Pet Herbal Info Blog

Cushing’s disease is common in middle and old aged dogs. It is an endocrine disease that falls under the category of production disorders. Also known as hyperadrenocorticism, it is a condition of excess cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands during periods of stress. Problems with the adrenal glands or with the controlling gland, the pituitary, can lead to production of cortisol even in the absence of stress.

Canine Cushing’s disease is characterized by symptoms that include excessive drinking, increased urination, distended stomach, thin skin and excessive hair loss. Behavioral symptoms may include reluctance to play and indifference.

Although it is known that adrenal or pituitary tumors cause the adrenal glands to produce more than required cortisol, surgical excision is usually avoided considering the age of the dog and the risks involved. Other factors that restrict dog owners to go for aggressive treatment are the high costs of diagnostic tests and treatment and the side effects of immunosuppressive drugs and drugs that destroy adrenal tissue responsible for production of cortisol.

The easiest to treat is iatrogenic Cushing’s, which is caused by the use of prednisone to supplement cortisol. Withdrawal or reduction in dose usually leads to remission. In other cases the majority of conscientious dog owner opt to provide a good quality of life to their companion instead of exposure to side effects that are more problematic. It is in this aspect that herbal treatment for Cushing’s disease plays an important role.

Herbal supplements may not cure your dog but they are an effective mode of treating symptoms associated with Cushing’s disease regardless of whether it results from a tumor, an overdose of prednisone or a generalized metabolic imbalance.

Dog owners have a wide choice of supplements to select from and every manufacturer has its own selection of herbs. Some of the herbs used to make herbal supplements include:

* Dandelion
* Burdock
* Borage
* Licorice
* Wild Rose
* Scleranthus

A really effective Cushing’s disease supplement for dogs should be one that provides support to the adrenals and kidney and boosts the immune system. There are also supplements that are a mix of some of these herbs and natural remedies suggested by other natural therapies like TCM and homeopathy.

We Recommend:

Cushex Drops are a natural, safe and effective blend of both herbal and homeopathic ingredients specially selected to treat Cushings 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. Cushex Drops are easy to administer and the dosage can be adjusted to suit pets of all sizes.

For Guaranteed, Effective, 100% Natural Herbal Remedies for Pets, please visit PetAlive!

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Originally posted 2008-10-28 21:05:20. We hope you have enjoyed this Post From the Past!

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Tags: cushing disease, cushing syndrome, Cushing's, Cushing's Disease, cushing's syndrome