Natural treatments: Natural remedies for Cushings in dogs/natural treatment options include melatonin, lignans, milk thistle, and SAMe. These dietary supplements have little to no side effects and are often used as a first treatment option for Cushing's disease. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is produced in excess in Cushingoid dogs, which is the cause of most of the symptoms. Controlling the amount of cortisol means controlling the symptoms. Flaxseed lignans and melatonin both inhibit different enzymes needed in the production of cortisol. In restoring hormone levels back to normal, flaxseed lignans and melatonin can help manage the symptoms. Studies have found that the combination of lignans and melatonin not only reduce cortisol, but act directly upon adrenal tumor cells, effectively treating both typical and atypical cushings disease. Milk thistle and SAMe are dietary supplements that help support the liver. Liver support is beneficial for dogs with Cushing's because the disease puts a great deal of stress on the liver, causing it to become overworked. Click here to read testimonials on natural Cushing's treatment options. You can read about real life experiences treating Canine Cushings Disease with lignans, melatonin, and more. Conventional treatments: These include Lysodren, Ketoconozole, and Trilostane. Although they can be effective, it is important to remember that they are chemotherapy drugs. They can be expensive and much care is needed in monitoring the results. These drugs are used to deliberately damage the outer adrenal cortex to reduce cortisol production. If the dosage is too high or if the medication is administered for an extended period of time, the adrenal gland can be damaged to the point where it stops producing cortisol all together. This causes Addison’s disease, the opposite of Cushing's disease, and monthly monitoring and steroid injections would be needed to make up for the cortisol deficit if this occurs. To ensure these chemotherapy drugs only reduce cortisol rather than eliminating it, and to confirm that they do not cause excessive damage to the adrenal gland, frequent monitoring and testing is required. Surgery: Cushings in dogs is caused by either a tumor in the adrenal gland or a tumor in the pituitary gland. Because of the pituitary gland's location, the removal of the tumor would require brain surgery, which is not performed on dogs. This procedure would be extremely risky and the cost would be astronomical. While surgery on the pituitary gland is not done, adrenal gland tumor surgery can be performed; however, it is rare because of the aforementioned risk and cost.
Cushings in Dogs: Treatment Options Overview
There are numerous treatment options to consider for dogs that have been diagnosed with Cushings disease, also known as canine cushings disease and hyperadrenocorticism. These options are conventional medicinal treatments, natural and herbal treatments, and/or surgery (but only in extremely rare cases). Due to the fact that Cushings in dogs can be difficult to diagnose, oftentimes a natural treatment is recommended by veterinarians. Natural, holistic treatment options for Cushings in dogs are gentle on aging dogs and can be used if Cushing's is only suspected. Natural treatment options are also less expensive and they have a high success rate. Exploring homeopathic options for Cushing's in dogs is usually the first route as these options possess the added benefit of little to no side effects. 
Natural treatments: Natural remedies for Cushings in dogs/natural treatment options include melatonin, lignans, milk thistle, and SAMe. These dietary supplements have little to no side effects and are often used as a first treatment option for Cushing's disease. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is produced in excess in Cushingoid dogs, which is the cause of most of the symptoms. Controlling the amount of cortisol means controlling the symptoms. Flaxseed lignans and melatonin both inhibit different enzymes needed in the production of cortisol. In restoring hormone levels back to normal, flaxseed lignans and melatonin can help manage the symptoms. Studies have found that the combination of lignans and melatonin not only reduce cortisol, but act directly upon adrenal tumor cells, effectively treating both typical and atypical cushings disease. Milk thistle and SAMe are dietary supplements that help support the liver. Liver support is beneficial for dogs with Cushing's because the disease puts a great deal of stress on the liver, causing it to become overworked. Click here to read testimonials on natural Cushing's treatment options. You can read about real life experiences treating Canine Cushings Disease with lignans, melatonin, and more. Conventional treatments: These include Lysodren, Ketoconozole, and Trilostane. Although they can be effective, it is important to remember that they are chemotherapy drugs. They can be expensive and much care is needed in monitoring the results. These drugs are used to deliberately damage the outer adrenal cortex to reduce cortisol production. If the dosage is too high or if the medication is administered for an extended period of time, the adrenal gland can be damaged to the point where it stops producing cortisol all together. This causes Addison’s disease, the opposite of Cushing's disease, and monthly monitoring and steroid injections would be needed to make up for the cortisol deficit if this occurs. To ensure these chemotherapy drugs only reduce cortisol rather than eliminating it, and to confirm that they do not cause excessive damage to the adrenal gland, frequent monitoring and testing is required. Surgery: Cushings in dogs is caused by either a tumor in the adrenal gland or a tumor in the pituitary gland. Because of the pituitary gland's location, the removal of the tumor would require brain surgery, which is not performed on dogs. This procedure would be extremely risky and the cost would be astronomical. While surgery on the pituitary gland is not done, adrenal gland tumor surgery can be performed; however, it is rare because of the aforementioned risk and cost.
