What is Cushings Disease and what are the causes?
Cushing’s Disease is a condition characterized by an increase in glucocorticoids secreted by the adrenal glands. About 85 percent of cases are caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland, while 15 percent are caused by an adrenal tumor. Untreated, Cushing’s can lead to canine diabetes, heart disease and problems with your dog’s nervous system.
Unfortunately, Cushings Disease is not something that the dog or the dog owner can prevent with proper health care and exercise. The disease is caused in most cases by a benign tumor of the adrenal gland. This causes the gland to secrete an overabundance of cortisol in your dog’s system.
Symptoms of Cushing's Disease
In addition to excessive drinking, excessive eating, excessive urination and obesity, Cushings Disease can also be recognized by the following symptoms:
- An enlarged abdomen
- Muscle Weakness, Thinning hair
- A “skull-like” appearance of the head
- Hyperpigmentation of the skin
Behaviorally, Cushings Disease may be indicated if your dog:
- Is lethargic all the time
- Pants incessantly
- Decreased interest in spending time with owner
Conventional Treatments
If your best friend is diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease, your vet will likely prescribe Lysodren. Lysodren works by destroying the outer layer of the adrenal glands. This limits the glands ability to produce cortisol. In the more severe cases, surgery may even be required. But there are also natural remedies available.
How can Natural Treatments Help your dog with Cushing's Disease?
There are natural remedies on the market specifically designed to help normalize the adrenal glands’ output of cortisol. Other herbs are helpful at detoxification.
- Dandelion - is well-known as a tonic for the liver, kidneys and adrenal glands and will help to normalize adrenal functioning.
- Burdock - is a cleansing and eliminating herb and is excellent at detoxifying the tissues and removing unwanted substances from the body.
- Finally, any natural remedy should include Arsenicum (for treating excessive thirst), Hepar Sulph (healing irritated skin), and Sulphur (improves the overall condition of the skin).
Cushing's Disease can be managed so that your dog has a good quality of life. For more detailed information on Cushing’s Disease, visit, PetEducation.com.
NEW - Cushex Drops from PetAlive
PetAlive Cushex Drops contain a blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially selected to treat Cushing’s in pets. Each ingredient of this natural remedy has a specific role to play in normalizing adrenal function, balancing corticosteroid levels or reducing the troublesome symptoms of this condition.
To purchase or read more about Cushex Drops...
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