Cushing's Disease in Pets

If you have pets then you know how hard it is to watch them suffer from any kind of illness or disease. They may lay around and mope or whine when they are not feeling good and this is their way of telling you that something is wrong. Pets cannot tell you what is wrong with them but their symptoms and actions can. It is our jobs, as their owner, to find out what is wrong with our pets and help them feel better.

What is Cushing's Disease?

Cushing's disease is also know as Hyperadrenocorticism. This means it is an overproduction of the adrenal glands in your pets and can cause serious symptoms. The adrenal glands are two small bean shaped structures that sit on your cat or dogs' kidneys.

Causes of Cushing's Disease in Pets

There are two possible causes of Cushing's disease in pets. One cause is if your dog or cat is taking the prescribed medication, Prednisone and your pet might be taking in too much corticosteroids in the form of the Prednisone. If your pet is not taking Prednisone then the other possible cause may be a tumor on either of the adrenal glands or on the pituitary gland.

Symptoms of Cushing's Disease in Pets

Symptoms to watch out for if you suspect Cushing's disease include excessive thirst, urinating more often than usual, increased appetite, excessive panting, high blood pressure, hair loss, calcified lumps in the skin, thinning skin, and the need to urinate more often than usual.

Treatment of Cushing's Disease in Pets

If your pet has Cushing's disease there are treatments available. One treatment is of course if your pet is taking the medication Prednisone, wean he or she off of the medication slowly under veterinarian supervision. Cushex drops are another treatment for Cushing's disease. Cushex drops are a blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients to treat your pet for Cushing's disease and keep he or she healthy. If Cushing's disease is caused by a tumor on the adrenal glands or pituitary glands they will need surgery.

Natural Remedies for Cushing's Disease in Pets

Natural remedies are a safer way to treat your pet if he or she has Cushing's disease. Herbs such as Dandelion, Huanq Qi, and Burdock are a safe way to help maintain and control adrenal function, normal corticosteroid, and fluid and electrolyte levels. Homeopathic ingredients that are carefully selected will help your pet also. These include Hepar sulph, Mercurius, Arsenicum, and Sulpher and these can help maintain and support normal digestive functioning, urination, and healthy skin.

Ways to Help Your Pet Cope With the Symptoms of Cushing's Disease

There are also a few things you, as a pet owner, can do to help your pet cope with the symptoms of Cushing's disease while waiting on treatment. Make sure your cat or dog gets a healthy diet with no added preservatives, keep fresh, clean water available for your pet at all times, make sure your pet gets enough daily exercise, include immune building supplements in your pets diet to boost the immune system and fight off infections, give your pet selenium and vitamins E and C to reduce cortical productions, and relieve your pets itchy skin by using tea tree shampoo or by rubbing coconut oil on their skin.

If your pet has Cushing's Disease, it is important to get them to the Veterinarian as soon as you can. Helping our pets feel better and keeping them healthy is our job as the pet owner.

Sources:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/cd.html
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/cushings.html
http://www.cat-world.com.au/CushingsDisease.htm