Natural treatments: Natural remedies for Cushings in dogs/natural treatment options include melatonin, lignans, milk thistle, and SAMe. These dietary supplements have little to no side effects and are often used as a first treatment option for Cushing's disease. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is produced in excess in Cushingoid dogs, which is the cause of most of the symptoms. Controlling the amount of cortisol means controlling the symptoms. Flaxseed lignans and melatonin both inhibit different enzymes needed in the production of cortisol. In restoring hormone levels back to normal, flaxseed lignans and melatonin can help manage the symptoms. Studies have found that the combination of lignans and melatonin not only reduce cortisol, but act directly upon adrenal tumor cells, effectively treating both typical and atypical cushings disease. Milk thistle and SAMe are dietary supplements that help support the liver. Liver support is beneficial for dogs with Cushing's because the disease puts a great deal of stress on the liver, causing it to become overworked. Click here to read testimonials on natural Cushing's treatment options. You can read about real life experiences treating Canine Cushings Disease with lignans, melatonin, and more. Conventional treatments: These include Lysodren, Ketoconozole, and Trilostane. Although they can be effective, it is important to remember that they are chemotherapy drugs. They can be expensive and much care is needed in monitoring the results. These drugs are used to deliberately damage the outer adrenal cortex to reduce cortisol production. If the dosage is too high or if the medication is administered for an extended period of time, the adrenal gland can be damaged to the point where it stops producing cortisol all together. This causes Addison’s disease, the opposite of Cushing's disease, and monthly monitoring and steroid injections would be needed to make up for the cortisol deficit if this occurs. To ensure these chemotherapy drugs only reduce cortisol rather than eliminating it, and to confirm that they do not cause excessive damage to the adrenal gland, frequent monitoring and testing is required. Surgery: Cushings in dogs is caused by either a tumor in the adrenal gland or a tumor in the pituitary gland. Because of the pituitary gland's location, the removal of the tumor would require brain surgery, which is not performed on dogs. This procedure would be extremely risky and the cost would be astronomical. While surgery on the pituitary gland is not done, adrenal gland tumor surgery can be performed; however, it is rare because of the aforementioned risk and cost.
42 comments
My dog was diagnosed with Chushing’s a month ago and was put on Vetoryl(10mg 2x a day). She has vastly improved already (although her hair is still falling out).
I am wondering about a combination of Vetoryl and holistic medicine? Is there anything I can give her to supplement the medication?
The hyperadrenocorticism or Cushing’s disease is an endocrine irregularity that normally occurs when the adrenal glands of the dog produce cortisol hormone in a superabundant fashion. The excessive production of cortisol hormone weakens too many body organs of your furry friend and prevents them from functioning well. Thus, spotting the syndromes at the right time is crucial for your canine companion’s longer life-expectancy. But as it is difficult for a pet owner to identify the symptoms in the first place, so he should take the help of a vet after noticing any sort of irregular behavior to ensure that his four-legged furry companion can live a long life without any discomfort.
My Yorkie was diagnosed 2 years ago with chronic encephalitis and must take 2.5 mg of prednisone every other day. He was recently diagnosed with diabetes then Cushings. Since he has to continue the prednisone, will these natural products work for him at all? Thank you!
Hi. My dog was recently diagnosed with Cushings. We started Vetryol yesterday. Is it safe to use that and the holistic meds at same time? If we switch to holistic, how long till we should see the excessive drinking and peeing diminish? Also, what can help him sleep at night.? He is so focused on finding water that he isn’t sleeping. Thank you!
I live in Lexington, Ky. My Mimi., a 14 year old chow-huskie, has cushings. Can anyone suggest a vet that knows about treatments—natural, holistic, conventional. I want someone who is knowledgeable about alternatives and will work with me to give Mimi the best care possible.
