Tests for Cushings Disease

Question:

I have a wire haired pointing griffon that was the village stray dog. It took me 6 months to get up to him... Someone had shot out an eye... We have had him for about 5 years and he is a very special dog... He has been urinating as he walks across the room... He pants a lot... He also has little growths on his head and back. He has gotten a pot belly and hastrouble jumping up on the bed and sometimes when he gets up off the floor, his back leg acts like it is asleep.. We have had tests and the come back not consistant with cushings but from what I read he has all the syptoms...I have been making most of his food from chicken broth, rice and ground chicken and turkey and then give him a good quality dry food.
Do you think the drops that you have for cushings would help him?
Bonnie C.

Response:

Hello Bonnie,
Thanks for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Since I don’t know what tests have been done (ACTH stim, low dose dex, urine cortisol:creatinine ratio tests, or abdominal ultrasound) and I’m not sure if he has been tested for diabetes, hypothyroidism, or kidney disease all which can show as weakness and/or incontinence, you may offer the Cushex Drops to see if there is any improvement in signs, but I hesitate to advocate it because you don’t have a definitive diagnosis.

I would first highly recommend you seek a holistic or veterinary acupuncturist that practices Chinese medicine to evaluate whole body function. If your dog needs to be treated, there are some alternative treatments for Cushings such as Trilostane and Anipryl that don’t destroy the adrenal gland itself as does the commonly used drug Lysodren.

Also a re-evaluation of the diet would help. You can offer a higher quality of foods and supplements such as salmon, brown rice and sweet potato with fish oil, probiotics, and vitamins C and E. The Canine Plus Senior vitamin from Vetri-Science may be excellent dietary support for an aging dog. Best of luck.
Sincerely,