Alternative Therapy for Cushing Disease in Canines
By Dr. Debra Venable-Ball
Cushing’s disease also called hyperadrenocorticism results from the overproduction of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands. These are located in the belly near the kidneys. Cushing’s disease usually presents around six years of age. Symptoms of hyperadrenocorticism vary due to the fact that cortisol affects the function of many organs in the body. Common signs of Cushing’s disease include hair loss on the body with thinning of the skin, pot-bellied appearance, increase in bruising, increased appetite and thirst with resulting increase in urination. Other signs include panting, weakness, and a stiff gait with knuckling over of the paws, and difficulty breathing. Iatrogenic Cushing occurs when dogs have been overly medicated with prednisone or similar drugs. Pituitary-dependent Cushing’s is caused by the overproduction of a hormone produced by the pituitary gland which controls the amount of cortisol produced by the adrenal glands.
Adrenal-dependent Cushing’s develops when there is a tumor on one of the adrenal glands.
Cushing’s disease is diagnosed through history taking, the physical exam, and blood tests. An increase in white blood cell count, increase in the liver enzyme ALP, increased cholesterol, and increased blood sugar levels. The animal will alsoproduce dilute urine. Due to the fact that high levels of cortisol suppress the immune system, dogs with Cushing’s disease will be prone of contracting bacterial infections. Urinary tract infections are often common in dogs suffering from the disease. An enlarged liver is present in some dogs. There may be calcium deposits in the adrenal glands and or enlargement of the adrenal glands. Tests used to diagnose the disease include urine cortisol/creatinine ratio, ACTH stimulation, and low dose and high dose dexamethasone suppression.
Western based medical drug treatment for Cushing’s disease includes Lysodren, Mitotane, or Trilostane. These medications are given orally. Trilostane has fewer side effects than the other two medications. Side effects of lysodren include loss of appetite, vomiting, moodiness, diarrhea, and incoordination. These are caused by a drop in cortisol levels and can prove fatal. Surgery is recommended for dogs suffering from adrenal dependent Cushing’s disease. Pituitary dependent Cushing’s disease usually responds well to drug therapy.
Causes of Cushing’s Disease
What causes Cushing’s disease? One cause may be overly processed grain based pet foods. The dog’s body has to work harder to metabolize poor quality, heat processed ingredients. Not only is the body starved of “live” nutrients but a poor quality diet leads to GI tract upsets and inflammatory conditions including skin disease. These are usually treated with steroid treatments, which is a contributing factor to Cushing’s disease. Poor diet also weakens the immune system and puts stress on the body. Stress of any kind causes the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. The following quote is taken from Dr. R. L. Wysong’s article “Processed Foods “Out of Context” with Environment and Nature,” found at www.flemingvet.com…
“Dogs and cats in the wild would not eat beet pulp, wheat middlings, barley, hydrolyzed feathers, and rarely, the animal by-product components that predominate in pet foods. [By-products: heads, beaks, wings, feet, intestines, etc – JRF]. For these products to be edible, they must be disguised by processing and mixing with additives. Furthermore, as various ingredients are mixed together and then heated to temperatures above 300 degree and subjected to pressures of 600 pounds per square inch, the chemical components complex [with one another – JRF] forming new toxic matrices. Put simply, what goes into processed pet foods as starting material is not what comes out.”
Amino acids racemize, rendering a large percentage of them nutritionally unavailable due to their new optical rotation [form]. There is acetylation and succinylation of the terminal amine in lysine, of the hydroxyl in serine and threonine, of the sulfhydryl in cysteine, of the phenol in tyrosine and the imidazole in histidine.
Reducing sugars in all pet foods combine with episilon amino of lysine to create a Maillard reaction, rendering the resultant product indigestible and perhaps toxic. Even vitamins can combine with certain amino acids, such as B6 with lysine, to create a hybrid (epsilon pyridoxal lysine) making them both nondigestible. Various minerals with the food can oxidize vitamins as well as essential fatty acids. Cooking of meats in all pet foods creates heterocyclic amines which damage mitochondria and causes free radical pathology including cardiomyopathy (this processing toxin is likely the root cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in cats and taurine defficiency simply aggrevates it).
Exposure to heat, light and oxygen can dramatically change the nature of essential fatty acids, oxidizing them, setting the stage for free-radical pathology throughout the body, now believed to be the seat of many, if not all, degenerative diseases.” Changing the dog’s diet will not cure Cushing’s disease but it will strengthen the dog’s immune system and contribute to the pet’s overall wellbeing through optimum nutrition, which is the foundation of health.