My 12 3/4 year old Shih-Tzu/Maltese Mix, Lancelot has just been dx with Adrenal Dependent Cushing’s Disease. He has a 1 1/2" tumor on his adrenal gland. My vet said he thought the tumor was encapsulated and he did not see issues with the other organs except for some cysts on his kidneys. Lancelot does have renal dysfunction with about 30% function. My vet wants to do surgery but he did caution me about the risks. I’ve done some research and the fatality rate is pretty high during surgery and 24 hours after. As anyone been through this procedure? I want to do what’s best for Lancelot but I have some serious concerns about the surgery. Thank you.
Sorry for the incoming wall of text, please bare with me if you can: I have a 12 year old dachsund that I am suspecting Cushing’s in. Last week he began wetting the bed and drinking tons of water and acting very hungry. He is now peeing every 30 minutes to every 2 hours or so. I have gotten to the point where I set an alarm every hour overnight to take him outside. Over the past year, he also has been experiencing spikes in his liver count. We got blood and urine analysis done on Tuesday and last night the vet called and talked over the results. His liver count went over 4K where it was 600 just a month or so ago. He does pant at night, but it seems to only happen when he really needs to pee/drink water, though I worry that it will begin to happen more if it is Cushings. He is bloated and also has trouble going No. 2 it seems. The specific gravity of his pee is very low. His thyroid numbers were low too. He has a lot of protein in his urine as well.
Today he started demoral(sp?) for his liver count, which he used to be on when we first found his liver count was high. Tomorrow we go in for an ultrasound to see what, if anything, they can find. I hear the adrenal gland tumors are less common than the pituitary is that true?
He also mentioned the ACTH test when he went over his blood/urine numbers with me, but he said he wants to wait till after the ultrasound results and wants to consult the specialist that will be coming in to administer the ultrasound. I trust my vet very much, been bringing family pets to him over 20 years since I was a kid(this is my first pet of my own). I am happy to have found this website because a lot of literature I had been finding so far is very gloomy.
So, my questions to you are, since we are getting the ultrasound and possibly the ACTH, what else do you recommend I ask the vet to try and determine if it truly is Cushing’s, or is what we are having done enough to make the determination? And in the time we are waiting, what else can I do to help my baby till we have an answer? Foodwise, I feed him science diet’s sensitive system mixed with a little wet food from Blue Buffalo. He gets a couple treats a day and also gets egg whites at human lunchtime most days.
I have a 5.5 lbs Maltese who is 16 yrs old. Been on Vetoryl for 3 mos. Has had 2 ACTH tests and gotten very good results. Her drinking and excess peeing has stopped. Her hair seems to be getting thicker. She is really like a younger dognow. Glad I started the meds….was really scared of them but a Facebook group really helped with information about this awful disease.
I wanted to leave a personal testimonial to my experience with a natural approach to Cushing’s. We adopted an extremely neglected dog that we suspect was used as a breeder in a puppy mill. She was in very poor health overall with multiple conditions, with a primary issue being Cushing’s that she probably had for some time and was not treated for (which I believe was also contributing to/exasperating her other issues). It was touch and go as to her prognosis. An ultrasound revealed she has a growth on her adrenal gland, and liver and pancreas issues (high lab values, “sludge” in the pancreas, etc.). She’s been on melatonin, lignans (both HMR and flaxseed) as well as a Chinese medicine supplement Ophiopogon from our holistic vet. She also receives SAM-E and milk thistle, along with other supplements such as enzymes to help her absorb the nutrients from her food, probiotics, fish oil, mushrooms for immunity, etc. It’s been a year and she has responded wonderfully. Her pot belly (which was very prominent) is gone, her drinking/urinating has greatly reduced, and her coat is starting to finally show signs of improvement though she still has skin issues, including warts from her impaired immune system. She is also on raw organic freeze dried food, which provides the important nutritional support. I’m a big believer in natural medicine and just so happy to see her thriving using these treatments and knowing we didn’t have to resort to the “conventional” approach which is extremely had on dogs. Thankful for holistic vets and resources like this site that allowed us to give her a good quality of life.
my dog Rocky is our 13 year old Jack Russell/Chiwaha has been diagnosed with Cushing’s. An ultrasound showed a large mass around the pituitary glands releases ACTH hormone from the brain as the vet explained me. I am waiting for the 2nd blood test. what is the natural way to cure this disease I heard it can be very expensive plus side effects.
Please advise me where I can get these natural remedy.