Have you ever heard of cushings disease? If not, especially if you own a dog, there are some important things that you should know about it. Cushings disease in dogs is a disease that affects a dog’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is a system in the dog’s body, composed of the adrenal and pituitary glands, among other things, that controls the natural production of hormones, like cortisol.
If your dog becomes affected by cushings, their body will produce too much of certain hormones. That, in turn, can cause them to have all sorts of medical complications, including frequent urination, hair loss, heart problems and liver lesions or liver failure.
Many times, cushings disease in dogs is caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland of the dog. That can interrupt the signals that the pituitary gland sends and receives to and from other glands, like the adrenal glands. Since those signals regulate the amounts of hormones like cortisol that the dog’s body produces, that can play havoc with the dog’s hormone levels.
Many of the symptoms of cushings, like excessive urination, could also be signs of other illnesses, so it can be hard for a vet to diagnose cushings disease. Treatment can also be difficult, especially since cushings disease in dogs often occurs when the dogs get older and have other health issues, too.
As a result of the age of most dogs with cushings, many owners don’t really bother with expensive and risky treatments, like surgeries and traditional medications. There are other, natural, treatments that you could consider, if you have an older dog with cushings, though.
When it comes to natural treatments for cushings, you may want to take your dog to a vet that specializes in homeopathy. Chances are that the first thing they will suggest to you is to change your dog’s diet. In the wild, feral dogs used to eat all natural foods that they came across. There’s no reason that your domesticated dog shouldn’t eat natural foods, too. Processed foods are just as bad for dogs as they are for humans, after all.
A homeopathic vet may also suggest a variety of dietary supplements for your dog. Some are designed to treat specific symptoms of cushings, while others are designed to have a more wide affect on your dog’s general health. Which supplement or combination of supplements will depend greatly on your dog’s individual case, though.
Aside from supplements, there are also a lot of herbal remedies to consider. There are many herbs out there that can relieve the effects of cushings disease in dogs. Many natural remedies, like apple cider vinegar, licorice and garlic can help to support your dog’s systems. There are also some other herbs and natural remedies that you may not have ever heard of, like burdock, milk thistle and the Chinese remedy, Huang Qi, which can be just as beneficial for your dog’s health. Your dog might need one or more of those to help treat his or her cushings.
So, regardless of the cause of cushings disease in dogs, there are treatment and prevention options out there. Be sure to do your research, before you choose the best treatment route for your pet. After all, dogs give us unconditional love, so the least we can do is take the best care of them that we can.