomach
- Bruising Easily
- Lethargy
- Muscle Loss
HOW IS CUSHING’S IN DOGS DIAGNOSED
- CBC
- Serum Chemistry Profile
- Urinalysis
- Low dose dexamethasone suppression testing (LDDST)
This test LDDST takes a whole day at your vet to complete and you will have to drop them off in the morning and they will have their blood taken 3 times throughout the day at the 0-hour for baseline, and 4 hour and 8 hours after they are injected with dexamethasone which is a glucocorticoid.
- ACTH stimulation testing
ACTH is the test that is most notably used for testing if the Cushing’s is iatrogenic meaning that it was potentially caused by medications. There are several different variations of this test from low dose which is usually obtained from 1 to 2 hours after administration of the synthetic hormone.
- Urinalysis of cortisol/creatine ratio can be done at home when your dog is in a stress-free environment and then brought to your veterinarian.
- Ultrasounds
- X-rays
- MRI or CT scans
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR CUSHING’S IN DOGS
Treatment is dependent on the type of Cushing’s your dog has. There are medications that your dog can be put on that may or may not have serious side-effects.
There is the possibility of surgery. You could also talk to your vet about radiation therapy as the surgeries are very complex. There are also alternative treatments available.
TRILOSTANE
Trilostane (Brand Name Vetoryl®) is for treating pituitary and adrenal dependent Cushing’s in dogs.
Side effects include anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea and prolonged use is associated with hyperplasia or tumors. 1Lemetayer J, Blois S. Update on the use of trilostane in dogs. Can Vet J. 2018 Apr;59(4):397-407. PMID: 29606727; PMCID: PMC5855282. Update on the use of trilostane in dogs – PMC (nih.gov)
This medication should be used in caution with dogs who have liver and kidney issues as well.
KETOCONAZOLE
Ketoconazole is typically used in dogs as an anti-fungal but it is also a potent steroidogenesis inhibitor. 2Treatment Options for Canine Cushing’s Disease – WSAVA 2003 Congress – VIN
Research suggest that it is effective at reducing cortisol levels in approximately 60% of patients. The issue with ketoconazole is hepatotoxicity and this needs to be carefully monitored through blood test by checking liver enzyme levels. 3Shirley, M. Ketoconazole in Cushing’s syndrome: a profile of its use. Drugs Ther Perspect 37, 55–64 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-020-00799-7
MITOTANE
Mitotane (Brand Name Lysodren®) and is cytotoxic meaning it is toxic to living cells. It should be used in caution in dogs with liver, kidney or diabetes issues.
“The medication is strong enough to deactivate the cells in a particular area of the adrenal gland, thus reducing the functionality of that particular part of the gland.” 4Lysodren (Mitotane) Tablets, Adrenal Cancer – PetCareRx
“Treatment with mitotane regularly causes a decrease in corticosteroid synthesis and can result in adrenal insufficiency and Addisonian crisis.” 5Mitotane – LiverTox – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR CUSHING’S DISEASE IN DOGS
There are some alternatives to conventional therapy by way of alternative medicine. Depending on the type of Cushing’s Syndrome that your dog has been diagnosed with the following alternatives might be an option for you.
Please discuss with your vet prior to starting anything new.
MELATONIN AND LIGNANS FOR CUSHING’S IN DOGS
There is promising research on the effects of melatonin and lignans combined as a treatment option for Cushing’s disease in dogs.
Lignans are found in many plant families such as grains, nuts and seeds. The highest concentrations are found in flaxseeds and also in the Norway Spruce Pine (Picea abies) called HMR lignans. 6Udani, J. K., Brown, D. J., Tan, M. O., & Hardy, M. (2013). Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of plant lignan 7-hydroxymatairesinol and effects on serum enterolactone and clinical symptoms in postmenopausal women: a single-blinded, parallel, dose-comparison study. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 32(6), 428–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2013.849578
Results supported the concept that this combination may yield similar effects on steroid hormone secretion by the adrenal glands in dogs with typical and atypical hyperadrenocorticism. 7Fecteau, Kellie & Eiler, Hugo & Oliver, Jack. (2011). Effect of combined lignan phytoestrogen and melatonin treatment on secretion of steroid hormones by adrenal carcinoma cells. American journal of veterinary research. 72. 675-80. 10.2460/ajvr.72.5.675. Effect of combined lignan phytoestrogen and melatonin treatment on secretion of steroid hormones by adrenal carcinoma cells (researchgate.net)
Dose of lignans for dogs with cushing’s disease can range from 1mg per pound of body weight for lignans and 3-6mg of melatonin for dogs with cushing’s disease every 12 hours. 8Holistic Treatment For Cushing’s Disease In Dogs | Lignans For Life
There is a product called
that is what was discussed above and may be an option for you after discussing with your vet.
is another possible option for your beloved canine and this has all-natural herbs and no extra binders added to the mix like silicon dioxide.
HERBS FOR DOGS WITH CUSHING’S DISEASE
This herbal supplement is in liquid form and boast ingredients like Ashwagandha, Holy Basil, Milk Thistle, Chaste Tree, and Astragalus Root just to name a few.
Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce serum cortisol levels. 9Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6466
Milk thistle supports the liver. Chaste tree is shown to support the pituitary gland and hormonal balance. 10Chasteberry for canine pituitary health and metabolic function (emeraldvalleyequine.com) 11Grant, P., & Ramasamy, S. (2012). An update on plant derived anti-androgens. International journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 10(2), 497–502. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijem.3644
Astragalus is an adaptogen which means that it is meant to help the body cope with stress whether it be physical, biological or chemical. Ashwagandha, Holy Basil and Astragalus are all adaptogens.
Another product that I use which is not in pill form but is concentrated and contains 80mg of SDG Lignans per scoop but allows you to scoop your desired amount into your furbaby’s food which is what I do and it is also organic as well, is;
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