Dr. Mark DePaolo in an article on Cushing’s Disease in horses lists the following stressors that contribute to Cushing’s Disease, trailering, training/showing, sedation, injury, changes in the environment, high sugar/carbohydrate feeds, changes in diet, vaccinations, daily dewormers, synthetic medications, and stall confinement. These same stressors can be seen in dogs. Dog shows are an extremely, stressful environments for most dogs as is the travel to and from the shows. Many dogs are stressed by visits to dog parks or other events where strange dogs are present. Stress leads to an increase in cortisol levels. Increased cortisol levels leads to many health diseases including heart disease. Dr. Mark DePaolo writes concerning vaccinations “Vaccinations cause hyper-stimulation of the immune system and a corresponding inability of the body to attend to other diseases and stresses. Killed virus vaccinations also contain Thimerosal, a mercurial compound. Mercury poisoning damages the central nervous system, the immune system, kidney function and the endocrine system. If the immune system has been previously stimulated (by the last vaccine that hasn’t worn off yet) the next time you stimulate it, you can actually tear it down.” If your dog has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease you should decline all further vaccinations, as vaccines should never be given to a sick animal.
(www.hl.depaoloequineconcepts.com) Avoid, exposing a dog suffering from Cushing’s disease to any form of stress. Chemical stressors such as heart worm medications, dewormers, non-holistic flea treatments, environmental toxins such as harsh household cleansers, chemicals applied to lawns, and chemically treated drinking water should also be avoided.
Holistic Treatments for Cushing’s Disease
When developing a diet for a dog suffering from Cushing’s disease avoid diet’s high in starch as these increase the levels of glucose circulating in the bloodstream. Elevated levels of circulating glucose can alter the secretion of cortisol. Include lignans combined with melatonin in the diet. Lignans sources include flaxseed, sesame seeds, broccoli, and rye. The best form of lignans is found in the hull of flaxseeds. It will take between 2 to four months to see an improvement in the condition. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland. It regulates the circadian rhythm. Melatonin circadian secretion in patients with pituitary- or adrenal-dependent Cushing’s syndrome is lower than that in healthy dogs. Give one milligram of lignan for each pound of dog weight and 3 milligrams of melatonin every 12 hours for small dogs and 5-6 milligrams for larger dogs. Raw meat is more beneficial than cooked meat for dogs suffering from Cushing’s disease. Avoid sodium, high levels of fat, purine (organ meats, wild game, beans, peanuts, and shellfish) and highly fibrous foods. Eggs are a good source of amino acids. Cooked vegetables should also be part of the dog’s diet. In a nut shell, feed a raw meat diet (chicken, turkey, beef) eggs, cooked vegetables, and fruit. Feed foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, folic acid, antioxicants, and minerals and trace elements. Feed several small meals per day rather than one large meal. Fresh water should be made available at all times and probiotics should be added to the diet.
Vitamin C attenuates and influences cortisol levels in the body. Both are anti-inflammatory when the body is exposed to prolonged levels of stress. In human studies, 3000 mg of vitamin C, given daily, mitigated a rise in cortisol. Add a teaspoon of Vitamin C daily. Supplements for Cushing’s disease include Vitamin E in combination with A, and DHEA, which protects against the overproduction of cortisol and improves the immune system.
Herbal Supplements for Cushing’s Disease
Apple cider vinegar strengthens the immune system.
Astragalus membranaceous is an adaptogenic herb that buffers the adrenal response to stress. It, also, balances the adrenal glands and stabilizes blood sugar.
Burdock helps replenish potassium levels. It also supports the liver and maintains blood sugar levels.
Colostrum Extracts called transfer factors balance the immune system.
Dandelion reduces inflammation, replenishes potassium, supports the liver, adrenal glands, and digestive system, and stabilizes blood sugar levels. Dandelion also contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Krill contains Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. It also supports the immune system.
Milk Thistle supports the pancreas and the liver and stabilizes the red blood cells.
Nettle Leaf helps replenish levels of potassium lost through frequent urination. It also supports the liver and digestive systems.
Rosehips, which contains Vitamin C supports the immune system.
Seaweed is a good source of iodine and selenium, which supports adrenal health. It also contains antioxidants and Vitamin C. It helps to lover blood glucose levels. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-bacterial properties.
Siberian Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb that buffers the adrenal response to stress.
Sulphur regulates thirst and helps with skin conditions.
Homeopathic Treatment of Cushing’s Disease
In the early stages of the disease:
· Homeopathic Pituitary is made from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It should be given at 30c daily over a long period of time. It can help in balancing the gland.
· Homeopathic Formic Acid helps in restoration of the animal’s coat. It should be given at 6x daily for one to two months.
Other homeopathic remedies used in treating Cushing’s disease are Arsenicum 30c, for excessive thirst and urination, Hepar suph 30c, for skin problems including abscesses, Mercurius 30c, for bladder irritation and diarrhea, and Sulpur 30c, for thirst, skin problems and stomach issues. To determine the correct homeopathic remedy one must take a complete history of the animal including treatment history, personality, and environmental factors. A United Kingdom study, using a mixture of ACTH 30c, and Quercus 30c, found that the animals tested showed 81% decrease in symptoms.
A dog can live a reasonably long and happy life with Cushing’s disease with managed properly. Your holistic veterinarian should be informed of any changes your make to your dog’s regiment. Remember each dog is different and what may work well for one individual may not do as well for another. Keeping a diary of your dog’s treatments and its reaction to each will make it easier to track your dog’s progress. Above all else avoid stressful situations and support your pet with love.
