Advice About How to Treat a Dog with Cushing’s Disease

In my previous article I talked about Cushing’s Syndrome  in general,also I mentioned some conventional treatments and possibilities .

Today i want to say more about natural remedies and  healthy food that you can give to your pet to help them overcome more easily the issue.

Some people say that poor-quality commercial food diet  including diets high in fats and low in proteins can also contribute to Cushing’s in dogs.In some cases especially if your dog has mild pituitary-dependent Cushing’s maybe the conventional treatment is not really urgent 

 

Dogs with mild pituitary-dependent Cushing’s should be closely monitored .Some veterinarians recommend a natural, anti-inflammatory diet and herbal therapy for treatment 

What You should Consider Before Taking Any Step to Treat your Pet’s condition 

• Talk to your veterinarian before you change your dog’s diet.
• Notify your veterinarian before you start your dog on any herbal or natural supplements.
• If you choose not to treat your dog immediately, closely monitor for any worsening symptoms

What Are Natural Treatments for Dogs with Cushing’s?

Many vets and owners have found natural treatments that can help with Cushing’s symptoms. Most of the natural treatments are herbal or dietary supplements, including:

• Fish oil
• Dandelion
• Magnolia bark
• Si Miao San
• Ginkgo biloba
• Melatonin
• Nettle
• Rosehips
• Clover
• Burdock
• Milk thistle
• Homeopathic pituitary extract
• Homeopathic formic acid
• Kelp
• Clover
• Garlic
• Apple cider vinegar
• Phosphatidylserine supplements 
• Dog food for Cushing’s

For dogs with food-induced Cushing’s, some experts recommend adrenal enzyme blockers, taken a few hours before meals.

Some also recommend acupuncture, which can help regulate the endocrine system and thus help Cushing’s symptoms.

Dietary Changes for Dogs with Cushing’s Disease

Certain dietary changes can also help reduce your dog’s Cushing’s symptoms. They include:

• Food high in protein
• Food low in fat
• Food low in fiber
• Food  with low purine levels (avoid organ meats)
• Food low in carbohydrates
• Food low in calcium
• Food rich in lignins (including whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables)

Specific Food that is Good for Dogs with Cushing’s

carrots -peas -green beans -potatoes -broccoli -celery -lettuce -bok choy -spinach -brussels sprouts -mushrooms -green peas -zucchini
beef -chicken without skin or bones -fish (except sardines) -shellfish -salmon -kidneys -liver -eggs

Raw Diet for Dogs with Cushing’s

Many believe that feeding a dog a raw diet can help with a number of health problems, including Cushing’s disease symptoms. Since your dog’s natural ancestral diet before domestication included raw protein, he is carnivore and he already has the enzymes to break down the bacteria, and you may find general health improvements.

Advantages of a raw diet include:

• Increased energy levels.
• Improved skin and coat.
• Stronger teeth and bones.
• Improved muscle strength.
• Better digestion.

Of course there are always some cones 

Concerns of a raw diet could be :

• Additional supplementation may be necessary, to ensure that your dog’s diet is balanced over the long term specifically calcium and phosphorous.
• Bacteria in raw meat can get your dog sick if their body doesn’t properly protect against it (in some cases, a dog may not build up the immunity).
• Proper cleaning after feeding your dog to avoid contamination.
• Two studies led by a team at the University of Bristol have found dogs who are fed on a diet of raw meat were more likely to excrete antibiotic-resistant bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in their poop . Previous research has shown that there is the potential for bacteria to be shared between dogs and their owners through everyday interaction, leading the researchers to suggest that raw feeding is not the safest dietary choice, and that, if chosen, owners should take extra precautions when handling raw meat and be especially careful to clean up after their dog. 

While a raw diet may not significantly affect Cushing’s symptom ,it can help health overall. In particular, high protein in a raw diet might be  helpful for dogs in danger of losing muscle mass .

What other food You should Give If Your Dog Is on a Raw Diet

If you have your dog on a raw diet, you should follow certain recommendations to help him maintain his health, such as:

• Introduce a raw diet step by step , so his body has a chance to build up the needed enzymes to destroy bacteria in raw meat.
• Include raw vegetables, eggs, and small amounts of fruit and starches.
• Stick to only high-quality meat and proteins.
• Feed your dog small amounts of dairy products, including possibly a probiotic yogurt with active cultures.

Written by Imrana Sljivo DVM 🐾

Resources 

Evidence that faecal carriage of resistant Escherichia coli by 16-week-old dogs in the United Kingdom is associated with raw feeding' by Oliver Mounsey, Kezia Wareham, Matthew B. Avison, Kristen K. Reyher et al. in One Health